11. He gave the cup to them. Why then dare any withhold the cup ? This is to jxdlute and curUiil the ordinance, and alter it from its primitive institution. Christ and his ajjostles administered the sacrament in. both kinds, — the bread and the cup, 1 Cor. xi. 24, 25. And the cup was re- ceived ill the ancient church for the space of 1400 years, as is confessed by two popish councils. Christ saith expressly, " Drink ye all of this." He doth not say, Eat ye all of this ; but ' Drink ye all ;' as foreseeing the sacrilegious impiety of the church of Rome in keeping back the cup from the peoj)le. The popish council of Constance speaks plainly but impudently, " That al- though Christ instituted and administered the sacrament in both kinds, the bread and the wiuc ; yet the authority of the holy canotjs, and the custom of the mother- church, think good to deny the cup to the laity." Thus, as the popish priests make Christ but half a Saviour, so tliey adminis- ter to the people but half a sacrament. The sacrament is Christ's last will and testa- ment : in the text, " This is my blood of the New Testament." Now, to alter or take away any thing from a man's will and testament, is a great impiety : What is it to alter aiul niangle Christ's last will and testament ? Sure it is an high affront to Christ.
Quest. 3. What are the €7ids of the IjordCt nupper ?
Ans. It is an ordinance appointed to con- firm our faith, John iv. 48., " Except ye see
signs ye will not believe." Christ sets the elements before us, that by these sians our faith may be strengthened. As faith Com- eth by hearing, so it is confirme<l by seeing Christ crucilied. The sacrament is not only a sign to represent Christ, but a seal to con- firm our interest in him.
Quest. But it is the Spirit confirms faith- therefore not the sacrament.
Ans. 1. This is not good logic. The Spirit confirms faith, therefore not the sacrament, is, as if one should say, God feeds our bo- dies, therefore bread doth not feed us ; whereas God feeds us by bread ; so the Spirit confirms our faith by the use of the sacrament.
A. 2. The end of the sacrament is to keep up the memory of Christ's death. 1 Cor. xi. 25., " This do ye in remembrance of me." If a friend give us a ring at his death, we wear it to keep up the memory of our friend ; much more then ought we to keep up the memorial of Christ's death in the sacrament ; Christ's death lays a foun- dation for all the magnificent blessings which we receive from Christ. The cove- nant of grace was agreed on in lieaven, but sealed upon the cross. Christ hath sealed all the articles of peace in his blood. Re- mission of sin flows from Christ's death, M;it. xxvi. 28., " This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins." Consecration, or making us holy, is the fruit ot Christ's death, Heb. ix. 14., " How much more shall the blood of Christ purge your con- science ?" Christ's intercession is made available to us by virtue of his death ; Christ could not have been admitted an advocate, if he had not been first a sacri- fice. Our entering into heaven is the fruit of Christ's blood, Heb. x. 19. Christ could not have prepared mansions for us, if he had not first purchased them by his death : so that we have a great deal of cause to com- memorate Christ's death in the sacrament.
Quest. In irhat manner are we to remem- ber the Lord's (hath in the sacrament ?
Ans. It is not only a historical remem brance of Christ's death and passion; tlms Judas remembers Christ's death, and how he betrayed him ; and Pilate remembers Christ's death, and how he crucified hira ;
OF THE LORD'S SuTIER.
but our rcmcmI>L'riiig Christ's de;ith In tlie sacrament must be,
( I.) A mournful renienibranco. We must not be able to look on Christ crucified witli dry eyes, Zech. xii. 10., " They shall look on him whom they have j)ierced, and mourn over him." O Christian, when thou look- e&t on Christ in the sacrament, remember
how oft thou h;ist crucified him ! The Jews did it but once, thou often. Every oath is a nail with which thou piercest his hands; every unjust sinful action, is a spear with which thou woundest his heart. O re- mcnd)er Christ with sorrow, to think thou shouldest make his wounds bleed afresh !
Mark xIv. 22, 23, 24. Jesm took Bread, 8fc.
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