A. The second absurdity is this, that it denies the truth of the tes- timony given by the senses of all men, that it is real bread, and real wine, after consecration, and not flesh and blood. And if the testimony of sense be not certain, then the being of God cannot be proved by the things that are made ; contrary to Rom. i. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, &c. Nor the truth of Christ's resurrection, by seeing and feeling ; contrary to Luke xxiv. 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see, &c.
Q. 8. What is the third absurdity of transubstantiation ?
A. The third absurdity is this, that in affirming the accidents of bread and wine to remain, and their substance to vanish ; they affirm, that there is length, breadth, thickness, moisture, and sweetness ; and yet nothing long, broad, thick, moist, or sweet ; which is a perfect contradiction.
Q. 9. W^hat is the fourth absurdity of transubstantiation ?
A. It implies, that the entire living body of Christ sat at the table, and at the same time was dead, and in the disciples mouths and stomachs in the first sacrament ; and that in all after-sacraments it is wholly in heaven, and wholly in as many thousand places in the world, as there are sacraments administered.
Q. 10. What doth the breaking of this bread, and pouring out of wine in the sacrament, signify?
A. It signifies the violent painful death, and bitter sufferings of Christ for us ; 1 Cor. xi. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
Q. 11. What doth the giving and taking of the sacramental bread and wine signify ?
A. These actions signify God's exhibiting, and the believers ap- plying of Christ, and all his benefits, to their souls.
Q. 12. Who arc fit subjects to receive the Lord's supper.^
A. None that are grossly ignorant, scandalous, or unbelievers in their natural state, for such cannot examine themselves, as the word requires ; 1 Cor. xi. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. But do eat and drink judgment to themselves; 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
Q. 13. Are morally honest and sober persons qualified for this sacrament.
A. No ; civility and morality do not qualify persons, they are not the wedding-garment; but regenerating grace and faith doth, in the smallest measure ; Mat, xxii. 12. And he saith unto him, Friend^
AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM. 289
bow earnest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment ? &c. 1 Cor. X. 16, 17. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ.'' For we being many, are one bread, and one body ; for we are all partakers of that one bread.
Of the Duties of Communicants.
Quest. 97. ▼ ▼ HAT is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's Supper ?
A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lords
supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern
the Lord's body; of their faith to feed upon him ; of their repentance^
love, and new obedience ; lest coming tmworthily, they eat and drink
judgment to themselves.
Q. 1. What are the duties of worthy receivers.?
A. There are three sorts of duties incumbent on them; some an- tecedent to it, some concomitant of it, and some subsequent to it.
Q. 2. What are the antecedent duties to it ?
A. They are two. (1.) Examination of their graces. (2.) Prepa- ration of their souls. Examination of their graces ; 1 Cor. xi. 28, 29. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. And preparation of their souls ; 1 Cor. v, 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Q. 3. What is the first grace to be tried ?
A. Our saving knowledge of God in Christ, without which we cannot discern the Lord's body ; 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
Q. 4. What are we to enquire of, touching our knowledge of God in Christ.?
A. We are to examine whether it be competent for quantity, and savingly operative and influential on the heart and life, for quality ; Hosea iv. 6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, &c. 1 Cor. xiii. 1. Though I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as a sounding brass, or tinkling cymbal.
Q. 5. When is knowledge competent and influential ?
A. When we truly understand, by the teachings of the Father, the sin and misery of the fall, the nature and necessity of Christ, and ^ un- der these convictions, come to liim in the way of faith; John vi. 45.
Every man therefore that hath heard, anrl hath learned of the
Father, conieth unto me. And subject ourselves to him in sincere obedience ; Mat. xi. 28, 29. Come unto me, all ye that labour and
5290 AN EXrOSlTIOX OF THE ASSE^rBLYV CATECHISM.
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Q. 6. What are we to examine ourselves about, besides know- ledge ?
A. We are obliged to examine ourselves about our faith, whether we have it in any saving degree ; ^ Cor. xiii. 5. Examine yourselves, "whether ye be in the faith : Prove yourselves, &c. For without faith we cannot please God ; Heb. xi. 6. But without faith it is impossible to please God, &c. Nor enjoy spiritual communion with Christ; Eph. iii. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith: that ye being rooted and grounded in love, &c.
Q. 7. What other grace must be examined and sought for ? A. We must examine our love to Christ, and all that are his : be- cause no gifts signify any thing without love ; 1 Cor. xiii. 2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge ; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Q. 8. What else must worthy receivers examine themselves about ? A. The sincerity of their hearts, evidenced by their obedience ; without which they cannot worthily approach the table ; 1 Cor. v. 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Q. 9. But if, upon examination^ we are in doubts about our faith and sincerity, must we forbear ?