But what is meant, then, by Christ's sitting at his table ? Some apply it to his abode in heaven, in the midst of the holy angels and the spirits of just men made perfect ; and the eternal pleasures they enjoy there are often set forth by a feast. But rather it implieth the fellowship we have with Christ by the gospel, which is also set forth by a table ready furnished and prepared, where Christ is present feasting with us ; as Mat. xxii. 1-3, ' The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, that made a marriage for his son ; ' and Prov. ix. 2, ' Wisdom hath killed her beasts, and mingled her wine ; she hatli also furnished her table , ' and Isa. xxv. 6, ' And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat tilings, a feast of wines on the lees ; of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.' More particularly, the Lord's supper is called the table of the Lord: 1 Cor. x. 21, 'Ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord and the table of devils.' Well then, we see here —
(1.) That Christ hath prepared and furnished a table for the enter- tainment of his family : Ps= xxiii. 5, ' Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.* Devils malign, but cannot in- fringe our comforts ; they grieve to see the riches of his bounty to us, but we are invited freely to partake of them.
(2.) He hath not only a table, but he sitteth down, cometh and suppeth with us : Rev. iii. 20, ' I will sup with him, and he with me.' The king is in the round or ring among the rest of the guests. At the first institution, Christ did himself partake of his own supper; then he was present in person, but still in spirit, and doth but wait the time when he will ' drink new wine w^ith you in his Father's king- dom.' Mat. xxvi. 29, 'That ye may eat and drink at my table in ray kingdom,' Luke xxii. 30. For the present, the effect of an ordinance dependetli upon that sweet company and communion that we have with him in these duties All go.spel ordinances are the sweeter be- cause of Christ's presence with them ; this doth enliven the soul, when
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Christ is at the tahle aud sitteth amongst ns. Thus we see in what posture Christ is represented.
Secondly, The effect of this on the church's part, ' My spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.' It is usual in scripture to represent sin by roots of bitterness, and the fruits and graces of the Spirit by sweet spices and plants. Now, among all these plants, spikenard was of chiefest account. The herb lavender, which is pseudo-nard, or bas- tard spikenard, is sweet ; but the true spikenard was ot great price aud esteem. The oil thereof they were wont to pour on the chief guests at great entertainments ; as Mark xiv. 3, * As Jesus sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, very precious ; and she break the box, and poured it on his head.' Now afterwards it is said, ' It might have been sold for more than three hundred pence,' ver. 5. The Eoman penny was about sevenpence half- penny, and so maketh near ten pounds. And it is said. John xii. 3, that ' the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.' Now hereby are figured the graces of the Spirit, wherein Christ delighteth. Only let us inquire whether this be to be applied to the church passively or actively ? Some take it passively, as if it were that liquid nard where- with Christ auointeth the church ; for ' we have an unction from the Holy One.' Junius renders it, 'perfundov odorihus suavissiiims ; but rather it is to be understood actively, that pure and liquid nard where- with she anointed Christ. This costly and honourable entertainment was bestowed on the chief guest , and the church speaketh of her respect to Christ ; she entertaineth him with the sweet favour of her good ointments when Christ sitteth at his table.
Doct. That in acts of special communion with Christ, grace cannot lie hid, but will breathe out with great fragrancy ; or, at the table of the Lord our graces should be speciall}'' and in a most lively manner exercised.
1. There is a reverence common to all worship, fv)r * God will be sanctified in all that draw nigli unto him,' Lev x. 3.
2. There is a special delight and aftection which should accompany every act of communion with God ; for ' it is good for us to draw nigh mito him,' Ps. Ixxiii. 28 ; and God saith, Isa. Ivi. 7, ' I will bring them to my holy mountain, aud make them joyful in my house of prayer.'
3. Besides, in all acts of communion with God there is an inter- change of donatives and duties. Where we expect to receive much grace, there it must be much exercised and acted . Mark iv. 24, ' With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.' It is but equity that we should entertain Christ with our best, that we should break our box of spikenard whenever he vouchsafeth to come among us. All communion must needs be mutual, and consists in acts of grace from Christ to us, and acts of love from us to Christ. As you would delight in Christ, and be refreshed with the favour of his good ointments, so you must carry it so that Christ may delight in you ; your spikenard must send forth the smell thereof.