Again, there is the instrumental cause; and that is the law of God. Whence did that separation, which is here represented unto us, ensue and flow ? It came from the sentence of the law, whereby he was hanged upon the tree.
Moreover, the adjuvant cause was those outward instruments, the wrath and malice of men : " For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together," Acts iv. 27.
Faith considers the cause whence it was that Christ was thus given up, the eternal love of God ; the procuring cause was our own sins : and if once faith takes a view of sin as that which hath nailed Christ to the cross, it will have a blessed effect on the soul. And it considers the efficient cause ; which is the justice and righteousness of God : the law of God was the instrument in the hand of righteousness, which was holpen on by those outward instruments who had a hand in his suffering, but none in his sacrifice.
[4.] Faith considers in this matter the end of this separation of the body and blood of Christ which is thus represented ; and that is, ultimately and absolutely, the glory of God. He " set him forth to declare his righteousness," Rom. iii. 25, Eph. i. 6. God aimed at the glorifying of himself. I could easily manifest unto you how all the glorious properties of his nature are advanced, exalted, and will be so to eternity, in this suffering of Christ. The subordinate ends are two; I mean the subordinate ends of this very peculiar act of separation of the body and blood: — 1st. It was to confirm the cove- nant. Every covenant of old. was to be ratified and confirmed by sacrifice ; and in confirming the covenant by sacrifice, they divided the
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sacrifice into two parts, and passed between them before they were offered ; and then took it upon themselves that they would stand to the covenant which was so confirmed. Jesus Christ being to confirm the covenant, Heb. ix. 16, the body and blood of Christ, this sacrifice, was to be parted, that this covenant might be confirmed. And, — 2dly. A special end of it was, for the confirming and strengthening of our faith. God gives out unto us the object of our faith in parcels. We are not able to take this great mysterious fruit of God's love in gross, in the lump ; and therefore he gives it out, I say, in parcels. We shall have the body broken to be considered ; and the blood shed is likewise to be considered. This is the peculiar communion which we have with Christ in this ordinance ; because there are peculiar objects for faith to act itself upon in this ordinance above others.
The very nature of the ordinance itself gives us a peculiar com- munion; and there are four things that attend the nature of this ordinance that are peculiar: — It is commemorative, professional, eucharistical, and federal : —
1. The ordinance is commemorative : " Do this in remembrance of me." And there is no greater joy to the heart of sinners, and a man knows not how to give greater glory to God, than to call the atone- ment of sin unto remembrance. It is observed in the offering for jealousy, Numb. v. 15, if a man was jealous, and caused an offering to be brought to God, God allowed neither oil nor frankincense ; and the reason is, because it was to bring sin to remembrance. But how sweet is that offering that brings to our remembrance the atone- ment made for all our sins ! That is pleasing and acceptable unto God, and sweet unto the souls of sinners.
2. It has a peculiar profession attending it. Saith the apostle, "Doing this, cye show forth the Lord's death till he come;' you make a profession and manifestation of it." And, give me leave to say it, they that look towards Christ, and do not put themselves in a way of partaking of this ordinance, they refuse the principal part of that profession which God calls them unto in this world. The truth is, we have been apt to content ourselves with a profession of moral obedience; but it is a profession of Christ's institution by which alone we glorify him in this world. " I will have my death shown forth," saith Christ, " and not only remembered." The use of this ordinance is to show forth the death of Christ. As Christ requires of us to show forth his death, so, surely, he hath deserved it by his death.
3. It is peculiarly eucharistical. There is a peculiar thanksgiving that ought to attend this ordinance. It is called " The cup of bless- ing," or "The cup of thanksgiving;"— the word suXoyia is used pro- miscuously for " blessing" and " thanksgiving." It is called " The cup of blessing," because of the institution, and prayer for the blessing of
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God upon it; and it is called "The cup of thanksgiving," because we do in a peculiar manner give thanks to God for Christ, and for his love in him.