574 SACRAMENTAL DISCOURSES.
is made unto us, as here, by way of food. To what end do we receive it? Truly, we receive it for these two ends: — for incorporation ; for nourishment : —
1. We receive our food that it may incorporate and turn into blood and spirits, — that it may become one with us ; and when we have so done, —
2. Our end and design is, that we may be nourished, nature strength- ened, comforted, and supported, and we enabled for the duties of life.
Christ doth exhibit himself unto our souls, if we are not wanting unto ourselves, for these two things: — incorporation and nourish- ment; to be received into union, and to give strength unto our souls.
III. Christ is present in this ordinance by way of obsignation : he comes here to seal the covenant ; and therefore the cup is called " The new testament in the blood of Christ." How in the blood of Christ ? It is the new covenant that was sealed, ratified, confirmed, and made so stable, as you have heard, by the blood of Jesus Christ. For, from the foundation of the world, no covenant was ever intended to be established, but it was confirmed by blood; and this covenant is con- firmed by the blood of Christ; and he comes and seals the covenant with his own blood in the administration of this ordinance.
Well, if Jesus Christ be thus present by way of representation, exhibition, and obsignation, what is required of us, that we may meet him, and be present with him? For it is not our mere coming hither that is a meeting with Christ ; it is a work of faith : and there are three acts of faith whereby we may be present with Christ, who is thus present with us: —
1. The first is by recognition, answering his representation. As Christ in this ordinance doth represent his death unto us, so we are to remember it and call it over. Pray consider how things were done formerly in reference unto it. The paschal lamb was an ordinance for remembrance : " It is a night to be had in remembrance ;" and this they should do for a remembrance. And it was to be eaten with bitter herbs. There was once a-year a feast, wherein all the sins, iniquities, and transgressions of the children of Israel were called to remem- brance ; and it was to be done by greatly afflicting of their souls. If we intend to call to remembrance the death of Christ, we may do well to do it with some bitter herbs; there should be some remem- brance of sin with it, some brokenness of heart for shi, with respect to him who was pierced and broken for us. Our work is to call over and show forth the death of Christ. Pray, brethren, let us a little consider whether our hearts be suitably affected with respect to our sins, which were upon Jesus Christ when he died for us, or no; lest
SACRAMENTAL DISCOURSES. 575
we draw nigh unto him with the outward bodily presence, when our hearts are far from him.
2. If Christ be present with us by way of exhibition, we ought to be present by way of admission. It will not advantage you or me that Christ tenders himself unto us, unless we receive him, This is the great work ; herein lies the main work upon all the members of the church. When we are to dispense the word, the first work lies upon 'ministers; and when the work is sufficiently discharged, they will be a good savour unto God in them that believe, and in them that perish : but in this ordinance, the main work lies upon your- selves. If in the name of Christ we make a tender of him unto you, and he be not actually received, there is but half the work done ; so that you are in a peculiar manner to stir up yourselves, as having a more especial interest in this duty, than in any other duty of the church whatsoever ; and you may take a better measure of yourselves by your acting in this duty, than of us by our acting in the ministry. Let Christ be received into your hearts by faith and love, upon this particular tender that he assuredly makes in this ordinance of him- self unto you; for, as I said, he hath not invited you unto an empty, painted feast or table.
3. Know what you come to meet him for; which is, to seal the covenant, — solemnly to take upon yourselves again the performance of your part of the covenant. I hope I speak in a deep sense of the thing itself, and that which I have much thought of. This is that which ruins the world, — the hearing that God hath made a covenant of grace and mercy ; it is preached to them, and declared unto them, and they think to be saved by this covenant, though they themselves do not perform what the covenant requires on their part. What great and glorious words do we speak in the covenant, — that God gives himself over unto us, to be our God ! Brethren, there is our giving ourselves unto God (to answer this) universally and absolutely. If we give ourselves unto the world, and to our lusts, and to self, we are not to expect any benefit by God's covenant of grace. If it be not made up by our sealing of the covenant of grace, or by a uni- versal resignation of ourselves, in all that we are and do, unto him, we do not meet Jesus Christ ; we disappoint him when he comes to seal the covenant. "Where is this people," saith Christ, "that would enter into covenant with me?" Let it be in our hearts to see him seal the covenant of grace as represented in this ordinance ; and to take upon ourselves the performance of what is required of us, by a universal giving up ourselves unto God.