Vers. 16-22.-The Chi-istian feast, "The cup of Llc,~ing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?" etc. 'Jhe text undoubLedly refers to the feast which Christ instituted the night on which he was betrayed, and tile words lead us to look at that feast in two aspects. I. As A MEDIUM FOR 6Plll11.'UAL COMMUNION, "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? '!'he bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" The shed blood and broken body of Christ are here re:.;arded, and must ever be regarded, as the effects and expressions of his self- sacrificing love. His" flesh" ancl "blood" mean liis spiritual life. What was that spirit- life that animated and controlled him? Self-wcnficing love. 'l'his made h,im Christ, marked him off from all other men that ever lived; it was the very "body" and ''blood" of his soul. When we are commanded, therefore, to cat his flesh and drink his blood, it means that we are to talce his spirit into us, his spirit of self-sacrificing philanthropy. This spirit is, indeed, the only true food for souls. It alone answers the two great purposes of food-it gives strength and satisfaction, No man can become morally strong, or morally satisfied, without appropriating the self-sacrificing love of Christ. Now, in the true spiritual celebration of this feast, there is n twofold "com- munion." 1. A "communion" of the disciples with Christ. They drink in his spirit, and Ly a living sympatl,y are brought into a close and tender fellowship with him. Christ comes in to them and sups with them, and they with him. We are always bringing those with whom we have the strongest sympathy into our inmost being. :!. A "commuriiou" of the disci1,lcs with oue auother. "I•'or we being many are one t•reaJ, a[J(_l one body: fur we are all partakers of that one bread," "This ve1·se explains ,cu. x. 1-33,) THE FIHST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 329
how the breaking or the hread was the ~ignificant act, which expressed, sacramentally, the communion of the body or Christ. There is one bread, it is broken in many pieces, and as we all (though each receives only a fra:;:ment) partnke of the one bread, which, unbroken, consisted of these pieces, we, though many individuals, are one body, even the body of Christ, with whom, as well as with each other, we have communion in that act." All who have a supreme sympathy for one common object will, by a law of their nature, be broui;;ht into communion one with another. All hearts will throb with one great feeling, all thoughts will flow into one common channel. Thus all true Christians are united one with another, as all the planets are united by circling round one centre, and deriving therefrom a common impulse, a common life, and a common order. II. As THE EXCLUSIVE PRIVILEGE OF CHRISTIANS. Paul speaks in these verses of two other feasts. 1. The feast of the Jewish priesthood. "Behold Israel after the flesh." 'l'he Jewish sacrifice was divided, a portion offered on the altar, and a portion taken and eaten. 2. The feast of the idolatrous heathen. " What say I then that the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything?" etc. The heathen had their feasts; they partook of that which they offered to their gods. But the spirit manifested in the partakers of both of these feasts-Jewish or heathen- would exclude from the feast which Christ ordained. In the one there was only a formal respect for Jehovah, and in the other, for demons and evil spirits. "But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils." None are to be admitted to Christ's feasts who are not in vital sympathy with him. "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of davils." Vers. 23-33.-Gospel casuistry. "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient," etc. These verses teach us the following lessons:- 1. A. GOOD MAN MAY HAVE A RIGHT TO DO THAT WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE EXPE- DIENT FOR 'l'HE SAKE OF O'l'HERS. "A.11 things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." What bas not o. good man a 1ight to? He has a right to go wherever he pleases, to eat whatever be pleases, to dress as he pleases, for a p:ood man will be actuated evermore from a good motive. But for him to use bis full right would manifestly be often inexpedient and even pernicious to others. "Things lawful" for him would not always be things that would "edify," build up, souls in reverent faith and true worship. 'l'herefore, it is not always right to stand upon our rights, it is right to conciliate and yield for the sake er others. II. SYALL SCRUPLES ON MINOR MATTERS BilOULD NOT BE ENCOUnAGED. 1. H you are over-scrupulous about what you eat, it will interfere with your participation in the provisions which nature bas made for you. "Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake." Some of the meat which had been used for sacrificial purposes in heathen temples was afterwards exposed in the markets for sale. If it is good meat, it is not the worsn for human food because usecl in sacrifice. Your nature is exhausted, it requires replenishment; you a.re hungry, there is the fo0tl hung up for sale; buy it., do not let superstitious feelings interfere with the claims of uature. How wretched and wan some of our co-religionists look, because their scruples keep them from food ! 2. If you are over-scrupulous about the beliefs of men, you will be deprived of social enjoyments. "If any of them t)1at believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, a~king no question for conscience sake." Free, genial, hearty social intercourse is one of the greatest blessings of this life. Our Saviour came "eating and drinking,'' but if you arc over- scrupulous about the credenda of your host and bis provisions, you sacrifice a.II this and injure your nature. Remember always that the world was given for your enjoy- ment. "'l'he earth bath he given to the children of men." "All things nre yours." III. A DEFERENCE TO THE CONSCIENCES OF O'l'HERS SHOULD ALWAYS DE RENDERED. "If any man say unto you, This fs offered in sacrifice unto idols, ent not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake," etc. When at the table with meats spread before you which have_ been sacrificed to idols, and a fcllow-:,;uest conscientiously abstains from touching them, and ho remin;ls you or the fact, then, out of deference to 1,is weak conscience, do not you touch them. However delicious they may appear, howner 330 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [cu. L 1-33.