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ON THE LORD'S SUPPER.

WHY was the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper ordained? "For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we receive thereby."

To the end that we should always remember the exceeding great love of our Master, and only Saviour Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding he hath obtained for us; he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort.'

This do in remembrance of me. Luke xxii. 19.

Many things are represented to us in this sacrifice, and which we are called upon at the same time to remember, such as,

1. The exceeding great love of our Master and only Saviour thus dying for us.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John xv. 13.

Christ hath loved us, and given himself for us. Eph. v. 2.

What views have we of this great love wherewith he loved us? If we regard Christ as we ought, we shall both trust in, and love above all things, him who does "assure us hereby of his favour and goodness towards us.

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2. We are reminded of the great evil of sin; since nothing but the blood of Christ could obtain the pardon of it.

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John i. 29.

God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin. Rom. viii. 3.

He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. 2 Cor. v. 21.

Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Heb. ix. 26.

It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin. Heb. x. 4-10.

3. This ordinance is to show the Lord's death till he

come.

As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. 1 Cor. xi. 26.

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Col. iii. 4.

What are the benefits which Christ, by his precious bloodshedding, hath obtained for us?

1. We have hereby the pardon of sin. This is my blood of the New Testament, which many, for the remission of sins. Matt. xxvi. 28. 2. Adoption into his family.

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In Christ Jesus, ye, who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph. ii. 13.

3. Spiritual peace and consolation.

He is our peace, having slain the enmity [by the cross.] Eph. ii. 14. 16.

Having made peace through the blood of his cross. Col. i. 20. 4. Strength from him, whereby we may deny self and follow Christ, and do all other things whereunto we are called.

The preaching of the cross, unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. 1 Cor. i. 18.

The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Gal. vi. 14.

By this standing ordinance, Jesus Christ has provided that the doctrines of the atonement, and salvation by grace, through faith, shall be made known to the world, whoever neglects or opposes them.

Why is this ordinance called the Lord's Supper?

Because it was instituted by our Lord at supper-time, during the feast of the passover, the same night on which he was betrayed. The Paschal Lamb that was slain was a type of the death of Christ, and the Lord's Supper seems intended to occupy the same place under the Christian dispensation, that the passover did under the Jewish. When even was come, he sat down with the twelve. Matt. xxvi. 20.

Likewise also [he took] the cup, after supper. Luke xxii. 20. After the same manner also, he took the cup, when he had supped. 1 Cor. xi. 25.

Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. 1 Cor. v. 7.

What is the outward part, or sign, of the Lord's Supper? "Bread and wine, which the Lord hath commanded to be received."

Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it. Matt. xxvi. 26. 1 Cor. xi. 23.

And he took the cup, and gave it to them. Matt. xxvi. 27. 1 Cor. xi. 25.

[By these things] Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you. Gal. iii. 1.

The bread broken is an emblem of Christ's body

broken on the cross; and the wine poured out represents his blood shed by the soldier's spear.

What is the inward part, or thing signified?

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"The body and blood of Christ, which are spiritually taken, and received by the faithful in the Lord's Supper." Are the bread and wine changed after consecration?

No: after consecration, they are still bread and wine. 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? 1 Cor. x. 16. As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. 1 Cor. xi. 26.

What do you mean by their being spiritually taken?

The believer is really a partaker of Christ, and of the benefits of his death; and his interest herein is sealed in this ordinance. He has spiritually, as real an intercourse of friendship with his Saviour in heaven, as a man has, temporally, with a friend on earth, and the endearing pledges of mutual love are greatly cherished by this ordinance.

Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. John vi. 53.

For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him. John vi. 55, 56.

What are the benefits whereof we are partakers thereby ? "The strengthening and refreshing of our souls by the body and blood of Christ, as our bodies are by the bread and wine."

Eating the bread and drinking the wine represent the manner in which we are to feed upon Christ in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving. As bread and wine refresh the body, so does the Lord's Supper refresh the soul of those who are true believers. "For then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood; then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us." It supplies the believer with strength to hold on his pilgrimage, and gives him courage to encounter the enemies that beset his way and it furnishes him with some of the strongest motives against sin.

By eating this bread and drinking this cup, we declare our conviction that our souls are as dependent on the atonement of Christ for salvation, as our bodies are on our

proper food for support; and as our bodies would not be supported unless food were eaten, so our souls will receive no benefit from the atonement of Christ, unless by faith we receive and enjoy it.

Wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. Ps. civ. 15.

I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John vi. 35.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh. John vi. 51.

Among the purposes for which we are to attend the sacrament, may be mentioned those of obtaining nearer communion with God,-keeping alive our gratitude, and dedicating ourselves anew to him.

How does this ordinance contribute to strengthen and refresh our souls ?

By the divine blessing on the faithful receiver, his faith is strenghtened, and he is assured that Christ is the propitiation for his sins and is willing to be the food of his soul. They who receive this ordinance aright, are so influenced by the mercies of God, as to present themselves, soul and body, to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.

Do all who come to the Lord's table receive this refreshment to their souls?

Many do not; none but those who feel and lament their manifold sins, and flee to Christ for refuge, are partakers of these benefits. All others can only be partakers of the outward sign.

He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation [or condemnation] to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 1 Cor. xi. 29.

Who may be said to eat and drink the Lord's supper unworthily?

Those who come to it irreverently, or with self-righteous views; who do not feel the burden of sin, and the plague of their own hearts; and who therefore are destitute of true repentance, faith and charity. They that allow themselves in any sinful practices, cannot be worthy communicants: for this is so inconsistent with their profession, as to make all their prayers and praises mere hypocrisy.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil. Isa. i. 13-16.

What is the danger of such a conduct?

They who act thus "provoke God to plague them with divers diseases and sundry kinds of death."

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.-When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 1 Cor. xi. 30. 32.

The chastening with the Corinthians received was sent, that, by repenting and seeking mercy, they might avoid eternal damnation.

What is required of them who come to the Lord's supper ?

"To examine themselves whether they repent them truly of their former sins, steadfastly purposing to lead a new life; have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death; and they be in charity with all men."

Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 1 Cor. xi. 28.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith. 2 Cor. xiii. 5. Repentance is absolutely necessary. We must call to

mind our past ways, and compare them with God's commandments. If any sin be yet indulged, unrepented of, and not forsaken, we are not meet to be partakers of this holy sacrament. (See chapter 3d.)

How may you know whether you truly repent of your former sins?

By observing whether you loathe them, with such a dislike as to cause you to lead a new life.

Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of. 2 Cor. vii. 10, 11.

If you have not been brought to this godly sorrow, beg of God to give you his Spirit, for

He will reprove (convince) the world of sin. John xvi. 8.

Think of your guilt, in any way which may most affect you. Charge your memory with those views of your own iniquity, which may most impress you with a sense of the need you have of Christ's blood. Look on him whom you have pierced, and you shall mourn. Pray like David, Examine me, O Lord, and prove me. Ps. xxvi. 2.

A lively faith is also necessary in those who approach

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