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LO, but Christ inuiteth vs as co∣heires to this Banquet, whom hee will honour as his owne Peeres and Equals, and will not haue vs to de∣meane our selues, as Inferiours and
Subiects: Whence learne wee this: Christ Sate, or Lay, at the Table with his Disciples, when hee deliuered his Bodie and Bloud to them: and there∣fore now, why should wee not sit at Table with him, and receiue from his hand? I answer, Christ Sate or Lay with his Disciples, when he did institute this Sacrament, so did hee at the same time wash their feete. Two Reasons hereof are giuen by himselfe: Hee came not to bee ser∣ued, but to serue: and therefore du∣ring the dayes of his flesh, as hee did carrie the forme of a seruant, so hee saith, that hee was as a seruant in the midst of them. Next, hee did giue to them an example of humili∣tie, that they should neither rule im∣periously, one ouer another, nor ouer the Lords inheritance, but in humilitie serue one another, and feed the Flocke committed to their charge. This last Reason would nei∣ther teach them, nor vs, to match
our selues with our Lord & Master, but to submit our selues to our e∣quals. The first sheweth, that as in the rest of the parts of his Ministe∣rie; so in the institution of this Sa∣crament, although hee was the Lord and Giuer of the inward and spiri∣tuall grace, yet hee did carry him∣selfe as the Minister of the externall Element, which person now the Pastor sustaineth: and hee exalted at the right hand of the Father, hath declared himselfe to haue laid down the person of a seruant, and to bee no more an externall Minister, but the Lord and Giuer of the Spirit, and inward grace, by sending down the Holy Ghost from heauen vpon the Apostles. Hee then, who now would sit with him, as his fellow, must either bring him downe from heauen, and abase him againe in the forme of a seruant; or else hee must exalt himselfe to Sit with him, at the right hand of the Throne of Maiesty
in the highest places. Therefore let no man in this action thinke and esteeme of the Lord Iesus, according to the condition of the person that hee sustained, and the carriage that hee vsed, when hee did institute this Sacrament. The true and right esti∣mation of him, is to be learned, with∣out question, from the doctrine and word of the institution. Let vs then take diligent heed, and marke how there hee is propounded to be consi∣dered and esteemed of vs. There hee is the great High Priest, and Sa∣crificer of himselfe (Hee tooke, Hee brake) wee are the sinners for whom the Sacrifice is offered; with this Sa∣crifice hee payeth his Vowes,* 1.1 in the midst of the vniuersall Church (Take yee,* 1.2 eate yee:) Wee are the poore and hungry that eate and are satis∣fied. Hee is the Mediator, Suretie, and Testator of the new and eternall Testament (This is the new Testa∣ment in my Bloud.) VVee are the
Heires and Legators, who haue nei∣ther right by Nature, nor Merit, but by his meere Donation and Dis∣position onely. Hee is the honoura∣ble and glorious person, who in this action is to bee remembred as the Authour of eternall saluation, (Doe this in remembrance of mee:) And we are the redeemed, who for the bene∣fit of our redemption should remem∣ber him with Thankesgiuing and Praise.
Thus wee are taught by the words of the Institution, how in this action wee should esteeme, both of him, and of our selues, and how therein accordingly wee should behaue our selues towards him: Namely, as the redeemed, towards their Redeemer: the poore and the hungry, towards their Nourisher and Feeder: The adopted heire, towards their Adop∣ter and Testator; and they who should giue thankes and praise, to∣wards their Benefactor.
Psal. 22. 25.
Psal. 22. 26.