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THE true fellowship, vnion and communion that wee haue with our Sauiour and amongst our selues, is in this Sacrament both wrought and represented, not by Sitting, nor Lying, nor Standing, nor Kneeling, but by a farre more significant and
effectuall meane, not drawne from a controuerted example of Christs Table-gesture, but set downe in the expresse words of the Institution, and interpreted by Paul, 1. Cor. chap. 10. in these words following: The bread which wee breake (not the Table whereat wee sit) is it not the commu∣nion of the Bodie of Christ? The Cup of blessing which wee blesse (not our Sit∣ting or Standing) is it not the commu∣nion of the Bloud of Christ? Here the Bread and the Cup deliuered and receiued, and not the Table, nor the Sitting thereat, are the Signes and Seales of our Communion and Fel∣lowship with Christ; yea, a signe that declareth a far more strict coniuncti∣on with Christ, then either Lying or Sitting, or any other Table-gesture, to wit, such a coniunction and vnion, as is betwixt the bodie, and the food wherewith it is nourished, which is not onely locall, but reall: For as our corporall nourishment is turned
into the substance of our bodies na∣turally, so are we conuerted and tur∣ned into the Lord Iesus spiritually, insomuch that wee become flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bones; and this conuersion beginneth in this life at the soule, and is perfected both in bodie and soule in the life to come. Here wee are conuerted in the same minde, will, and affections, then, our bodies shall bee made like his glorious Bodie. And this con∣uersion is wrought by the reall vnion that is betwixt our Sauiour and vs, represented in this Sacrament, by the naturall vnion, that is betwixt the bodie that is nourished, and the food whereby it is nourished, and is most cleerely set downe by our Sa∣uiour himselfe in the sixt chapter of Iohns Gospell, wherein the spirituall part of this Sacrament is most ac∣curately described, containing both the benefit which wee receiue, and the meanes and manner whereby we
receiue it. The benefit, the resur∣rection of our bodies, and life euer∣lasting,* 1.1 in these words, Hee that ea∣teth my Flesh, and drinketh my Bloud, hath life eternall, and I shall raise him vp at the last Day. The meanes and manner, whereby wee receiue this benefit, is our vnion and commu∣nion with Christ; and touching the vnion, hee saith,* 1.2 Hee that eateth my Flesh, and drinketh my Bloud, remai∣neth in me, and I in him. Then follow∣eth the communion;* 1.3 As the Father liueth, so liue I by the Father, and hee that eateth mee, shall liue by mee. Here we haue a fellowship with the Father and with the Sonne, in the greatest dignitie and honour whereof a crea∣ture can be capable, in the blessed, the eternall, and glorious life of God, which is signified & sealed vp by the Sacramentall action of eating and drinking the Bread and the Cup of the Lord liuely, then any gesture, or position of body can expresse.
Ioh. 6. 54.
Ioh. 6. 56.
Ioh. 6. 57.