Page 768
VERS. XVI.
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The Cup of Blessing.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Cup of Blessing. So was that Cup in the Passover called, over which thanks were given after meat: and in which our Saviour instituted the Cup of the Eucharist; of which we have spoken largely at Mat. XXVI. 27. When therefore the Apostle marks out the Cup of the Lords Supper with the same name, as the Jews did their Cup, he hath recourse to the first institution of it, and implies that giving of thanks was continued over it by Christians, although new under another notion.
Thus his reasoning proceeds: as we in the eating of bread, and drinking of the Eucharistical Cup, communicate of the body, and blood of Christ: so in eating things offered to Idols, men communicate of and with an Idol. You communicate of the blood of Christ; therefore fly from Idolatry. I speak to wise men; do you judge of the argument. For the very participation of the Eucharist seals you up against Idolatry, and things offered to Idols.
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For we all partake of one bread.
The manner of reasoning, We all are one body, because we partake of one bread, recals that to mind which among the Jews was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mixing or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Communion. The manner and sense of which learn out of Maimonides. g 1.1 By the words of the Scribes, saith he, it is forbid neighbours to go (on the Sabbath day) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in a place ap∣propriated to one, where there is a division into divers habitations, unless all the neighbours one the Sabbath Eve 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 enter into communion.—Therefore (Solomon; for they make him the author of this Tradition and Custom) appoynted, that each place be appropria∣ted to one man, there where there is a division into divers Habitations, and each of the Inhabitans receive there a place proper to himself, and some place also is left there common to all, so that all have an equal right in it, as a Court belonging to many houses, which is reckoned a place by right common to all. And every place which each hath proper to himself, is reckoned 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a proper place. And it is forbid, that a man carry any thing from a place proper to himself into the place common to all (that is, on the Sabbath) but let every one use the place appropriate to himself alone 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 until all enter into communion.
: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 But how is that Communion made? 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They associate together in one food which they prepare on the Eve of the Sabbath: as though they would say. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 We all associate together, and we have all one food: nor does any of us separate a propriety from our neighbour, but as we all have an equal right in this place which is left common to us, so we have all an equal right in the place, which every one takes to himself for his own.
And 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The consorting together, which those, that dwel among themselves in the same Court, make, is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The Communions of Courts. And that con∣sorting together which they make, that dwell among themselves in the same Walk or Entry, or which Citizens of the same City make among themselves, is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Participating together.
They do not consort together in Courts 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but with a whole loaf. Although the bread of the bach be a whole Seah, if it be not a whole loaf, they do not en∣ter into consortship with it. But if it be whole, if it be no more than an Assarius only, they enter into consortship with it.
How do they enter into 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Communion, in the Courts? They demand of every house which is in the Court, one whole cake or loaf which they lay up in one vessel, and in some house which is in the Court, although it be a barn, or a stabl••, &c. And one of the company blesseth, and so all eat together, &c.
Compare these things with the words of the Apostle, and they do not only illustrate his argumentation, but confirm it also. If it were customary among the Israelites to joyn together in one Political or Oeconomical body by the eating of many loaves col∣lected together from this, and that, and the other man; we are much more associated together into one body by eating one and the same bread appointed us by one Saviour.