The Christian's manual in three parts ... / by L. Addison ...

LV.

In whom I have Redemption through his Blood, the forgiveness of Sins, according to the riches of his Grace, &c.

It is impossible in any Duty, without Faith, to please God, or to be accepted of him; because whatsoever is not of Faith, is Sin. But in the matter of the Holy Sacrament, Faith hath a more appropriate Office: for by it, as by a Hand, Mouth, and Stomach, you receive, eat, and digest the spiritual Food and heavenly Sustenance by which your Soul is nourished to eter∣nal Life. And in the sense of the Spirit, to eat and drink the Bo∣dy and Blood of Christ, is pro∣perly to believe on him in the Sacrament: which doth not on∣ly represent unto you the man∣ner of Christs Death, and in

visible Actions set before you what he suffered on the Cross: Nor doth the Sacrament only convey unto you that Grace which flows from Christs Death; but it doth seal and confirm un∣to every worthy Communicant all the Benefits of Christs Passion. For God, to magnifie his Mercy and Goodness towards Believers, was not content to give them only a general offer of his Pro∣mises in Christ; but thought sit to seal them to every particular penitent Christian, and in the Sacrament actually to deliver him them. Faith apprehending and applying the benefits of Christ, which are all comprized in the Forgiveness of Sins, and Salvation; the sum of all the Happiness of this World, and of that which is to come.