A journal of meditations for every day in the year gathered out of divers authors / written first in Latine by N.B. ; and newly translated into English by E.M. in ... 1669.

Of Holy Communion.* 1.1

Consider Christ as an Offering, and a Sacrifice.

* 1.2COnsider 1. What is read this day in the Go∣spel, Mat. 5.24. If thou offer thy gift at the Altar, &c. The Eucharist, of all other, is the most excellent Offering that can be made, wherein the Body and Blood of Christ are offered to God, as a Propitiatory Sacrifice, for the living, and the dead: For Christ loved us, and delivered himself for us an Oblation and Host to God, in an odour of sweet∣ness, as the Apostle saith. What a treasure there∣fore have we in such a gift, Oblation, and Sacri∣fice?

Consider 2. This Divine Sacrifice hath three Excellencies above all the Sacrifices of the Old Law.* 1.3 1. In the exteriour decorum, as being more seemly, and decent, and without effusion of blood. 2. In the interiour worth and dignity, for that in o∣thers only beasts were offered, in this the Son of God himself. 3. As to the effects; for this Sacri∣fice

hath virtue and efficacy for the good of the living in this world, for freeing the dead out of Purgatory, and for the glory of the Blessed in Heaven.

* 1.4Consider 3. For due preparation to offer this Sacrifice, is required: 1. Singular Purity; accord∣ing to that, Let him not approach to the Altar that hath a blemish, and he must not contaminate my San∣ctuary. 2. And chiefly, Fraternal Charity and U∣nion, as is intimated in this days Gospel:* 1.5 If thou offer thy gift, &c. go first to be reconciled to thy Bro∣ther, &c. This was required in all Sacrifices, but is chiefly necessary in the Holy Eucharist, which was principally instituted to unite us all together, as Members of the same Body, under one Head: and therefore by the Councel of Trent it is called, the Seal of Vnity, the Bond of Charity,* 1.6 and the Symbol of Concord.

Notes

• * 1.1

  I will go into thy house with holocausts, I will ren∣der thee my vowes which my lips have distinguish∣ed. Ps. 65.13.
• * 1.2

  Ephes. 5.2.
• * 1.3

  S. Tho. opusc. 58. c. 4.
• * 1.4

  Lev. 21.23
• * 1.5

  Mat. sup.
• * 1.6

  Conc. Trid. Sess. 13. c. 8