It teacheth Humility because it setteth forth Christ in the great∣est of his self-abasement, yea the depth of his Humility shewed forth in his bearing the revilings, contradictions, and murther of his ene∣mies, when he could have prevented them by destroying them all. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross, Phil. 2. 5. &c. When they hear Christ saying, The Cup that my heavenly Father hath appointed me to drink, shall I not drink it? which our Saviour expounds of his death and bitter passion, and all this ex∣cellently commemorated in this table of the Lord, how teachable must it needs be to the pious Christian? Sure this is no less efficatious to teach this duty of humility, than the word preached, Heb. 12. 1, 2, 3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be weary and faint in your minds. Paul was a zealous Christian for this Ordinance, Acts 20. 1 Cor. 11. and we find him well instru∣cted in the Doctrine of it, being desirous to know Christ, the fellowship of his sufferings, and the power of his Resurrection, being made comformable to his Death. Let no man strive therefore against this Gospel precept, because (as they are pleased to speak) it is a low ministration, sith what may rightly be said of its small beauty in the Judgment of men, doth argue the necessity and true usefulness of it, being therein made fit to set forth Christ in his humiliation, and consequently the con∣formity of the Church to Christ in his abasement, which she must learn during the time her Lord exercises her under the word of his patience: Nevertheless this Ordinance (as all other Gospel Services) hath also a clear evidence of the Glory of Christ in it, as it directeth us to the manifestation of the Son of God, When he shall come to be glo∣risied in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.
We may justly conclude, that such as reject Christ as held forth in this Ordinance, do therein declare themselves averse to the true steps of humility (notwithstanding great and voluntary pretences that way, Col. 2.) pretending, but very falsly, to know Christ after a more ex∣cellent way, than he is held forth in this Ordinance, else doubtless they would follow him therein: Yea they tell us, this is to know Christ after the flesh, as if Christ taught no spiritual matter in this Ordinance; or, as if the Doctrine of his Cross, and our conformity to him therein, were not as necessary as any thing, to demonstrate the spirituality of a Christian, whiles the Church is militant; or, as if it were not the best conquest, to have every thought brought into the obedience of Christ, who is the great Commander in this Service as well as the rest of his Holy Precepts.