An introduction to the sacrament, or, A short, plain, and safe way to the communion table being an instruction for the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper / collected for and familiarly addressed to every particular communicant.

LXXXI.

Besides Humilitie and Reve∣rence, there is required of them who come to the Lords Supper, a thankful remembrance of Christs death. And this you cannot want, when you reflect upon what he suffer'd for you, both in credit and bodie, when he un∣derwent the most painful and ignominious sort of dying; and in those sharp and fearful ago∣nies of his Soul, which forced him to crie out, His God had forsaken him. And seeing all this was to save you from peri∣shing, this must needs awaken you to an holy ambition of ma∣king your Thankfulness, if pos∣sible, as unspeakable as his Suf∣ferings. And how can you but praise and magnifie his Good∣ness, who hath redeem'd you at so dear a rate! especially when

you come to the Sacrament to make solemn Commemoration of Gods mercies, in sending his Son to die for you, and appoin∣ting the Sacrament to be a con∣tinual Pledge of your Thankful∣ness for the same. With Angels therefore, and Arch-angels, and all the Companie of Heaven, laud and magnifie his glorious Name, praising him, and say∣ing, Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and Earth are full of thy Glorie: Glorie be to thee, O Lord most high. Thanks∣giving or praising of God, was the devout practice of the first Christans at the receiving of the Lords Supper, Acts 2. 46, 47. And in after-Ages Thanksgiving was thought so necessarie at its celebration, that the Sacrament it self thence got the name of Eucharist: A word, though it be not found in Scripture in this sence, yet Casaubon doubts not

but it was derived from the time of the Apostles. Exercit. 16. ad Annal. Baron. cap. 33.