Section 4: Of the Lord’s Supper

How art thou in the Lords Supper admonished and warranted that thou art Partaker of that only Sacrifice of Christ offered on the Cross, and of all his Benefits?

Because Christ hath commanded me and all the Faithful to eat of this Bread broken, and to drink of this Cup, distributed in Remembrance of him, with this Promise^a adjoyned, first, that his Body was as certainly broken and offered for me upon the Cross, and his Blood shed for me, as I behold with my Eyes the Bread of the Lord broken unto me, and the Cup communicated unto me: and further, that my Soul is no less assuredly fed to everlasting life with his Body, which was crucified for me, and his Blood which was shed for me, than I receive and taste by the Mouth of my Body, the Bread and Wine, the Signs of the Body and Blood of our Lord, received at the Hand of the Minister.

How are you in the Lords Supper admonished and warranted that you are Partaker of that only Sacrifice of Christ offered on the Cross, and of all his Benefits?

Because Christ has commanded me and all the Faithful to eat of this Bread broken, and to drink of this Cup, distributed in Remembrance of him, with this Promise^a adjoined, first, that his Body was as certainly broken and offered for me upon the Cross, and his Blood shed for me, as I behold with my Eyes the Bread of the Lord broken unto me, and the Cup communicated unto me: and further, that my Soul is no less assuredly fed to everlasting life with his Body, which was crucified for me, and his Blood which was shed for me, than I receive and taste by the Mouth of my Body, the Bread and Wine, the Signs of the Body and Blood of our Lord, received at the Hand of the Minister.

What is it to eat the Body of Christ?

It is not only to imbrace, by an assured Confidence of Mind, the whole Passion and Death of Christ, and thereby,^a to obtain Forgiveness of Sins, and everlasting Life, but also by the Holy Ghost, who dwelleth both in Christ, and us, so more and more to^b be united to his sacred Body, that though he be^c in Heaven, and we on Earth, yet nevertheless we are Flesh of his Flesh, and Bone of his^d Bones: and as all the Members of the Body are quickned by one Soul: so are we also quickned and^e guided by one and the same Spirit.

What is it to eat the Body of Christ?

It is not only to embrace, by an assured Confidence of Mind, the whole Passion and Death of Christ, and thereby,^a to obtain Forgiveness of Sins, and everlasting Life, but also by the Holy Ghost, who dwells both in Christ, and us, so more and more to^b be united to his sacred Body, that though he be^c in Heaven, and we on Earth, yet nevertheless we are Flesh of his Flesh, and Bone of his^d Bones: and as all the Members of the Body are quickened by one Soul: so are we also quickened and^e guided by one and the same Spirit.

Where hath Christ promised that he will as certainly give his Body and Blood so to be eaten and drunken, as they eat this Bread broken, and drink this Cup?

In the Institution of the Supper, the Words whereof are these.^a Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Night that he was betrayed, took Bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my Body which is broken for you: this do in Remembrance of me. Likewise also he took the Cup, when he had supped, and^b said, This Cup, is the new Testament in my^c Blood; this do as often as ye shall drink it in Remembrance of me: for as often as ye shall eat this Bread, and drink this Cup, ye shew the Lords Death till he come. This Promise, is repeated by St. Paul where he saith, The Cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ? the Bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of^d Christ? for we that are many, are one Bread, and one Body, because we are all Partakers of one Bread.

Where has Christ promised that he will as certainly give his Body and Blood so to be eaten and drunken, as they eat this Bread broken, and drink this Cup?

In the Institution of the Supper, the Words whereof are these.^a Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Night that he was betrayed, took Bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my Body which is broken for you: this do in Remembrance of me. Likewise also he took the Cup, when he had supped, and^b said, This Cup, is the new Testament in my^c Blood; this do as often as you shall drink it in Remembrance of me: for as often as you shall eat this Bread, and drink this Cup, you show the Lords Death till he come. This Promise, is repeated by St. Paul where he says, The Cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ? the Bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of^d Christ? for we that are many, are one Bread, and one Body, because we are all Partakers of one Bread.

Are then the Bread and Wine made the very Body and Blood of Christ?

No, verily; but as the Water of Baptism is^a not turned into the Blood of Christ, but is only a Signe and Pledge of those things that are sealed to us in Baptism; so neither is the Bread of the Lords Supper the very Body^b of Christ, although according to the manner of Sacraments, and^c that Form of speaking of them which is usual unto the Holy Ghost, the Bread is called the Body of Christ.

Are then the Bread and Wine made the very Body and Blood of Christ?

No, verily; but as the Water of Baptism is^a not turned into the Blood of Christ, but is only a Sign and Pledge of those things that are sealed to us in Baptism; so neither is the Bread of the Lords Supper the very Body^b of Christ, although according to the manner of Sacraments, and^c that Form of speaking of them which is usual unto the Holy Ghost, the Bread is called the Body of Christ.

Why then doth Christ call Bread his Body, and the Cup his Blood, or the new Testament in his Blood; and St. Paul calleth Bread and Wine the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ?

Christ not without great Consideration speaketh so, to wit, not only for to teach us that as the Bread and Wine sustain the Life of the Body, so also his crucified Body, and Blood shed, are indeed the Meat and Drink of our Souls, whereby they^a are nourished to eternal Life; but much more that by this visible Signe and Pledg, he may assure us that we are as verily Partakers of his Body and Blood, through the working of the^b Holy Ghost, as we do perceive by the Mouth of our Body, these holy Signes in Remembrance of him; and further also, that his Sufferings and Obedience is so certainly ours, as though we our selves had suffered Punishments for our Sins, and had satisfied God.

Why then does Christ call Bread his Body, and the Cup his Blood, or the new Testament in his Blood; and St. Paul calls Bread and Wine the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ?

Christ not without great Consideration speaks so, to wit, not only for to teach us that as the Bread and Wine sustain the Life of the Body, so also his crucified Body, and Blood shed, are indeed the Meat and Drink of our Souls, whereby they^a are nourished to eternal Life; but much more that by this visible Sign and Pledge, he may assure us that we are as verily Partakers of his Body and Blood, through the working of the^b Holy Ghost, as we do perceive by the Mouth of our Body, these holy Signs in Remembrance of him; and further also, that his Sufferings and Obedience is so certainly ours, as though we our selves had suffered Punishments for our Sins, and had satisfied God.

What Difference is there between the Supper of the Lord, and the Popish Mass?

The Supper of the Lord testifieth unto us, that we have perfect Forgiveness of all our Sins, for that only Sacrifice of Christ, which himself once^a fully wrought on the Cross; then also that we by Faith are grafted into^b Christ, who now according to his Human Nature is only in Heaven at the Right Hand of^c his Father, and there will be^d worshipped of us. But in the Mass it is denied that the quick and the dead have Remission of Sins, for the only Passion of Christ, except Christ also be daily offered for them by their Sacrificers: Further, also it is taught, that Christ is bodily under the Forms of Bread and Wine, and therefore is to be worshipped in them: and so the very Foundation of the Mass is nothing else but an utter denial of that only Sacrifice and Passion of Christ Jesus, and an accursed Idolatry.

What Difference is there between the Supper of the Lord, and the Popish Mass?

The Supper of the Lord testifies unto us, that we have perfect Forgiveness of all our Sins, for that only Sacrifice of Christ, which himself once^a fully wrought on the Cross; then also that we by Faith are grafted into^b Christ, who now according to his Human Nature is only in Heaven at the Right Hand of^c his Father, and there will be^d worshipped of us. But in the Mass it is denied that the quick and the dead have Remission of Sins, for the only Passion of Christ, except Christ also be daily offered for them by their Sacrificers: Further, also it is taught, that Christ is bodily under the Forms of Bread and Wine, and therefore is to be worshipped in them: and so the very Foundation of the Mass is nothing else but an utter denial of that only Sacrifice and Passion of Christ Jesus, and an accursed Idolatry.

Who are to come unto the Table of the Lord?

They only, who are truly sorrowful they have offended God by their Sins, and yet trust that those Sins are pardoned them for Christ’s sake; and what other Infirmities they have, that those are covered by his Passion and Death; who also desire more and more to go forward in Faith and Integrity of life: but Hypocrites, and them which do not truly repent, do eat^a and drink Damnation to themselves.

Who are to come unto the Table of the Lord?

They only, who are truly sorrowful they have offended God by their Sins, and yet trust that those Sins are pardoned them for Christ’s sake; and what other Infirmities they have, that those are covered by his Passion and Death; who also desire more and more to go forward in Faith and Integrity of life: but Hypocrites, and them which do not truly repent, do eat^a and drink Damnation to themselves.

Are they also to be admitted to the Lords Supper who in Confession and Life declare themselves to be Infidels, profane, and ungodly?

No; For by that means the Ordinance of God is profaned, and the Wrath of God is^a stirred up against the whole Assembly, wherefore the Church by the Commandment of Christ and his Apostles, inspired by the Holy Ghost, using the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, ought to drive them from this Supper till they shall repent and change their Manners.

Are they also to be admitted to the Lords Supper who in Confession and Life declare themselves to be Infidels, profane, and ungodly?

No; For by that means the Ordinance of God is profaned, and the Wrath of God is^a stirred up against the whole Assembly, wherefore the Church by the Commandment of Christ and his Apostles, inspired by the Holy Ghost, using the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, ought to drive them from this Supper till they shall repent and change their Manners.

How ought this Ordinance of the Lords Supper to be closed?

In singing Praises to God vocally and audibly for his great Benefits and Blessings to his Church in the shedding of the most precious Blood of his Son to take away their Sin; which Blessings are pointed out in this Sacrament. Also we find our Lord and his Disciples did close up this Ordinance in singing an Hymn or Psalm; and if Christ did sing, who was going to dy, what cause have we to sing for whom he died, that we might not eternally dy, but live a spiritual and eternal life with Father, Son, and Spirit in unexpressible Glory.^a

How ought this Ordinance of the Lords Supper to be closed?

In singing Praises to God vocally and audibly for his great Benefits and Blessings to his Church in the shedding of the most precious Blood of his Son to take away their Sin; which Blessings are pointed out in this Sacrament. Also we find our Lord and his Disciples did close up this Ordinance in singing an Hymn or Psalm; and if Christ did sing, who was going to die, what cause have we to sing for whom he died, that we might not eternally die, but live a spiritual and eternal life with Father, Son, and Spirit in unexpressible Glory.^a

You told us but now, that those who in Confession and Life declare themselves to be Infidels, profane and ungodly, should by the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven be driven from this Supper: what are the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven?

Preaching of the Gospel and Ecclesiastical Discipline, by which Heaven is opened to the Believers, and^a is shut against the Unbelievers.

You told us but now, that those who in Confession and Life declare themselves to be Infidels, profane and ungodly, should by the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven be driven from this Supper: what are the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven?

Preaching of the Gospel and Ecclesiastical Discipline, by which Heaven is opened to the Believers, and^a is shut against the Unbelievers.

How is the Kingdom of Heaven opened and shut by preaching of the Gospel?

When by the Commandment of Christ it is publickly declared to all and every one of the Faithful, that all their Sins are pardoned them of God for the Merit of Christ, so often as they imbrace by a lively Faith the Promise of the Gospel: but contrarily is denounced to all Infidels and Hypocrites, that so long the Wrath of God doth ly on them, as they^a persist in their Wickedness, according to which Testimony of the Gospel God will judge them, as well in this life as in the life to come.

How is the Kingdom of Heaven opened and shut by preaching of the Gospel?

When by the Commandment of Christ it is publicly declared to all and every one of the Faithful, that all their Sins are pardoned them of God for the Merit of Christ, so often as they embrace by a lively Faith the Promise of the Gospel: but contrarily is denounced to all Infidels and Hypocrites, that so long the Wrath of God does ly on them, as they^a persist in their Wickedness, according to which Testimony of the Gospel God will judge them, as well in this life as in the life to come.

How is the Kingdom of Heaven opened and shut by Ecclesiastical Discipline?

When according to the Commandments of Christ, they who in Name are Christians, but in their Doctrine and life shew^a themselves Aliens from Christ, after they have been some time admonished, will not depart from their Error, Heresies, or Wickedness, are made known unto the Church; and if neither then they obey the Churches Admonition, are by the same Church kept from the Sacrament, and shut out by Authority received from Christ, from the Congregation^b or Church, and by God himself out of the Kingdom of Heaven. And again, if they profess and declare an amendment of life, nothing to the contrary being to be proved upon strict scrutiny and search, are again to^c be received in Love & Tenderness as Members of Christ and his Church.

How is the Kingdom of Heaven opened and shut by Ecclesiastical Discipline?

When according to the Commandments of Christ, they who in Name are Christians, but in their Doctrine and life show^a themselves Aliens from Christ, after they have been some time admonished, will not depart from their Error, Heresies, or Wickedness, are made known unto the Church; and if neither then they obey the Churches Admonition, are by the same Church kept from the Sacrament, and shut out by Authority received from Christ, from the Congregation^b or Church, and by God himself out of the Kingdom of Heaven. And again, if they profess and declare an amendment of life, nothing to the contrary being to be proved upon strict scrutiny and search, are again to^c be received in Love & Tenderness as Members of Christ and his Church.