THe Church of Corinth , by reason of some disorders crept into their assemblies , had often times prophaned the holy Supper of the Lord. The Apostle Paul in this Scripture indeuours to reforme this sinne in them . And this he doth , The mai● parts of the Text 1. By declaring vnto them what a dangerous sinne it is to prophane this Sacrament , ver. 23. 2. By teaching them the speciall means by which the sinne aforesaid may be auoided , verse 28.33 . Vnto these two heads may be reduced whatsoeuer is necessarie for the due preparing of a Christian to the worthy receiuing of this Sacrament .

For the better manifesting of the first point , The first point , consisting of two branches . the Apostle first laies downe the principall Doctrine of the Sacrament , verse 23.27 . Secondly , from the doctrine he infers and concludes what a great and grieuous sinne all they doe commit which prophane this Sacrament . The first branch containes six points of doctrin concerning the Sacrament . And in the first place he laieth downe six points of doctrine concerning this Sacrament , euery one of them seuerally , and all of them iointlie , tending to discouer the great and fearefull sinne that all such run into , which pollute these high and holy mysteries ; therin inci●ing and prouoking all true hearted Christians to a holy and reuerend regard , and due vse of them , whensoeuer they be called thereunto .

In this order and course which the Apostle heere obserueth , we may learne by the way these short instructions :

1. That the ignorance or want of due consideration of the doctrine concerning this Sacrament is one maine and principall cause , that so many doe contemne and prophane the same .

2. That there is no hope or possibilitie , that grosse ignorant persons , who know not the doctrine of this Sacrament , ( so long as they continue ignorant thereof ) should euer with due reuerence receiue the same . And therefore so oft as in their ignorance they goe about to bee made partaker thereof , they runne themselues and their soules vpon a most dangerous rocke : So that the first meanes for a Christian to become a worthy and reuerend partaker of this Sacrament , is to bee grounded in the doctrine and knowledge thereof . Ignorance indeed well may be the mother of Popish deuotion , but it is the very stepdame of all true Christian pietie , and ( as it appeares by the Apostles proceedings in this present matter ) the very mother of all prophanenesse , and irreligious impieties in the Church of God .

The first point of doctrine concerning the Sacrament . The first point of doctrine is concerning the authority and commission by which Paul brought this Sacrament into the Church : the summe and effect wherof is this : That this Sacrament is no humane Tradition , brought into the Church vpon his owne head , and by his owne meere will and pleasure , but an ordinance of Christ , receiued by Tradition from him . For so hee saith : I haue receiued of the Lord that which I also haue deliuered vnto you . As though hee should more fully and plainly haue said , If this Sacrament had beene a deuise of mine owne braine , or a Tradition hauing no other ground than mine owne will and pleasure , then might you haue had some colorable excuse for your light account and profanation of it : but I deliuering this ordinance vnto you by expresse warrant and commission from Christ Iesus himselfe , the sole soueraign head of the Church , you ought with more reuerence and regard to haue receiued the same , than lately you haue done .

The lessons from hence to further our preparation to the due receiuing of this Sacrament , are these :

1 That it is no small sinne to vse any ordinance of Jesus Christ , whatsoeuer , prophanely or irreuerently : such cannot bee freed from sinne , as shall shew contempt but vnto the ordinances of men , though they require but things indifferent : much lesse can they which shall shew contempt to the ordinances of Christ Iesus himselfe , who neuer instituted any thing which is not exceeding good , and necessary to to be done ; yea , whose very ordaining of a thing makes it good , necessary , and profitable , though before it was indifferent , and vnprofitable , yea euill and hurtfull . For this cannot but argue a wonderfull base and light estimation of Christ , and of his wisdome , to debase , by rude and vnreuerent behauiour , any order or constitution of his : And yet how ordinary a thing is it for most men that are professed Christians , to make most base and vile account , euen no better than a may-game , of the main and principall ordinance of Christ ? What palpable contempt of the word read and preached , of praier , of the Sacraments , of the Sabboth , &c. doe most men shew ? How rudely , carelesly , and vnreuerently , doe they vse to behaue themselues , euen in the solemnest and most publike worship and seruice of God ; yea often times not without apparent scorne & disdaine of the same ? What should we iudge of this ? but that such either think that Christ himselfe is a mockerie , or at the least , that hee hath shewed great want of wisedome , in requiring so base and contemptible a seruice , such as is not fit for wise men to performe , but in iest or scorne , or ( at the best ) but as if they were playing some counterfet part vpon a stage .

2 A speciall meanes to preuent this sinne , in the receiuing of this Sacrament , is to learne and to beleeue , that in receiuing the same , we do not conforme to the priuate humors , conceits , and pleasures of men , no not of Peter or Paul , of Magistrates or Ministers , of Churches or Fathers ; but to the expresse Will and Commandement of our Lord and Sauiour Jesus Christ. This is in the nature of man , that if hee bee imperiously commanded any thing by an inferiour and one that hath no authoritie to command , though the thing commanded bee in it selfe commodious , praise worthy , or honourable , yet he either will refuse to doe it , or if he doe it , it shall be not without some scorn and contempt , and in a kinde of mockerie : But if one in authoritie , whom he reuerenceth and honoureth , and whom hee knoweth hath power to command , doe require any thing , he will be ready ( except hee bee very leaud and impious ) to yeeld obedience in feare and reuerence , albeit the action in it selfe bee light and vnprofitable , yea base and seruile , yea troublesome and hurtfull vnto him . Except therefore wee should be so impious , as to hold , that Christ Jesus hath either no power to require this dutie at our hand , or so impudent , as to defend , that he doth nowhere require it of vs , or so blasphemous , as to say he wanted wisdome in requiring it of vs , it must needs bee yeelded vnto , that this sacrament ought with all due reuerence to bee receiued , which is inioined by so awfull and soueraigne a power , bee the action it selfe in it selfe neuer so meane . When therefore men come so rudely and vnreuerently to these holy Rites , it is a signe , that they neuer thinke of that high and sacred authority that hath ordained them . This then is and ought to be the maine foundation of all true reuerence , not only toward this , but al other parts of Gods worship and seruice , That Christ Iesus requireth this Seruice at our hands . Would then the Ministers and seruaunts of Iesus Christ , that are by their speciall office to dispense the ordinances of Christ , haue their ministery truly reuerenced of the saints and people of God , and not contemned and despised ? Let them make it appeare , as Paul doth heere , that they minister no other word or Sacraments , prescribe no other worship , preach no other Gospell , binde mens consciences with no other lawes , allure them with no other promises , feare them with no other threatnings , than such as they haue receiued from Christ himselfe .

The second point of doctrine concerning the Sacrament . The second point of doctrine propounded by the Apostle , is concerning the first Institutor and Administer of this Sacrament . The effect whereof is this ; That Christ Iesus in his owne person did institute , yea and first of all with his owne hand administer this Sacrament . For it followeth in these words , That the Lord Iesus , the night that he was betraied , tooke bread , &c. As though hee should say , If but my selfe , or any other Apostle , or any person inferiour to an Apostle , had instituted this Sacrament , by warrant and commission from Christ , there had beene therein cause enough to mooue any Christian heart to a reuerent receiuing and vsing thereof : but when Christ Iesus himselfe , in his owne person , hath immediately instituted it , yea and was himselfe a Minister of it , yea the first Administer of it , what a fearefull iudgement are they guilty of , that shall prophane and disgrace that which Christ himselfe , in his owne person , so exceedingly graced and honoured ?

This doctrine also serueth as a singular motiue to stirre vp all the faithfull to a most carefull respect and regard of this mysterie . For first those ordinances which Christ himselfe hath expresly and in a speciall manner instituted , ought with speciall reuerence to bee conformed vnto . The seruices which are required by the lawes of man , framed once by consequence from the word , or but according to the generall rules thereof , are in a holy and religious manner to bee performed . But such a seruice as Christ himselfe shall immediately and so expresly institute , not trusting to the discourse and wit of man to appoint the same , and which himselfe did most religiously in his owne person performe , must needs deserue the highest respect and reuerence , and must needs argue great impietie in them that shal contemptuously , or but carelesly performe the same . 2. In that himselfe did first not only institute , but administer it ; it teacheth vs , that wee should alwaies receiue it from the hands of Christs Ministers , euen as it were from the hands of Christ himselfe , who , though not bodily , yet is as spiritually and effectually present now , as at the first administration thereof .

The third point of doctrine concerneth the circumstance of time , The third point of doctrine concerning the Sacrament . that Christ in his speciall wisdome made choise of to institute this Sacrament in , which was the night in which he was betraied . This also serueth to mooue and perswade to a due and reuerent respect of this ordinance .

For first , that could not but proceed from the infinite loue of Christ , which at this time he instituted for his Church , when hee was preparing himselfe to the greatest worke of loue that euer was shewed , euen to lay downe his life for it . The legacies bequeathed by friends vpon their death beds , vse much to be esteemed , & where they are contemned , there the loue of the giuer is despised and disgraced . If therefore the loue of Christ Iesus , when he was ready to lay downe his life for vs , bee deare and pretious vnto vs , this Sacrament , which at that very time was instituted by him , and , as a legacie , bequeathed vnto vs must needs be deare and pretious vnto vs .

2. This was no time for Christ to spend in instituting needlesse and vnnecessary matters . The vainest men that are , or euer were , except they bee desperately wicked , or through some disease distempered in their braine , doe not vse at such a time to busie themselues about vanities and needlesse matters , but their thoughts vse to bee taken vp with the most serious and weightiest affaires , such as most necessarily concerne themselues and their friends : Farre bee it therefore from vs , that wee should thinke , that our Sauiour at this time should finde nothing else to doe , but to trouble his Church with idle and friuolous obseruances . Yea , if men at such times as this is , how miserable soeuer , doe vse to bestow the best things they haue vpon them they most loue , we must either thinke that our Sauiour was very poore , or very miserable , or else we must hold , that this Sacrament , which at this time hee bequeathed vnto all his Churches , is of some speciall price , value , and vse vnto the same , if it bee receiued as it ought to be .

Thirdly , seeing that Christ at this time was entring vpon the greatest , most painfull and difficult worke that euer was or shall bee performed , euen the saluation of sinners , the zeale whereof had now , more than euer , eaten him vp , and had captiuated al the thoughts and affections of his soule , so that it 〈◊〉 not possible for him ( at this time ) to thinke of any thing else , but what might further the worke of our redemption , and the saluation of our soules ; we must needs conclude , that this Sacrament beeing duely ( according to Christs intent ) administred & receiued , must needs tend , after a very speciall manner , to the furtherance of our saluation , and to make the worke of his redemption effectuall vnto vs ; so that to set light by this Sacrament , is to despise the worke of redemption , and the saluation of our soules .

The fourth point of doctrine is concerning the parts of this Sacrament , The 4. point of doctrine concerning the Sacrament . which before wee can well vnderstand , something is to be premised of a Sacrament in generall , wherof briefly :

This word [ Sacrament ] was wont to signifie that solemne oath which the souldiers of Rome vsed to take , whereby they bound themselues to performe faithfull seruice to their Emperour in his warres , from whence the Latine Diuines haue borrowed it , and now , by long custome , it is become in these Westerne Churches , a proper name , whereby those outward badges and ensignes of Christianitie , ( vz. Baptisme and the Lords Supper ) are called ; because that Christians , in the due receiuing of them , doe after a speciall manner binde themselues , euen as it were by a solemne vow and oath , to serue their Lord and Master Iesus Christ , euen as the souldiers of Rome did , by solemne oath , bind themselues to serue their Emperours and Commanders in the warre .

More particularly , wee vnderstand by Sacraments those mysticall Rites and Ceremonies of the Church , which Christ hath ordained for the setting foorth and confirming of the Couenant of grace .

Mysticall Rites and Ceremonies are certaine outward and bodily signes , which , after a secret and artificiall manner , shadow and represent things spirituall and internall : so that in euery Sacrament there are these two things to bee considered . 1. The outward bodily signe . 2. The spirituall matter , that is mystically shadowed by the signe , and yet , after a sort , hidden and locked vp in the same .

The Apostle , in setting downe the parts of this Sacrament , expresseth both these points .

1. The outward signes which Christ hath instituted , are in themselues very common , ordinary , and vsuall matters , as breaking and eating of Bread , and drinking of Wine . Wine is not expressed heere : but in Mat. 26. and Mar. 14. the fruit of the Vine is expresly mentioned by our Sauiour Christ , immediately after the institution .

These signes may bee reduced to two heads : as 1. Vnto certaine outward elements : 2. Vnto certaine mysticall actions in and about the elements .

The elements are Bread and Wine : the actions are breaking and eating of the bread , and drinking of the Wine . These are all the mysticall signes which are expresly mentioned in this place of Scripture , and in the Euangelists that write of the institution of this Sacrament ; and therefore I wil not stand vpon any other , though I doe not deny but there are other particular actions performed in & about these elements , which of the soundest Diuines are , and rightly may , in some sense , by analogie , be counted Sacramentall .

These signes considered nakedly in and by themselues , are not of any great force to stirre vp any great reuerence to the receiuing of them , because there is no one thing in the world more ordinary than eating and drinking ; and yet there is no iust cause why , in regard of them , we should despise and contemne the Sacrament , they being in themselues things both necessary , and pleasant , and no waies base and contemptible . If Christ Iesus should haue required of vs any light and senselesse action , or which should haue beene bitter and loathsome , or burdensome vnto vs , yet wee ought , for his sake that requires it , to yeeld reuerent respect vnto it : much more when hee requires that which in it selfe is both necessarie , profitable , and pleasant , as eating of bread and drinking of wine are . It had beecommed vs in all humilitie , ( if so it had pleased him to ordaine ) euen to haue eaten Acornes , and husks , and swines meat , such as the prodigall son was forced to eat of ; and to haue drunke vineger mingled with gall , such as Christ himselfe , for our sakes , tasted of : much more will it beseeme vs , with all due reuerence and honour , to eat bread , and drinke wine , vpon Christs will and pleasure , which is euer most holy and blessed . But to let passe the outward signes in themselues , and to come to the mysterie in them , and to consider the one with the other , wee shall then see great force in the parts of the Sacrament , to stirre vp in vs a speciall reuerence in the receiuing of it . There are many things of no honour in themselues , that in regard of some speciall vse that they are applied vnto , are honourable ; as the white wand carried before Iudges , the Cap of Maintenance worn before the Lord Maior , the Sword borne before the King , &c. which in regard of some speciall mysterie and meaning that is hidden in them , are matters of speciall grace and honour ; so though these outward signes bee not in themselues honourable , yet in regard of the mysterie that is in them , they both bring honour to Christ , and are honourable to the vser .

The very circumstance of time wherein our Sauiour did administer it , sheweth vs , that this bread and wine , this eating and drinking , hath in this place a more than ordinarie vse or end . Wee eat bread commonly to satisfie hunger , and to feed and nourish our bodies ; and wee drinke wine to quench our thirst , and to reuiue and refresh our heauy spirits : but this is not the proper end of the eating of this bread , or of the drinking of this wine . For then Christ would neuer haue administred it immediatly after supper , and that a festiu●ll supper , when they that were to receiue it , were full of bread and wine before . And therefore in the receiuing of this Sacrament , wee must not so much looke ( as wee doe in other eatings and drinkings ) to satisfie our hunger , to fill our bellies , and to quench our thirsts ; but in this eating and drinking , wee must looke to satisfie and fill our 〈◊〉 with some heauenly and spirituall matters , shadowed in these outward signes , and conueied vnto our soules in the due receiuing of them .

The mysteries then contained vnder these signes , and expressed by them , are the greatest that can be imagined , euen the great and high mysterie of our redemption and saluation by Iesus Christ ; our faith and beleefe whereof , we doe professe in the vse of them , and the fruit whereof is sealed and confirmed vnto vs in the due receiuing of them .

The breaking of the bread signifieth , in a mysterie , the breaking of Christs body , that is , all the vnspeakable torments that hee suffered in his own p●●son for our sins , which were greater than if his liuing body had beene rent and torn into a thousand peeces , and all his bones broken and beaten to dust and powder , Heb. 5.7 . Esai 53.16.11 . Matth. 27.46 .

The eating of the bread thus broken , and the drinking of this wine , signifieth the speciall fruit that commeth vnto all beleeuers , by the passion and sufferings of Iesus Christ . For Christ saith ; This Bread is my Body which was broken for you : And this Cuppe is the New Testament in my Blood. Or as hee speakes more plainly , Matt. 26.28 . is my Blood in the New Testament that was shed for many for the remission of their sinnes . And therefore hee bids them take and eat the one , and drinke the other ; as though hee should more plainly say vnto them : This bread , so broken as you see , shall bee a signe vnto you , and vnto all them that beleeue in my name , of that which I haue suffered in my flesh for you . The wine in this Cuppe shall bee a signe euen of the blood that in my Sacrifice vpon the crosse was shed for you , to procure the pardon and remission of your sinnes , and of all their sinnes that shall beeleeue in me , which is not the blood of Oxen and sheepe , such as were offred in the Old Testament , but is in very deed the blood of God and man , whereby the new Testament is sealed and ratified , which offreth saluation vnto al which shall beleeue in mee , and in the merits of this my blood : Therefore take ye and eat yee this mysticall bread , and drink this holy wine ; and therein let it be a pledge vnto you and to all the faithfull that shall in like manner receiue the same , that the fruit of that which is shadowed thereby , belongs vnto you ; so that as verily as you eat this bread , and drinke this wine with your bodilie mouths , so verily shall your soules taste of , and , as it were , eat and drinke of the fruits of my death and passion , euen the remission of sinnes , and life euerlasting .

Is not this Sacrament then a mysterie to bee trembled at and adored ? Is it not a great indignitie , that men should brutishly , without all preparation , come vnto the same , as an horse to the manger , or a swine to the trough ? If it were but a bare and simple eating of bread and drinking of wine for bodily necessitie or pleasure , we ought not like beasts , without any shew of reuerence , seaze vpon them ; but ought in the receiuing of them , in some degree , lift vp our hearts to God for them : Much more when there is such an heauenly vse of these creatures , ouer and besides that naturall and common vse , which cannot bee separated from them . It were a great indignitie offered to the worke of our redemption , but occasionally to speake or thinke of it without due reuerence : but to deny reuerence and honour vnto it then when vnder such a speciall mysterie it is presented vnto vs , and when we are therby called to a speciall consideration of it ; yea wherein it is of purpose represented to our senses , that we might the better behold it , and be stirred vp to praise and magnifie God for it : and which is more , when in a reuerend vse of this mysterie wee may spiritually partake euen of all heauenly things that are shadowed by it , what a sinne must this needs be , vnreuerently to rush vpon these holy Ri●es ? And what a forcible argument must it bee , to stirre vs vp to a worthy receiuing of this Sacrament ?

The fifth point of doctrine is concerning the consecration of this Sacrament , The fifth point of doctrine concerning the Sacrament . set downe in these words : And when he had giuen thankes , hee brake it . This consecration was a speciall dedication of the elements in this Sacrament vnto this mysticall and holy vse , by praier , and inuocation vpon the name of God , and specially by thanksgiuing : wherin this thanksgiuing specially consisted , is not reuealed ; most probable it is , that it was principally for our sake , to wit , for the great fruit of this Sacrament , that should redound vnto all the worthie receiuers thereof .

This sheweth , that speciall thankes are due vnto GOD from vs for this Sacrament : For if Christ found cause to thanke God for it , much more cause haue wee , who reape all the fruit and benefit of it . And if the worthinesse of this Sacrament did draw thanks from Christ , it may challenge a worthy and reuerend acceptance of vs ; yea it much more concernes vs to administer and receiue the same with praier and thanksgiuing . And it is great prophanenesse for vs to presse vnreuerently vpon that which Christ himselfe would not enter vpon , without speciall praier ; whereby hee sufficiently declareth , that this Sacrament is a speciall holy Ordinance , and therefore to bee vsed holily , and not in a prophane and vnreuerent maner . Jf Christ had but simply ordained it without any such speciall thanksgiuing or praier , it had beene our dutie notwithstanding , to receiue it with all due reuerence : But when he shall in this manner , by speciall praier , institute and administer it , it must needs be great impietie for vs to despise and contemne it , and not to make an high account and reckoning of it .

The Euangelist Matthew saith , Hee blessed the bread : i. By praier and thanksgiuing obtained a speciall blessing from God vpon it . For that which Balac said of Balaam may bee more truely said of Christ , Num. 22.6 . That which he blesseth , is blessed ; and that which hee curseth , is cursed : So that this is a blessed Sacrament , which Christ Iesus , with his owne mouth , hath after such a speciall manner blessed : And the more hee hath blessed it , the more it will bee a meanes of blessing to the worthy receiuer of it ; and the more blessed it is of it selfe , the greater curse wil it bring vpon the prophane and vnreuerent abuser thereof .

〈◊〉 sixth 〈◊〉 of ●●ctrine 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 . The sixth and last point of doctrine is concerning the maine and most generall ends of this Sacrament , which are two ; the first , respecting our selues : the second , others . That respecting our selues , is in these words ; This doe ye in remembrance of mee : So that wee are to receiue this Sacrament to this end and purpose , that in and by it we might be stirred vp in a speciall manner to remember , and in remembring to meditate of Christ , and of his infinite loue and mercy towards vs , in the great worke of our Redemption , which is shadowed and set foorth by this Sacrament : When our speciall friends , vpon their departure ●●om vs , bestow vpon vs a token of remembrance , they do it to this end , that so often as we looke vpon the same , or vse it , wee should call to minde the many loues they haue shewed vnto vs : And this is written in our nature , that when an occasion onely is offered vnto vs of remembring a friend departed from vs , we vse to shew a speciall affection . Hence it is , that ignorant and superstitious persons will so heartily , vpon euery occasion of remembrance , pray the Lord to haue mercy of their soules that are departed this life , whom they loue and haue been beholding vnto . But when they behold a speciall memoriall of them in some token of their loue , which brings to their minde some ex●●aordinarie fauours , then they vse to be extraordinarily affected with the remembrance thereof ; yea , and they vse to shew part of that loue , affection , and honour , to the token and memoriall it selfe , which they beare to the person . They will carefully lay it vp in their de●kes and cabinets : They wil ( it may be ) sometimes kisse it , and doe a kinde of honour vnto it : So much do we vse to be affected with any thing that brings into our minde the loues and fauors of a deceased friend . And therfore seeing this Sacrament that was not onely left vnto vs by the greatest friend that euer we had , but left of purpose to be a remembrance & a pledge vnto vs , of the greatest loue that euer was shewed to mortall creatures , and which hath the very effects and fruits of the loue written vpon it , nay ingrauen in it , yea in some sort contained in it ; is it a thing credible , that any that loue and beleeue in Christ Iesus , should prophane and lightly regard this Sacrament ? But heere by the way we may obserue how strangely forgetfull euen those that are faithful , be of the great & vnspeakable loue of Christ , that they stand in need of such a remembrance : for vnto them is this Sacrament giuen , as a helpe to bring to their mindes the consideration of this loue . Is it possible that a man should forget the loue of such a Lord and Master , that hath with a great price of mony redeemed him from being a perpetuall Gally-slaue , yea who for to redeeme him , hath made himselfe a slaue , yea hath purchased his seruants libertie with his owne death , and hath bestowed vpon him all the honours and dignities that himselfe had , and euen all that himselfe possessed ? Were it not wonderfull that he should need a speciall remembrance when hee can no waies cast his eies , but hee shall behold the effects of his Lords loue ? Would not one thinke that hee should rather need some meanes to make him forget this loue , and to put it out of his head , rather than to bring it vnto his remembrance ? This is the state and condition of all Christians ; thogh Christ Iesus hath done a thousand times more for vs than is possible for one man to doe for an other , though whatsoeuer wee haue , we haue it by his mercie and loue , our soules , our bodies , our senses , our wit , our beautie , our wealth , our life ; so that wee are compassed about with memorials of his kindnesse : and we cannot see , feele , heare , taste , or smell any thing , but it may put vs in minde of his loue , yea of his death and passion , by which the free vse of these things haue been purchased vnto vs : yet for all this , wee stand in need , you see , of speciall remembrances ; yea and yet ( O sinfull wretches that we are ! ) wee are ready to prophane these speciall remembrances ; yea , and which exceedeth all wonder , are prone , euen in the midst of them , most of all to forget the loue of Christ , and to dishonour him .

The end that respecteth others , is The shewing foorth of Christs death vntill hee come : i. By eating this bread , and drinking this wine , men shall testifie and professe , yea after a sort preach vnto others , euen vnto the worlds end , the mysterie of the Gospell , the summe and substance whereof consists in the death of Christ , and the fruits that flow therefrom , shadowed and represented in this Sacrament ; so that by our due receiuing of this Sacrament , wee doe , as it were , lead others by the hand into the garden in Gethsemane , and shew them Christ Iesus sweating water & blood ; Iudas traiterously kissing and betraying him , and the souldiers thereupon binding and leading him to iudgement ; wee lead them to Caiaphas Hall , and Pilates Throne , to shew them Christ most wickedly and vniustly condemned , buffeted and spit vpon , scourged and crowned with thornes ; wee lead them to Mount Caluarie , and shew them how he was nailed on the Crosse , how he was forced to drinke vinegar mingled with gall , how he was pierced with a speare , how with most bitter cries he said , My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken me ? And all this for our sakes , that he might procure the forgiuenesse of our sinnes , and euerlasting saluation . Can wee in this mysterie see and behold al this with the eies of faith ? Can wee , after a sort , shew them & point them vnto others ? And shall wee therewith be no whit affected in our owne soules ? Shall wee come vnto this Sacrament as blocks and stocks , without any affection , as vnto a vaine , idle , and friuolous matter ?

By this which hath beene said , you may see how forcible this doctrine of the Apostle , concerning the Sacrament , is , to stirre vp al Christians to the worthy receiuing of the same : But it may bee obiected , that the Apostles labour heerein seemes needlesse , and to no purpose , seeing the Church of Corinth could not be ignorant of any of these points , which the Apostle hath taught concerning this Sacrament : It is true indeed , they could not be ignorant of any of these matters : But what then ? Was Pauls doctrine therfore needlesse and in vaine ? No verily ; but in this practise of Paul we are taught what a perpetuall vse there is of teaching in the Church of Christ , when the Ministers must bee faine to instruct the people of God not only in that which they are ignorant of , but often call vnto their minde and consideration that which they know already , 2. Pet. 1.12.13 . vpon such particular occasions as they are to make special vse thereof : And verily , though men could say all the Scriptures by heart , though they could vnderstand euery hard and difficult place of Scripture , though they knew all the grounds and principles of the Christian faith , though they were able to answer all oppositions against any diuine truth in the word ; yet for all this , there would bee a vse of reading and preaching of the word of God in the Church . For if our knowledge be not stirred vp in vs , if wee bee not often put in minde of it , if we be not taught how to apply it vnto these and these particular cases , it will bee as it were dead in vs , and most out of our head when wee should most vse it : For so was the knowledge of this Sacrament in the Church of Corinth , vntill the Apostle indeuoured to reuiue it by this Epistle ; and so it will bee with any part of diuine knowledge whatsoeuer , if there shall be no meanes in the Church often to stirre vp the same in vs , and to call vs to the true vse and practise of it .

Wherefore , whosoeuer shall eat ]