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CHAP. XXX.
Of the Lords Supper.
1. The Supper of the Lord Jesus, was instituted
by him, the same night wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his Churches
unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance, and shewing forth
the sacrifice of himself in his death (a)
confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, their
spiritual nourishment, and growth in him, their further ingagement in,
and to, all duties which they owe unto him; (b)
and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each
other.
a 1 Cor. 11.23,24.25,26.
2. In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to
his Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all, for remission of sin of
the quick or dead; but only a memorial of that (c)
one offering up of himself, by himself, upon the crosse, once for all;
and a spiritual oblation of all (d)
possible praise unto God for the same; so that the Popish sacrifice of
the Mass (as they call it) is most abominable, injurious to Christs own
only sacrifice, the alone propitiation
for all the sins of the Elect.
c Heb. 9.25,26.28.
3. The Lord Jesus hath in this Ordinance, appointed
his Ministers to Pray, and bless the Elements of Bread and Wine, and thereby
to set them apart from a common to an holy use, and to take and break the
Bread; to take the Cup, (e) and (they
communicating also themselves) to give both to the Communicants.
e 1 Cor. 11.23,24,25,26, &c
4. The denyal of the Cup to the people, worshiping
the Elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration,
and reserving them for any pretended religious use, (f)
are all contrary to the nature of this Ordinance, and to the institution
of Christ.
f Mat 26.26,27,28. Mat. 15.9. Exod.
20.4,5.
5. The outward Elements in this Ordinance, duely set
apart to the uses ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified,
as that truely, although in terms used figuratively, they are sometimes
called by the name of the things they represent, to wit the (g)
body and Blood of Christ; albeit in substance, and nature, they still remain
truly, and only (h) Bread, and Wine,
as they were before.
g 1 Cor. 11.27.
6. That doctrine which maintains a change of the
substance of Bread and Wine, into the substance of Christs body and blood
(commonly called Transubstantiation) by consecration of a Priest, or by
any other way, is repugnant not to Scripture (i)
alone, but even to common sense and reason; overthroweth the (k)
nature of the ordinance, and hath been and is the cause of manifold superstitions,
yea, of gross Idolatries.
i Act. 3.21. Luk. 24.6. & v.39.
7. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the
visible Elements in this Ordinance, do then also inwardly by faith, really
and indeed, yet not carnally, and corporally, but spiritually receive,
and feed upon Christ crucified (l)
& all the benefits of his death: the Body and Blood of Christ,
being then not corporally, or carnally, but spiritually present to the
faith of Believers, in that Ordinance, as the Elements themselves are to
their outward senses.
l 1 Cor. 10.16. ch. 11.23-26.
8. All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit
to enjoy communion (m) with Christ;
so are they unworthy of the Lords Table; and cannot without great sin against
him, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries, (n)
or be admitted thereunto: yea whosoever shall receive unworthily are guilty
of the Body and Blood of the Lord, eating and drinking judgement to themselves.
m 2 Cor: 6,14,15.
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