A20536:975
Ten sermons tending chiefly to the fitting of men for the worthy receiving of…Ten sermons tending chiefely to the fitting of men for the worthy receiuing of…
Ten sermons tending chiefly to the fitting of men for the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper Wherein amongst many other holy instructions: the doctrines of sound repentance and humiliation, and of Gods special favours unto penitent sinners, and worthy communicants are largely and effectually handled. The six first, by I. Dod. The four last, by R. Cleaver. Whereunto is annexed, a plain and learned metaphrase on the epistle to the Colossians, written by a godly and judicious preacher. There is also set before the sermons, a short dialogue of preparation: containing the chief points that concern the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper, taken for the most part, out of the sermons following: and collected into a method for the benefit and ease of those that desire direction in this matter.Ten sermons tending chiefely to the fitting of men for the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper VVherein amongst many other holy instructions: the doctrines of sound repentance and humiliation, and of Gods speciall fauours vnto penitent sinners, and worthy communicants are largely and effectually handled. The six first, by I. Dod. The foure last, by R. Cleauer. Whereunto is annexed, a plaine and learned metaphrase on the epistle to the Collossians, written by a godly and iudicious preacher. There is also set before the sermons, a short dialogue of preparation: containing the chiefe points that concerne the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper, taken for the most part, out of the sermons following: and collected into a method for the benefit and ease of those that desire direction in this matter.
London: printed by William Hall for Roger Jackson, 1610London: printed by William Hall for Roger Iackson, 1610
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, God made choice of bread, §3in respect of his own glory, that the weaker the means are, the stronger his hand might appear to be. If we had been to receive gold or gems, or precious stones, our senses would have been more wrought on then our hearts, and we should have more regarded the sign then the thing signified: the which inconveniences, with other of the like kind, the Lord by giving us bread, hath prevented.
Thirdly, God made choyce of bread, §3in respect of his owne glory, that the weaker the meanes are, the stronger his hand might appeare to be. If we had bene to receiue gold or gemmes, or precious stones, our senses would haue bene more wrought on then our hearts, and we should haue more regarded the signe then the thing signified: the which inconueniences, with other of the like kind, the Lord by giuing vs bread, hath preuented.
Seeing then that the bread (as also the wine) in the Lords Supper is of such excellent force and use, as to put us in mind of Christs death and bloudshedding, to testify his undoubted, true and real presence to every faithful communicant, and to refresh and feed the souls of the worthy receivers unto eternal life: in which regard they do as far surmount common bread and wine, as the wax wherewith a pardon or charter, or any other evidence is sealed, is of more worth then that which is to be sold in the trade mans shop. Seeing (I say) that the bread is of such singular use, this maketh, first, Use 1 for the confutation of the Papists, which hold that after the words of consecration there remaineth no bread at all, but that it is transubstantiated into the very body of Christ. Indeed we grant that as the bread, so Christ his body is there offered and received by every faithful communicant: but how? nor corporally, but spiritually: not from the Ministers hand, but from God hand; not by sense but by faith. And for the further clearing and confirming of this truth, many reasons might be brought, but I will ⟨p. 74⟩