Lastly, From the former Communion 'twixt Christ and Christians, there flows another Communion 'twixt Christians among themselves. Which is also lively represented by the Sacrament of the Lord's-Supper: in that the whole Church being many, do all communicate of one Bread, in that holy action,1 We being many, are one bread and one body; for we are all partakers of that one Bread: that as the Bread which we eat in the Sacrament, is but one, tho' it be confected of many Grains; so all the faithful, tho' they be many, yet are they but one mystical body, under one head, which is Christ. Our Saviour prayed five times in that Prayer which he made after his last Supper, that his Disciples might be one: to teach us at once, how much this Unity pleaseth him.2 This Union betwixt the faithful, is so ample, that no distance of place can part it; so strong, that death cannot dissolve it; so durable, that time cannot wear it out; ⟨p. 320⟩so effectual, that it breeds a fervent love betwixt those who never saw one another's face. And this conjunction of Souls is termed, the Communion of Saints, which Christ effecteth by six special means. First, by governing them all by one and the same holy †Spirit. Secondly, by enduring them all with one and the same *Faith. Thirdly, by shedding abroad his own alove into all their hearts. Fourthly, byb regenerating them all by one and the same Baptism. Fifthly, byc nourishing them all with one and the same spiritual food. Sixthly, by being one dquickening Head of that one body of his Church, which hee reconciled to God in the body of his flesh. Hence it was, that the multitude of believers in the Primitive fChurch, were of one heart and of one soul, in truth, affection, and compassion. And this should teach Christians to love one another; seeing they are all members of the same holy and mystical Body, whereof Christ is Head. And therefore they should have all a Christian sympathy, and fellow feeling, to rejoice one in another's joy, to condole one in another's grief, to bear with one another's infirmity: and mutually to relieve one another's wants.
Lastly, From the former Communion 'twixt Christ and Christians, there flows another Communion 'twixt Christians among themselves. Which is also lively represented by the Sacrament of the Lord's-Supper: in that the whole Church being many, do all communicate of one Bread, in that holy action,1 We being many, are one bread and one body; for we are all partakers of that one Bread: that as the Bread which we eat in the Sacrament, is but one, tho' it be confected of many Grains; so all the faithful, tho' they be many, yet are they but one mystical body, under one head, which is Christ. Our Saviour prayed five times in that Prayer which he made after his last Supper, that his Disciples might be one: to teach us at once, how much this Vnity pleaseth him.2 This Vnion betwixt the faithful, is so ample, that no distance of place can part it; so strong, that death cannot dissolve it; so durable, that time cannot wear it out; ⟨p. 320⟩so effectual, that it breeds a fervent love betwixt those who never saw one anothers face. And this conjunction of Souls is termed, the Communion of Saints, which Christ effecteth by six special means. First, by governing them all by one and the same holy †Spirit. Secondly, by enduring them all with one and the same *Faith. Thirdly, by shedding abroad his own alove into all their hearts. Fourthly, byb regenerating them all by one and the same Baptism. Fifthly, byc nourishing them all with one and the same spiritual food. Sixthly, by being one dquickning Head of that one body of his Church, which hee reconciled to God in the body of his flesh. Hence it was, that the multitude of believers in the Primitive fChurch, were of one heart and of one soul, in truth, affection, and compassion. And this should teach Christians to love one another; seeing they are all members of the same holy and mystical Body, whereof Christ is Head. And therefore they should have all a Christian sympathy, and fellow feelling, to rejoyce one in anothers joy, to condole one in anothers grief, to bear with one anothers infirmity: and mutually to relieve one anothers wants.
- 11 Cor. 10. 17.
- 2Joh. 17. 11, 21, 22, 23, 26.
- †1 Cor. 12. 13.
- *Eph. 4. 5.
- aRom. 5. 5.
- bTit. 3. 5. Eph. 4. 5.
- c1 Cor. 10. 17. 1 Cor. 11. 33.
- dCol. 1. 18.
- eVerse 22.
- fAct. 4. 32.
