The Fountain of Life Opened

Thirdly, The last enquiry is, how Christ hath hereby left such §3a special mark of his care for, and love to his people. And that will evidently appear, if you consider these five particulars.

First, This is a special mark of the care and Love of Christ, in as much as hereby he hath made abundant provision, for the confirmation and establishment of his peoples faith to the end of the world. For this being an evident proof that the New-Testament is in its full force, (Matth. 26.28. this is the Cup of the New-Testament in my blood:) it tends as much to our satisfaction, as the legal execution of a deed, by which we hold and enjoy our estate. So that when he saith take, eat, it is as much as if God should stand before you at the Table with Christ, and all the promises in his hand; and say, I deliver this to thee as my deed. What think you, doth this promote and confirm the faith of a Believer? if it do not, what doth? Secondly, This is a special mark of Christs care and Love, in as much as by this he hath made like abundant provision for the enlargement of his peoples joy and comfort. Believers are at this Ordinance, as Mary was at the Sepulchre, with fear, and great joy. Matth. 28.8. Come Reader, speak thy heart, if thou be one that heartily lovest Jesus Christ, and hast gone many days, possibly years, mourning and lamenting because of the inevidence and cloudiness of thine interest in him: that hast sought him sorrowing, in this Ordinance, and in that; in one duty, and another; if at last Christ should take off that mask, that cruel covering (as one calls it) from his face, and be known of thee in breaking bread. Suppose he should by his Spirit whisper thus in thine ear, as thou sittest at his Table, dost thou indeed so prize, esteem and value me? will nothing but Christ and his Love content and satisfy thee? then, as sweet, lovely and desirable as I am, know that I am thine. Take thine own Christ into the arms of thy faith this day. Would not this breed in thy soul a joy transcendent to all the joys and pleasures in this world? what thinkest thou of it?