Sacramental meditations upon divers select places of scripture

The Primitive Christians used to sit up whole Nights in Meditation and Prayer, before their participation of the Lords Supper; and these Nights were called Vigiliae, their Watches. Such was the Reverence the Saints had for this Ordinance (which they usually call d mysterium tremendum, a tremendous ¹Mystery) that they would not give sleep to their eyes, or slumber to their eye-lids, when so great and solemn a day drew near.

The Primitive Christians used to sit up whole Nights in Meditation and Prayer, before their participation of the Lords Supper; and these Nights were call'd Vigiliae, their Watches. Such was the Reverence the Saints had for this Ordinance (which they usually call d mysterium tremendum, a tremendous ¹Mystery) that they would not give sleep to their eyes, or slumber to their eye-lids, when so great and solemn a day drew near.

1. 1Chrysost. lib. 3. de Sacerdot.

And that all this solemn preparation is no more than needs, will convincingly appear to us upon the following grounds and reasons.

First, From the solemn nature and ¹ends of this Ordinance; for what is the express design and use of it, but a lively representation of the Lords death, 1 Cor. 11. 26. As often as ye eat this Bread, and drink this Cup, ye do show the Lords death till he come. Jesus Christ is therein set forth Crucified before us, and not to make a bare representation of it to us, as a thing wherein we have no personal interest or concernment, but to represent his death lively, and seal our title to it firmly: This is my body which is broken for you, ver. 24.