Touching the time, in the night (saith Paul) therefore this Sacrament is called the Lord's Supper, because it was instituted at night when they used to sup. But what night? Even that night (saith Paul) when he was betrayed: that night which he should have cursed, as Job did the day of his birth, if he had suffered against his will: that night when he should have thought to destroy men, as men conspired to destroy him. 1That night (saith Paul) this Sacrament of grace, and peace, and life began: Even that night when we betrayed him. Many nights did he spend in watching and praying for us; and is there a night now for us to betray him? That was a dark night, when men went about to put out the Sun which brought them light. Who can but wonder, to see how Christ and they for whom Christ came, were occupied at one time? when they devised mischief against him, and sought all means to destroy him, then he consulted how to save them, and instituted the same night this blessed Sacrament, to convey all his graces and blessings unto them, Even that night when they betrayed him. The reason why this action was deferred until night, is, because that 2was the time appointed by the Law to eat the pass-over which was like a Predecessor of this Sacrament. The reason why he deferred it until his last night, was, because the passover could not be ended before the fullness of time, and the true paschal Lamb were come to be slain in stead of the other. Therefore how fitly did Christ end the Pass-over, which was a sign of his sufferings, so presently before his suffering; And beside, how sweetly did he confirm his Disciples faith, when as they should see that the next day performed before their eyes, which over night both in the Pass-over and in the Sacrament, was so lively resembled unto them? if any man from this do gather, that 3we ought to eat the Lords supper at night, as Christ did, he must understand that we have not the same cause to do so which Christ had, because of the Passover. And therefore the Church which hath discretion of times and places, hath altered both the time and the place, using the Temples in stead of the chamber, and the morning in stead of the evening: for indifferent things are ruled by order and decency.
Touching the time, in the night (saith Paul) therefore this Sacrament is called the Lord's Supper, because it was instituted at night when they used to sup. But what night? Even that night (saith Paul) when he was betraied: that night which he should have cursed, as Job did the day of his birth, if he had suffered against his will: that night when he should have thought to destroy men, as men conspired to destroy him. 1That night (saith Paul) this Sacrament of grace, and peace, and life began: Even that night when we betraied him. Many nights did he spend in watching and praying for us; and is there a night now for us to betray him? That was a dark night, when men went about to put out the Sun which brought them light. Who can but wonder, to see how Christ and they for whom Christ came, were occupied at one time? when they devised mischief against him, and sought all means to destroy him, then he consulted how to save them, and instituted the same night this blessed Sacrament, to convey all his graces and blessings unto them, Even that night when they betraied him. The reason why this action was deferred until night, is, because that 2was the time appointed by the Law to eat the pass-over which was like a Predecessor of this Sacrament. The reason why he deferr'd it untill his last night, was, because the passeover could not be ended before the fulness of time, and the true paschal Lamb were come to be slain in stead of the other. Therefore how fitly did Christ end the Pass-over, which was a sign of his sufferings, so presently before his suffering; And beside, how sweetly did he confirm his Disciples faith, when as they should see that the next day performed before their eyes, which over night both in the Pass-over and in the Sacrament, was so lively resembled unto them? if any man from this do gather, that 3we ought to eat the Lords supper at night, as Christ did, he must understand that we have not the same cause to do so which Christ had, because of the Passover. And therefore the Church which hath discretion of times and places, hath altered both the time and the place, using the Temples in stead of the chamber, and the morning in stead of the evening: for indifferent things are ruled by order and decency.
- 1▪2.
- 2Why the Sacrament was instituted at night Why it was deferred to his last night.
- 3Why we receive not the Lord's Supper at night.
