A Body of Practical Divinity

7. Take, Eat.] This Expression of Eating denotes Four things. (1.) The near mystical Union between Christ and his Saints. As the Meat which is eaten incorporates with the Body, and becomes one with it; so by eating Christ's Flesh, and drinking his Blood Spiritually, we partake of Christ's Merits and Graces, and are mystically one with him. John 17.23. I in them. (2.) Take, eat. Eating shows the infinite Delight the believing Soul hath in Christ. Eating is grateful and pleasing to the Palate: So feeding on Christ by a lively Faith is delicious. Nullus animae suavior cibus. Lactantius. No such sweet feeding as on Christ crucified. This is a Feast of Fat things, and Wine on Lees w•ll refined. (3.) Take, eat. Eating denotes Nourishment. Meat, as it is delicious to the Palate, so it is nourishing to the Body. So eating Christ's Flesh, and drinking his Blood, is nutritive to the Soul. The new Creature is nourished at the Table of the Lord to everlasting Life. John 6.54. Whoso eateth my Flesh, and drinketh my Blood, hath eternal Life. (4.) Take, eat, shows the Wisdom of God, who restores us by the same means by which we fell. We fell by Taking and Eating the Forbidden Fruit, and we are recovered again by Taking and Eating of Christ's Flesh. We died by eating the Tree of Knowledge, and we live by eating the Tree of Life.

7. Take, Eat.] This Expression of Eating denotes Four things. (1.) The near mystical Vnion between Christ and his Saints. As the Meat which is eaten incorporates with the Body, and becomes one with it; so by eating Christ's Flesh, and drinking his Blood Spiritually, we partake of Christ's Merits and Graces, and are mystically one with him. Iohn 17.23. I in them. (2.) Take, eat. Eating shows the infinite Delight the believing Soul hath in Christ. Eating is grateful and pleasing to the Pallat: So feeding on Christ by a lively Faith is delicious. Nullus animae suavior cibus. Lactantius. No such sweet feeding as on Christ crucifyed. This is a Feast of Fat things, and Wine on Lees w•ll refined. (3.) Take, eat. Eating denotes Nourishment. Meat, as it is delicious to the Pallat, so it is nourishing to the Body. So eating Christ's Flesh, and drinking his Blood, is nutritive to the Soul. The new Creature is nourished at the Table of the Lord to everlasting Life.