A Body of Practical Divinity

4. End of the Sacrament; the mortifying of Corruption. To see Christ crucified for us, is a means to crucify sin in us. Christ's Death (like the Water of Jealousy) makes the Thigh of Sin to rot, Numb. 5.27. How can a Wife endure to see that Spear which killed her Husband? How can we endure those sins which made Christ veil his Glory, and lose his Blood? When the People of Rome saw Caesar's bloody Robe, they were incensed against them that slew him. Sin hath rent the White Robe of Christ's Flesh, and died it of a crimson Colour: The Thoughts of this will make us seek to be avenged on our sins.

4. End of the Sacrament; the mortifying of Corruption. To see Christ crucified for us, is a means to crucify sin in us. Christ's Death (like the Water of Jealousie) makes the Thigh of Sin to rot, Numb. 5.27. How can a Wife endure to see that Spear which killed her Husband? How can we endure those sins which made Christ vail his Glory, and lose his Blood? When the People of Rome saw Caesar's bloody Robe, they were incensed against them that slew him. Sin hath rent the White Robe of Christ's Flesh, and died it of a crimson Colour: The Thoughts of this will make us seek to be avenged on our sins.

5. End, the Augmentation and Increase of all the Graces, Hope, Zeal, Patience. The Word Preached begets Grace, the Lord's Supper nourisheth it: The Body by feeding increaseth Strength, so doth the Soul by feeding on Christ Sacramentally. Cum defecerit virtus mea calicem salutarem accipiam. Bern. When my spiritual strength begins to fail, I know a Remedy, (saith Bernard) I will go the Table of the Lord, there I will drink and recover my decayed strength. There is difference between Dead Stones and Living Plants. The Wicked who are Stones receive no spiritual Increase, but the Godly, who are Plants of Righteousness, being watered with Christ's Blood, grow more fruitful in Grace.