A Body of Practical Divinity

Answ. Because it is a Duty incumbent, Take, Eat. And observe, it is a Command of Love. If Christ had commanded us some great matter, would not we have done it? 2 Kings 5.13. If the Prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldst thou not have done it? If Christ had enjoined us to have given him a Thousand of Rams, or to have parted with the Fruit of our Bodies, would we not have done it? Much more when he only saith, Take and Eat: Let my broken Body feed you, let my Blood poured out save you. Take and Eat: This is a Command of Love, and shall we not readily obey?

Answ. Because it is a Duty incumbent, Take, Eat. And observe, it is a Command of Love. If Christ had commanded us some great matter, would not we have done it? 2 Kings 5.13. If the Prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldst thou not have done it? If Christ had enjoyned us to have given him a Thousand of Rams, or to have parted with the Fruit of our Bodies, would we not have done it? Much more when he only saith, Take and Eat: Let my broken Body feed you, let my Blood poured out save you. Take and Eat: This is a Command of Love, and shall we not readily obey?

2. We are to celebrate the Lord's Supper, because it is a provoking to Christ to stay away. Prov. 9.2. Wisdom hath furnished her Table. So Christ hath furnished his Table, set Bread and Wine (representing his Body and Blood) before his Guests, ⟨image 172⟩and they wilfully turn their Backs upon the Ordinance, Christ looks upon it as a slighting of his Love, and that makes the Fury rise up in his Face. Luke 14.24. For I say unto you, that none of those that were bidden shall taste of my Supper. I will shut them out of my Kingdom, I will provide them a black Banquet, where weeping shall be the first Course, and gnashing of Teeth the Second.