A Body of Practical Divinity

Thirdly, This Solemn preparing for the Sacrament is, in begging a Blessing upon the Ordinance. The Sacrament is not like Physic, which hath an inherent operative Virtue: No, but the Efficacy of the Sacrament depends upon the Co-operation of the Spirit, and a Word of Blessing. In the Institution Christ blessed the Elements. Jesus took Bread and blessed it. In the Text, the Sacrament, will no further do us good, then as it is blessed to us. We ought then before we come, to pray for a Blessing on the Ordinance, that the Sacrament may be not only a Sign to represent, but a Seal to confirm, and an Instrument to convey Christ and all his Benefits to us. We are to pray that this great Ordinance may be Poison to our Sins, and Food to our Graces: That as it was with Jonathan, when he had tasted the Honey-Comb, his Eyes mere enlightened, 1 Sam. 14.27. So that by our receiving this Holy Eucharist, our Eyes may be so enlightened, as to discern the Lord's Body. Thus should we implore a Blessing upon the Ordinance before we come. The Sacrament is like a Tree hung full of Fruit; but none of this Fruit will fall, unless shaken by the Hand of Prayer.

Thirdly, This Solemn preparing for the Sacrament is, in begging a Blessing upon the Ordinance. The Sacrament is not like Physick, which hath an inherent operative Vertue: No, but the Efficacy of the Sacrament depends upon the Co-operation of the Spirit, and a Word of Blessing. In the Institution Christ blessed the Elements. Iesus took Bread and blessed it. In the Text, the Sacrament, will no further do us good, then as it is blessed to us. We ought then before we come, to pray for a Blessing on the Ordinance, that the Sacrament may be not only a Sign to represent, but a Seal to confirm, and an Instrument to convey Christ and all his Benefits to us. We are to pray that this great Ordinance may be Poyson to our Sins, and Food to our Graces: That as it was with Ionathan, when he had tasted the Honey-Comb, his Eyes mere enlightned, 1 Sam. 14.27. So that by our receiving this Holy Eucharist, our Eyes may be so enlightned, as to discern the Lord's Body. Thus should we implore a Blessing upon the Ordinance before we come. The Sacrament is like a Tree hung full of Fruit; but none of this Fruit will fall, unless shaken by the Hand of Prayer.