A Body of Practical Divinity

2. We rightly partake of the Sacrament, when at the Lord's Table we are filled with Anhelations of Soul, and inflamed Desires after Christ, and nothing can quench our Thirst but his Blood. Matth. 5.6. [Greek or Hebrew], Blessed are they that thirst. They are blessed not only when they are filled, but while they are thirsting.

2. We rightly partake of the Sacrament, when at the Lord's Table we are fill'd with Anhelations of Soul, and inflamed Desires after Christ, and nothing can quench our Thirst but his Blood. Matth. 5.6. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Blessed are they that thirst. They are blessed not only when they are filled, but while they are thirsting.

3. A right participation of the Supper is, when we receive in Faith. Without Faith we get no good. What is said of the Word Preached, It profiteth not, not being mixed with Faith, Heb. 4.2. is as true of the Sacrament. Christ turned Stones into Bread: Unbelief turns the Bread into Stones, that it doth not nourish. Then we partake aright when we come in Faith. Faith hath a two-fold Act, an adhering and an applying. By the first Act we go over to Christ, by the second Act we bring Christ over to us, Gal. 2.20. This is the great Grace we must set awork, Acts 10.43. Philo calls it, Fides Occulata, Faith is the Eagle Eye that discerns the Lord's Body: Faith causeth a virtual Contact, it toucheth Christ. Christ said to Mary, Touch me not, &c. John 20.17. She was not to touch him with the Hands of her Body. But he saith to us, Touch me, Touch me with the Hand of your Faith. Faith makes Christ present to the Soul. The Believer hath a real Presence in the Sacrament. The Body of the Sun is in the Firmament, but the Light of the Sun is in the Eye. Christ's Essence is in Heaven, but he is in a Believers Heart by his Light and Influence.