A94156:646
The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…
The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature and necessity of it is discovered. : As also the Christian directed how he may perform it in [brace] religious duties, natural actions, his particular vocation, his family directions, and his own recreations. / By George Swinnock ...
London: printed for T.P., 1662
Treatise › Chapter 19: How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness at the Table.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Reader, I could lose my self in this pleasant Maze of Christs love: Methinks thy heart should ⟨p. 298⟩be ravished with the sense of this love. The truth is, it is a bottomless love, none can sound it; the Apostle might well call it, A known unknown love, Ephes. 3.19. It is well thou canst find it, but I am sure thou canst not fathom it. One Disciple may show his love to another, by giving a cup of cold water; but the Master showed his love to his Disciples, by broaching his heart to give them a cup of warm blood. The Sacraments, as Calvin observeth, did flow out of the sides of Christ: When the Soldier pierced his side, there came out Water (for Baptism) and Blood for the Supper.
Reader, I could lose my self in this pleasant Maze of Christs love: Methinks thy heart should ⟨p. 298⟩be ravished with the sense of this love. The truth is, it is a bottomless love, none can sound it; the Apostle might well call it, A known unknown love, Ephes. 3.19. It is well thou canst finde it, but I am sure thou canst not fadom it. One Disciple may shew his love to another, by giving a cup of cold water; but the Master shewed his love to his Disciples, by broaching his heart to give them a cup of warm blood. The Sacraments, as Calvin observeth, did flow out of the sides of Christ: When the Souldier pierced his side, there came out Water (for Baptism) and Blood for the Supper.
Reader, when thou beholdest the broken bread, and rememberest the bruised body of Christ, do not forget his love, which is the best sauce to thy meat. I must tell thee, though there be never so many dishes at the Table, this love is the Banquet. Consider his willingness to be wounded for thee, because his heart was so deeply wounded with love to thee. Thou hast heard of such indignities and injuries offered to him, as the Sun himself was ashamed to behold, and hid himself from them; yet Christ was ready for them, and willing to them: The Lamb of God did not struggle, when he was led to the slaughter, but did bear his own Cross: He was his own Priest, as well as his own Sacrifice and Altar. His death was violent, in regard of others; but voluntary, in regard of himself: He cried to his Father, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God,