The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

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, Heb. 10.4. When his sinless nature had a reluctancy against it (though when he was in a bloody ⟨p. 299⟩sweat) he soon corrects it with, Not my will, but thy will be done. He went to the place which Judas knew, John 18.2. He struck them (that came to apprehend him) down, to show that he could, if he had pleased, have struck them dead. Rather then they shall want proof for his condemnation, he will confess himself guilty of the charge: He might (if he had listed) have commissionated twelve Legions of Angels for his Life-guard, but he forbore it: He laid down his life, he gave himself: He gave up the Ghost: He had a Baptism to be baptized with, and he longed to have it accomplished. But Friend, what thinkest thou was the lump of sugar which did so sweeten this cup (notwithstanding all its bitter ingredients) to make it go down so glib and pleasant? truly nothing but love. Love to Dinah made Shechem willing to be circumcised; love to Christians, made Christ willing to bleed, and be buffeted, and crucified. The Mother can toil and moil all day with her child, and count it a pleasure (when another had rather go to plough all day;) but what's the reason? nothing but her love. Jesus Christ delighted in the work of mans Redemption; I delight to do thy will, O God, which would have broke the backs of the very Angels; and why? because of his love.

Reader, when thou beholdest the broken bread, and remembrest 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 cryed to his Father, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God,