A94156:660
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.
The Sacrament is as a Conduit, which receiveth water from the River; therefore when thou hast brought the Vessel of thy soul to the Conduit, thy work must be by faith to turn the Cock, and then it will run freely, and fill thy Vessel; be sure that thou mind the promise, This is my Body: This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood. Thy faith will be celestial fire to extract the quintessence and spirits of the Promise.
The Sacrament is as a Conduit, which receiveth water from the River; therefore when thou hast brought the Vessel of thy soul to the Conduit, thy work must be by faith to turn the Cock, and then it will run freely, and fill thy Vessel; be sure that thou minde the promise, This is my Body: This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood. Thy faith will be celestial fire to extract the quintessence and spirits of the Promise.
3. Faith must receive Christ, and apply him to thy soul; When thou puttest forth the hand of thy body to take the bread and wine, do thou put forth the hand of faith to receive the body and blood of Christ. This is one principal act of Faith, like Joseph of Arimathea, to take Jesus down from his Cross, and lay him in the new Tomb of thine heart; Like Thomas, put thy finger of faith into his side, and cry out, My Lord, and my God; Be not discour aged O penitent soul. Are thy sins many? His mercy is free. Are thy sins weighty? His merits are full. Thou comest for bread, and will thy Saviour give thee a stone? He took notice of thy serious preparation for this Ordinance, and will he frustrate thine expectation at it? Did he ever send hungry soul empty away? The law of man provides for the poor in purse, and will not the Gospel of Christ provide for the poor in spirit? Is not his commission to bind up the broken hearted? and can he be unfaithful? Why shouldst thou mistrust truth it self? Let me say to thee, as the Disciples to the blind man, Be of good cheer, he calleth for thee. See how he casteth his eyes upon thee (with a look of love) as once upon Peter. Observe he stretcheth out his Arms wide to embrace thee. He boweth down his head to kiss thee. He crieth to thee as to Zacheus, I must abide at thy house, in thy heart to day. O make haste to receive him, and make him a feast by opening the doors of thy soul, that the King of Glory may enter in. Say to Christ, Lord, though I am unworthy that thou shouldst come under my roof, yet