To make the former words and what we are to say on them a little more clear: We would in this Sacrament, which here the Lord Explicates, Consider Three or Four things. First, Christs Offer: Wherein there are Two things, viz. The outward and visible signs, the Elements: and the inward invisible thing signified by them, Which is Christs Body & Blood: In the Offer then in short, We have not only the Element, or sign, but the thing signified and represented by it: Even as in the word of the Gospel, there are these Two, viz: So many words made up of Letters and Syllables, and the matter Contained in them. Secondly, Consider the receiving of Christs offer, wherein there are Two things, 1. The act of receiving the Element by the ⟨p. 300⟩hand. 2. The hearts receiving what is offered in and by the Elements: Even as in hearing the word, There is the giving or lending of the ear to the voice of words, that they may be understandingly heard, and there is the receiving what is spoken, by Faith in the heart: As Christ holds forth both in his offer, so the Believer would both ways receive, by the hand the Element should be received, and by Faith the thing signified should be received. Thirdly, Ye would consider this Application of the thing signified in a twofold respect, 1. As it holds out the entering of us into the Covenant in order to the receiving of the Pardon of sin, when the Sacrament is Considered complexly with the word. 2. As it Applieth Christ and the benefits that come by him for our consolation: Christ is to be received in the former respect, before he can be received in the Letter: we must needs receive Christ in his offer, ere we can receive any benefit that comes by him: Therefore the word goes along with the Sacrament, that we may get a gripe and catch hold of Christ by the Covenant: for they that are without the Covenant are without Christ and all saving benefit by him: But where Christ is received, and Faith closeth with him as he is offered, The Soul may warrantably make Application of him, Not only for Pardon of sin, The Particular benefit here expressly mentioned, but for all the other benefits of the Covenant: Whereas they who have not faith, have nothing, and receive nothing: but are deeply guilty through their not receiving, but rather rejecting and ⟨p. 301⟩despising of Christ and his benefits.
To make the former words and what we are to say on them a litle more clear: We would in this Sacrament, which here the Lord Explicats, Consider Three or Four things. First, Christs Offer: Wherein there are Two things, viz. The outward and visible signes, the Elements: and the inward invisible thing signified by them, Which is Christs Body & Blood: In the Offer then in short, We have not only the Element, or signe, but the thing signified and represented by it: Even as in the word of the Gospel, there are these Two, viz: So many words made up of Letters and Syllables, and the matter Contained in them. Secondly, Consider the receiving of Christs offer, wherein there are Two things, 1. The act of receiving the Element by the ⟨p. 300⟩hand. 2. The hearts receiving what is offered in and by the Elements: Even as in hearing the word, There is the giving or lending of the ear to the voice of words, that they may be understandingly heard, and there is the receiving what is spoken, by Faith in the heart: As Christ holds forth both in his offer, so the Believer would both wayes receive, by the hand the Element should be received, and by Faith the thing signified should be received. Thirdly, Ye would consider this Application of the thing signified in a twofold respect, 1. As it holds out the entering of us into the Covenant in order to the receiving of the Pardon of sin, when the Sacrament is Considered complexly with the word. 2. As it Applyeth Christ and the benefits that come by him for our consolation: Christ is to be received in the former respect, before he can be received in the Letter: we must needs receive Christ in his offer, ere we can receive any benefit that comes by him: Therefore the word goes along with the Sacrament, that we may get a gripe and catch hold of Christ by the Covenant: for they that are without the Covenant are without Christ and all saving benefit by him: But where Christ is received, and Faith closeth with him as he is offered, The Soul may warrantably make Application of him, Not only for Pardon of sin, The Particular benefit here expresly mentioned, but for all the other benefits of the Covenant: Whereas they who have not faith, have nothing, and receive nothing: but are deeply guilty thorow their not receiving, but rather rejecting and ⟨p. 301⟩despising of Christ and his benefits.
