N00254:261
Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness
Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness: wherein several important duties, are urged, and the evil of divers common sins, is evinced; delivered in sundry sermons. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in New-England. ; [Ten lines of Scripture texts]
printed by Samuel Green upon assignment of Samuel Sewall, 1682
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.
And the Lord Jesus Christ, hath showed his ⟨p. 121⟩wonderful wisdom and goodness, in ch•sing such common Elements, which may easily be obtained, so far as the necessity of such an Ordinance doth require. Had the Lord appointed a rare and sumptuous Feast to be frequently observed, unto the honour of his Name; and as a memorial & means of Communion with himself many of his poor Members must needs have gone without it; but it is not so now. & there is an aptness in these Elements, to signify that which they are intended for. Bread, which doth strengthen and nourish the body, doth aptly set forth that spiritual nourishment which we have from Christ. And Wine which doth refresh the Spirits of men, if fitly made use of, to put in mind, of that refreshing which the Souls of Believers find in the blood of Christ.
And the Lord Jesus Christ, hath shewed his ⟨p. 121⟩wonderful wisdome and goodness, in ch•sing such common Elements, which may easily be obtained, so far as the necessity of such an Ordinance doth require. Had the Lord appointed a rare and sumptuous Feast to be frequently observed, unto the honour of his Name; and as a memorial & means of Communion with himself many of his poor Members must needs have gone without it; but it is not so now. & there is an aptness in these Elements, to signifie that which they are intended for. Bread, which doth strengthen and nourish the body, doth aptly set forth that spiritual nourishment which we have from Christ. And Wine which doth refresh the Spirits of men, if fitly made use of, to put in mind, of that refreshing which the Souls of Believers find in the blood of Christ.
2. Those Sacramental Actions, which the Lord hath commanded his Servants to observe, in partaking at his Table, have also a spiritual significancy with them. These are implied in the Text, being comprehended under this expression, Do this, h. e. as you must make use of such Elements, so of such Sacramental Actions, as are of the Lords Institution. There is not any Action relating to this Ordinance, but hath a spiritual mystery in it. The Sacramental actions are. 1. Taking. 2. Blessing. 3. Breaking. 4. Giving. 5. Receiving. 6. Eating and Drinking.