Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness

6. Eating and Drinking are also Sacramental Actions to be attended at the Lords Table. Eating of that bread, signifieth our feeding upon a crucified Christ, by Faith, Joh. 6. 54. Whose eateth my flesh hath eternal life. Those words of ⟨p. 125⟩Christ were spoken before the Lords Supper was Instituted, and therefore must not be restrained unto Sacramental eating. A man may feed upon Christ Sacramentally, and yet not have eternal life; but if when he feeds upon Christ Sacramentally, he doth at the same time feed upon him spiritually by Faith, he hath eternal life. And not only eating of the bread but drinking of the cup is a Sacramental action.

The Papists have slain and murdered thousands for maintaining this Truth, and hearing witness against their Sacrilege in depriving the Lords People of the cup; but it is admirable to consider, that the Lord Christ, when he Instituted this Ordinance, did expressly say, Drink ye all of it, Mat. 26. 27. The Lord did not say, when he give the bread, Eat ye all of it, (though he intended that all should eat) but drink ye all; because the Spirit of Christ did foresee; that some would arise in after times denying the cup to all Partakers. Hereby is signified, that Believers do by Faith drink down the blood of Christ, whereby their Souls are cleansed from the guilt of sin, 1 Cor. 10. 10. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ? Is not our Communion wit• Christ in respect of the saving benefits purchased by his blood, signified and confirmed when we drink of that blessed cup? it is so. And that we all drink of the same holy Spirit. The Apostle ⟨p. 126⟩hath respect unto that drinking at the Lords Table, which is of divine Institution when he saith, We have been all made to drink into one Spirit.