The Fountain of Life Opened Up

The preservation of the burning bush, of the three children amidst the flames, and of Daniel in the den of lions, are scarcely greater wonders than these which our eyes daily behold. As the fire we have certainly consumed, and the lions, without doubt, have rendered and devoured, had not God, by the interposition of His own hand, stopped and hindered the effect, so would the sin in us, and the malice in others, quickly ruin our souls and bodies, were it not that the same hand guards and keeps us every moment. To that hand, into which this prayer of Christ delivered you, do you owe all your mercies and salvation, both temporal and spiritual. 2. Another mercy He prays for is the blessing of union among themselves. This He joins immediately with the first mercy of preservation, and prays for it in the same breath, that they may be one as we are. And well might He join them, for this union is not only a choice mercy in itself, but a special means of that preservation He had prayed for before. Their union with one another is a special means to preserve them all. 3. A third mercy that Christ earnestly prayed for was that His joy might be fulfilled in them. He would provide for their joy, even when the hour of His greatest sorrow was at hand. Yea, He would not only obtain joy for them, but a full joy, that My joy might be fulfilled in them. It is as if He had said, O My Father, I am to leave these dear ones in a world of trouble and perplexities. I know their hearts will be subject to despond. O let Me obtain divine joy for them before I go. I would not only have them live, but live joyfully. 4. And as a continued spring to maintain all these mercies, He prays that they all may be sanctified through the truth, that is more abundantly sanctified than yet they were, by a deeper implanting of gracious habits and principles in their heart. This is a singular mercy, to have holiness spreading itself over and through their souls, as the light of the morning. Nothing is in itself more desirable. And it is also a great help to their perseverance, union, and spiritual joy, for which He had prayed, and which are all advanced by their increasing sanctification. 5. And as the completion and perfection of all mercies, He prays that they may be with Him where He is, to behold His glory. Verse 24. This is the best and highest privilege of which they are capable. The end of His coming down from heaven, and returning thither again, was to bring many sons and daughters unto glory. You see, Christ asked no small thing for His people. No mercies but the best, that both worlds afford would suffice Him on their behalf. 2. Let us see how He urges His requests, and with what arguments He pleads with the Father for these things. 1. The first argument is drawn from the joint interest that Himself and His Father have in those for whom He prays, All mine are thine, and thine are mine. Verse 10. As if He had said, Father, behold and consider the persons I pray for, they are thy children as well as mine, the very same whom thou hast embraced in thy eternal love, and in that love hast given them to me, so that they are both thine and mine. Great is our interest in them. O therefore, keep, comfort, sanctify and save them, for they are thine. What a mighty plea is this! Surely, Christians, your intercessor is skillful in his work, your advocate wants no eloquence or ability to plead for you. 2. The second argument, and that a powerful one, treads, as I may say, upon the very heel of the former, in the next words, and I am glorified in them. My glory and honor are infinitely dear to thee. I know thy heart is entirely set upon the exalting and glorifying of thy Son. Now what glory have I in the world, but what comes from my people? Others neither can nor will glorify me, nay, I am daily blasphemed and dishonored by them. These are they from whom my glory and praise in the world must rise. Should these then wander and perish, where shall my glory be, and from whom shall I expect it? So that here his property and glory are pleaded with the Father to prevail for those mercies, and what is dearer, what nearer to the heart of God. 3. And yet to make all fast and sure, he adds a third argument, and now I am no more in the world, that is, as to his bodily presence. This, which had been a sweet spring of comfort to them in all their troubles, was in a little time to be removed. It might now have been said to the pence of disciples, as the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, a little before Elijah's translation, Know ye not that your master shall be taken from your head today? This comfortable enjoyment must be taken from them. And here lies the argument, Father, consider the sadness and trouble in which I leave my poor children. While I was with them, I was a sweet relief to their souls, whatever troubles they met with. In all doubts, fears, and dangers they could repair to me, and in their straits and wants I still supplied them. They had my counsels to direct them, my reproofs to restore them, and my comforts to support them. Yea, the very sight of me was an unspeakable joy and refreshment to their souls, but now the hour is come, and I must be gone. All the comfort and benefit they had from my presence among them is cut off, and except thou make up all this to them another way, what will become of these children when their father is gone? What will be the case of the poor sheep and the tender lambs, when the shepherd is smitten? Number 4 And further, to move and engage the father's care and love for them, he subjoins another great consideration, drawn from the danger in which he leads them. But these are in the world. The world is a sinful, infecting, and unquiet place. It lies in wickedness, and a hard thing it will be for such poor, weak, imperfect creatures to escape the pollutions of it. Or if they do, yet the troubles, persecutions, and strong opposition of it, they cannot escape. Seeing, therefore, I must leave them in the midst of a sinful, troublesome, and dangerous world where they can neither move backward nor forward without danger of sin or ruin. Oh, provide for them and take special care of them all. Consider who they are and where I leave them. They are thy children to be left in a strange country, thy soldiers in the enemy's quarters, thy sheep in the midst of wolves, thy precious treasures among thieves. Number 5 And yet he has not done, for he adds another argument, And I come to thee. As his leaving them was an argument, so his coming to the Father is also a mighty argument. There is much in these words, I come to thee. I thy beloved Son, in whom thy soul delighteth, I to whom thou never deniest anything, I am now coming to thee, my Father. I am treading every step of my way to thee in blood and unspeakable sufferings, and all this for the sake of those dear ones I now pray for. Yea, the design and end of my coming to thee is for them. I am coming to heaven in the capacity of an advocate to plead with thee for them. And I come to my Father and their Father, my God and their God. Now then, since I come to thee through such bitter pains and all this on their account, since I do but now, as it were, begin that intercession work which I shall live forever to perform for them in heaven, Father, hear, Father, grant what I request. Number 6 And to close all, he tells the Father how careful he has been to observe and perform that trust which was committed to him. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name. Those that thou gavest me, I have kept, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition. Thou didst commit them to me to be redeemed. I undertook the trust and said, If any of them be lost at my hand, let them be required. In pursuance of which trust I am now here on the earth in a body of flesh. I have been faithful in every point. I have redeemed them, for he speaks of that has finished and done, which was now ready to be done. I have kept them hitherto, and now, Father, I commit them to thy care. Lo, here they are, not one is lost but the son of perdition who was never given. With how great care have I cared for them. O let them not fail now. Let not one of them perish. Thus you see what a nervous, argumentative, pleading prayer Christ poured out to the Father for them at parting. Roman numeral 3 The next inquiry is Why he thus prayed and pleaded with God for them when he was to die. And certainly it was not because the Father was unwilling to grant the mercies he desired for them. For he tells us, The Father himself loveth you. John 16.27 That is, he is inclined enough of his own accord to do you good. But the reasons of this exceeding importunity we may suppose to have been Number 1 He foresaw a great trial then at hand, yea, and all the after trials of his people, as well as that. He knew how much they would be sifted and straightened in the hour and power of darkness. He knew their faith would be shaken and greatly staggered by the approaching difficulties, when they should see their shepherd smitten and themselves scattered, the Son of Man delivered into the hands of sinners, and the Lord of Life hanged dead upon the cross, yea, sealed up in a grave. He foresaw into what straits his poor people would fall, between a busy tempter and an unbelieving heart. Therefore he prays and pleads with such importunity for them that they might not fail. Number 2 He was now entering upon his intercession work in heaven, and he was desirous in this prayer to give us a specimen of that part of his work before he left us, that by this we might understand what he would do for us when he should be out of sight. For this being his last prayer on earth, it shows us what affections and dispositions he carried hence with him, and satisfies us that he who was so earnest with God on our behalf, such a mighty pleader here, will not forget us, nor neglect our concerns in the other world. Yet, reader, I would have thee always remember that the intercession of Christ in heaven is carried much higher than this. It is performed in a way more suitable to that state of honor to which he is now exalted. Here he uses prostrations of body, cries and tears in his prayers. There his intercession is carried in a more majestic way, becoming an exalted Savior. But yet in this he has left us a special assistance, to show the temper and working of his heart now in heaven towards us. Number 3 And lastly we would leave this as a standing monument of his care and love for his people to the end of the world. And for this it is conceived Christ delivered this prayer so publicly, not withdrawing from the disciples to be private with God as he did in the garden, but in their presence. And not only was it publicly delivered, but it was also, by a singular providence, recorded at large by John, though omitted by the other evangelists, that so it might stand to all generations. Roman numeral 4 If you ask how this gives evidence of Christ's tender care and love to his people, I answer it appears in these two particulars. Number 1 His love and care were manifested in the choice of mercies for them. He does not pray for health, honor, long life, riches, but for their preservation from sin, spiritual joy in God, sanctification and eternal glory. No mercies but the very best in God's treasury does he ask for his people. The rest he is content should be dispensed promiscuously by providence, but these he will settle as a heritage upon his children. O see the love of Christ, look over all your spiritual inheritance in Christ, compare it with the richest, fairest, largest inheritance on earth, and see what poor things these are to yours. O the care of a dear Father, O the love of a tender Savior. Number 2 Besides, what an evidence of his tenderness to you and great care for you was it that he should so intently and so affectionately seek and plead your concerns with God at such a time, even when a world of sorrow encompassed him on every side. A cup of wrath mixed and ready to be put into his hand. At that very time when the clouds of wrath grew black, a storm was coming and such as he never felt before. When one would have thought all his care, thoughts, and diligence should have been employed on his own account, his own sufferings. Now he doth as it were forget his own sorrows for our peace and comfort. O love unspeakable. Inference number 1 Did Christ so eminently show his care and love for his people in this his parting hour, then he will keep them to the end. Do you hear how he pleads? How he fills his mouth with arguments? How he chooses his words and sets them in order? How he winds up his spirit to the very highest pitch of zeal and fervency? And can you doubt of success? Can such a father deny the importunity and pleading of such a son? O it can never be. He cannot deny him. Christ has the art and skill of prevailing with God. If the heart or hand of God were hard to be opened, yet this would open them. But when the Father himself loves us and is inclined to do us good, who can doubt of Christ's success? That which is in motion is the more easily moved. The cause Christ manages in heaven for us is just and righteous. The manner in which he pleads is powerful and therefore the success of his suit is unquestionable. O think of this when danger surrounds your souls or bodies, when fears and doubts are multiplied within. When thou art ready to say in thy haste, All men are liars, I shall one day perish by the hand of sin or Satan. Think on that encouragement Christ gave to Peter, I have prayed for thee. Luke 22, 32 Number 2 Again, hence we learn that argumentative prayers are excellent prayers. The strength of everything is in its joint. There lies much of the strength of prayer also. How strongly jointed, how nervous and argumentative was this prayer of Christ. Some there are indeed that think we need not argue and plead in prayer with God, but only present the matter of our prayers to him and leave Christ, whose office it is, to plead with the Father. As if Christ did not present our pleas and arguments, as well as simple desires, to God. As if the choicest part of our prayers must be kept back, because Christ presents our prayers to God. No, no, Christ's pleading is one thing, ours another. His and ours are not opposed, but subordinate. His pleading does not destroy, but makes ours successful. God calls us to plead with him, Come now, let us reason together. Isaiah 118 God, as one observes, reasons with us by his word and providences outwardly, and by the motions of his Spirit inwardly. And we reason with him by framing, through the help of his Spirit, certain holy arguments grounded upon allowed principles drawn from his nature, name, word or work. And it is condemned as a very sinful defect in professors, that they did not plead the church's cause with God. There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up. Jeremiah 30.13 What was Jacob's wrestling with the angel, but his holy pleading and importunity with God? And how well it pleased God, let the event speak. As a prince he prevailed and had power with God. Genesis 32.24 And Hosea 12.4 His name was no more called Jacob, but Israel, a prince with God. By these holy pleadings the king is held in his galleries. Kennecal 7.5 I know we are not heard either for our much speaking or our excellent speaking. It is Christ's pleading in heaven that makes our pleading on earth available. But surely when the Spirit of the Lord shall suggest proper arguments in prayer and help the humble suppliant to press them home believingly and affectionately, when he helps us to weep and plead, to groan and plead. For one says, the heart cries to God more by groans than by words and more by tears than by speaking. God is greatly delighted with such prayers. Thou hast said, I will surely do thee good, said Jacob. Genesis 32.12 It is thine own free promise. I did not go of myself, but thou bet'st me go and encouraged me with this promise. Oh, this is pleasing to God when by his spirit of adoption we can come to him crying, Abba, Father. Father, hear, forgive, pity and help me. Am I not thy child, thy son or daughter? To whom may a child be bold to go? With whom may a child have hope to prevail, if not with his father? Father, hear me. The fathers of our flesh are full of compassion and pity their children and know how to give good things to them when they ask. And is not the father of spirits more full of compassion, more full of pity? Number three. What an excellent pattern is here for all that have the charge and government of others committed to them, whether magistrates, ministers or parents, showing how to acquit themselves towards their relations when they come to die. Look upon the dying Jesus. See how his care and love to his people broke out when the time of his departure was at hand. Surely, as we are bound to remember our relatives every day and to lay up prayers for them in the time of our health, so it becomes us to imitate Christ in our earnestness with God for them when we die. Though we die, our prayers do not die with us. They outlive us, and those we leave behind us in the world may reap the benefit of them when we are turned to dust. For my own part, I must profess before the world that I have a high value for this mercy and do from the bottom of my heart bless the Lord who gave me a religious and tender father who often poured out his soul to God for me. He was one that was inwardly acquainted with God and being full of love to his children often carried them before the Lord, prayed and pleaded with God for them, wept and made supplications for them. The prayers and blessings left by him before the Lord I esteem above the fairest inheritance on earth. Oh, it is no small mercy to have thousands of fervent prayers lying before the Lord in heaven for us. And oh, that we would all be faithful to this duty. Surely our love, especially to the souls of our relatives, should not go cold. Oh, that we would remember this duty in our lives, and if God give opportunity and ability, discharge it fully when we die. Considering as Christ did, that we shall be no more, but they are in the midst of a defiled, tempting, troublesome world. What temptations and troubles may befall them, we do not know. Oh, imitate Christ your pattern. This was the treasure which he could not quit. He could not die till he had secured it in a safe hand. I come unto thee, Holy Father. Keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me. Surely believers are dear to Jesus Christ, and with good reason, for he has paid dear for them. Let his dying language, this last farewell, say how he prized them. The Lord's portion is his people. Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. Deuteronomy 32 verse 9 They are a peculiar treasure to him above all the people of the earth. Exodus 19 verse 5 Whatever is much upon our hearts when we die is dear to us indeed. Oh, how precious, how dear should Jesus Christ be to us. Were we first and last upon his heart? Did he pray for us? Did he wrestle with God for us when the sorrows of death compassed him about? How then are we bound not only to love him and esteem him while we live, but to be in pains of love for him when we feel the pains of death upon us? The very last whisper of our departing souls should be, Blessed be God for Jesus Christ. Chapter 21, page 248 The second preparative act of Christ for his own death, the Lord's Supper. The Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, Take, eat. This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood. This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11, verses 23-25 Christ had no sooner recommended his dear charge to the Father, but the time of his death hastening on, he institutes his last supper to be the memorial of his death in all the churches until his second coming, therein graciously providing for the comfort of his people when he should be removed out of their sight. This, his second act, manifests no less love than the former. It is like a man plucking off the ring from his finger when about to die and delivering it to his dearest friends to keep as a memorial of him. In the text there are four things noticed by the Apostle respecting this last and lovely act of Christ, namely the author, time, institution, and end of this holy solemn ordinance. 1. The author of it, the Lord Jesus. It is an effect of his royal power and authority. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore. Matthew 28, verses 18-19 The government is upon his shoulders. Isaiah 9, verse 6 He shall bear the glory. Zechariah 6, verse 18 2. The time when the Lord Jesus Christ appointed this ordinance. In the same night in which he was betrayed. It could not be sooner, because the Passover must first be celebrated. Nor later, for that night he was apprehended. It is therefore emphatically expressed, In that same night, that night forever to be remembered. He gives that night a season of spiritual refreshment to his disciples before the conflict. He appoints that night an ordinance in the church For the confirmation and consolation of his people in all generations to the end of the world. 3. The institute of itself. In which we have the memorative, Significative, Instructive signs, Bread and wine. And the glorious mysteries represented and shadowed forth by them. Namely, Jesus Christ crucified, The proper New Testament nourishment of believers. Bread and wine excellently shadow forth the flesh and blood of a crucified Savior. Not only in their usefulness, but in the manner of their preparation. The corn must be ground in the mill, The grapes torn and squeezed in the wine press, Before we can have either bread or wine. And when all this is done, They must be received into the body, Or they nourish not. So that these were very fit to be set apart for this use and end. And as lively signs, Shadowed forth a crucified Jesus, Represent him to us in his red garment. 4. Notice the use, design, and end of this institution. In remembrance, or for a memorial of me. Oh, there is much in this. Christ knew how apt our base hearts would be to forget him, Amidst the throng of sensible objects. And how great the loss which that forgetfulness of him, And of his sufferings would occasion us. Therefore he appoints a sign to be remembered by. As oft as you do this, Ye show forth the Lord's death till he come. Hence we observe, The memorial Christ left with his people in the last supper, Is a special mark of his care and love for them. What, to order his picture, as it were, To be drawn when he was dying, To be left with his spouse, To rend his own flesh, And sip flowing his own blood, To be meat and drink for our souls. Oh, what manner of love was this! It is true his picture in the supper is full of scars and wounds, But these are honorable scars, And highly grace and commend it to his spouse, For whose sake he here receives them. They are marks of love and honor, Drawn, that as oft as his people looked upon the portraiture of him, They might remember and be deeply affected With what he here endured for their sakes. These are the wounds my dear husband Jesus received for me. These are the marks of that love which passes the love of creatures. Oh, see the love of a Savior! Surely the spouse may say of the love of Christ What David, in his lamentations, said of the love of Jonathan. Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. But to prepare the point to be meat indeed and drink indeed to thy soul, Reader, I shall discuss briefly these three things. What it is to remember Christ in the Lord's Supper. What aptitude there is in that ordinance, So to bring him to our remembrance. And how the care and love of Christ is manifested In his leaving such a memorial of himself with us. Roman numeral I. Remembrance, properly, is the return of the mind to an object With which it has been formerly conversant. And this may be either speculatively or transiently Or affectionately and permanently. A speculative remembrance is only to call to mind The history of such a person and his sufferings. That Christ was once put to death in the flesh. An affectionate remembrance is when we so call Christ and his death to our minds As to feel the powerful impressions thereof upon our hearts. Thus Peter remembered the word of the Lord And went out and wept bitterly. Matthew 26.75 His very heart was melted with that remembrance. His bowels were pained, he could not refrain But went out and wept abundantly. Thus Joseph, when he saw his brother Benjamin Which renewed the memory of former days and endearments Was greatly affected. And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin His mother's son, and said Is this your younger brother of whom ye spake to me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste, for his bowels did yearn upon his brother And he sought where to weep, and he entered into his chamber And wept there. Genesis 43.29.30 Such a remembrance of Christ is here intended. This is indeed a gracious remembrance of Christ The mere speculative remembrance has nothing of grace in it. The time shall come when Judas that betrayed him And the Jews that pierced him Shall historically remember what was done. Behold, he cometh with clouds And every eye shall see him And they also which pierced him And all kindreds of the earth Shall wail because of him. Revelation 1.7 Then I say Judas shall remember This is he whom I perfidiously betrayed Pilate shall remember This is he whom I sentenced to be hanged on a tree Though I was convinced of his innocence Then the soldiers shall remember This is that face we spit upon That head we crowned with thorns Lo, this is he whose side we pierced Whose hands and feet we once nailed to the cross But this remembrance will be their torment Not their benefit It is not therefore a bare historical speculative But a gracious, affectionate, impressive remembrance of Christ That is here intended And such a remembrance of Christ Supposes and includes Number one, the saving knowledge of him We cannot be said to remember what we never knew Nor to remember savingly what we never knew savingly There have been many sweet and gracious transactions And intimacies between Christ and his people From the time of their first happy acquaintance with him But much of the sweetness they have had In former hours of communion with him Is lost and gone For nothing is more inconstant than our spiritual comforts Here at the Lord's table Our old acquaintance is renewed And the remembrance of his goodness and love revived We will remember thy love more than wine The upright love thee Canticles 1 verse 4 Number two Such a remembrance of Christ includes faith Without discerning Christ in his supper There is no remembrance of him And without faith, no discerning Christ there But when the precious eye of faith Hath spied Christ under the veil It presently calls up the affections Saying, come see the Lord These are the wounds he received from me This is he that loved me And gave himself for me Awake my love, rouse up my hope Flame out my desires Come forth all ye powers And affections of my soul Come, see the Lord No sooner doth Christ by his spirit Call to the believer But faith hears And discerning the voice turns about like Mary Saying, Rabboni, my Lord, my Master Number three This remembrance of Christ Includes suitable impressions Made upon the affections And therein lies the nature of this Inestimable blessing Communion with God Various representations of Christ Are made at his table Sometimes the soul there calls to mind The infinite wisdom That contrives the glorious And mysterious design of redemption The effect of this Is wonder and admiration O the manifold wisdom of God Ephesians 3 verse 10 O the depth, the height, the length The breadth of this wisdom I can as easily span the heavens As take the just dimensions of it Sometimes a representation Of the severity of God Is made to the soul in that ordinance O how inflexible is the justice of God What? No abatement? No sparing mercy? No not to his own son? This begets in the heart A just and deep indignation against sin O cursed sin It was thou that used my dear Lord so For thy sake he underwent all this If thy vileness had not been so great His sufferings had not been so many Cursed sin Thou hast the knife that stabbed him Thou the sword that pierced him O what revenge it works When the believer considers and remembers That sin put Christ to all that shame and ignominy And that he was wounded for our transgressions He is filled with hatred of sin And cries out O sin, I will revenge the blood of Christ upon thee Thou shalt never live a quiet hour in my life And it also produces in humble adoration Of the goodness and mercy of God In exacting satisfaction for our sins By such bloody stripes from our surety Lord, if this wrath had seized on me As it did on Christ What had been my condition? If these things were done in the green tree What would have been done in the dry? Sometimes extraordinary representations Are made of the love of Christ Who assumed a body and soul on purpose To bear the wrath of God for our sins And when that surpassing love Breaks out in its glory upon the soul How is the soul transported with it? Crying out What manner of love is this? Here is a love large enough To go round the heavens And the heaven of heavens Whoever loved at this rate To lay down his life for enemies O love unutterable and inconceivable Sometimes the fruits of his death Are there gloriously displayed Even his satisfaction for sin And the purchase by his blood Of the internal inheritance And this begets thankfulness And confidence in the soul Christ is dead And his death has satisfied for my sin Christ is dead Therefore my soul shall never die Who shall separate me from the love of God? These are the fruits And this the nature Of that remembrance of Christ Here spoken of Roman numeral 2 What aptitude or fitness Is there in this ordinance To bring Christ so to remembrance? Much every way For it is a sign By him appointed to that end And hath as divines well observe A threefold use As its memorative Significative And instructive As it is memorative It has the nature and use Of a pledge Or token of love Left by a dying To a dear surviving friend And so the Lord's supper Comes to us like a ring Plucked off from Christ's finger Or a bracelet from his arm Or rather like his picture From his breast Delivered to us With such words as these As oft as you look on this Remember me Let this help to keep me alive In your remembrance When I am gone And out of your sight It is a significative sign Most amply signifying His bitter suffering for us And our strict And intimate union with him Both which have An excellent fitness To move the heart Into steepest affections The breaking of the bread And pouring forth the wine Signify the former Our eating, drinking And incorporating them Is a lively Signification of the latter Moreover this ordinance Has an excellent use For this affectionate Remembrance of Christ As it is an instructive sign It instructs and enlightens us Particularly in these truths Number one That Christ is the bread On which our souls live Proper meat and drink For believers The most excellent New Testament food It is said Man did eat angels food Psalm 78 25 Referring to the manna That fell from heaven Which yet was but a type And a weak shadow of Christ On whom believers feed Number two It instructs us That the New Testament Is now in its full force And no substantial alteration Can be made in it Since the testator is dead And by his death Hath ratified it So that all its excellent promises And blessings Are now fully confirmed To that believing soul Hebrews 9 verses 16 and 17 And these And many more choice truths Are we taught by this sign And in all these ways It reminds us of Christ And helps powerfully To raise Warm And affect our hearts With the remembrance of him Roman numeral 3 The last inquiry is How Christ hath hereby Left such a special mark Of his care and love For his people And number one This is a special mark Of the care and love of Christ Inasmuch as hereby He hath made abundant provision For the confirmation And establishment Of the faith of his people To the end of the world For this being An evident proof That the New Testament Is in full force It being the cup Of the New Testament In his blood Matthew 26, 28 It tends as much To our satisfaction As the legal execution Of a deed By which we hold And enjoy our estate So that when he saith Take, eat It is as much As this God Should stand before you At the table with Christ With all the promises In his hand and say I deliver this to thee As my deed What thank you Does not this promote And confirm The faith of a believer Number two This is a special mark Of Christ's care and love Inasmuch as by it He hath made abundant provision For the enlargement Of the joy and comfort Of his people Believers are at disordinance As Mary was at the sepulcher With fear and great joy Matthew 28, verse 8 Come reader Speak thy heart If thou be one That heartily lovest Jesus Christ And hath gone many days Possibly years Mourning and lamenting Because of the obscurity And uncertainty Of thine interest in him Who hath sought him Sorrowing in this ordinance And in that In one duty and another If at last Christ should take off That covering As one calls it From his face And be known of thee And breaking of bread Suppose he should By his spirit Whisper thus in thine ear As thou sittest at his table Dost thou indeed so prize Esteem and value me Will nothing but Christ And his love satisfy thee Then know that I am thine Take thine own Christ Into the arms of thy faith This day Would not this create In thy soul A joy transcending All the joys and pleasures Of the world Number three This is a signal mark Of Christ's care and love Inasmuch as it is One of the highest And best helps For the mortification Of sin in his people Nothing tends more To the destruction of sin One writer calls that table An altar On which our corruptions Are sacrificed and slain Before the Lord For how can they That there see What Christ suffered for sin Live any longer therein Number four Moreover his care and love Appear in providing An ordinance So excellently adapted To excite his people's love Into a lively flame When Joseph made himself Known to his brethren I am Joseph your brother Whom ye sold Be not grieved Oh what showers of tears And dear affections Were there How did they fall Upon each other's necks So that the Egyptians wondered How does the soul If I may so speak Passionately love Jesus Christ at such a time The fairest among ten thousand What hath he done What hath he suffered for me What great things Hath my Jesus given And what great things Hath he forgiven me A world A thousand worlds Cannot show such another Here the soul Is melted down by love At his feet Number five Christ's care and love Are further manifested To people in this ordinance As it is one of the strongest bonds Of union between them We being many Are one bread And one body For we are all partakers Of that one bread 1 Corinthians 10 verse 17 This Reformation audio track Is a production of Stillwater's Revival Books SWRB makes thousands Of classic Reformation resources Available free and for sale In audio, video and printed formats Our many free resources As well as our complete Mail order catalog Containing thousands of Classic and contemporary Puritan and Reform books Tapes and videos At great discounts Is on the web At www.swrb.com We can also be reached by email At swrb at swrb dot com By phone at 780-450-3730 By fax at 780-468-1096 Or by mail at 4710-37A Edmonton Alberta Canada T6L3T5 You may also request a free printed catalog And remember that John Calvin In defending the Reformation's Regulative principle of worship Or what is sometimes called The scriptural law of worship Commenting on the words of God Which I commanded them not Neither came into my heart From his commentary On Jeremiah 731 Writes God here cuts off from men Every occasion for making evasions Since he condemns by this one phrase I have not commanded them Whatever the Jews devised There is then no other argument Needed to condemn superstitions Than that they are not commanded by God For when men allow themselves To worship God According to their own fancies And attend not to his commands They pervert true religion And if this principle Was adopted by the Papists All those fictitious modes of worship In which they absurdly exercise themselves Would fall to the ground It is indeed a horrible thing For the Papists To seek to discharge their duties Towards God By performing their own superstitions There is an immense number of them As it is well known And as it manifestly appears Were they to admit this principle That we cannot rightly worship God Except by obeying his word They would be delivered From their deep abyss of error The prophet's words then Are very important When he says That God had commanded no such thing And that it never came to his mind As though he had said That men assume too much wisdom When they devise what he never required Nay, what he never knew