THUS much we must be sure to hold, that in the Supper of the LORD there is no vain ceremony, no bare sign, no untrue figure of a thing absent. But, as the Scripture saith, the table of the LORD, the bread and cup of the LORD, the memory of CHRIST, the annunciation of his death, yea, the communion of the body and blood of the LORD in a marvellous incorporation, which, by the operation of the Holy Ghost (the very bond of our conjunction with CHRIST), is through faith wrought in the souls of the faithful, whereby not only their souls live to eternal life, but they surely trust to win to their bodies a resurrection to immortality.-Homily of the Sacrament, Part I. Meditations BEFORE COMMUNION. ADORE thee, O blessed Jesus, my Lord and my God, when I consider what that sa crament is to which thou now invitest me, and of what parts it consists; of an outward and visible sign, and of an inward and spiritual grace; for thou, Lord, who knowest our infirmities, and how little able we are to conceive things heavenly and spiritual, in pity to our dark and feeble apprehensions hast ordained outward and visible signs, to represent to our minds thy grace, which is inward and invisible. Thou hast ordained bread and wine, which is our bodily food, to picture to our faith the food of our souls. I know, O my God, that I must look through the outward elements, and fix my faith on that which they signify, and which is the inward and invisible grace, even thy own blessed body and blood, which is verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord's supper. But, Lord, how canst thou give us thy flesh to eat? Lord, thou hast told me, that thy words they are spirit and they are life, and are therefore not carnally to be understood. Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief. Lord, I believe that the bread that we break, and the cup that we drink, are not bare signs only, but the real communication of thy body and thy blood, and pledges to assure me of it; and I verily believe, that if with due preparation I come to thy table, as certainly as I receive the outward signs, so certainly shall I receive the thing signified, even thy most blessed body and blood; to receive which inestimable blessing, O merciful Lord, do thou fit and prepare me. Amen. Amen. BISHOP KEN. II. Dost thou desire to know, O my soul, with what good things Christ in this holy mystery hasteth unto thee? how he cometh laden and enriched with so many merits and rewards? Whatsoever he brought into the world, all those he exhibiteth in this most divine sacrament. He that ministereth such food to him that fighteth, what doth he keep in store for him that overcometh! Surely in that immortal life, in that land of promise, he will fill thy desires with all happiness, which in this wilderness giveth thee such heavenly And what doth he so much covet of thee, my soul, by this most noble food, as that he may plentifully reward thee with unspeakable graces? Mark what he bringeth; more, I assure thee, than thou canst I wish or desire. Behold," saith he, “I and knock; if any man hear my voice, and shall open to me the gate, I will enter in unto him, and sup with him.' manna. stand at the door What wilt thou do, O my soul, in so great abundance of all good things? Do what thou art able, and do it quickly. Be thou enlarged to receive such mysteries; make clean the place of thy heart; prepare the upper room of thy best and best-disposed devotion; exclude a mind beating upon vain |