If we would consider this, no doubt
we would be more desirous to come to the communion than we be; we would
not be so cold; we would be content to leave our naughty living, and come
to the Lord's table.
Now ye have heard what shall be the chiefest dish at this marriage,
namely, the body and blood of Christ. But now there be other dishes,
which be sequels or hangings-on, wherewith the chief dish is powdered:
that is, remission of sins; also the Holy Ghost, which ruleth and
governeth our hearts; also the merits of Christ, which are made ours. For
when we feed upon this dish worthily, then we shall have remission of our
sins; we shall receive the Holy Ghost. Moreover, all the merits of
Christ are ours; his fulfilling of the law is ours; and so we be
justified before God, and finally attain to everlasting life. As many,
therefore, as feed worthily of this dish, shall have all these things
with it, and in the end everlasting life. St. Paul saith, _Qui proprio
Filio suo non pepercit, sed pro nobis omnibus tradidit illum, quomodo non
etiam cum illo omnia nobis donabit_? "He which spared not his own Son,
but gave him for us all, how shall he not with him give us all things
also?" Therefore they that be in Christ are partakers of all his merits
and benefits; of everlasting life, and of all felicity.
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