Christ's body would go unto the draught, and be subject to corruption; either of which to affirm is most horribly blasphemous: therefore the Popish tenet of transubstantiation is to be abominate by all Christians.

Arg. 4. If the bread in this sacrament be turned into the real body of Christ, both the nature and end of the sacrament would be destroyed; the nature of the srcrament is to be a sign, the end of it is to be a remembrance of Christ: both which suppose Christ's body to be absent, which this sacrament is a sign and remembrance of; whereas, if the bread were turned into Christ's body, it would be present.

Arg. 5. It is bread which is eaten in the sacrament and not the body of Christ, and so it is termed by the apostle, 1 Cor. xi. 36. As often as ye eat this bread, not this body of Christ. Ver. 27. Whosoever shall eat this bread unwhorthily, &c. Ver. 28. Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread: And if it be bread which is eaten in this sacrament, surely the bread is not turned into the real body of Christ.

Q. 16. But are not the words of our Saviour plain in his institution of this sacrament, This is my body? and would he have said it, had not the bread been turned to his real body?

A. If all scripture expressions besides were to be understood literally, then there would be some reason that this expression should be so understood too: But we have frequently figurative expressions in the scripture, and that concerning Christ, 1 Cor. x. 4. That rock was Christ, Eph. ii. 20. Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Is Jesus Christ therefore turned into a rock or stone? In the same sense as in the Jewish sacrament, the paschal lamb is called the passover, the bread in the Christian sacrament is called the body of Christ: The paschal lamb could in no proper sense be the passover, which was the action of the angel in passing over the houses of the Israelites, when he destroyed the first-born of the Egyptians; What absurdity is it to say, That the paschal lamb was turned into this action of the angel? Surely a present substance could not be turned into an accident or action which was long before; but it was a sign or

Commemoration of that action; so the bread in the sacrament is not properly the body of Christ, and so one body turned into another without its accident; but the bread is a sign of the body of Christ, and a commemoration of Christ's body which was crucified for us.

Q. 17. But cannot God by his infinite power turn the bread into the real body of Christ? And if he can do it, why may we not believe that he really doth it, when Christ saith, This is my body?

A. Although God by his infinite power, can do all things which are possible unto true power, yet we may safely say, that God cannot do any thing which implieth imperfection and weakness; such as, to make contradictions true, and to introduce ridiculous absurdities, and blasphemous consequences; which he should do, if he should turn the bread in the sacrament, but without the transmutation of its accidents, into the real body of Christ.

Q. 18. How doth the bread and wine in this sacrament represent the body and blood of Christ?

A. The bread and wine in this sacrament doth represent the body and blood of Christ, in that, as the bread and wine doth nourish, strengthen and refresh the body, and satisfy the natural appetite; so the body and blood of Christ received in this sacrament, doth nourish, strengthen and refresh the soul, and satisfy the spiritual appetites.

Q. 19. What is represented by the actions of the minister, in taking the bread and breaking it, and taking the cup, and giving both unto the people?

A. By the actions of the minister in taking the bread and breaking it, and taking the cup, and giving both unto the people, is represented, God's taking his Son, and giving him to be broken and crucified upon the cross for us; and withal, his giving him in this sacrament unto us, to be our Redeemer and Saviour. Q. 20. What is represented by the actions of the people in receiving the bread and wine, and feeding upon them?

A. By the actions of the people in receiving the bread and wine, and feeding upon them, is represent

ed, their receiving of Christ Jesus, given to them by the Father, and feeding upon him in the sacra

ment.

Q. 21. Do all that receive this sacrament partake really of the body and blood of Christ, with the benefits of the new covenant.

A. None but worthy communicants do receive and partake really of the body and blood of Christ, with the benefits of the new covenant.

Q. 22. How do worthy receivers really partake of the body and blood of Christ, with all his benefits?

A. The worthy receivers do partake really of the body and blood of Christ, with all his benefits; l. Not after a corporal and carnal manner, and by conjunction of his real body and blood unto their body, as meat and drink is really joined unto them in their eating and drinking thereof. But, 2. It is by faith that Christ's body and blood is really but spiritually joined unto their souls, and the virtue and efficacy, the fruits and benefits of his death are applied to them, whereby they receive spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace, 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

Q. 23. How do believers receive spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace in and by this sacrament?

A. Believers receive spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace in and by this sacrament: 1. As they draw virtue from Christ's death, for the crucifying of the flesh, for mortifying and purging away sin, which doth hinder their spiritual nourishment and growth. 2. As the Lord doth convey by his Spirit, and they do receive in his sacrament hy faith, further supplies of his grace, which by his death he bath purchased for them and which in his covenant of grace whereof this sacrament is the seal, he hath promised them.

Q. 24. What is the end of this sacrament of the Lord's supper?

A. The end of this sacrament of the Lord's supper, is the shewing forth of Christ's death, by the receiving of which, Christians do publickly own, and give a tes

timony of their belief in, and hopes of salvation by ■ crucified Lord. 1 Cor. xi. 29. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew forth the Lord's death till he come.

96. Q. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's supper?

A. It is required of them that would worthily par take of the Lord's supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord's body and of their faith to feed upon him: of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest coming unwor thily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves. -Q. I. What is it to receive the Lord's supper worthily? A. To receive the Lord's supper worthily, is not to receive it meritoriously, as if we were to bring any merit or worth of our own thereunto; for so none can be worthy of Christ, or any of his benefits. 2. We receive the Lord's supper worthily, when we receive it with due preparation before we come to it, and with suitable behaviour when we are at the table of the Lord. Q. 2. What is that preparation which is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's supper?

A. There is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's supper: 1. Habitual preparation, that the persons who receive it, be in a state of grace. 2. Actual preparation that their grace be drawn forth into exercise.

Q. 3. What is requisite for the obtaining of this habitual and actual preparation in order to our worthy receiving?

A. It is requisite for the obtaining of this habitual and actual preparation in order to our worthy receiving, that we examine ourselves, 1 Cor. xi. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.

Q. 4. Wherein are we to examine ourselves in order to our preparation for this sacrament?

A. We are to examine ourselves in order to our preparation for this sacrament : 1. In our knowledge to discern the Lord's body, which is represented by the bread, 1 Cor. xi. 29. Not discerning the Lord's

body. 2. In our faith to apply Christ, and feed upon him, and so to draw virtue and spiritual nourishment from him, 2 Cor. xii. 5. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith. 3. In our repentance, selfjudgment, and godly sorrow for our sins, which hath brought sufferings upon our Lord, Cor. xi. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 4. In our love to Christ, who in his death hath expressed such love to us; and in our love to one another, who are redeemed by the same blood. 5. In our new and sincere obedience to the gospel, which we must engage in, and be fully resolved in the strength of the Lord to perform, before we can worthily receive this sacrament, 1 Cor. iii. 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincereity and truth.

Q. 5. What is requisite by way of preparation for this sacrament besides self-examination?

A. By way of preparation for this sacrament, besides self-examination, there is requisite, prayer to God for his presence, blessing and assistance of his Spirit; and meditation in order to the exciting of our affections, and drawing forth of our graces unto exercise.

Q. 6. Who are they that come to the Lord's table unwerthily?

A. 1. Such come to the table of the Lord unworthily, as have no habitual preparation, being in a graceless and Christless state, who having no faith, can neither discern the Lord's body, nor spiritually feed upon him; who being without repentance, love and new obedience, can neither bring glory to the Lord, nor enjoin communion with him by receiving this sacrament. 2. Such also come to the table of the Lord unworthily, who, altho' they are gracious, and have habitual preparation, yet take no care by self-examination, prayer and meditation, to attain actual preparation; whereby they displease God, and lose all the benefit of the ordinance.

Q. 7. If such as are gracious do take pains in selfexamination, and other duties, to get their hearts pre