The Communicant's Companion (continued)
in place, of distinct societies, different attainments, and divers apprehensions in lesser things; yet, all meeting in Christ, they are one. They are all incorporated in one and the same church, all interested in one and the same covenant, all stamped with one and the same image, partakers of the same new and divine nature, and all entitled to one and the same inheritance. In the Lord's Supper we are "made to drink into one Spirit."
And therefore, in attending on that ordinance, we are concerned not only to preserve, but to cultivate and improve Christian love and charity; for what will this badge of union avail us without the unity of the Spirit?
IV. We call it the Eucharist; so the Greek church called it, and we from them. It signifies a thanksgiving, and it is so called,
1. Because Christ in the institution of it gave thanks.—It should seem that Christ frequently offered up his prayers in the form of thanksgivings, as, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me;" and so he blessed the bread and the cup, by giving thanks over them; as the true Melchizedek, who, when he "brought forth bread and wine to Abraham, blessed the most high
God." Though our Savior, when he instituted the sacrament, had a full prospect of his approaching sufferings, with all their aggravations, yet he was not thereby indisposed for thanksgiving; for praising God is a work that is never out of season. Though the Captain of our salvation was now but girding on the harness, yet he gives thanks as though he had put it off, being confident of a glorious victory: in the prospect of which, even before he took the field, he did in this ordinance divide the spoil among his followers, and "gave gifts unto men."
2. Because we, in the participation of it, must give thanks likewise.—It is an ordinance of thanksgiving appointed for the joyful celebrating of the Redeemer's praises. This sacrifice of atonement Christ himself offered once