The Communicant's Companion
2. Christ and all his benefits are here to be received by us. If we do indeed answer the intention of the ordinance, in receiving the bread and wine, we accept the offer that is made us: "Lord, I take thee at thy word; be it unto thy servant according to it." We hereby interest ourselves in Christ's mediation between God and man, and take the benefit of it according to the tenor of the everlasting gospel. Christ, in this ordinance, is graciously condescending to show us the print of the nails, and the mark of the spear, to show us his pierced hands, his pierced side, those tokens of his love and power as a Redeemer; we, by partaking of it, comply with his intentions, we consent to him, and close with him, saying, as Thomas did, "My Lord, and my God!" None but Christ, none but Christ.
We do here likewise set ourselves to participate of that spiritual strength and comfort, which, through grace, flows into the hearts of believers, from their interest in Christ crucified. The gospel of Christ here solemnly exhibited, is meat and drink to our souls: it is bread that strengthens man's heart, and is the staff of life; it is wine that makes glad the heart, and revives the spirits. Our spiritual life is supported and maintained, and the new man enabled for its work and conflicts, by the spiritual benefits of which we here communicate; as the natural life, and the natural body, are by our necessary food. From the fulness that is in Christ crucified, we here derive grace for grace, grace for gracious exercises, as the branches derive sap from the root, and as the lamps derive oil from the olive trees; and so, like healthful grown children, are nourished "up in the words of faith and of good doctrine," till we all come to the perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Thus it is our communion with, and communicating of, Christ's body and blood.