And, lastly, consider this, how
the same night that He was betrayed, He took bread, and when He had
given thanks, He brake it, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body,
which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me." And how,
likewise, He took the cup, and when He had blessed it, He gave it to
them, saying, "Drink ye all of this, for this is the new covenant in
my blood, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of
sins; this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." Oh,
consider these words, my friends--to you all and every one they were
spoken. "Drink ye ALL of this," said the Blessed One; and will you
refuse to drink it? He offers you the bread of life, the sign and
the pledge of His body, which shall feed your souls with everlasting
strength and life; and will you refuse what the Son of God offers
you, what He bought for you with His death? God forbid, my friends!
This is your blessed right and privilege--the right and the
privilege of every one of you--to come freely and boldly to that
holy table, and there to remember your Saviour. At that table to
confess your Saviour before men--at that table to shew that you
really believe that Jesus Christ died for you--at that table to
claim your share in the strength of His body, in the pardon of His
blood, which cleanses from all sin--and at that table to receive
what you claim, to receive at that table the wine, as a sign from
Christ Himself, that His blood has washed away your sins; and the
bread, as a sign that His body and His spirit are really feeding
your spirits, that your souls are strengthened and refreshed by the
body and blood of Christ, as your bodies are with the bread and
wine.
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