179. IV. Trust in God. 1 Pet. ii. 21 -23, when he suffered he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

180. V. Mortification of fleshly lusts. Gal. v. 24, They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

181. VI. Patience, meekness, and fortitude under sufferings. Heb. xii. 1, 2, 3, Looking unto Jesus, who endured the cross, despising the shame, &c. For consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be weary and faint in your minds. Heb. xiii. 12, 13. Rev. xii. 11, And they overcame him [the dragon, the accuser and persecutor of the brethren, ver. 10,] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony: and they loved not their lives unto the death.

182. VII. Deadness to the world. Gal. vi. 14, God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is crucified to me, and I to the world: So that I am not affected with either the frowns or smiles of it; nor for the sake thereof refuse any duty, or shun any danger in the way of duty. Hence, those christians who lead a sensual, worldly

life, are said to be enemies to the cross of Christ, or to the life and power of christianity, Phil. iii. 18.

183. And because in the cross of Christ, or in Christ crucified, the whole of the gospel, both as to the mercy God hath shewn us, and the influence it should have upon our hearts, is comprized, the cross, or Christ crucified, is with Paul the same thing as the gospel; and preaching the one, the same as preaching the other. 1 Cor. i. 17, 18, Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us that are saved it is the power of God.-Ver. 23, We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness: but unto them which are called, Christ [crucified] the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Chap. ii. 2, I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Gal. iii. 1, O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath

been evidently set forth, crucified among

you.

184. We are baptized into Christ's death, Rom. vi. 3. And in the Lord's supper all the grace and precepts of the gospel are exhibited under the signs of bread, signifying Christ's broken, or crucified body; and of wine, signifying his blood shed for many for the remission of sins, which we are to eat and drink in remembrance of him, or with the attention of our minds fixed upon him. Not barely remembering there was such a person; but duly considering, how he stands related to us; in what manner he endured his

sufferings, and for what end. Eating Christ's body, and drinking his blood are, doubtless, to be understood figuratively; denoting, in an easy, familiar way, the improvement and comfort of the mind, by that which nourishes and refreshes the body. This is frequent in scripture. A book, God's word, good instructions, &c. are compared to meat or drink; which we eat and drink, when we read, understand, receive, digest, and duly observe them. Ezek. iii. 1, 2, 3, Son of man, eat this roll, [containing the denunciations of God's

M

judgments.] So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll, &c. Rev. x. 9, And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, give me the little book, [containing an account of future events in the christian church.] And he said unto me, take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be sweet in thy mouth. As if he had said; take the book, consider it well, and digest it in your mind, and you will find, that the events it reveals will occasion a mixture of joy and grief. Jer. xv. 16, Thy words were found, and I did eat them: and thy word was unto me, the joy and rejoicing of my heart. Prov. ix. 3, 4, 5, 6, Wisdom, or the doctrine of truth and holiness, crieth upon the highest places of the city. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come eat of my bread, and drink of my wine which I have mingled; that is to say, Forsake the foolish and live; and go in the way of understanding. Isa. lv. 1, 2, 3, Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat, yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price. Wherefore do ye spend

money for that which is not bread? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness, in the pure and most delicious doctrine of sanctity and virtue. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live. John vii. 37, If any man thirst, or desires to understand the true way of life, let him come unto me, and drink.

185. More might be added; but this is sufficient to explain the meaning of eating and drinking in the Lord's Supper. The bread represents the flesh of Christ, which he hath given [a sacrifice] for the life of the world; see John vi. 51-57. Or it is his body given, or broken upon the cross for us; Luke xxii. 19. 1 Cor. xi. 24. And we eat it, when from the death of Christ we learn to mortify all corrupt affections; to deny ourselves in whatever is dearest to us, that we may lead godly, sober, and righteous lives; to bear sufferings and injuries with meekness and patience; and all other virtues which Christ exhibited upon the cross. The wine represents the blood of Christ, as it is the ground and confirmation of the covenant