DISCOURSE dividing it among the Jews, so iscutting it amongus.--2. Cut- ting the bread represents his body being wounded with nails and thorns, and a spear as muchas breaking. But however that be, it is agreed gby all of us, that the bread may be cut almost through, to render the breaking it regularly more convenient and easy, as is usually practised in our churches. 4. The words of the institution should be certainly pro- nounced, or words of much the same sense, at the distribution of theelements, viz. This is the body of Christ, or this is an emblem or figure of the body of Christ, &c. and this cup is the New Covenant or New Testament in the blood of Christ, or a sign and seal of the New Testament, or of the New Covenant, in his blood, which was shedfor manyfor the remission of sins. But it is by no means necessary to say always the very same words. Por, it is certain, this ordinance was celebrated or performed by our Saviour but once, and yet the several evangelists differ in their relation of the words used by Christ; and St. Paul, in his account of it, differs from them all. Therefore it is evident, that the spirit of Christ in writing the New Testament, never de- signed to confine us precisely to one set of words, or the same phrases, but only to the same sense. Yetfurther : 5. The elements must be distributed that all maypartake : But whether the pastor must distribute them to the hand of every communicant; whether the deacons, who serve tables, may dis- tribute them, or whether they may be distributed throughout the congregation by the commeniaaat s from hand to hand, this is not any where determined certainly, and is no evident part of the institution itself, and I think it may be practised any way. In the last place, a table-gesture was the mode in which Christ administered, and his disciples did first receive this ordin- ance ; and I think a table-gesture is the most proper to represent a supper, or a religious feast and holy communion. But 1 dare not say, this is so much an instituted and necessary part of the ordinance, that it cannot be profitably celebrated without it. God forbid, that I should pronounce this sacrament null and vain to all the foreign protestant churches, most of which receive it standing, or to the English episcopal church, who receive it on their knees ! And let it be remembered, the Jewish table - gesture was very different from ours, and yet we have changed it for sitting. But as for some other of the circumstances which first at- tended this ordinance, it is impossible that they should be neces- sary to our constant and repeated celebration of it. Does any christian think it necessary, that this sacrament should never be administered but in a large upper room ? Is it not lawful nor valid, if performed in a little room and on a ground floor ? A- gain, our Saviour administered this ordinance to twelve persons, zen3
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