THE FEAST OF SACRIFICE AND THE FEAST OF REMEMBRANCE; OR, THE ORIGIN AND TEACHING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. With an Introductory Preface BY THE LORD BISHOP OF RIPON. "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of LONDON: T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW; 1864. 138.9.55. Preface. A T the earnest desire of the author, I have consented to introduce the fol lowing pages to the notice of the reader by a few words of preface. The statements which the book contains have been derived altogether from God's word: the subject to which they relate is of the deepest interest to the thoughtful disciple of Christ. It has been the purpose of the writer to bring out the teaching of Scripture respecting the origin and the nature of the Lord's Supper; the obligation which rests upon Christians to partake of it; the preparation which is necessary for its profitable reception; and the manifold blessings which flow to the faithful communicant in the use of the ordinance. On this, as upon every other question of religious faith and practice, the soundest teaching is ever that which is in closest harmony with the written word: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa. viii. 20). It is because I believe the teaching of this book to be in perfect harmony with what the Bible reveals, that I cheerfully commend it to the perusal of those who desire to hear what the Scripture saith concerning the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Upon either side of the revealed truth of God concerning this ordinance there have been, and still are, diverging lines of error. The one leads to a superstitious view of the Sacrament, which, by converting the sign into the thing signified, virtually overthrows the nature of the Sacrament altogether, and, under the pretence of honouring the institution of Christ, does the greatest dishonour to the Saviour Himself; whilst the other, by treating this holy ordinance as though it were a mere sign or commemoration, virtually deprives it of its essential character as an instituted means of grace, and a channel for conveying to the soul of the faithful communicant spiritual nourishment and strength. The doctrine of God's word, equally remote from these opposite errors, is brought out with admirable clearness and simplicity in the following pages. It is therefore in the prayerful hope that the perusal of them may tend to guide the inquiring; to dissipate the cloud of error which may have obscured to some minds the truth of Scripture; to foster in others a deeper reverence for this solemn ordinance of the Saviour's own appointment; and to awaken a livelier apprehension of the spiritual benefits to be received in the right use of this holy Communion, that I commend the work to the blessing of Him whose sole glory it has been the aim of the writer to set forth. R. RIPON. PALACE. RIPON. Feb. 17, 1864. |
