VI. The thing signified in this ordinance, and in what respect Christ is said to be present therein, together with the benefits expected from him, as we are said to feed upon him by faith for our spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. I cannot but think that the general design hereof, is not much unlike to that which was ordained under the ceremonial law, in which, after the sacrifice was offered, part of it was reserved to be _eaten in the holy place_, Lev. vi. 16. which was a significant feast upon a sacrifice. In like manner, the Lord’s supper, which comes in the room of the passover, is ordained to be a feast on Christ’s sacrifice; so the apostle styles it, when he says, _Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast_, &c. 1 Cor. v. 7, 8. The fiducial application of Christ, and the benefits of his death, is the principal thing to be considered in this gospel-festival. However, there are some cautions necessary to be observed with respect to the things signified therein, as what may be useful to us that our faith may be exercised in a right manner. Therefore let it be considered, 1. That though the Lord’s supper was instituted in commemoration of Christ’s love, expressed in his death, which was the last and most bitter part of his sufferings for our redemption. Yet he did not design hereby to exclude his other sufferings in life; nor, indeed, his whole course of obedience from his incarnation to his death; since it is very evident that the death of Christ is often considered in scripture, by a synecdoche, as denoting the whole course of obedience, both active and passive, which is the matter of our justification; and therefore is to be the object on which our faith is to be conversant in the Lord’s supper, as well as his sufferings in, or immediately before his death.