In discoursing of, and admitting the supernatural, we at once put aside the consideration of physical laws; we at once admit that things supernatural pass the limits of our finite intelligence. But, as the Holy Scriptures describe the operations of God to us, in terms of human comprehension, such as eyes, hands, arms, &c., so in the word “eat,” we understand not alone a physical perception, but far more. To describe the divinely appointed method, the external means, the connecting link, (so to speak) by which the Divine agency is pleased to operate on Christians, we are bidden to Take, eat, and by it we understand soul-feeding, a uniting of the glorified Body of Christ with ours. “He that eateth me shall live by me,” saith our Lord. There is a deep meaning here; “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” In this full sense of eating therefore, we understand, not only the act of “carnally pressing with the teeth, the Sacrament of Christ’s Body,” as S. Augustine saith (for it _is_ Christ’s Body that all do so press), but those further dispositions of mind, which enable Christians to unite with Him, and which are described in the language of the Church as “a true and lively faith.” And thus it follows, that they who have not the due dispositions of mind, obtain not that full and perfect union of Christ’s Body with their own, which is appointed by our Lord, to be the great Christian source of life and grace. John vi. 53, 54. After the elements have been consecrated, they become Christ’s Body. The “Faith” or qualifications of the receiver have nothing to do with the Real Supernatural Presence of Christ in the Sacrament; and this point cannot be too strongly insisted on, when, as at present, the most solemn and positive doctrines of the Church of all ages and nations, are concealed, avoided, or explained away, in deference to a miserably short-sighted policy of expediency, under the name of moderation. That therefore which has been consecrated--which is “given, taken, and received” by all communicants, is, as the 28th Article, and the solemn words of delivery expressly declare--the Body of Christ--and this is to be understood in the simplest, plainest sense of language without a shadow of ambiguity or refinement. To every one receiving therefore, there is a sacramental impartation of Christ’s Body--to the humble, faithful Penitent, it is not only the Presence of, but union with his Lord--according to his fitness is the benefit he receives--“According to your faith be it unto you.”