A DISCOURSE

ON THE NATURE AND DESIGN

OF THE

EUCHARIST,

OR

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

BY ADAM CLARKE, LL. D.

PREFACE.

In the following discourse, I have aimed, not at new discoveries in theology, but to do justice to a subject misconceived by most, and neglected by many. A subject of the utmost consequence to divine revelation, and to the edification of the church of God. I shall not say, in order to vindicate its publication, that it was done in consequence of the ardent, oft-repeated importunity of many respectable friends.-Whatever may be owing to private friendship, is undoubtedly a high and imperious duty to discharge; but no man can be excused in obtruding on the public any thing unworthy its notice, by such motives as these. The holy eucharist I consider a rite designed by God to keep up a continual remembrance of the doctrine of the ATONEMENT. In this point of view, I thought it was not commonly considered by the generality of Christians: and as I saw various opinions subversive of its nature and design prevailing among professors, I said, I will also show my opinion; in doing which, though I have brought my knowledge from afar, I have endeavoured to ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

In looking over my work I feel but little pleasure at the appearance of so many quotations in strange characters. I can say in my vindication, I did not seek these; they presented themselves on the respective subjects with which they are connected; and I accepted their assistance, judging that with many their testimony would go farther than my own. The plain unlettered reader will have no reason to complain of these, as the sense of each is carefully given; and the man of learning will not be displeased to have the originals presented here to his view, which he might not have always at hand. These things

excepted, I have endeavoured to be as plain and as clear as possible. I have affected no elegance of style: this, my subject did not require; plain common sense was all I aimed at. I have not even given the work the form of a sermon; and by the rules of such compositions, I hope no man will attempt to judge of it. I began it in the name of GOD, and I sincerely dedicate it to his glory. May his blessing accompany the reading of it! And may the important doctrine of the atonement made by the death of CHRIST, which it is chiefly intended to illustrate and defend, have free course, run and be glorified, and mighty deeds be done in the name of JESUS!

My whole mind on the execution of this work, I may express in the following words of an ancient writer: "If I have done well, and as is fitting the story, it is that which I desired: but if slenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain unto-and here shall be an end."

INTRODUCTION.

An examination of the question, Did our Lord eat the Passover with his disciples on the last year of his public ministry?

As I shall have occasion frequently to refer to this subject in the ensuing discourse; a subject on which the Christian world has been divided for at least 1500 years, the reader will naturally expect to find some notice taken of the controversy concerning it; and although a decision on the case cannot be expected, yet a fair statement of the principal opinions which, at different times, have been held and defended by learned men should undoubtedly be given.

With no show of propriety could such a controversy be introduced into the body of a discourse on the nature and design of the Lord's supper; and yet the view I have taken of this ordinance is so intimately connected with the passover in general, that to pass by the controversy in silence would by many be deemed inexcusable. I shall therefore briefly state the principal opinions on this question, the reasonings by which they are supported, and take the liberty to notice that one especially, which I judge to come nearest to the truth. The chief opinions are the four following:

I. Christ did not eat the passover on the last year of his ministry.

II. He did eat it that year, and at the same time with the Jews.

III. He did eat it that year, but not at the same time with the Jews.

IV. He did eat a passover of his own instituting, but widely different from that eaten by the Jews.