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He doubleth the elements, to show that in Christ is not only necessary and sufficient, but also plentiful and abundant, with assured redemption. To blame, then, is the Church of Rome, which is guilty of that fault whereof Benjamin was taxed; they have "stolen away the cup." If "to steal the chalice" be the phrase whereby men express the highest sin, what sacrilege is it to steal the wine of the chalice, from whom it belongeth? But let us hear what these Romanists plead for themselves.

I. FLESH AND BLOOD GO ALWAYS TOGETHER. It is superfluous, therefore, to give the laity the blood the second time, who by concomitancy had received it before. Answer — What God hath put asunder, to be taken severally and distinctly, let no man join together.

II. THERE BE MANY INCONVENIENCES, YEA, MISCHIEFS, ATTEND THE LAITY'S RECEIVING OF THE WINE; as, its sticking in their beards, spilling of it, etc. Answer — God, in the omnisciency of His wisdom, surveyed the latitude of all occurrences, yet, beholding all future inconveniences present, He appointed the laity to drink of the cup. Wine was then as subject to spilling; it hath not since gotten a more liquid or diffusive quality.

III. IN SEVERAL PLACES NO MENTION IS MADE OF WINE, but of bread only (Acts 2:42, 46; Acts 20:7). Answer — Either "bread," by a synecdoche, is here put for bread and wine; or else that phrase importeth their ordinary meetings and civil feasts. But a cart-load of these exceptions are "weighed in the balance and found too light" to outpoise Christ's institution. Let us not be so foolish as to depart from God's written Word in the sacrament, concerning giving the laity the cup, for the company of human arguments on our side; but let us stick to our commission.

(T. Fuller, D.D.)

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KJV: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

WEB: For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.