It is not a scheme of man’s contrivance, or the result of merely human
wisdom, but was ordained by our blessed Lord himself, and enjoined on his
people by his twice repeated words.
The first occasion was on the night before his crucifixion, when he was
eating the Paschal Supper with his disciples. He then gave them bread
and wine, and said, “This do in remembrance of me.” Here, therefore, is
his own plain command—and one command from him is enough for the
Christian.
But He did not leave the subject there; for after his ascension to the
right hand of God, he was still mindful of his sacrament, and repeated
his command by express revelation to St. Paul. He had already spoken
plainly, so that none could mistake him; and three evangelists had left
his words in writing, so that none could doubt as to his language: but
yet, as if to prevent the possibility either of forgetfulness or mistake,
when he called a new servant to his apostleship, he made to him a second
revelation of his will; for on turning to verse 23, we find that St. Paul
did not receive the doctrine of the sacrament from those who were
apostles before him, but from the Lord Jesus Christ himself. “_I
received of the Lord_ that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord
Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: and when he
had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body which
is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner
also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New
Testament in my blood: this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of
me.”
Now, to those who are anxious to know how they ought to act, these twice
repeated words of Jesus surely give a simple answer. Some persons think
it safer to abstain and wait; but is it not the safest thing simply to
obey the commands of Jesus? To follow your own judgment, and to give way
to doubts and fears, can never be so safe as to throw yourself like a
little child at the feet of your Saviour, and there say, “Speak, Lord,
for thy servant heareth.” You wish to be Christ’s disciple, so begin at
once to do what Christ commands.