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considered by Christians in general as obligatory at the present day.

John xiii. 4. He [Jesus] riseth from supper; and laid aside his garments, and took a towel and girded himself. 5. After that, he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 2. 13. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one anothers feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

105th Q.-Why is it not obligatory?

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A. Because as our Saviour's former command referred to a Jewish rite, now superseded, so this referred to an Eastern custom that does not prevail in the West; and therefore though his immediate followers whom he addressed might literally obey his command, the spirit of it is all that is considered obligatory on the Christian church, namely, a readiness to do the most humble offices of love for our brethren.

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106th Q.-Did not this act of our Lord also convey further instruction?

A.-It evidently did. From the words of our Lord to Peter, " If I wash thee not, thou "If hast no part with me," it appears that he designed to impress upon his disciples the necessity of the inward washing of regeneration; which cleanses the soul from the pollution of sin, and fits it for communion with him.

See the Proof, to the 104th Answer.

107th Q.-Is there not a Supper of our Lord mentioned in the Scriptures, of which Christians partake, and by which they have communion with him?

A.-There is; our Saviour adverted to it when he ate the Jewish Passover with his disciples, as well as on other occasions. By it the soul partakes of the bread of life which comes down from heaven, and of the new wine of the kingdom, which nourish the soul up unto eternal life: or in other words, the supper is an inward and spiritual participation of the body and blood of Christ; for as the outward body cannot subsist without material food, so neither can the divine life subsist in the soul without spiritual food.

Matt. xxvi. 29. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

John vi. 33.

The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst. 51. I am the living bread, which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 53. Verily, verily I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

Rev. iii. 20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

FINIS.

London: printed by William Phillips,
George Yard, Lombard Street.

Henry Giles

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