Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, was converted to Christ at age 46, and so brought to his ministry some ability to maturely compare his former life in the world with his new life in Christ. So only someone who has had one glass too many could write what he wrote about Communion wine. (Or perhaps he was a keen observer of people who were fond of a drink or three.)

“Doubtless the Lord’s cup so inebriates them that drink, that it makes them sober; that it restores their minds to spiritual wisdom; that each one recovers from the flavour of the world to the understanding of God; and in the same way, that by that common wine the mind is dissolved, and the soul relaxed, and all sadness is laid aside, so, when the blood of the Lord and the cup of salvation has been drunk, the memory of the old man is laid aside, and there arises an oblivion of the former worldly conversation, and the sorrowful and sad breast which before was oppressed by tormenting sins is eased by the joy of divine mercy.”

Daring? Yes, but powerfully perceptive. Cyprian taught his congregation that the experience of taking Communion is not mere symbolism, but one of real good being done to the soul. (Imparting strengthening-grace, is how I’d put it, as distinct from delivering saving-grace.) And so what a joyful bar to sit at, the Lord’s Table, and O the contentment of staggering home after church, full of holy sobriety.