Robert Nelson’s treatise on the Eucharist, entitled The Great Duty of Frequenting the Christian Sacrifice and the Nature of the Preparation Required, with Suitable Devotions, was published in 1706, and presents a doctrine of the Eucharist much like that of John Johnson.  Nelson advocates frequent communion and argues that the eucharistic sacrifice is a presentation to God of consecrated bread and wine which stand as symbols of the body and blood of Christ, and as such they plead the merits of Christ’s passion. 

In speaking of the need for Christians to receive “the Holy Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood” (Nelson, The Great Duty of Frequenting the Christian Sacrifice, cited in Wright, 1989: 309) frequently, Nelson says:

“But that Christians otherwise very devout and not lawfully hindered, who have Fear of God before their Eyes and who aim at pleasing Him in all their Actions, should ever turn their Backs upon his Holy Table, and when invited to commemorate the meritorious Sacrifice of the Death of Christ should refuse to give such an easy Instance of a thankful Heart, is really Matter of Astonishment.  Because they do thereby neglect the most effective Means of growing in Grace and overlook the best Method of attaining what they most sincerely purpose and desire.” (Nelson, The Great Duty of Frequenting the Christian Sacrifice, cited in Wright, 1989: 309)

Here Nelson seems to affirm moderate realism.  He speaks of Christ’s body and blood being received in the Eucharist but in a sacramental manner.  He speaks of a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice and death in the Eucharist as an act of thanksgiving.  There is no suggestion here of any immoderate notions, yet the Eucharist is described as an effective means of growing in grace and the best method of attaining purposes and desires.  The Eucharist seems to be an effective means of conveying grace to those who receive, and it is such frequent receiving that Nelson advocates.  Sign and signified are linked with Christ’s body and blood being received in a sacramental manner and the sacrifice of Christ being commemorated in the Eucharist.  Nelson’s doctrine of the Eucharist is that of moderate realism.