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nothing is wanting but the guests to sit down: come, for all things are ready!"

Devoutly meditate upon the number and greatness of the benefits to be derived from an attendance upon the table of the Lord. It is, as thou hast heard, not only a commemorative ordinance, but such a commemoration as is admirably adapted to call into lively exercise all the graces of a renovated heart. Are not thy graces weak and languishing? Do they not need to be revived? Come, then, and behold this affecting memorial of the bitter agony and death which Jesus suffered, and be bowed to the dust, in the most profound sorrows of repentance, for those sins which brought him to the bar of Pilate, and the cross of Calvary.

Is not thy faith tremulous and wavering-often obscured with doubts, and failing to afford fulness of consolation and hope? Approach, then, the sacrament of redemption, and behold the emblems of that great sacrifice, which met all the claims of divine justice, and was offered up, "in the fulness of time, to take away the sins of the world." "Behold the Lamb of God," wounded for thy transgressions-bruised for thy iniquities that thou, through his stripes, might be healed-till thy faith rises to assurance, and imparts the peace of God-even that "peace which passeth all understanding, which the world can neither give nor take away."

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Meditate upon the surpassing kindness, the infinite love of Jesus, till gratitude becomes thy ruling emotion, and love the very element of thy being.

God meets thee, in this ordinance, as a faithful and covenant-keeping God; ever willing to ratify and confirm, by the appointed seal, the promises which He has made to his Church and people. Art thou ready to renew thy covenant? to consecrate thyself, with all thy powers and faculties, to the glory and service of thy Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier? Dost thou faithfully strive to remember thy promises and keep thy vow?-those promises which were offered at the altar, before angels and men!-that vow which has been solemnly recorded in the register of Heaven! Thou art a witness to thyself that thou hast chosen the Lord, to serve him. Art thou now as steadfastly purposed as ever to walk in his ways? Dost thou still deliberately choose him to be thy God and thy portion? And art thou now ready and willing to give up thyself afresh to him, in a perpetual covenant, never to be forgotten? If so, God is willing, in the appointed ordinance, to make over to thee the Lord Jesus, in all the fulness of his merit, and in all the riches of his grace: not only to confirm to thee the promises of pardon, adoption, holiness, and glory, by the outward seal of the sacrament; but, also, by the inward operation of his Spirit, to seal thee as his own "until the day of eternal redemption."

Dost thou find thyself sorely beset with temptations;-wounded by the fiery darts of the wicked one;-harassed, and almost defeated, by the assaults of thy spiritual enemies;-wearied with the toils of thy pilgrimage; and, through manifold infirmities, "sore let and hindered, in running the race that is set before thee?" Where wilt thou look for strength? to whom wilt thou apply for succour? "Lord, to whom shall we go but unto thee? thou hast the words of eternal life." He, gracious Master! has made full provision for the support and comfort of all his servants. He who feeds the perishing body, furnishes also abundant nourishment for the immortal soul. At his table, he provides for his people, "a feast of fat things, full of marrow; of wines on the lees, well refined." He who truly partakes of that spiritual feast, is refreshed, under all the weariness and trials, and strengthened for all the conflicts and duties, of his earthly pilgrimage. He eats of "the bread which cometh down from God, out of heaven; of which, if a man eat, he shall live for ever." His soul is "strengthened and refreshed by the spiritual food of the body and blood of Christ, as his body is by the bread and wine." O, precious banquet!-where God himself is the entertainer-the purchased blessings of redemption the food—and faith and love the ministering servants!— O, my soul! thou art honoured with an invitation to be a guest at this banquet! Draw near, then, in humble reliance upon the divine mercy; hungering for the

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BENEFITS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

bread of life, and thirsting for the waters of salvation. And, do thou, O Merciful God! grant me the assistance of thy grace, that I may eat and drink the consecrated symbols, "in remembrance that Christ died for me, and feed on him in my heart, by faith, with thanksgiving."

"My God, and is thy table spread?

And does thy cup with love o'erflow?
Thither be all thy children led,

And let them thy sweet mercies know!

Hail, sacred feast, which Jesus makes!
Rich banquet of his flesh and blood!
Thrice happy he who here partakes

That sacred stream, that heavenly food!"

CHAPTER III.

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF COMMUNICANTS.

SECTION I.

Self-examination.

WE have already seen, that the sacrament of the Lord's Supper is a most valuable mean of grace, through the instrumentality of which, our souls are fed with appropriate aliment, and nourished unto everlasting life. But it is to be remembered, that real believers only, are partakers of this spiritual food. "In such only as worthily receive the same, the sacraments have a wholesome effect or operation."* This ordinance is strengthening and refreshing to the souls of none but those who are vitally united to Christ, as the branches are united to the vine. For, although, in every age of the church, many who were strangers to the spiritual life, have presented themselves at the holy table, they have never been received as welcome guests, but have ate and drank condemnation to themselves. It is the children's food, and none but the "children of the kingdom" can relish it.

It is, therefore, of unspeakable importance, that every one who designs to approach the sacrament,

* 25th Article of Religion.

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