5. It is not an indifferent thing, whether or no we approach the Lord's table; and we in vain think to secure ourselves by keeping from it. When we do not receive, we cannot draw upon ourselves the punishments of unworthy receiving; but then it will be equally pernicious to us, to neglect and refuse the advantages that are provided for us at God's table; and to which we are so earnestly invited: nay, we declare our resolution to continue in our sins, if we refuse an opportunity of procuring our pardon. It shows that we are not much concerned to do our duty, when we avoid those occasions of improving our strength, and of receiving that grace, without which it is impossible to perform it. Nor can we continue in this neglect without offending God, who has made it our bounden duty. We cannot despise his grace, without increasing our guilt, and provoking his wrath and indignation against us.

And

by leaving undone the things which he has commanded, as well as by doing those things he has forbidden, we expose our eternal salvation. But,

6. Methinks, I perceive the enemy laying another snare to frustrate my good resolutions; the devil sometimes, that he may deceive us the better, will transform himself into an angel of light. He pretends to plead the cause of God, and endeavours to stagger our faith; saying, that if we now break those

resolutions made before receiving the Lord's Supper, and return again to our sins, he doubts whether God would ever again admit us to pardon and reconciliation; and, therefore, he thinks it safer to abstain from the holy communion, rather than to run the hazard of being for ever excluded from the hopes of heaven. It is true, St. James tells us, in many things we offend all; there is no man but what has his share, more or less, of human infirmities, so that it is most reasonable to conclude, that, in the course of this life, they will sometimes unavoidably surprise and betray us into some sins. Against these, therefore, we must continually strive, and we may reasonably hope, that by God's grace, and our own diligent and careful endeavours, we may every day more and more prevail against them. For,

7. However God may think it fit, for our humiliation, and a farther trial of us, to leave us still exposed to some of the common infirmities of our nature; yet, in respect of all habitual or deliberate sins, we may assure ourselves, that he is faithful, and will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way for us to escape, that we may (if it be not our own fault) be able to bear it. Nor will he fail to draw nigh to us, while we continue careful to draw nigh unto him. Let us then but steadfastly resolve to be

hearty and industrious in doing what lies in our own power; and then, though our sins be as scarlet, or as red as crimson, yet we need not be discouraged; for God is ready, upon our repentance, to make them as white as wool and snow.

8. Yet, at the same time, it stands with a great deal of reason, that the greater our sins have been, and the oftener we have relapsed into them, the deeper our sorrow, and the more laborious our repentance must be, in order to obtain our pardon. But since there is a possibility of pardon even in the case of the most profligate and abandoned sinner, we must not make the contrary fear, suggested by the devil, a pretence for keeping ourselves back from any of the ordinances of God, and from a more immediate and intimate communion with him. On the contrary, let us flee to them in the time of our temptation, as the ready means to deliver us from all evil, and established by God to confirm us in every thing that is good.

The Hymn on Monday Evening.

A holy resolution to approach the Lord's table.
THE promise of my Father's love,
Shall stand for ever good:

He said, and gave his soul to death,
And seal'd the grace with blood.

To this dear cov'nant of thy word,

I set my worthless name;

I'll seal th' engagement to my Lord,
And make my humble claim.

Thy light, and strength, and pard'ning grace,
And glory shall be mine;
My life, my soul, my heart, and flesh,
And all my powers are thine.

I call that legacy my own.
Which Jesus did bequeath;

"Twas purchas'd with a dying groan,
And ratify'd in death.

Sweet is the mem'ry of his name,
Who bless'd us in his will,
And to his Testament of love
Made his own life the seal.

The Prayer on Monday Evening.

For pardon and forgiveness of those sins, which deter us from approaching the Lord's table.

MOST great, most holy, and most glori

ous Lord God! I know that thou delightest in the ways of mercy, that thou art a tender lover of souls, and not only permittest, but invitest us, miserable creatures, to come unto thee; therefore I am convinced of the necessity of that holy institution, which thou hast ordained by thy Son our Lord, in that

Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, whereby we are raised from a death of sin unto a life of righteousness.

With humble confidence, then, O Lord, I lift up my soul unto thee, beseeching thee, in thy great mercy, to look upon me, and to ease me of the burden of my corrupt and sinful inclinations: oh! cast me not away from thy presence, but, for the sake of my dear Redeemer, receive me graciously to thy mercy; and let the merit of his bitter death and passion atone for all the follies and miscarriages of my life past; forgive, I meekly beseech thee, whatever I have done amiss this day and all my life past, either against thee, my neighbour, or myself.

Oh! what am I, that I should presume to speak unto thee, or to lift up mine eyes to that place of purity where thine honour dwelleth. Oh! cleanse me from all my secret and unknown transgressions; and, most merciful Father, who upholdest all things by the power of thy word, grant that I may seriously consider and reflect upon the foulness and deformity of my sin, and what dreadful threatenings thou hast denounced against it; that I may become a true and sincere mourner for my past sins; and, as far as is possible, redeem my mispent time, by employing the remainder of my days in thy service and to thy glory. O Lord! give me a new heart, new affections, and new desires,