There is one body and one spirit, which animates that body, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, of the spirit, which is imparted to every sincere christian, one God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. And, suffer me to repeat it, as a symbol of this unity, and as a mean of promoting it, you are commanded to eat and drink together, as at one sacramental table, in token that you are all children of one family, members of one body, heirs together of one blessed and glorious inheritance, to which you are all travelling, and where you hope to live together in eternal harmony and peace.-Receive one another, therefore, to this sacred communion, and render the church on earth as much like to that in heaven, as the present imperfection of our nature will admit.

The conclusion which seems plainly to follow from all is, that for one party or sect of christians to set up a sacramental table in the church of Christ, in separation from all other christians, and in exclusion of all such as will not conform to such particular modes, or doctrines, or rites as themselves have devised, but which Christ hath not injoined, and thereby to reject those from their communion, whom, at the same time, they believe to be Christ's accepted servants, is a criminal violation of the communion of saints, a rash and presumptuous breach of the unity of the church, and a wounding the mystical body of Christ. The table they thus erect, is so far not the Lord's table, but a table of their own; and as far as they thus eat, in criminal separation from, and uncharitably excluding all other acknowledged christians, who will not submit to their unscriptural terms, they so far eat not the Lord's supper, but a supper of their own, and

have no reason to expect his presence and blessing on the solemn rites they perform.

And now, my brethren, having thus, at your request, performed this last public act of my pastoral relation, by recalling to your minds some of the grand objects which it infinitely concerns us to keep continually in view; permit me to beseech, and even conjure your most serious attention to them; and that you make them the subject of your frequent recollection in your passage through life.

The time, you see, is short; life is but a vapour which passeth hastily away; eternity is at hand; death will soon separate us, and break up the most large and flourishing societies; but that separation will be but short; we shall all live, and meet, and see each other again, around the throne of that Jesus whose gospel hath been preached to you; and according to the reception you have given it, and the improvement you have made under it in substantial piety and virtue, in love to God, and benevolence to men, our meeting at that grand solemnity will be either joyful or dreadful, crowned with immortal honours, or covered with shame and everlasting contempt : when every disguise will be stript off, and every character and every action shewn in its true light; every man weighed in God's righteous and impartial balance; and to every man shall be rendered according to his works.

God in his infinite mercy grant, that not one soul of those to whom we now minister this gospel of salvation, may be found to have received this inestimable grace in vain; for to such it will prove a ministration of condemnation, a savour of death unto death; that is, a complicated death. As it aggravates their guilt, it will also their punishment. For better had it been, never to have

known the way of righteousness, than after we have known, to turn away from it, and to run wilfully into the paths of sensuality and sin, which infallibly lead down to shame and eternal death.

But we hope better things of you, my brethren, though we thus speak; even things that will issue in your everlasting safety and peace.

And O how transporting the joy, if we, who have often met in these little assemblies upon earth, shall at last again meet in that great assembly above, the congregation of the righteous, the innumerable company of angels and saints, gathered out of every kindred, and tongue, and nation upon earth; and shall there join their triumphant song, ascribing blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the lamb that was slain; and with them be commanded to enter into the everlasting kingdom and joy of the Lord.

That this may be the happy end of all our present labours, and prayers, and sacraments, and sabbaths, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the powerful operation and influence of the Holy Spirit, mercifully effect! And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us all perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ: to him be glory in the churches, throughout everlasting ages. Amen.

FINIS.

INDEX.