be accepted notwithstanding my weakness and frailty, for my Redeemer's sake.

O, let this commemoration of my crucified Saviour influence all my thoughts, words, and actions, that my conversation may be as becometh the Gospel of Christ. Reward me not according to my deserts, but deal with me according to my great necessities and thine own rich mercies in Jesus Christ; to whom with thee, O GOD the Father, and GOD the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

DIRECTIONS.-Now, arising, depart reverently from the Lord's Table with a glad heart and cheerful countenance; endeavour by meditation, by prayer, or by serious and holy conversation, to preserve good thoughts in your mind; behave with gravity, yet be not sullen nor morose; for a Christian's behaviour should not be without innocent alacrity nor cheerfulness.

INSTRUCTIONS

DESIGNED TO PROMOTE A HOLY LIFE AFTER THE RECEIVING OF THE SACRAMENT.

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed, belong unto and to our children for ever. Deut. xxix. 29.

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F thou wouldst preserve thy faith incor

rupt, and thy devotion from distraction, content thyself with reverencing and admiring these holy mysteries: and do not indulge a busy curiosity in bold and unprofitable inquiries concerning them, fo this is one way to damp a godly zeal, and to perplex thy mind with intricate and endless doubts.

Happy is that meekness and poverty of spirit, which industriously declines the rugged thorny paths of controversy and captious disputes, and walks in the plain smooth way of duty and practical religion; which studies GOD's commands, and la

bours to understand things of a size with its own capacity, without troubling itself about his doings and decrees.

Too many instances there are of daring men, who, by presuming to sound the deep things of religion, have cavilled and argued themselves out of all religion. These men are widely in error; for the thing required of a Christian is not penetration and subtilty of wit, nice distinction, or sublime notions, but victorious faith, and an honest, holy life, sobriety, temperance, and chastity, justice and charity, piety and devotion.

These doubts are not always sinful, nor always from themselves, but frequently owing to the temptations of the Devil, and industriously scattered by him with wicked artifice and malicious design. Be not therefore too anxious upon these occasions. Trouble not thyself to argue nicely, nor employ thy thoughts upon the matter, nor hold thyself concerned to be able to answer every cavil which he puts into thy head; but keep close to Scripture and do thy duty, and the enemy will soon retreat when he finds thee offering a constant resistance to his attempts.

Think not these inward distractions a sign that thou art forsaken of GOD. They are rather, on the contrary, a mark of grace. GOD suffers them, to exercise thy patience, to try thy constancy, to promote thy spiritual advantage. Proceed, then, in thy Christian course with resolution and patience, and still frequent the Sacrament with steadfast faith and humble reverence. Whatever there thou findest to exceed thy understanding, put it to God's account; and leave him to make it good, though thou canst not conceive how it should be done. He will not deceive thee; but they who rely upon their own understanding are sure to deceive themselves, For,

Remember, God hath said that he walks and dwells with the humble, and shows his ways to the meek; that he reveals himself to babes; that he opens the eyes of the honest and sincere: but hides his grace and knowledge from the proud and wise in their own sight. Human reason may both deceive and be deceived; but faith hath GOD for its foundation, and cannot err, because depending upon one who is truth itself, incapable of mistaking, or of imposing upon others.

It is therefore highly fit, and in matters of religion absolutely necessary, that these two principles should know their order and respective stations, and each contain itself within its proper sphere. Faith (which supposes a revelation received and acknowledged) challenges the highest place; and Reason ought to keep her distance, to serve and follow after, not to set bounds to, or assume, and encroach, and usurp over the other. For,

Faith and Charity are the two pillars upon which Christianity stands; the two governing principles of a true Christian's opinions and actions. And their authority and influence are in no one instance more considerable than in this of the blessed sacrament. GOD is infinite and eternal, his power unbounded and incomprehensible; he does whatsoever pleaseth him in heaven and earth; and who can understand his councils, or find out all his ways? His judgments, declared Paul, are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out.

If the works of God were such as human reason could penetrate with ease, they would lose great part of their glory. We should soon abate of our awe and venera