in the Lord's Supper," are (as our Catechism well expresses it) for " the strengthening and refreshing of our souls, as our bodies are" strengthened and refreshed by "bread and wine."

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The partaking in the Lord's Supper is also a necessary method for you to follow, if you would arrive at everlasting happiness. Verily, Verily, I say unto you" -these are the words of our blessed Lord himself;-" except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." So that besides all the other motives, which should weigh with you towards making you devout and worthy partakers at the Lord's table, you ought to reflect most seriously, that if you do not choose to partake, you can have no reason to expect that you will be saved and happy in heaven. This, in fact, is the way, by which the testament or covenant between

• John vi. 53, 54.

Christ and you, is sealed and made good. At Baptism you were admitted into covenant with God; when you received from him the promise of forgiveness of sins, and everlasting happiness; and engaged on your part "obediently to keep his holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of your life." If you will perform your part of the covenant, if you will "eat the flesh and drink the blood" of Christ, and endeavour to live in a suitable manner, (for that must always be understood, when we speak of the benefits of receiving the Lord's Supper;) you may then be assured that, as Christ "is faithful who promised "," he will perform his part of the covenant, and “raise you up at the last day." If you will not perform your part, if you will not "eat his flesh and drink his blood," when they are offered you, you cannot expect him to perform his part. Nay, you must expect punishment for disobeying his commandment; and do indeed challenge and provoke him to give you over to eternal death,

• Heb. x. 23.

inasmuch as you obstinately refuse to do that, which he points out as the means of

life. For "except ye eat the Christ, and drink his blood, you life in you."

say,

flesh of

have no

I am

But some man will perhaps say, too ignorant; and another perhaps will I am not fit by reason of my infirmities, to come to the Lord's table. If you mean to say, that you know nothing at all about your religion, or that you are living in the habitual commission of sins, which you will not repent of and forsake; you then say what is very true; and you certainly have not the least right to come to that holy table. But I rather am willing to hope, that when you employ these excuses, you are under a mistake as to what is required of those, who would partake in the Lord's Supper.

In the catechism, which cannot be too strongly recommended to your serious and repeated consideration, you will find the things, which are required, distinctly and clearly explained. You are there told,

that before you come to the Lord's table, you are to "examine yourselves, whether you repent you truly of your former sins; and steadfastly purpose to lead a new life;-whether you have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death; and whether you are in charity with all men."

In the first place then you are to examine, whether you are really sorry for the sins which you have committed in your past life-you are to confess them to God; to pray of him to pardon them; to intreat his assistance, that you may be able to forsake them;-and you are then to examine, whether you can resolve within yourselves to forsake them; can steadfastly purpose to lead a new life, in other words, to live like Christians for the future; and thus, whilst you confess your sins and say, that you repent of them, whether can resolve to "bring forth fruits meet for repentance."

you

In the next place you are to examine, whether you believe what you read in the Bible yourselves, or what you hear read from it at Church; particularly whether you believe, that the mercy of God is extended to penitent sinners by virtue of the death of Jesus Christ; whether you trust for pardon from God and future happiness, not upon any works or merits of your own, but upon the merits of Christ; and whether you give him hearty thanks, for the blessings which he has purchased by his death for you and for all mankind.

In the third and last place you are to examine, whether you feel such a spirit of good-will towards all men, as would lead you to do for the service of any one, whatever might be in your power;-whether, in case of your having offended or injured your neighbour, you are willing to make him all the satisfaction that you can;and whether, in case of your having been offended or injured by him, you are ready to forgive him from the bottom of your heart, "as you would have forgiveness of your offences at God's hand."