manded to eat of that bread, and drink of that cup, which he has appointed, and which is the communion of his body and blood; that is to fay, the means whereby we do communicate in the benefits of the facrifice which he offered, and in the merits of his paffion, which he underwent in his body, and by the fhedding of his blood, for our fakes.

All this is so easy to be learnt and underflood, that it is a great shame for any one, who lives in a Chriflian country, to be ignorant of any part of its And he who is thus far inftructed in his religion, and endeavors, according to his ability, to increase his knowledge of divine things, and adds the honeft and fincere practice of what he understands, needs never to fear that God will reject him for want of more knowledge. Although we muft, according to our capacity, add to our virtue, knowledge; yet it is not abundance of knowledge, but much honefly, charity, and true piety, that renders us acceptable and pleafing to God (i).

SECT. V.

Excufe for want of faith, anfwered.

Some complain their faith is weak and wavering,

and perplexed with doubts.

(i) 1 Cor. i. 19. to the 7th ver of chap. ii.

To

To fuch it may be urged, that the ftronger and firmer a man's faith is, so much the better; and we ought to endeavor, as much as in us lies, that our faith be built upon sure and folid principles, as well for our own comfort and fatisfaction, as that we may be able, upon occafion, to give an answer to every one who shall ask us the reasor of the hope that is in us (k). But when a man has done what he can to ftrengthen and confirm his faith, if it still continues infirm, and weak; yet if he be honest and pious in his life and practice, he is fill acceptable to God. Strength of faith is not a thing entirely in our power, and therefore not so much a duty in us, as a reward which God is pleafed to bestow, in fuch a measure as he thinks fit, upon those who are fincere and diligent in his fervice: and he that is weak in the faith, may yet be a very good Chriftian, and fit to be received into the church of Chrift, although he be not qualified for doubtful difputations (1).

It should be remembered, that as long as a tree continues to bring forth plenty of fruit, we are fure it is alive: nor do we presently cut it down and caft it into the fire, because it is not altogether fo well fixed at the root; though it be subject to be fhaken by the violence of the wind. The weakest ·

(k) 1. Pet. iii. 15.

(1) Rom. iv. 1.

faith which produces abundance of good works, will be accepted by God; when the strongest faith, if berren and unfruitful, will be rejected (m).

Whenever, therefore, an honeft and well difpofed man finds his faith to be any way weak and wavering, let him take up the good man's fpeech in the gofpel, Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief (n). And let him never fear but that God, who is infinitely gracious and merciful, will accept of him.

SECT. VI.

Excufe for want of love to God, anfwered.

Some are afraid they do not love God as well as they ought; and the reafon of this fear is, because they do not find in themselves fuch warm and affectionate motions of their minds towards him, as they apprehend to be suitable to his infinite excellency and goodness and for this reason, they dare not

venture to come.

The more ardent and affectionate our love to God, as well as our faith, is, the happier we are; but as our faith is to be judged of by its fruitfulness, rather than its firmness, fo the love of God confifts in keeping his commandments (0).

(m) Jam. ii. 14, &c.
(0) I John v.

(n) Mark ix. 2. fo

Some

Some people are naturally of fuch a temper, as more easily to be moved with a passionate affection towards those they love, than others; and yet those who do not find fuch warm motions within themfelves may be as ready, and as willing to do acts of kindness where they profefs a friendship. Nor is the love of the latter to be lefs valued, because it appears to be feated more in the judgment and will, which are subject to lefs alteration than the affections. The true love of a wife to her husband is to be measured by her readiness to serve and please him in all things, rather than by the fondnefs which fhe expreffes to his perfon.

If therefore a man finds himself ftedfaftly refolved, with full purpose of heart to cleave unto God, and upon all occafions to do what he commands, ever preferring the pleafing of him before any, or all the honours, profits, or pleafures of this world; he may affure himself, that he is a real and true lover of God; nor need he abfent himself from the holy communion, for want of that ardency and liveliness of affection to God, which the very best of men perhaps do oftener wish for, than enjoy, or find within themselves.

SECT.

SECT. VII.

Excufe on account of want of charity, answered.

Others fear they are not in perfect charity with all the world: they have sometimes had to do with men of base and unjuft dealings, who have broken their promises, and it may be their oaths, and thereby betrayed them who have depended on them ; or have otherwise been guilty of wicked and unworthy practices. And although, in obedience to God's commands, thefe would not do any thing by. way of revenge, yet as often as they fee them, or think of them, they find their blood rise against them, and cannot fupprefs that anger and indignation which springs up in their minds against such perfons. Therefore they fear, that their charity is defective, and fo dare not come to the holy communion.

Our charity towards man, as well as our love to God, is to be measured by the purposes and refolutions of our will, and our actions confequent thereto, and not by the fudden motions of our paffions and affections, which in the cafe above-mentioned, may be fcarcely fo much in our power, as wholly to be conquered and ftified by us. But whatever. paffionate refentments may force themselves into our minds upon fuch occafions as thefe, if we do not fuffer

F