us, there are feveral collateral circumstances and confiderations, which add an extraordinary weight and force to this command; namely, that it was given at that very time when he, who was our best friend, and greatest benefactor, was just ready to die, and lay down his life for our fakes; and not only fo, but this command was given us to be observed in remembrance of him, and of that death which he underwent for us.

If a dying friend, before his departure out of the world, were to make any request which was not impoffible or unreasonable in itself; should you not think yourself much wanting in that friendship which you had profeffed to him, if you should omit or neglect to perform it? But if this friend had been one, not of the common fort, but a very great and extraordinary benefactor to you; and if, beyond all this, he was juft going to lay down his life for your fake; if his request were, that you would do fomething which might be a means to keep you always in remembrance of him, and of what he had done for you, you might well be accounted as one of the most thoughtless and ungrateful wretches that ever lived, if you did not most punctually obferve and fulfil whatever should thus be enjoined and laid upon you.

Now, befide the authority which our Saviour Christ has to lay an obligation upon us, we all of

us

us must acknowledge, that he is our friend, our greatest friend, and chief benefactor; and that it was for our fakes alone that he underwent all his sufferings, and yielded up his life upon the cross.

And fince he has made this request, and left it as a command unto all who fhould believe on him, that they fhould eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, in remembrance of him, and of what he had fuffered for us; I would fain know, how any man who calls himself a Chriflian can poffibly be excufed from the imputation of the greatest ingratitude, as well as difobedience, if he neglects to do what he thus appears to be fo ftrongly and doubly obliged to? And with what confidence can he hope to be faved by the merits and paffion of Christ, whilft he refufes or neglects to commemorate his death and fufferings in that manner which Chrift himself has appointed ? n

Thus it appears, that we are plainly obliged in point of duty, becaufe we are exprefsly commanded by Christ Jefus our Saviour; and in point of grati tude, because this injunction was laid upon us by our best friend and greatest benefactor, when he was just ready to lay down his life for us, that it might ferve as a means to keep up in his church a lively remembrance of him, and of his great love to us for ever.

> SECT.

SECT. XV.

How often we ought to receive the holy communion.

Every fincere Chriftian is obliged to partake of the holy communion as often as he has opportunity for it. The truth of this affertion will appear beyond all exception.

It will eafily be granted, that whoever is an honeft and fincere Chriftian, ought not to let flip any opportunity that is fairly offered him of expreffing his thankfulness to almighty God for that infinite mercy vouchfafed unto mankind, in our redemption by the death and paffion of our bleffed Lord and Saviour. He that is wanting in his thankfulnefs to God for fo ineftimable a benefit, plainly demonftrates, that he is not thoroughly fincere in his Chriftianity.

The devout participation of the holy communion is one very fit and proper way of expreffing our thanks and acknowledgments to God for our redemption, by the fufferings and death of Christ. It was for the thankful commemoration thereof this very ordinance was appointed. And it is fo very plain, that no man who owns the authority of the holy fcriptures, and is not misled by false and enthufiaftic notions, can deny, or so much as doubt of it. From whence it muft needs follow, that he

who

who has a fair opportunity of receiving the holy communion, and yet neglects to partake of it, is deficient in the expreffion of his thankfulness to God; and confequently is not fufficiently fincere in Chriftianity, which he profeffes.

Whoever has an opportunity offered him of doing a good act, and has no just reafon or excuse for his not doing of it, is certainly bound and obliged to do it, according to the opportunity which is fo offered, and no body in his right mind can pretend to say the participation in the holy communion is not a good act.

SECT. XVI.

Excufe on account of preparation necessary, answered.

It may be urged perhaps, that fometimes an opportunity for receiving the holy communion may offer, when a man is not prepared for it. He who is a fincere Christian ought never to be unprepared, for all folemn acts of devotion require a general and a particular preparation. The first ought always to be making, and is not the work of a few hours only, but should be the main business of every man's whole life. The fecond or particular preparation is then more especially to be made, when we are approaching to God, and have a particular defign of coming to his holy table.

The general preparation, which is necessary for every one that would come with acceptance to the holy communion, is repentance for his paft fins, together with a virtuous and holy life, agreeable to the laws of God, to the beft of his power, not wilfully or habitually ftraying from those rules which are prescribed to us in the gospel. This is plain, both from reafon and fcripture, that not only he who comes to the holy communion, but he who offers up his prayers to God, whilft he wilfully perfifts in any known fin, or the neglect of any known duty, is guilty of an affront to the divine majefty. And this must be the case of every man who bends his knees, or fhews outward figns of reverence to him at the holy communion, while his heart and affections are not truly bent to serve and obey him, but, on the contrary, lives in an habitual violation of his laws.

SECT. XVII.

Excufe on account of particular preparation, answered.

There is certainly a more particular preparation, which is very proper, in order to the reception of the holy communion, which the apoftle St. Paul tells us is felf-examination. Let a man examine himfelf, and fo let him eat of that bread, and drink of that

cup