by Virtue of this Sacrifice, in Heaven; so we on Earth commemorate this his Sacrifice on the Crofs, by offering Bread and Wine, which, after Confecration, become the Symbols of his Body and Blood, which in this Sacrament are reprefented to God the Father, that through the Merits of the Death of Chrift He may be favourable and propitious to us. The Remembrance of that Pardon of Sins, and of that Title to eternal Happinefs, which He has purchased for us, are proper to encourage our Repentance, and our Perfeveance in all holy Purposes to the End of our Lives. When we have once poffeffed our Minds with that neceffary Knowledge which relates to this holy Action, it will continue a ftanding Qualification in all our future Communions: So that as this Sacrament was eftablished for the Commemoration of the Sacrifice of the Death of Chrift, it does also convey the Benefits of it to all thofe who fincerely believe, and heartily repent of all their former Sins.

II. Conftantly endeavour to live as becomes a Chriftian. The beft Preparation for the Sacrament, is a Life governed by the Precepts of the Gofpel; for he that really believes the Chriftian Religion, and makes it his conftant Bufinefs to perfom what our Saviour has enjoined, has all that substantial Preparation which qualifies Chriftians to partake of this holy Ordinance, and ought therefore

upon us.

therefore to receive when any Opportunity prefents; for this holy Sacrament does not fo much oblige us to new Duties, as it enables us to make good thofe Obligations which the Profeffion of Chriftianity has already laid Therefore let a Man examine himself never fo much, faft never fo ftrictly, and pray never fo long and fo fervently, if his Life has not been pious towards God, juft towards his Neighbour, and fober in reference to himfelf; or at leaft, if he does not take vigorous and effectual Refolutions of making it fuch for the Time to come, all those other Duties in which he employs himfelf for fome Time before he receives, will never be able to make him a fit Gueft at God's Table; they are indeed good prepa rative Helps, when they tend to repair those Breaches that Sin has made in our Souls; but without fteady and fixed Purpofes of Amendment, they are of no Value in the Sight of God, and confequently will not be able to qualify us for a worthy Participation of Chritt's Body and Blood. In vain we approach the holy Altar, if our Lives prepare not the Way for our Offerings. This may juftly deter all fuch Sinners who receive it out of Cuftom, and in order to qualify themfelves for a good Employment; but all fincere Chriftians who are wearied and grieved with the Burden of their Sins, ought not to be difcouraged; becaufe here they will find

their proper Remedy; here they will meet with that Strength and Affiftance which is fo neceflary to enable them to lead that holy Life which they purpofe for the Time to

come.

III. Examine yourself before you receive the Holy Sacrament. Frequent Examination of your Confciences, is one of the beft Inftruments of a Chriftian Life, and therefore it ought not to be neglected, when we have Time and Leifure to make any confiderable actual Preparation. The Reafon whereof is, that when we make a folemn Profeffion of Repentance, we ought to be particular in confeffing our Sins to God, and in bewailing the feveral Aggravations of them. Now it is impoffible to do this to Purpofe, except we fearch into our own Minds, and compare our Actions with the Rule of God's Laws: But as to this Point, I refer you to the Chapter concerning Examination; wherein you may be informed in the Way and Manner of it: All that I fhall fay at prefent is, to recommend it as very fit to be practifed, when we are preparing ourfelves to approach the holy Table of the Lord: For if ever we are concerned to fearch out all our wicked Ways, and to forfake them, it is certainly when we remember the infinite Love of our Saviour in fuffering for them.

IV. Exercise folemn Acts of Repentance. When you have discovered your Sins by Ex

amination,

amination, you must confefs them to God, with Shame and Confufion of Face, with a hearty Sorrow for having committed them, and with a full Purpofe and Resolution of forfaking them for the Time to come; without this Temper of Mind, it is impoffible we fhould be fit Guefts at the Lord's Table; for this was the End of his Death, which we there commemorate, to reconcile us to God, by turning us from our Iniquities. The Merit of his Death will deliver none from the Punithment due to Sin, who do not make ufe of that Grace he has purchased to overcome the Power and Dominion of it. With what Confidence can we pretend to commemorate our Saviour's Sufferings, if we do not renounce and deteft the Occafion of them? How can we expect to be received with Favour and Kindness by our Lord, if we do not declare War againft all his Enemies? If we do not profecute and torment thofe finful Lufts and Affections which tormented and crucified Him? O may I approach this awful Mystery with penitential Preparation, and a Heart fully difpofed to love Thee!

V. Stir up in your Minds a moft thankful Senfe of the Benefits of Chrift's Death. What better becomes the Remembrance of fuch invaluable Kindnefs, than Gratitude and Thankfulness? And what fo proper to make us heartily and affectionately thankful, as the Confideration of thofe great Evils our Saviour

has

has delivered us from, and of thofe great Bleffings He has purchased for us? Pardon and Peace for the Relief of our Sin-fick Souls, Grace and Affittance for our weak and impotent Minds, and eternal Happiness, to reward our fincere, though imperfect Obedience. The Nature of thefe Gifts are moft excellent in themselves, and are ftill more endeared to us by the Price he paid for them, even his moft precious Blood. And can fuch aftonishing Kindness, that ftopt at no Difficulties, and was difcouraged by no Provocations. be ever fitly remembered, without a due Acknowledgment of fuch Bleffings, without a high Value and Efteem of them, and without our utmost Endeavours to make all posfible Returns! Let the Remembrance of thy Death, O Lord, fet all the Powers of my Soul on work, that I may defire and pant after Thee, that I may admire and adore Thee, and with Praife and Thanksgiving receive Thee into my Heart, and entertain Thee always with Joy and Gratitude.

VI. Exercife Charity to thofe that have offended you. When we go to commemorate

that infinite Love which took Pity of us when we were his Enemies, it becomes us to lay afide all Refentment againft thofe that have injured us. Can we difpute whether we fhould forgive a Hundred Pence, when the vaft Debt of Ten Thoufand Talents has been remitted to us? In this Memorial of

my

Sa

viour's