PART 3:

HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH PROFIT AND PLEASURE

            HAVING showed you what is the nature and use of this Feast, you will expect, perhaps, that I should tell you who are the persons whom our LORD invites unto it. This is a question easy to be resolved, from what has been said. If you are baptized into the name of the LORD JESUS, and take upon yourselves to make good that promise, vow, and covenant, which were made in your name when you were baptized; if you understand the ends of this Holy Com­munion, (which I have named,) and are willing and desirous to perform them; you are the persons for whose company he waits, and he would gladly see you at his table. Nay, he will take it ill, and account ~t a neglect of him and of your duty, a breach of your promise to obey all his holy commands, if you accept not of his kindness in inviting you thither; because this is one of his commands, as I have proved, that you should do this in remembrance of him. Do not entangle yourselves therefore in endless doubts and scruples about the qualifications which are required in those who come to this Supper of the LORD but only examine your hearts by this plain and certain rule, " Do you believe the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST to be the truth of GOD? Do you consent to be governed by his laws? Do you remember, and will you stand to, the vow that was made in your name, when you were baptized? Are you desirous to renew that covenant, in the manner that I have described? Would you partake of this Holy Communion, that you may commemorate your SAVIOR'S dying love; that you may acknowledge him to be your LORD, and may devote and unite your hearts unto him; that you may bind yourself in the bond of peace to all your brethren; and that you may receive more of his grace, and greater assurance of his love? Then lay aside all your fears; and humbly approach unto him, to render him the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and to receive fresh tokens and pledges of his unchangeable affection to you. That I may the better raise those affections in you, which are suitable to this action, it will not be amiss to remind you of the excellency of the feast to which you are invited.

            To make a true feast, these four things (in the opinion of the most learned of all the ancient Romans) must conspire and meet together. l. Select persons; 2. A convenient place; 3. A suitable time; and 4. Proper provision. Now in all these regards, if we reflect a while on them, this Supper of the LORD will be found incomparably beyond the noblest entertainment which the world ever saw.

            1. For as concerning the persons that here meet together, they are our blessed LORD, the Master of the feast, and those who believe on his name; to whom he has given the right, or privilege, to become the sons of GOD. (John 1: 12.) So that there cannot either be a more honorable or more sweet society found under heaven.

            2. Then for the place, you see it is prepared in the House of GOD: where we "give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; and pay our vows unto him in the presence of all his people;" where the Angels (as I may say) are waiters, and the heavenly host are glad to attend upon us; according to those words of the Apostle, (in the very Chapter where he treats of the Sacrament,) " The woman ought to have a covering on her head, because of the Angels." (1 Cor. 11: 10.)

            3. As for the time, it is commonly the LORD's Day; the day when he arose from the dead, when he trampled under his feet the great enemy of mankind; when the Angels brought news that he had accomplished our redemption; when the host of heaven was at a gaze to see mortal man made immortal, and restored to the state of paradise again; when we have nothing else to do but to rest and rejoice, to declare the works of the LORD, to give thanks to his holy name, and triumph in his praise.

            4. And lastly, for the provision itself, it is the body and blood of the LORD of life; bread that excels the Angels' food; a cup of blessing, of which these sons of glory never tasted. To these our LORD calls, nay, beseeches and entreats us to come, that we may feast ourselves on his sacrifice of himself, be filled with his love, and satisfy ourselves with his joys and everlasting consolation.

            Now what soul is there that can be willing to lose his share in such divine food? that would be shut out from such society, or absent from such a place; or desire to spend his day better than in a near communion with our LORD? Either men do not believe these things, or they do not reflect on them; otherwise, there is none that reads this, but will be moved to make one at this holy feast. But then, as you cannot choose, if you seriously consider, but judge it very desirable to be admitted to it, so you cannot but think how you should behave yourself in so great a presence.

            I shall spend a few pages, in directing you how to demean yourselves before him, and dispose your hearts to enjoy most sweet and fruitful communion with him.  Our LORD here presenting himself unto us in this broken bread, and wine poured forth, we are not to look on these as dumb signs, but as things that speak most significantly to us. Though we never heard a word with our ears, yet our minds are to conceive, when CHRIST crucified is set before our eyes, that we hear him discoursing to us of his love, of the ends of his death, of all the great blessings that he has bought for us, and of all those things which he justly expects from them that profess themselves his disciples; and accordingly it becomes us to make such replies unto him, and to answer in our hearts with such expressions of our affection, as may show that we understand, and are very sensible of what he says unto us. Of both these I shall treat a little, leaving it to every man's own devotion to enlarge, as he sees occasion.

            I. First then, when you see these symbols of CHRIST'S body and blood, think that you behold the crucified JESUS represented to you; that you stand in his sight, and are in his company, yea, and hear him speaking graciously to you, and calling you by the name of his chosen guests, his dear friends.

            Make account that you hear him say, "My brethren, I sent my Ministers to call you to my house, and bid you to my table, which here you see spread for you. It is well done that you are come. The reason of my invitation is, that I may remind you of my love, and that you may show yourselves my friends, by a joyful commemoration thereof. I have no other end in sending for you, but to make you more sensible of your happiness; to lay obligations on you to continue in it, and to impart unto you new tokens of my love,-the very greatest pledges that I can bestow on you, to assure you that I will be your eternal friend. You may think perhaps, that is but a little bread and wine which here you see before you; but open the eyes of your mind; remember and believe what I have taught you; and you will see that this is my body which was broken for you, and that this is my blood which was shed for you; and on these I would now have you feast together. Behold here, how the spear pierced my side. See the hole which was made by the lance when it ran to my very heart. Do you not discern how my hands were wounded, how my feet were bored, when I was nailed to the Cross for you? How despitefully was I used! How cruelly was I tormented besides all the mockeries and. abuses, the agony and bloody sweat, which I endured for you. Did I not love you, when I suffered thus for you? Can you choose but read the great­ness of my affection, which is written in my most precious blood? Can you doubt that you are dear unto me, whom I have purchased at so high a rate? Let those wounds speak for me, and tell you. Look into them, and see what a vehement desire I had to accomplish your salvation. What sorrow was there ever like unto my sorrow? Or what love was there ever like unto my love? This broken bread, and this wine poured out, tell you that I have died for you. What greater assurance can your heart wish of my love, than this which I now offer you? What more would you have me to do, to testify that my heart instill towards you, and that I will be ever mindful of you? 'As the FATHER has loved me, so have I loved you;' and all that I desire of you is, that you would ' continue in my love; even as I have kept my FATHER'S com­mandments, and abide in his love.' This is the token I would have of your kindness to me. ' Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.' Nothing else do I request of you, but that you would not hurt yourselves by sinning against my love; that you would henceforth live unto me, who died for you. Come, renew your covenant with me, by taking, eating, and drinking, this which I give you; plight me your faith that you will be ever true unto me. I will present you fair and beautiful before my FATHER, as if you had been always innocent. I will deliver you from the wrath to come, and give you the blessing of eternal life. If you doubt at all of it, come hither, take this bread, and drink this cup: as sure as you now receive these, your sins shall never be remembered. By these tokens I give you an interest in my death and sufferings. I oblige myself, by these sensible signs, to perform all my promises. I seal to you that gracious covenant which was made in my blood. As certainly as I died, I assure you that you shall live for ever. Only, do not deny me your hearty love. Correspond with me in sincere affection. And by eating and drinking here at my table, tie yourselves to be my faithful servants. Then I allow you to begin now the joys of heaven. Nay, I require you to rejoice in my salvation; to comfort yourselves in roy promises; to solace your souls in the hope of my glory; and to sing the song of Angels, which shall be completed in eternal hallelujahs. Praise ye the LORD."

            II. And will it be possible then that you should be altogether silent, and answer never a word unto him? Can you find nothing to return to so gracious a declaration of the bowels of his mercy towards you? Or will it be hard to tell him your heart, who has so freely opened his unto you?

            Pause awhile upon every part of the foregoing words, and then thus reply unto him 1. You may say to him, my LORD, I blush to see my soul so foul, that nothing less than thy precious blood would serve to cleanse it. I am confounded to see thee in such a condition for us, who cared not how vile, and base, and miserable we were. What have we done, that we should bring thee to a Cross? O, what wretches were we, that we should understand the love of GOD no better, than to stand in need of such an instance of it! With what confidence can we behold thee thus battered and bruised, thus wounded and bloody, thus full of pain and anguish, as thou representest thyself unto us? I am ashamed to think that we have exposed thee to such an ignominy and shame. I am grieved at the heart, that we have made thee a man of sorrows. And our infidelity, O, how great is it, that after thou was pleased to endure all this for us, we should stand in need of such frequent remonstrances of it; and be in danger to forget thee, or distrust thee, unless thou didst continually thus present thyself unto us, and assure us of thy good-will towards us!        O, my LORD, how shall I present myself before thee, who am one of those that have occasioned all this care and pain, this agony and passion, this sweat and this blood?     

            I sigh to remember the many groans with which we have made thy heart to ache.

            It wounds my ears to hear those words, I My GOD, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?' It is too much, too much, but that thou art love itself, to spend all this love upon such insensible and ungrateful sinners." 2. Thus having begun, you may, in the second place, acknowledge your unworthiness to be guests to so great a per., on as he is. You may say, " What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? It is too high a favor to sup with thee; since I am not worthy to pick up the crumbs that fall from thy table. The least of thy common mercies is, too good for me; how shall I dare to approach to this fullness of heavenly blessings? I have sinned, I have sinned; and am not worthy to be called thy son; how shall I appear before thee? O, my LORD, I come merely in obedience to thy call. I should not have presumed to appear in thy presence, but that thou hast bidden me; and should have been afraid to be seen in this condition, but that I was more afraid not to be seen here at all. My comfort is, that thou wilt not be angry with us when we obey thee; nor be offended that we show ourselves ready to execute thy commands." -And here,

            3. You may call to remembrance those sins which brought our SAVIOR to his cross; and let him know, by an humble and ingenuous confession, how the case stands with you. Say to him, "O my LORD, thou dost call to mind, by this remembrance of thy dying for us, the foulness and pollution of all mankind. All our iniquities stare me in the face, as the people gazed and stared on thee. I see our deformities, by seeing thee thus vilely and despitefully used. It was our covetousness that stripped thee naked; our pride that crowned thee with thorns; our intem­perance that gave thee gall and vinegar to drink; our contempt of religion that put upon thee all those scoffs; our coldness in devotion, which put thee into that agony and sweat; our want of love to God, that made thee hated and rejected of men. I see as in a glass, now that I look upon thy blood, the abominable state of sinful men: how shall one of that wicked race be bold to look up unto thee; especially since, though I had known thy love, I so little valued it, and sinned against thy precious blood? Canst thou endure to enter into familiarity with such a soul as this? May I hope to be admitted into thy holy fellowship, and to dwell with thee? I abhor, I loath, I am weary of myself; desiring nothing more than to be made like to thee in purity and holiness, in truth and justice, in love and humility, in meekness and patience, in compassion and forgiveness, and in entire resignation to the will of GOD."-From hence,

            4. Proceed to stir "up in yourselves the greatest hatred against your sins. Continue your addresses to him, and represent your extremest detestation of that covetousness and worldly-mindedness, that pride and vain glory, that ambition and love of the praise of men, that envy and ill­ will, that wrath and bitterness of spirit, that hypocrisy and partiality, which betrayed and killed him, the Prince of life. Show him how much you abhor these, and all that is evil; resolving to cleave to that which is good. "Destroy, O LORD," may you say, "all these thine enemies, and root them perfectly out of my heart. Pierce through all these evil affections, by a stroke from thy cross and passion. I have brought them to be slain by thine hand, for they are too strong for mine. If there be any life remaining in them, O, that they may be quite mortified, and never able to stir any more. They are offensive to me, as well as unto thee. Would I might never see them more, but crucified and dead. Would I might never behold them, unless it be drowned in thy blood."-And then,

            5. Excite in your heart the mightiest sense of his love. You may say to him; " O, my LORD, what manner of love is this, wherewith thou hast loved us, that we should be called the sons of GOD! How great was thy goodness which brought thee down from heaven, and made thee one of us! And was it not enough that thou shouldest come to dwell among us in the likeness of sinful flesh; but thou wouldest also lay down thy life for us? Would nothing serve to testify the height of thy affection to us, unless thou sufferedst the death of the cross! O, the infinite riches of thy grace! For a friend one might be content to die. But what should make thee so in love with enemies, with the very worst of enemies, with idolaters, with us Gentiles who were without GOD in the world, yea with us, who now that we know the greatness of thy love, have so little to thee What am I, O, LORD, that thou shouldest command me to love thee? Nay, shouldest take such a course to deserve my love? What am I to thee, that thou shouldest so much desire me, and now thus graciously visit me, and come to entertain me! What made thee, being in heaven with them who knew so well how to love and serve thee, descend to us who know so ill how to do either? Couldest thou not be satisfied unless we enjoy thee? Nor be contented to be without us, who have such low thoughts of thee and of thy love? Is it possible that thou shouldest still continue it to such insensible wretches? Art thou still desirous of our friend­ship, and come to give us new assurances of thy grace by making us partakers of thy body and blood? O, how precious are thy thoughts to us! How great is the sum of them! I can do no less, most blessed SAVIOR, than, set my soul wide open to thee; and accept thy kindness with the most enlarged affection. How happy should I think myself, if I could think of nothing, and delight in nothing, but thee! O, that a perfect image of thee, in all virtues, may be formed in me, and be ever dearer to me than life it­self; that I may live no longer, but that thou, O, blessed JESUS, mayest live in me; and that the life which now I live in the flesh, I may live by the faith of thee, the Sox of God, who lovedst me, and gayest thyself for me." And then,

            6. It will be a fit time to offer up yourself entirely to his" service. Pray him to accept of a poor sacrifice at your hands. Though it be worth nothing at all, yet entreat him to receive it. Say to him, "0 SAVIOR, I have known and believed the love that thou hadst to us. I see here the excessive greatness of thy dying love. Never was any thing bought so dearly as this sinful soul. Never was so great a price paid for any creature, as thou hast laid down for my sake. If I were as great as the highest angel, I should be an oblation too little for thee. The flames of those heavenly fires are not strong enough wherewith to offer to thee. But that I may be just (for it is no more) I humbly lay myself here at thy altar; and present thee with all I have. I sacrifice soul and body, without any reserve, to thy holy will and pleasure; though I must be beholden to thy great love, and not my own, to procure acceptance for me. I know how vile and unworthy I am, that thou shouldest have any respect to my oblation. All that I can say, is, that I offer myself for this end, that I may be made better; and so have every day more and more to return unto thee."

            7. For that purpose engage yourselves in a covenant to him, that you will never rob him any more of that which you have so solemnly offered to him. " I look, O, LORD," may you say, " upon myself, as a holy and devoted thing. I have consecrated myself to thy service, and so I will ever remain. Never will I be so sacrilegious as to employ myself to any other uses, but only thine. Thou hast been pleased to make me thy temple; and therefore I will not willingly suffer thy holy place to be defiled. I am sealed to thyself; and have thy mark upon me. I will never con­sent that my soul should be broken up by any' temptation, and' stolen' away from thee. I promise thee my faithful obedience. I' bind myself by these presents in a firm and everlasting tie' of duty to thee. I' am not my- own; but bought with a price. Therefore will I' glorify God in my body and in my spirit, which are GOD'S."-And then,

            8. Say to him: “' Since thou hast-so graciously died for me; since thou halt invited me hither to represent thy death and sufferings- to me; and assured me of thy love since thou hast bidden me to commemorate it at this holy feast; be not angry if I call thee my LORD and my GOD. Suffer me to claim an interest in the merits of thy precious blood, which was shed to be a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Look on me, O'thou that sittest at the right hand of God, with the favor thou bearestto thy people Join thy powerful intercession with my humble suit to the Father or Mercies. I believe that thou appearest in the presence of God for us, and, as we show forth thy sacrifice of thyself' here on earth, presentest it in the most high and holy place, before the mercy-seat. Bless me, O, LORD, from that throne of thy glory. And raise up such a holy hope in thee as if I heard that voice sounding from thence, ' I am thy salvation.' " And here,

            9. Beg of him his mighty grace to confirm you in your resolution; that so you may always maintain in your soul this sense of his pardoning love. " Since thou, O, LORD," may you say to him, "art so forward to do us good, to die for us when we desired it not, to institute this feast which we never expected, O, do not deny me the con­tinuance of thine almighty grace. Take not thy HOLY SPIRIT from me; but let him be my constant companion, my guide, my helper, my comforter for ever. Is he not the purchase of thy blood? Is he not thy own promise? Hast thou not received him of the Father? And art thounot possess­ed of this gift, and of glory and power to bestow it on us? Thou thyself hast told us that it ' shall be given to those that ask it; ' and that ' because thou livest, we shall live also.' Perfect that which concerneth me; and forsake not the work of thine own hands."

            10. Conclude all in praises to our LORD; rejoice in his holy name; and say, " Blessed be the LORD our God for ever; blessed be thy glorious name which is exalted above all blessing and praise. Thou, even thou art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host; the earth and all things that are therein, the seas and all that is in them; and thou preservest all, and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. Thou art the LORD, the God and FATHER of JESUS- CHRIST; who hast chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, redeemed us by his blood, raised him from the dead, and given him glory, that ourfaith and hope might be in thee our GOD. Thine, O, blessed JESUS, is the power and the glory, and the victory; and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and the earth is thin; thine is the kingdom, O, LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. In thy hand is power and might, and in thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength to all. Now therefore our GOD, we thank thee, and, praise thy glorious name. We will bless the LORD from this time forth, and for evermore. Yea,- bless the LORD, ye his Angels, that excel in strength; that do his commandments, hearkening to the voice, of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts, ye misters of his that do his pleasure. Bless the Lo RD, all his works in all places of his dominion: Bless the LORD, O, my soul."

            Thus if we did converse with him, it would be so pleasant that we should cry out with the Jews in another case, "LORD, evermore give us this bread." (John 6:34.) We should long for such another repast; and be desirous every day to wait on him at his table. At least we should greedily embrace the next invitation that he gives us to come unto it. And because we cannot every day do this in remembrance of him, we should secretly retire unto him in our heart, as into his holy temple; and there call to mind what he has done unto us, commemorate his love, maintain our acquaintance, and renew to him our vows; that by all these ways we may prepare ourselves for his fellowship and society in the eternal world.

            It may happen indeed that there may be but a few communicants at the table of the LORD, and so you may not have time there to do all this. In which case, you may use only some part of it; or thus in brief open your heart to him, when you seehow he declares his love to you:­

            ADORED be thy condescending love, O, merciful SAVIOR, to thine unworthy servant, who blushes to lift up his eyes towards thee, even when thou invitest me unto thee. For, besides my other guiltiness, this most gracious representation which now thou makest of thyself to me, doth but little move my dull and heavy affections. I am heartily ashamed of myself; only I desire to become better. And here I prostrate myself before thee, presenting thee with a poor oblation of my soul and body, which I dedicate again, with the most dutiful affection I am able, unto thee. Do thou, O, LORD, excite a greater; that when I shall appear before thee again, I may present thee with a soul more pure, humble, meek, merciful, and im­proved in all other fruits of thy HOLY SPIRIT. In thy mercies alone are all my hopes. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is thy mercy towards them that fear thee. As far as the east is from the west, so far hast thou removed our transgressions from us. Strengthen me with. might by thy SPIRIT in the inner man; that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, I may live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD, and thee our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Now unto him that is able to keep me from falling, and to present me faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; to the only wise GOD our SAVIOR, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

            But when there is time, you will not spend it, I hope, in any thing else but such meditations as these. And that every one of them may come in its season, you may make use of them in this manner. Think you hear our SAVIOR speaking to you by the bread and the wine; when you see the one broken, and the other poured out. Then you may immediately employ your thoughts in the first four (to­gether with the second meditation set down in the Second Part) while the Minister is communicating himself, and others with him. The fifth and sixth will be seasonable after you have received the bread, and the seventh and eighth after the cup; together with those mentioned before in the same place. And the last two, in like manner, may be used after you have withdrawn yourself from the holy table; or before, according as you can find room for them. And if your spirit be not able to hold out in so many thoughts and expressions of the inward sense and affection of your heart, you may single out those which you find to suit you best. And at some opportunity, the rest perhaps may be as acceptable; nay, you may feel your soul en­larged, and sun out in more pious affections than I can suggest or excite. But I desire you never to omit one meditation, when you behold the rest of the company receiving,-which is, that all those, and the whole church, who partake of this holy communion, are your brethren; to whom you must stir up the most fervent charity, and the readiest disposition to relieve, counsel, assist, comfort, or admonish them, as there shall be occasion, and with whom you must resolve to live in the strictest unity, as those who are members of the same body. When you think therefore that our LORD tells you, there is nothing he desires of you, but that you would continue in his love and friendship, by keeping his commandments, remember that he adds pre­sently, " This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you." And so take them all into your heart, with as much affection, as if the embracing each other in our arms, and giving the holy kiss of charity, were still in use among us. And let the memory of CHRIST's death for his enemies, and of this divine feast together with him and your brethren, ever kill all your enmities, extinguish your anger, compose your differences, sweeten the harshness of your spirits, and make you live together as loving friends, that hope to live in endless love in the highest heavens. Of that you may also look upon this feast as an earnest; and begin those joys in such thoughts as these, at the holy communion,-that, one day you shall keep an eternal feast with our SAVIOR, in the happy company of the Saints and Angels, who will all join in the cheerful praises of the "blessed and only Potentate, the, KING of KINGS, and LORD of LORDS, who only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man has seen, nor can see; to whom be honor. and power everlasting. Amen."

PART 4:
 CONTAINING SEVERAL OTHER MEDITATIONS
 AND PRAYERS.

            BY this time, I hope, you see that it is good for you to draw near to GOD, at his holy table; if you have any desire to be real Christians, or any savor of spiritual pleasures. You must wholly cast away all remembrance of your duty, and be lost to all rational satisfaction; or else be strongly inclined to keep yourselves in a constant preparation for frequent communion therewith our blessed SAVIOR. An innocent, holy, and useful life, cannot but commend itself to you, if it be but on this score, that you may be entertained with such a comfort, as to know the love of Gob in CHRIST to you, and be fit to be feasted continually with such delightful pledges of it. There is no comparison between all the jollities in the world, and this one pleasure of giving hearty thanks to GOD for his unspeakable mercy to us in CHRIST JESUS.

            We may apply to this heavenly nourishment what the Jews say of their Manna, sent down by GOD from heaven for them, which contained in it (as their tradition affirms) all the tastes that any man desired and longed for; it being so suited to every palate and constitution, that none could fail to be both fed and pleased, though they were of ever so different tempers. Accommodate this now to that divine food which our SAVIOR has ordered to be pre­pared for us; and you will find it true, that he has de­clared therein his sweetness to his children, by making it suitable to every complexion of mind, and temper of spirit, who may meet with what is agreeable to their wants, and will give content to their desires. The infant Christians are hereby marvelously cherished and encouraged; it pours on them the oil of joy and gladness. It gives strength and power to the young men, and is the bread of life to them; that they may " overcome the wicked one," (as ST. JOHN writes to them, 1 Epist. 2: 14,) and never yield to the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the Devil. And to the fathers, or more aged Christians, to those who have had long experience of the service of God, it gives a singular relish also; and makes them say, that his,cc commandments are sweeter than the honey or the honey­comb," and that " in keeping of them there is great reward." Their hopes of immortal bliss are hereby ex­ceedingly advanced, and they receive the foretastes of it, as the Israelites did of the land flowing with milk and honey.

            But it is not the business of this treatise to demonstrate these things. I only conclude from hence, that this is a great reason why many that have some good desires, some good purposes, yea, begin to do well, remain so weak and feeble, so languishing and dull in their devotion, nay, grow cold and indifferent again; because they do not come to this holy feast, that they may cherish, encourage, and confirm what God has wrought in their hearts. They are easily overcome and drawn away by flatteries and violent temptations from abroad; and so bring a reproach upon the ways of GOD, breed an ill opinion of them in themselves and others, and persuade themselves they cannot do better, but that there is a necessity of sinning; because they will not use the means which God has appointed for strengthening their inward sense of spiritual things, or because they will not frequently use them when they have opportunity.

            It is the design of this last part of my discourse, to furnish you with matter for your meditation, and with suitable prayers; whereby you may both quicken your­selves in your closets when you are preparing to go to the table of the LORD, and likewise preserve alive those godly affections and resolutions which are excited there, after you are come home;-that so by continuing to look upon what you have done, and what your SAVIOR has done unto you, and beholding, as in a clear mirror, the great love of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, and your great obliga­tions to him, you may never forget him, nor the duty you owe to him, but be blessed in a faithful observance of both.

            No man's thoughts are always alike, neither his that writes, nor his that reads; therefore sometimes one may be most agreeable to you, sometimes another: but there will be no time, I hope, wherein you may not be able, among them all, to fit yourselves with a Meditation and a Prayer, that may further your devotion towards GOD. And he that will be at so much pains as to follow some such method as this, will never be able to say hereafter, as too many wretched fools have done, that they have frequented this Holy Sacrament, but were never the better for it.

THE FIRST MEDITATION BEFORE THE
 SACRAMENT.

            CONSIDER with yourself, some time before you commu­nicate, that you are invited to come, not only into the presence, but unto the table of God, and to be one of the guests of the Lo RD of all the world. What an honor is ­this! Shall any business, any pleasure on earth, put by the thoughts of it? It is impossible, if you remember what the great God is who calls you to him; and that he sets the body of his SON before you upon your table; and that your cup is filled with his blood; that the Angels think it not below them to wait on you and minister to you; and that the DIVINE SPIRIT will be ready to breathe upon you, and fill you with such holy love, that you shall send up your soul in joyful hymns of praise and thanks to GOD our SAVIOR. With what admiration should you receive the news of this invitation! With what reverence ought you to approach him! With what forwardness of love, -with what gladness of heart, should you go to meet our blessed LORD! Was there ever any kindness like unto his? Did there ever such a furnace of love (if I may so represent it) burn in any heart? Could he do more than die the bloody and shameful death of the Cross, to save sinners? How is it possible that the remembrance of this tender love and compassion should ever die? Unless we be willfully careless, he will have our love; he will not suffer any thing to rob him of the purchase of his blood. For lest we should prove so ungrateful as to let him slip out of our mind, he has left himself still among us in sensible signs and representations. By these he shows us his bloody death and passion; he makes himself present to our faith; and we may see that he is desirous to do more than die for us; having contrived a way to live for ever in us, and be firmly united to us.

            What manner of love is this that Heaven has manifested unto us! Who can refrain from tears of grief to think of his own ingratitude; and from tears of joy to think of the wonderful kindness of the LORD? Can you look on hint who was pierced for our sins, and not lament and mourn? Can you see his bleeding wounds, and not be troubled? And yet when you consider that by those stripes you are healed; and that he has washed us from our sins in his blood; that faithful souls may take sanctuary in his wounds, and be safe; you cannot but rejoice in the LORD, and be glad in his salvation.

            Call to your soul then, and stir up all the graces of the HOLY SPIRIT; that so you may go to this holy feast with a deep humility; a godly sorrow; a perfect hatred of all sin, both of the flesh and of the spirit; a strong resolution against them; a lowly faith; enlarged desires; and great longings. Ask your soul, What dolt thou think of? What dost thou love? What dost thou long for? With what intention art thou going to the LORD'S table? Are the treasures of Christian wisdom and knowledge more in thine account than thousands of gold and silver? Hadst thou rather die than willingly offend thy SAVIOR that died for thee? Art thou going to hang all remaining affection to thy sins upon his Cross; that there they may be perfectly crucified, and never taken down till they be quite dead? Resolve to go and tell him as much, and to declare to him the sense of thine heart. Only ask thyself again, what appetite dost thou feel in thee? Dost thou long to be more like him, and made partaker of his divine nature? Art thou going to make a new resignation of thyself to him, to be made one spirit with him, never any more to depart from him? Then think how the Bridegroom will welcome thee; how our SAVIOR will declare forth his love to thee, and give thee assurances that his mercy endureth for ever, and bid thee rejoice and be exceeding glad in what he has done already, and in the hopes thou hast of what he will do hereafter.

            And here you may call to mind how the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us; how he manifested forth his glory by his wonderful works; how he taught us the way to eternal life; and at last was delivered into the hands of sinful men, and was crucified for us; with all the rest that concerns the knowledge of CHRIST;-that so you may have it more ready in your thoughts, when you come to his table, to do this in commemoration of him.

            In this manner also you may bewail the sins of your former life; sue for pardon of what is past; and beseech the grace of his HOLY SPIRIT, to assist your resolution of well-doing for the time to come.

THE PRAYER SOME TIME BEFORE.

            O ETERNAL God, the fountain of being and bliss, highly exalted above all our words or thoughts! I am astonished at the thoughts of the brightness of thy glory; and justly afraid to present myself before so great and holy a majesty. Even that abundant grace which invites me to thee, abashes me too, when I reflect upon my shameful ingra­titude. It becomes me to he down in silence, rather than confidently to lift up mine eyes towards heaven to speak unto thee. But since thou art so rich in mercy, as to re­quire repenting sinners to draw nigh to the throne of grace; I prostrate myself in the humblest reverence before the Searcher of all hearts; not to excuse, thou knowest, but to aggravate my faults; to acknowledge the justice of thy laws; to condemn myself for opposing thy sovereign au­thority; and to vow to thee the most hearty obedience for the rest of my life.

            I have done so much evil, and so little good; been so, eager in the pursuit of the things of this world, and so cold about those of eternity; so unmindful of my promises,. unthankful for thy benefits, and unfruitful in the know­ledge of the LORD JESUS; that it is a wonder of thy patience, I am still alive, and not cut down like a barren tree that curnbers the ground. For ever adored be thy sparing mercy,-which has borne so long with an unpro­fitable servant, who has in so many ways offended in thought, word, and deed, against thy Divine Majesty. I have not given thee that honor and service which I owe to my Almighty Creator; nor laid to heart, as I ought, thine infinite love in CHRIST my Redeemer; nor duly followed the motions of thy HOLY SPIRIT, which thou hast sent to renew and sanctify my affections, and draw me to thine obedience. I have not lived according to the faith which I continually confess; but behaved myself too often as if I dreaded not the threatenings, and valued not the promises, of my LORD CHRIST; as if I feared not his vengeance, nor cared for his - rewards; and as if he would not come to judge the world, and to render to all men according to their works.

            The stupid insensibleness of mine heart, even now that I remember these things, brings new accusations against me. It testifies that I know not, as I ought, the terror of the LORD, but am apt rashly to mention thy name, without any awful and considerate regard to thy infinite greatness, power, and holiness. I am no more worthy to be called thy servant; much less to present thee with any offering; nothing but shame and confusion of face belong to me; and it is only of thy tender mercy that I am not lamenting those follies in weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, which I speak of now with so little grief and bitterness of spirit. Mercy! still more mercy, good LORD, I most humbly beseech thee! O, that a greater fear and dread. of thee may now fall down mightily upon me, and over­spread me! O, that I may feel such a strong sense of thine incomprehensible majesty pressing on my heart, as may bear down all other thoughts, sink me low, and make me abhor myself in thy sight! I know that the sacrifices of the LORD are- a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O GOD, thou wilt not despise. And JEsus has also offered himself a sacrifice for us, in whom thou art well pleased. For JESUS'$ sake, dispose me now to offer unto thee that acceptable sacrifice. And give me grace ever to fear thee, and to walk humbly with thee; to preserve a tender sense of my duty towards thee; and conscientiously to obey thee;. that so, by virtue of his sacrifice of himself, all my sins may be remembered no more.

            Blessed be God, that I have any hope of that great mercy. Blessed be GOD, who by him has given us ever­lasting consolation and good hope through grace. By him I will offer up to thee continually the sacrifice of praise, giving thanks to thy name. Yea, the mercies of thee my God move me to present my body a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto thee, which is my reasonable service. I dedicate myself absolutely to thy obedience. I will never willingly depart from thy precepts. Assist and strengthen me mercifully with thy grace, that I may perform my vows; and never return to those sins, which grieve thy HOLY SPIRIT, which rent the flesh, and shed the blood of the LORD JESUS, and which I have so often and so solemnly protested against.

            And now that I am going to thine holy table, to com­memorate the sacrifice of my SAVIOR, O, vouchsafe to make thyself powerfully present to my mind. Represent thy­self and thy SON JESUS in so lively a manner to my thoughts, in all thy wisdom, power, goodness, holiness, and truth, that I may never forget thee more; but most seriously reverence thee, and love thee, and rejoice in thee, and trust thee, and obey thee, all the days of my life. Imprint the image of thy SON upon me; that I may carry him ever in mine heart, and have his life and death continually before mine eyes; and in all things conform myself to his will, and fashion myself after his holy example. Come, LORD JESUS, and possess thyself of my whole man. Purify me from all remaining filthiness, either of the flesh or of the spirit. Bring all thy heavenly graces with thee into my soul. And be my perpetual defense, by giving me a fuller communication of thy HOLY SPIRIT, to do my duty towards thee and towards all men.

            And for that end, compose mine unsettled thoughts, before J, approach to thy holy mysteries; that I may attend thee with a full and clear conception of their meaning, with love to thee, and desire to be more like thee; with thy high praises in my mouth, and joy un­speakable in my heart. May I presume, most gracious FATHER, to ask such tastes of thy wondrous love, that I may never be able to delight in any thing so much as in the remembrance of it; that mine eyes may be ever towards the LORD, and that I may hunger and thirst perpetually after thy righteousness, until I am perfectly made partaker of thy divine nature, and rendered meet to be translated to that high and holy place, where I shall see thee (not as now in mysterious representations, but) openly, and face to face.- Amen, LORD JESUS, who art able to save to the uttermost all them that come to GOD by thee.

A MEDITATION AFTER THE SACRAMENT.

            WHEN you come home, ask your soul, What wentest thou out to see? Where hast thou been? And what hast thou been doing? Never forget that thou hast been with the LORD of Life; and that before GOD, Angels, and men, thou hast acknowledged him, and devoted thyself to his obedience; that he has vouchsafed to represent unto thee his marvellous love, the pains he has taken for thy salva­tion, and the great desire he has to see thee with him in immortal glory, of which he has given thee such earnests and pledges, by making thee partaker of his body and blood, that thou mayest say of that place, where he was pleased to meet thee, " This is no other than the gate of heaven. I have been in the porch of his dwelling-place, and begun to enter into the joy of my LORD. How shall I escape, if I neglect such great salvation! GOD forbid that I should receive this grace in vain. As I have received CHRIST JESUS the LORD, so will I walk in him. I will endeavor to keep myself holy and unblameable before him in love; and to have my conversation as becomes the Gospel. There are no joys like the joys of GOD; no pleasures comparable to those of piety. All his commandments are sweeter than honey, and the honey-comb; and in keeping them there is great reward. Shall I cease then to delight myself in the LORD, and to do good? Shall I leave off to do the rest of his will, now I have done this in remem­brance of my SAVIOR? Shall I go away from him, now I am gone from the place where his honor dwells? Alas! Whither shall I go? Thou, LORD, hast the words of eternal life. Thou art the Author of eternal salvation to all them that obey thee. I will go in the strength of the LORD GOD; I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. As I have received how I ought to walk and please GOD, so I will abound more and more. I will grow up into him in all things, who is the head, until I perfectly resemble him in righteousness, and holiness, and truth."

            Here you may meditate upon all the parts of his holy life, and the complete example he has set us of all virtues; more especially those which shone at his death. And, as I have known some do, you may single out one or two for your daily meditations all this month, that you may bring yourself to an habitual imitation of him, (suppose in his great humility,) and tread in his steps, "who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." Say to yourself often, " Was there ever any creature so lowly in heart as my blessed SAVIOR? How reverently and thankfully doth he acknowledge GOD in every thing, assuming nothing to himself, but giving all the glory to his heavenly FATHER! How easily doth he condescend to the poorest condition, and the meanest offices, for the welfare of the world! O, how contented was he to be despised by some; and how little concerned in the applauses of others! How desirous to exalt us by debasing himself, and to wave his own esteem on earth, so he might bring us into the favor of Heaven! I admire the evenness and equality of his spirit, in his constant devotion and submission'lo GOD, and in his stooping so low to minister unto men. What other ambition can I reasonably have than to be made thus like to JESUS? I will always live in a sense of my CREATOR'S presence, and humbly acknowledge him in all my ways. To him I give the glory of all I have, or can ever do; and resolve most gladly to do all I can to serve my neighbors. There is nothing I will think below me to submit to, for their greater good. It is honor enough to be truly humble. It is sufficient glory to be the follower of such a Master: none other praise will I seek but that, which he the Judge of the world shall give at the day of his appearing."

THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AT HOME.

            O HOLY, holy, holy LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. I most heartily join with all the Saints on earth, and with the Angels in heaven, in giving blessing, honor, and praise unto thee. Glory be unto thee, O, GOD most high, thou Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth, thou Preserver of all things, thou spring of all mercy; who hast made Angels and men to know thee, and praise thee, and be beloved of thee for ever; and who hast so loved mankind, that thou hast opened thy bosom, and sent thy dear So N to convey thy love to us. All praise and thanksgiving be to thee, O, Father of Mercies, who hast now made me taste how gracious and good thou art.

            Glory be to the SON of GOD, who took on him the form of a servant; who died for us upon the Cross; who purged away our sins by his blood; who has left us so many remembrances of his love, and given us his body and blood to preserve our souls and bodies to eternal life; who lives for ever to make intercession for us, and has promised to come again, and take us up unto himself.

            Blessed be the HOLY SPIRIT, the mighty power of GOD, the Author of all good thoughts, the inspirer of all heavenly desires, the light and comfort of our minds, the purifier of our hearts, the guide and strength of our life, who has given us the earnest of the eternal inheritance.

            Thus will I praise thee whilst I live. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever. My lips shall rejoice when I sing unto thee, and my soul which thou hast redeemed. For thou, LORD, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. I-have now tasted of thy love; the savor of which, O, that it may remain fresh for ever in my heart; that I may live for ever in thy love, and be ready to die for thy love; that I may delight to do thy will, O, Go D, and be content to suffer it, as the blessed Jesus did. And O, that, I may feed on him daily by faith and love, until all the powers of my soul and body be employed by his counsels, and not my own. O, that my life may be an exact imitation of him, and express his perfections, and show forth his virtues, and declare to all how much I love him. Especially endue me with great humility and modesty of spirit, that I may live in a constant remembrance of thee my CREATOR; and, con­sidering that thou art the Author of every good gift, may never be puffed up, nor do any thing through strife and vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind esteem others better than myself. O, that the same mind may be in me which was also in CHRIST JESUS, who, being in the form of God, made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant; and humbling himself, became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross;-that so thou mayest exalt me in due time to glory and honor, as thou hast highly exalted him; and after thou shalt call me from this delightful employment of worshipping, praising, and serving thee here on earth, I may pass into the company of Angels and Saints, whose work it is with eternal joy to glorify thee our CREATOR and REDEEMER.

THE SECOND MEDITATION BEFORE THE
 SACRAMENT.

            THINK with yourself,-" It is now so long since our LORD did me the honor to entertain me at his table. Where have I been since that happy time? What have I been doing? Have I never gone to return him thanks for that grace bestowed on me? Have I been a perfect stranger to him who loves me so much, who spake so kindly to me then, and gave me such assurances of his everlasting kindness? O, shameless ingratitude! how shall I be able to look him in the face any more?-But I hope the case is not altogether so bad. Have I not sometimes reflected on his incomparable love; have I not endeavored to preserve some memory of the benefits he has done unto me; is there not still a little sense of them remaining in my heart? I would fain en­courage myself to wait again upon my LORD. Pardon me, O God, if I presume again to enter into thy gates with thanks­giving, and into thy courts with praise, to eat of the bread which came down from heaven, to show forth the LORD'S death, to represent to my GOD the sacrifice he made for the atonement of our sins, and by virtue of it humbly to expect the continuance of his pardon, to renew my covenant with him, and to receive new confirmation of the truth of his promises to me. Awake, awake, O, my soul, all thy holy thoughts, thy faith, thy love, and every grace, until thou canst say with DAVID, ' My heart is fixed, O, GOD, my heart is prepared, I will sing and give praise."'

            Go, then, and show him how thy heart has been wounded with the thoughts of his love, how all thy sins have been bleeding to death, how ready thou art to offer up thyself again in sacrifice to him. Show him how resolved thou art to walk on still more steadily in his holy ways, to employ all the renewed strength thou shalt receive in his hearty service, and to go forth in the joy of the LORD to do his will with greater humility, freedom, and cheerfulness of spirit.

            Then thou mayest think thou hearest that voice of wisdom, which says, " Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled." He authorises his Ministers to say, Come, ye blessed souls, receive the tokens of his love, and rejoice in the hopes of his heavenly kingdom. He has not only prepared for you a kingdom; but as the Psalmist speaks in another case, he has "prepared a table for you, and anoints your head with oil," (that gladness wherewith your Royal High Priest is crowned,) and "makes your cup (his celestial blessings poured on us) to run over."

            Let us go then, and humbly receive that "cup of blessing," to which he invites us. Let us go and renounce all ungodliness and worldly lusts. Let us crucify the flesh with all the affections and appetites thereof. Let us engage our hearts in that covenant, which we have often taken into our mouth; and think it our happiness to be his obedient servants. Then make no doubt but that he will accept thee, and send thee away with his blessing. Address thyself as cheerfully to him, as if thou heardest a voice from heaven, saying, "Rejoice in the LORD always; again, I say rejoice." For God has done great things for you: he has declared his salvation, and openly showed his righteousness in the sight of the heathen. He has so loved the world as to give his only-begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. And therefore, "be glad, O, ye righteous; be joyful, all ye that be true of heart."

THE PRAYER BEFORE THE SACRAMENT.

            O MOST holy and ever-blessed GOD, who art brighter than the sun in its strength; and dwellest in that light which no man can approach unto; whom no man has seen, nor can see; but who in thine infinite goodness hast condescended to show us thy glory by manifesting thyself in our flesh, so that our weakness may look upon thee and live:-1 thy poor creature, encompassed with darkness, adore, as I am able, that unspeakable love, though I have just reason to tremble at the presence of my SAVIOR, and to be afraid when I have before mine eyes the tokens of his dearest love. For I have not duly weighed his infinite kindness, nor rejoiced in the light of his blessed Gospel, nor loved his commandments, nor feared his threatenings, nor settled my hope and satisfaction in his precious promises, as I ought to have done. A great part of my life, I acknowledge, has held but little conformity with the faith I profess. I have not remembered so frequently as becomes me, my dependence upon thee as my CREATOR, and my subjection to thee as my sovereign LORD. I have strangely forgotten thy fatherly love in sending thy Son to dwell among us, and his tender love to us in all his agonies, and sweat, and wounds, and bitter passion for our sake. O, the folly I have been guilty of in listening to the inordinate desires of the flesh, rather than to the motions of thy HOLY SPIRIT! How many neglects (if not injuries) have my brethren to accuse me of? How little have I been concerned for the honor of Religion, and the good and enlargement of thy Church? I have not glorified thee with body and spirit, as if I believed the resurrection of the dead, and expected from CHRIST JESUS everlasting life. How shall I stand in the great day of judgment, which I have so little thought of? O, pierce my heart with a more mortifying sense of what I utter with -my mouth. Work in me a deeper sorrow for all my sins, a sorrow that worketh repentance, never to be repented of. Turn my heart, good LORD, turn me quite away from them, that I may " abhor that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good." I spread my wounds before thee that thou mayest cleanse and heal them. It is not thy pardon alone which I desire; but that I may be thoroughly changed in my mind, will, and affections. I long for a strong and settled apprehension of thee, to over-awe and rule me in every thought, word, desire, and action; for a' steadfast love to thee, that may move me willingly and cheerfully to obey thee; and for an active hope in thee, which may con­stantly excite me to purify myself, even as thou art pure. Great, O, LORD, is the levity of my mind, and the fickle­ness of my thoughts, which makes me afraid lest these holy desires should presently vanish. Wretch that I am, how often have I started from my purposes, and forsaken mine own resolutions! I am going, therefore, once more unto thy altar, to offer my soul and body to thee; to renew my covenant with thee; and to put myself into thy hands, that thou mayest preserve these thoughts and purposes in my heart for ever. Accept, most loving FATHER, of these holy intentions. Meet me there again, and visit me from above with a more plentiful effusion of thy HoLY SPIRIT, to confirm and strengthen me in all. goodness. I beseech thee by the precious blood of JESUS CHRIST, and by thy wonderful and ineffable love which gave him for us, to pour down upon me the abundance of thy grace, that I may ever hereafter walk before thee with a perfect heart in newness of life. As thou hast invited me to that holy feast in remembrance of him, so dispose my soul to approach unto it with such reverence and holy fear, with such pure devotion and fervent love, with such spiritual gladness and heavenly joy, that, tasting the pleasures of thine house, I may never thirst for any thing else; but delight myself always in the LORD, and do good. LORD, what wait I for? Truly my hope is in thee, that I shall increase in faith, and be rooted and grounded in love, and cleave unto thy testimonies with my whole heart, and run the ways of thy commandments, until I have finished my course with joy­ Come, LORD JESUS, and seat thy faith in my mind and will, as in its throne. Establish thy laws and govern­ment there; reign and rule in me for ever; that all my enemies may flee before thee, and no evil may dwell in thy sight; that I may overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil, and serve thee without fear in righteousness and holiness all the days of my life. Make me to know and feel that JESUS, who died for me, is alive from the dead, and liveth for evermore; and that he is an eternal fountain of life and strength, of comfort and refreshment, to all those that by him believe in God who raised him from the dead.

A MEDITATION AT HOME AFTERWARD.

            Some time that day, and as often as you can after, reflect upon your own thoughts, resolutions, and vows; and consider, that there may be but a few days, perhaps hours, remaining, before you must appear at the tribunal of him who has now entertained you at his table. The next sight you have of him, may be upon his throne, as one that is ready to judge the quick and the dead: Put your soul in mind of the great account you must then give of all that you have done in the body, and of your sacred actions, no question, as well as the rest. And therefore ask yourself in the most serious manner, and bid your soul tell you, with what affection has the death of the LORD been remembered?-"Hast thou as sincerely renounced all thy evil ways, and consecrated thyself to the life of CHRIST, as thou hopest to be saved? As God shad judge the world in righteousness, art thou deter­mined to become a new creature, and to pass the time of thy sojourning here in fear? 0, how dreadful will he then appear to those who return with the dog to his vomit, after they have eaten of this holy bread, and drunk of this holy cup! Who can stand before him, that has known and remembered his transcendent love, and yet loved his ease, his pleasure, his money, or any other thing, better than life eternal? It concerns me nearly, O, my soul, to keep him ever in my thoughts, and to express him in my life; that, when he comes, he may see himself in me, and behold his image, in righteousness and true holiness, fairly engraven on my heart. The Searcher of my heart knows that I went unfeignedly thither, to give him possession of it: and here again I confirm the gift. Let him command what he pleases, and I will obey it. Let him bring the cross along with him, I will submit unto it. Come poverty, come re­proaches, come imprisonment, come pains and torments, come death itself, rather than to depart from the living GOD."

            To furnish your soul with greater plenty of good thoughts, you may often reflect upon the example which CHRIST has set you in his death as well as in his life. And particularly meditate every day upon his charity, "who though he was rich, yet for our sake he became poor, that by his poverty we might be rich." In this "GOD com­mendeth his love to us, that while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. Greater love' has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. But we, when we were enemies, were reconciled to God by the death of his SON; and therefore shall much more be saved by his life." Pray for a great and compassionate love to mankind, especially to your brethren, with whom you are knit in one body; that you may be strongly inclined to do good, as occasion is offered, to refresh the bowels of the poor and needy, to comfort and support the feeble-minded, and to live with all in unity and peace, till your Christian friendship be perfected in endless love in the other world. Remem­ber that GOD is the God of Peace, and CHRIST is the LORD of Peace. Often meditate on the words of our LORD, that "it is better to give than to receive;" and upon these words of a good man, that "he is the best merchant who lays out his time upon GOD, and his money upon the poor."

            I CAST myself down before thee, O, LORD, to worship and praise thee, together with all the heavenly host, saying, "Holy, holy, holy LORD GOD Almighty, heaven and earth are f 1l of thy goodness." Thou art the joy of all those happy creatures above, who continually behold the brightness of thy glory; and thy presence, and the light of thy countenance, makes heaven upon earth to us thy servants, whom thou admittest thus near unto thee. Glory be to God in the highest, who to all other blessings Math added the gift of his dear SON, and delivered him up for us all. Glory be to the SON of GOD, the Prince of Peace, who has loved us and given himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity; and has left us such remembrances of himself, and precious pledges of his never-failing love. And thanks be to, the HOLY SPIRIT, the power of the divine love, which draws us unto God, and inflames us with his love, and raise our hearts towards heaven. Blessed, for ever blessed, be thine infinite wisdom, power, and good­ness, which all the world proclaims unto us, and which thou hast more particularly manifested in CHRIST JESUS. There is none in heaven that we can desire, but thee, nor in earth besides thee; that we may know thee, and be made like unto thee, and be loved by thee, and made meet to live for ever with thee. O, that the sight I have now had of thee, may make all things here below seem mean and contemptible in mine eyes; that no temptation may be able to draw my heart from the obedience I have vowed unto thee; but that I may ever think of thee, and ever seek thee, and ever speak of thy goodness, and esteem myself happy in being beloved of thee, the possessor of heaven and earth. It is the desire of my heart to cleave to thee, and to spend my days in humility and heavenly­ mindedness, in temperance and chastity, in works of justice and mercy, in doing good and forgiving evil, in meekness and peaceableness, contentedness and thankfulness, patience and forbearance, and in all other fruits of thy HOLY SPIRIT. And therefore I humbly wait on thee, O Father of Mercies, for the continued help thereof, that I may be able " to show forth the virtues of thee, who hast called me out of darkness into thy marvellous light." Preserve me by thy mighty power through faith unto salvation. And so constantly assist me by thy grace, that I may keep myself unspotted from the world, and never do any thing to offend thee, and cause thee to hide thy face from thy servant. O, that I may "put on, as the elect of GOD, bowels of mercies, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;; and above all these things, charity, which is the bond of perfection;" without which whoever liveth is as dead before thee.

THE CHRISTIAN SACRIFICE.

THE THIRD MEDITATION BEFORE THE
 SACRAMENT.

            You may consider, that when God intended to make a new covenant with man, of more abundant grace and mercy than was ever known before, he was pleased to do like a man. " The Word was made flesh," and he came "and dwelt among us." He declared, by the mouth of one taken from among ourselves, his great good--C4ill towards us. I-Ie entered into all imaginable bonds to perform his part of that sacred covenant. He gave us his word and his oath; he gave us his SON for a pledge; and his SON gave his blood for a seal, and his HOLY SPIRIT for an earnest of his eternal love.-"Adored be the goodness of God," should you say within yourselves, " who has done so much to assure the hearts of unbelieving sinners: adored he his goodness, who is so desirous that we should be persuaded of it. Is there no way for us also to engage ourselves, and pass our word as solemnly to him? Can we find no- bonds that are sacred, wherein to tie our­selves strongly to his service? Blessed be the mercies of our GOD, who has appointed two Sacraments, wherein we for our parts-promise and seal to stand to the conditions of that covenant. But so excessive is his love, that he doth there again likewise engage his fidelity to us, and secures to us the blessings which he has promised in his holy Gospel. O, how excellent is his loving-kindness, which has given us such strong consolation! And how long is it now since I was first devoted to him, and received the first assurances of his love! These many years have I been called by his name, and made partaker of his grace. In my baptism he began to show his love to me; and there I entered into covenant with him, and vowed to keep his commandments. What manner of person ought I to have been in all holy conversation and godliness, who am so deeply indebted to him; who have lived so long in his family, and been often likewise entertained at his table, and received there the renewed tokens of his dearest love! O, how unwearied is his goodness, which calls me once more to partake of that great favor! Canst thou find in thy heart, O, my soul, to admire any thing, to love anything like unto him? Let us go to testify how much we value his kindness, to confirm the agreement between us, and to make a new choice of him for our only Master and Savior, and take upon us to be eternally his servants. Is not this thy intention in approaching his table? Doth it not grieve thee that thou hast at any time offended so great love? Hadst thou not rather die, and be crucified as he was, than willingly break the least of his commands? Dost thou not in heart and resolution forsake every thing that would hinder thee from doing his will? Art thou not purposed to follow JESUS in all the actions of a holy, humble, charitable, and religious life? Let us go then and wait upon him, and show him the love that we bear unto him. Let us give him thanks even for this good mind which he has put into us; and for all the hopes we have that he will continue it to eternal. life. Be not discouraged; for when the wicked forsakes his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, he himself has said, he will have mercy upon him, and multiply to pardon. He will pour more abundantly of his HOLY SPIRIT On us, to strengthen our resolutions. He will make us grow in grace, and bring forth all the fruits of righteousness. He will abundantly satisfy us with the fatness of his house, and make us to drink of the river of his pleasures. For with him is the fountain of life; in his light shall we see light. He will continue his loving-kindness unto them that know him; and his righteousness to the upright in heart. For the LORD's hand is not shortened that it can­not save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But as he that is mighty has done great things already; so his mercy is on them that fear him, from generation

to generation."

            O MOST, holy and ever blessed GOD, the fountain of good, the highest object of our love! I bow myself before thee, and humbly worship thy incomprehensible Majesty. It was thy goodness which brought me into being, and thy patience which continued me unto this time, and a greater mercy which has not suffered my being to be mise­rable to me, but heaped on me innumerable good things. But I have no fit name for that superabundant love, which thought of making mankind so happy by thy SON JESUS. It is a wonder, O, LORD, that thou wouldest be at such expense about those, who had chosen to be any thing, rather than such as thou madest them. None but infinite compassion could be so tender of those who despised thy image, and loved to live like the beasts that perish. None but thou, O, merciful GOD, could think of bestowing greater benefits on such brutish sinners. And nothing but a stupid negligence, and unaccountable inconsiderateness, could ever refuse such endless happiness as thou designest to us. I am one of those strange things, that have forsaken thee, and know not why; and who was long insensible of thy grace, and unmoveable under thy greatest importu­nities to return to thee: and since thou hast prevailed with me, I a?t too much inclined to content myself with a small degree of likeness to thee; and apt to find out little pretences and excuses for doing my own will, rather than thine;-and that, though I am so solemnly consecrated to thee, and have been instructed in thy blessed Gospel, and put in hopes of such glorious rewards, and received such encouragements at thy table.

            Blessed be thy inconceivable love, O, most gracious LORD, who hast given the blood of thy SON to be shed for those who sin against that love; if with all their hearts, and all their souls, they return unto thee. For ever magnified be thy mercy, who hast given us so many assurances of the truth of thy love to us, and so many opportunities- to testify the truth of ours towards thee. Thou art pleased, not only by thy word, thy promises, and oath, to give us ground of hope, but even by outward and sensible signs to encourage our weak and fearful faith. Who can but tremble to think that he has offended the Majesty of heaven and earth? And yet, who can but hope, that hears the voice of thy SON inviting us to come unto thee, and promising a pardon to returning sinners? O thou, who tallest me now again to thy holy table, and there hast made such rich provision for us; assist, I beseech thee, all the meditations, desires, and resolutions of my soul; that I may remember all the LORD JESUS has done and suffered for me, with such humble admiration, lively faith, and thankful love, as to feel my heart tied faster to him with the cords of his love, and sent up to heaven, as the whole burnt-offerings, to the LORD. Draw me, O, GOD of love, more powerfully to thee, and fill me more with wisdom and goodness, that my mind may more clearly discern between things that differ; that my will may become more easy to all that is good, and more obstinate against all that is evil; and that every affection and passion may be more gentle and submissive to the government of thy holy laws. Possess my heart against all the force of temptations by a never-dying sense of thy goodness, and a remembrance of those joys which thou hast prepared for those that love thee. O, that all my graces may receive increase; and that I may more perfectly imitate the humility, the meekness, the patience, the charity, the resignation, and the absolute obedience of my LORD and Master. He has bidden us believe that thou wilt give thy HOLY SPIRIT to those that ask him, as readily as an earthly parent gives bread to his children. O, let the power of that SPIRIT tend upon me, to fix my wandering thoughts, to raise my heavy and dull affections, and to form all my holy purposes into a settled disposition and temper of heart to comply with thy blessed will in every thing. I am not worthy, I confess; of the, smallest crumb of thy mercy; but thou hast made me to hope for these great blessings, through thy grace declared unto us in CHRIST JESUS; in whose words I further recommend myself unto thy merciful kindness, saying, "Our FATHER.”

A MEDITATION SOME TIME AFTERWARDS.

            "I HAVE seen strange things to-day. I have seen the marvelous love of heaven to us sinful dust and ashes. I have seen how the SON of God died for the love of us; how the blessed JESUS was hanged, and bled upon a cross for our salvation. I have beheld him presenting himself unto me; and offering to make me partake of all his benefits. With what affections did I meet and receive his strange love? Did not my heart burn within me, when he opened the counsels of his heart to me? When he showed me how passionately he loved me? Did not I offer myself both soul and body to him, and promise to be his faithful servant? Did I not remember that I was his already, and renew my vows to cleave unto him in loyal obedience? O, what a transforming sight was it, to behold ' Jesus, who was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor;' and promising, by pa lent continuance in well-doing, to lift me up also at last unto glory! 'LORD, what is man that thou takest knowledge of him; or the son of man that thou makest account of him!' How is it possible to forget this love, or my own engagements? For what pleasures shall I leave communion with God, and my gracious Master, CHRIST JESUS? You offer too little, all ye temptations upon earth, that would draw my affections from so great a happiness. There can be nothing comparable to being beloved by the LORD of heaven and earth. 'One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.' This is sufficient to endear a holy life unto ine, that I may be always fit to be one of his guests, to feast with him at his table, and to be filled with his comforts, and may live in hope to live with him in endless joys. And could I but see what things he has prepared for those that love him, the height of his glory, the attendance of his Ministers, and the pleasures that are at his right hand,­ there would be no more spirit in me.' This little that I have seen, makes me say, ' Happy are those thy servants, that stand continually before thee. Blessed are they whom thou least chosen, and caused to approach unto thee; that they may dwell in thy' heavenly' courts; they will still be praising thee.' I will never forego the beginnings of this bliss. ' For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my GOD, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O, LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.' "­

            And here it will be fit to remember, how every deliberate sin, after such fresh experiences of GOD's goodness, new obligations from him, and new resolutions and vows to him, will be of a more crimson dye. And therefore you must be sober, and watch unto prayer. And remember withal, on the other side, that every good action will be the more acceptable, when it proceeds out of love to our Master, JESUS, who has loved us so much. And therefore always endeavor to quicken the one by reflecting on the other. More particularly, you may resolve to meditate all the week following upon the great meekness of the LORD JEsus; who was "dumb as -a sheep before the shearers, and as a lamb that is brought to the slaughter. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." And so labor to tread in his steps, and to imitate him in this lovely grace; "to Speak evil of no man, to be no brawler, but gentle, Bowing all meekness unto all Mere."

THE THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER FOLLOWING.

            PRAISED be God! Let all creatures in heaven and earth praise the name of the LORD. For his name is excellent; his glory is above earth and heaven. Glory be to thee, O, God most high, the Creator of all, the Father of Mercies; who openest thy hand, and fillest every living thing with good. Blessed be thy name, O, SON of the FATHER, to whom I bow myself, as the image of God, the brightness of his glory, the Redeemer of our souls, the Mediator of our peace, and our Intercessor at the right hand of the Majesty on high. O, thou HOLY SPIRIT of grace, the Almighty Power of God, inspire my heart, that I may know, that I may love, delight in, obey, and praise the LORD our God, from henceforth and for ever! Thanks be to the eternal goodness for the everlasting Gospel; for the constant services of thy Ministers; for the happy communion of Saints; for all the comforts of food and health, for peace and friends; but above all for the death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation of our LORD JESUS; for all the fruits of them; and for the earnests and pledges, I have received of forgiveness of sins, and immortal life. One day is too short to recount thy mercies. While I live, I shall never be able to find out how much thou hast already loved me, or how many blessings thou hast loaded me with, since I came into this world. And yet, in the careful improvement of these, thou intendest to bring me to higher felicity. O, that the remembrance of what I have seen and felt of thy love, may always cleave unto my mind, and that I may every day see and be made sensible of more; that the powerful operation of it in my heart may defend me against all the allurements of the world and the flesh; and that nothing may be able to entice me from my duty, nor be too hard to do for thy mighty love. Incline my heart, O, LORD, continually towards thee; that I may delight to be with thee, and study in all things to conform myself to thy blessed nature and will; and that having thee always before mine eyes, thy holiness and righteousness may move me to purify my heart thoroughly from all worldly and fleshly lusts,-thy greatness may breed in the much reverence, fear, and humility,-and thy tender mercies incline me to painfulness, bowels of mercies, and readiness to do all good. Give me such a sense of thy truth and faithfulness, that I may entirely trust thee, and rely upon thy promises and of thine unerring wisdom, that I may resign my under­standing to thee, and be perfectly contented with whatsoever thou appointest. Dispose my soul so, that a serious sense of thine omniscience may, on all occasions, over-awe every thought of my mind, and motion of my will, into order and obedience; and thy patient goodness suppress all angry affections in me, and make me gentle, long-suffering, and forbearing towards others in love. Represent thine infinite fullness, O, LORD, continually unto me; that it may engage me in eternal thoughts of thee, and make me rejoice in the happiness of being one of thy children, and an heir of thy glory. There is 7nothing more my heart can desire, but only that I may still receive more pledges of thy fatherly love, and have grace to keep my soul so pure and undefiled, that our LORD may delight to manifest himself to me, and make his abode with me.

            Reign in me, O, blessed LORD; and in all the world subdue all the enemies of thy Cross. Advance it above all the crowns of the Kings of the earth, that they may become thy obedient subjects. O, that those of them, who call upon thy name, may be nursing fathers to thy Church; and promote Christian piety by their high authority, and great examples. Illuminate all the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may feed thy people with wisdom and understanding, and lead them in the ways of righteousness. Bless all my friends; pardon and change all my enemies. Comfort and relieve all sorts of miserable people. And grant us seasonable weather, that the earth may bring forth her increase.

            Accept of my hearty thanks, which I tender thee again for all thy mercies, both to my soul and body. Accept of this oblation of my whole self, which I consecrate unto thee; desiring to render all praise, thanksgiving, love, and hearty service to thee eternally.

"Now the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by CHRIST JESUS, make us all perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle us. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

THE FOURTH MEDITATION BEFORE THE
 SACRAMENT.

            "Among the innumerable people that are upon the face of the earth, how few are there that know the love of *GOD in CHRIST JESUS! And among those few that know it, alas, how small a number are there that celebrate it constantly with those praises and acknowledgments, which iit eternally deserves! O, what a grace is this, of which I am a partaker, that I should be made ' a fellow-citizen with the Saints, and of the household of GOD!' That I should know what is 'the riches of the glory of this mystery; which is CHRIST in us the hope of glory!' I am infinitely indebted to the divine goodness, which inclines my heart also to go and commemorate this love in the assembly of Saints. ' O come,' my soul, ' let us worship and bow down; let us go and kneel before the LORD. Let us exalt the LORD our GOD, and make the voice of his praise to be heard.' Let us go with humble confidence, to admire and proclaim, once more, the infinite love of GOD our SAVIOR. Let us openly declare that we are his friends and followers; and bid defiance to all his enemies. Yea, let us bind our heart to his altar with the cords of love; and make an oblation of all we have unto him. It is but just and reasonable, since we have received so much from him. It is but right, meet, and our bounden duty to praise him continually; and to glorify and serve him with the body and soul which he has redeemed. Let us go and thank him that he would come down from heaven to us; that he will accept us for his servants, and set any esteem upon our poor obedience; and that he will still from heaven visit us, and not leave us comfortless. So may we rejoice in his salvation, and represent with glad hearts his sacrifice to GOD for our expiation; and fix our eyes upon that glory where he is enthroned, hoping we shall one day sit down with him in the kingdom of the FATHER.

            "Search and try, examine and prove thyself. Hast thou not a mind to know and do the whole will of GOD, with all thy heart, and with all thy strength? Dost thou not long to be poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure in heart, a peace-maker, a patient sufferer for righteousness' sake? And art thou not desirous to make an increase of all these by going to his holy table? ' There be many that say, Who will. show us any good r' But let thy voice be, 'LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things' out of thy Gospel. Make me able to 'comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of CHRIST, which passeth knowledge."

THE PRAYER SOME TIME BEFORE THE
 COMMUNION.

            O LORD, who fillest all things, and delightest to pour out thy blessings upon all thy works, especially into those who empty themselves of all their own desires, that they may be filled with thy holy truth: Behold a poor soul, that opens itself to thy bounteous goodness; though with much shame and confusion of face, when I remember how much of thy grace I have refused, or in vain received. Thou hast sent me, I acknowledge, unasked, innumerable benefits. Often have I felt holy thoughts springing up in my mind, and pious affections carrying my heartaway from all these earthly vanities. Many godly purposes hast thou wrought in me; and made me taste how happy a thing it is to be beloved of thee. " O, God, thou hast taught me from my youth," and early instructed me• in the knowledge of thy truth. Thou hast prevented all my desires, and secretly disposed me to choose thy ways. "Hitherto I have declared thy wondrous works; " and every day brings along with it new testimonies of thy fatherly care and Providence. But all this only reproaches me for my shameful negligence, ingratitude, and unfruitfullness in the knowledge of the LORD JESUS; and makes me despair of receiving any more of thy grace, unless thou wilt magnify the riches of it, in thy patient and long-suffering love towards me. Thou hast required us to put on bowels of mercy, kindness, and condescension, forbearing and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; and hast taught us such charity as is kind, and suffereth long, and beareth all things. And, therefore, I am encouraged to flee unto thee, and to hope in thee, who hast made thyself the pattern of tenderness and compassion to us in CHRIST JESUS. There is something of thyself likewise still remaining in me. I feel my heart inclining towards thee, desiring to have a more lively knowledge of thee, and to be made thoroughly good and perfectly like thee; which emboldens me the more to wait upon thee; for new communications of thy HOLY SPIRIT.

            O thou who givest food to all flesh, and satisfiest the cravings of every living thing, deny not the desires of an immortal soul which hungers and thirsts to be filled with the fruits of the SPIRIT, " in all goodness and righteousness and truth." It is not thy pardon only which I crave, through thy mercy in CHRIST; but a power from above continually to assist the holy resolutions which thou hast wrought in me, to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." With my whole heart do I seek thee; O, let me not wander from thy commandments. But stablish thy word unto thy servant who is devoted to thy fear. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

            And give me leave, good LORD, to approach to thy table, and there to dedicate myself again unto thee, and receive fresh tokens of thy favor towards me. I am not worthy, I confess, to be seen in thy presence: but since thou hast wrought in me a will to please thee in all things, I desire that I may humbly appear and profess it before thee, and wait upon thee for a power to do according to the purposes of my heart. O, thou who searchest the hearts, and knowest what is in man, open my eyes, that I may see if there be any evil way in me, any pride, any covetousness, any impurity, any hatred or uncharitableness. For I renounce them all; and unfeignedly resolve to do justly, and to walk humbly with my GOD. Let these words of my mouth, and meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O, LORD my strength, and my Redeemer. And when I come to thy holy table, may I feel that thou hast accepted them, by inspiring me with stronger purposes of obedience, and lifting me up to a higher degree of love to thee and my blessed SAVIOR. Raise me, O, LORD, so high, that I may be out of the reach of the temptations of the world and the Devil; or that at least they may never be able to draw me down to follow any sinful desires. "O LORD, hear; O, LORD, forgive; O, LORD, hearken and do," according to thy infi­nite mercies declared in CHRIST JESUS.

A MEDITATION AFTERWARD AT HOME.

            THE next time thou visitest thy soul, ask it if it observed well that glorious Person who feasted thee at his table, and marked the gracious words which he spake unto thee, by the representation of his broken body, and blood. "Alas!" wilt thou say, " I should not have been here, if I had had a clear view of his glories. He would have carried me to heaven with hull, if my heart had been possessed with the fullness of his love. My eyes are too weak to behold his perfections my thoughts too narrow to comprehend the unsearchable riches of his grace."

            But hast thou not seen something of him? Did not many of his graces shine in thine eyes? Did he not even force upon thee some sense of his wondrous goodness? And has he not put himself, by sensible tokens, into thy very hands; nay, entered into thine heart, and told thee, that he has desired it for his habitation? Where is he then? What hast thou done with him? Are the thoughts of him vanished already? Art thou content to let him go, and see him no more till the same solemnity come about again?

            How wilt thou be able then to appear before him, at that time? With what face wilt thou look upon him whom thou slightest so much? Will it not confound thee to think that thou art but a stranger to him, though thou hast been so often with him; and that he can find nothing of himself in thee, no, not after so many professions of love and friendship to him? O, let him see that he Math not bestowed himself on one that knows not how to value so divine a guest. Preserve an everlasting memory of his dying love. Never fail to thank him for it every day, with the greatest passion thou art able. Look on him seriously, and study to be like him. Never take off thine eyes from his beauties, till all his lovely qualities be imprinted on thy heart. Imitate his humility and great condescension to us of low estate. Learn of him to be " meek and lowly in heart." Walk in love as " CHRIST also has loved us, and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to GOD for a sweet-smelling savor." "Purify "thyself" even as he is pure." "Let thy conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as thou hast." Trust in the Loin, and do good: make him thy hope and thy portion: that as long as thou livest, CHRIST JESUS may be seen among men. O, what a goodly sight would it be, to behold our LORD still walking up and down in the world! To see the loving, the peaceable, the meek, the merciful, the holy JESUS again upon the earth! Do thou resolve to be that blessed man, in whom he shall appear. Let not his image and likeness be lost, whilst thou art in being; and labor to leave it upon others when thou art dead and gone.

            Particularly thou mayest resolve all this week to me­ditate often on the patience of our LORD, under all the rude affronts and cruel pains which he endured from his enemies, and the great dulness, untowardness, and slowness to believe, which he found in his disciples; that so "patience may have its perfect work" in thee, to the end thou mayest be "perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Resolve not to be discouraged in thy Christian course, whatsoever it be that thou art to do or suffer. " Warn them that are unruly; comfort the feeble minded, support the weak; be patient towards all men."

THE THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER.

            ALL thy works praise thee, O, LORD: they proclaim thy greatness, thy wisdom, thy power and goodness, throughout all the world. There is no place in heaven or earth where their voice is not heard. But the mouths of rational creatures ought most to be filled with thy praises, whom thou hast made to understand the wisdom and majesty of all thy works. We ourselves, O, LORD, are fearfully and won­derfully made. And after we had despised this honor which thou didst us, choosing to become like the beasts that perish, thou wast pleased to do us a greater, and to demonstrate an infinite wisdom, power, and love in our recovery by CHRIST JESUS. I bless thee, O, GOD, for that abundant grace; and for that portion which thou hast given me in it.

            There is no end, O, LORD, of thy loving-kindness. For thou continuest to give us new assurances of thy good-will, and hast now entertained me at thine own table with his most precious body and blood. It is too little, O, God of all grace, to give thee myself, if I had any more to give. All that I can do, is again and again to give myself to thee. And as I have at thine altar offered my whole soul and body to be employed according to thy holy will, so I continue here to renew my devotion to thee; and to oblige myself by re­peated vows to be thy servant. I hope that I shall never suffer thy love to slip out of my mind, nor forget the promises wherein I stand engaged to thee; but that thou in thine abundant goodness wilt always accompany me by thy HOLY SPIRIT, to preserve alive the memory of CHRIST in my heart, that I may ever be a follower of him in poverty of spirit, in meekness, in mercifullness, in purity of heart, in peaceableness and studying to be quiet. " And the LORD direct my heart into the love of GOD, and the patient waiting for CHRIST; " that I may endure all the troubles of this life with a composed and constant spirit, and never repine at any thing that befalls me; and that I may cheerfully suffer for righteousness' sake, and, taking up my cross, "run with patience the race that is set before me; looking unto JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD."

THE FIFTH MEDITATION BEFORE THE
 SACRAMENT.

            CAST your eyes on the beautiful face of the earth, and see how all things smile upon you; how GOD has crowned the year with his goodness, and clothed the pastures with flocks, the gardens with flowers and fruits, and the valleys with corn; how, the little hills, as the Psalmist speaks, are girded with gladness; and every creature shouts for joy and sings. And then think with thyself, how uncomely it is that thou shouldest be the only dull and silent thing, whom the LORD has adorned with greater riches and honor, and set over all the works of his hands. Think what nobler beauties he has made thee to behold, and set before thy mind, even himself, in all his glory, which shines upon thee in the face of JESUS CHRIST. Think how he calls thee to a paradise of delight; and how he has invited thee to his table, where he represents unto thee the SON of his love, the express image of his person, and all the happy fruits of his manifestation in our flesh. Bid thy soul therefore awake, and meditate on his descent from heaven for our sake, with the acclamations of all the heavenly host; on all his miraculous works of love; his holy and useful life; his bitter passion; his bloody and shameful death; his glorious resurrection and ascension; his power at the right hand of GOD; and all the benefits which he has by these means obtained for us. Stir up all that is within thee, to bless his holy name; that while all things round about thee are fresh, and full of life, thou mayest not remain the only dead and heartless creature; but spring up together with the rest, in all the acts of spiritual life. Say to thyself, " What a new world do I see; GOD dwelling here among men: ' GOD in CHRIST re­conciling the world to himself, not imputing their tres­passes unto them:' friendship made between heaven and earth: death ' swallowed up in victory:' the gate of heaven opened to all believers: JESUS, our fore-runner, there already enthroned, waiting for all his faithful fol­lowers, and filling them now with good hope, peace, and joy in the HOLY GHOST. O, what a glorious sight is this; which the angels themselves admired! What a ' new heaven and new earth' should this have made, ' wherein dwells righteousness?' What ails us, that we do not all become new creatures; and, 'beholding as in a glass the glory of our LORD, are not changed into the same image, from glory to glory; even as by the SPIRIT of the LORD?' I am ashamed of my barrenness in the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS. It is high dime to be more fruitful in all good works. For he has said, ' Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, my FATHER taketh away; and every branch that. beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring more fruit. And herein is my FATHER glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.' I will go therefore to him who is the root and fountain of life, that I may derive new spirit, vigor, and strength from him. I will go and declare that I have placed my hope, my comfort and satis­faction, in his love; and value his favor and blessing more than all the world. I will show him how I long to be changed more and more into his divine image; and am resolved to abide in him, and that his word shall abide in me. I will give him._ all the assurance of it which I am able; by renewing my covenant with him, and making a cheerful oblation of all that I am, and have, and can do, unto his service. Then surely he will communicate more of himself unto me. I shall see his divine power and virtue quickening me; and ' because he lives, I shall live also.' The sun, when he returns to visit us with his warmth, doth not more revive all things, and renew the face of the earth, than I shall find him enlivening and renewing me; that I may have my ' fruit unto holiness and the end ever­lasting life.' For he himself has said, ' If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.' Be it unto me, O, LORD, ac­cording to thy word. I ask nothing, but that I may still have the grace to continue in thy love, by keeping thy com­mandments; that I may grow and increase in wisdom and holiness, and be filled with all the fruits of the SPIRIT with “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance;' and that they may abound in me more and more, to thy praise' and glory. Amen."

THE PRAYER SOME TIME BEFORE.

            O MOST blessed GOD, who art lovely in thyself and in all thy works, and full of love to us whom thou hast made to understand thy glorious perfection: Thousands of angels and saints thou hast, whose hearts burn continually with love to thee; and thou hast had many faithful ser­vants who have died for the love of thee. I am one of those fools and senseless wretches, who have loved every thing better than thee my Creator and merciful Savior. I am too unlike the ancient Disciples of the LORD JESUS, being prone to content myself with reading or hearing thy word, with speaking of thee, or praying to thee, and all, many times, without any love, or but little affection to thee. I have beheld the Sun of Righteousness shining upon me, and received the dearest pledges of thy loving-kindness, without that warmth which they ought to have excited. The liveliest. truths have not penetrated so deep as they should have done into my heart. But though thou hast been pleased to entreat so earnestly, and promise so li­berally, as if thou shouldest be indebted to me for my love, it has many times but little stirred in this dull soul towards thee. Thou hast loved us so much as to purchase our love at any rate; having redeemed us with thy SON'S blood, which is the greatest price, and called us to thy kingdom and glory, which is the greatest reward: but, alas, how unconcerned have I been, too often, in all these

wonders of thy love! 

            I am ashamed of myself. I blush to think that I should love thee to no higher a degree. Still make me more ashamed, that after all thy care and pains thou shouldest see so little of thyself in me; and assist me, by the power of almighty grace, to fix mine eyes more steadfastly on thee, till I love thee so much as to be changed into thy likeness. Now that I am going to commemorate thy love in CHRIST JESUS, let not my ingratitude provoke thee to absent thyself from me; but according to the gracious covenant which thou hast made with us in his blood, be merciful to my sins, and remember mine iniquities no more. Make me know and feel that thou dost pardon me; excite holy resolutions in me to purify my heart more perfectly, and dispose me entirely to love thy holy nature and will,  and conform myself unto it in all things. O, that all carnal affections may die in me, and all things belonging to the SPIRIT may live and grow in me; that I may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the Devil, the world, and the flesh; that I may utterly hate every thing that is evil, and cleave most affectionately to that which is good; yea, that I may hate even father and mother, and the dearest thing in this world, rather than sin against thee; that no relation, no pleasure, no profit, may ever turn my heart from thee, but rather draw me to thee, and make me more in love with. thee. All thy creatures may justly complain of me, if I should not love thee above them all; but how shall I answer it to our Lo RD JESUS, if his love should not constrain me? O, that the spirit of thy ancient saints may hereafter possess my heart, that I may cry out after GOD, even the living GOD; that I may watch for thee more than they that watch for the morning; that my soul may follow after thee, and even break for the longing it has to thee at all times; that I may be a diligent follower of their doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, and patience; that I may delight myself in thy commandment which I have loved; and that the light of thy countenance may be better to me than life itself. Amen.

THE MEDITATION AFTERWARD AT HOME.

            " O, love! what hast thou done!" said a holy man, when be thought of the mercies of GOD in CHRIST JESUS. Thou broughtest the SON of GOD down from heaven, and madest him appear in the likeness of man. Thou broughtest him to his cross, and madest him an offering of a sweet-smelling savor unto GOD. "0 love, what wouldest thou not do," mayest thou say to thyself, " if thou didst but possess our hearts? That which made him like us, and brought him down hither, would make us like to GOD, and carry us up to heaven. If I did but love GOD, what could he demand of me which I should not immediately do? How naturally should I study to please him? How easy and delightful would it be to comply with his will? And what a favor should I count it that I might know his will? None of his commandments would be grievous to me; but all his ways would be plea­santness, and all his paths peace. It would be very strange if I should not love him who has loved me so much, and is still demonstrating his kindness to me. I must forget my belief, if I should not love him; and that I may, he calls me often to the remembrance of him. There he represents to me that which I continually profess to believe; that he is the FATHER Almighty, of whom the whole family of heaven and earth is named; that JESUS is his only SON our LORD; that he was conceived by the HOLY GHOST, born of the VIRGIN MARY, suffered under PONTIUS PILATE, was crucified and put to death, rose again, ascended to GoD's right hand, and will come at last to judge the quick and the dead. This is my faith. May I never make confession of it without feeling it excited to work by love. May it always call to mind the vows I have made to live by this faith of the SON of GOD. May it purify my heart, that when he shall appear to judge the world, my faith may be found to praise, and honor, and glory. Amen."

            Thou mayest resolve particularly to meditate often all this week upon CHRIST's love, in instituting and ordain­ing, just before he died, these holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort. "O what a kindness was this," mayest thou think with thyself! What a wonder of love is here fairly represented to us, and set before our eyes! What a pleasure is it to see ourselves thus beloved of the Sovereign of the world! to behold ourselves in the arms of the Almighty, the only wise and all-sufficient good; who will never fail to take care of us, provide for us, direct, support, assist, comfort, and protect us, yea, and eternally bless its! This is love indeed, that we have such pledges given us of his everlasting kindness; and that we shall see him in the other world, where we shall know him, and love him, as much as we can desire."

THE PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING.

            O MOST holy and ever-blessed God, thy name alone is excellent, thy glory is above the earth and heaven. All the heavenly powers continually proclaim thy greatness, and raise themselves, not thee, by admiring, loving, and praising thy eternal Majesty. I most humbly adore thy unsearchable wisdom, thy uncontrollable power, thy bound­less goodness, and thy unspotted holiness and truth. Thy wisdom is the surest guide, thy power is our strength, thy providence is our all-sufficient treasure, thy holiness and truth are our security, thy goodness is our hope and comfort, thy unerring will is our satisfaction, in all events that befall us. I cannot wish, when I seriously recollect myself, to live in a world without thee. It would be better not to be at all, than to be forsaken of thee, and left to the conduct of my own childish thoughts and desires, and to the protection of my own weakness. How much do I owe thee, even for this knowledge of thee! And I have had daily experience of thy loving-kindness ever since I had a being. A great number of thy crea­tures serve me, and minister unto my content and comfort, by thy command. And thy own SON is become a servant to me, and submitted himself to the vilest state for my happiness. I deserve not to live, if I should not love thee entirely; for thou art every day adding new fuel to my love, and taking care that it may never go out. What tokens of thy love has this day brought along with it to my soul! Thou hast given me leave to wait upon thee, and to feast with thee at thy own table; to see the love which the LORD JESUS bare and still continues to me, that I may be still more induced to love thee, and more strongly engaged to continue in thy love by cordial obedience. But, alas! our eyes are weak, our thoughts are short and transient, we are soon weary of beholding and thinking even of thy love: direct my thoughts therefore by thy mighty power more strongly towards thee. Fasten in my mind a more lively remembrance of thee, that I may delight to reflect upon thy wondrous love. "Turn mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou me in thy way."

THE SIXTH MEDITATION BEFORE THE
 SACRAMENT.

            Is it possible that the great God should be manifested in the flesh, and that he should purchase those who were his creatures, sinful creatures, with his own blood? Surely we do not believe this. How joyful, how thankful should we be; how holily, how purely should we live; if we thought ourselves so nearly related to him! What faith, what hope should we place in him! How confidently should we trust ourselves, and all we have, with him! How willingly should we resign ourselves to his pleasure! And how contentedly should we want what he pleases not to give! If he had taken hold of the nature of Angels, and laid down that life, that precious life which was spent for us, for their redemption, how much would those heavenly creatures have loved him? And yet, now that he is desirous of our little love, he cannot have it. O, how easily do we forget the greatest benefits! How apt are we to pay him only with liberal promises! If he had not made us this new invitation to his table, it is possible that we might have forgotten we have any obligations to him. Thanks be to his goodness for this new opportunity of acknowledging his love, and of professing my own. I hope in time I shall love him to the height of my desires, and, by these frequent remembrances of him, become perfectly like him.  Though unworthy therefore of this new favor, who have been so unmindful of old ones, I will go into his house, and present myself at his altar; if it be but to declare that I belong to him, and that I am not willing to lose his blessing. I will show him at least that I have a desire to become a better Christian. But how is it possible that I should see the representation of his mighty love, that I should behold his pains and agonies for my sake, and do no more than tell him that I intend to obey him? I cannot refrain from offering myself entirely to him. I must bind myself in the most sacred covenant to keep his commands. I can do no less than assure him again, that I will choose death rather than displease him. Nay, I will resolve never to cease to renew these vows, and multiply my engagements; and at last, surely, I shall become steadfast in his covenant, and delight myself greatly in his commandments. " My soul shall keep thy testimonies, and love them exceedingly. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments which I have loved, and I will meditate in thy statutes: so shall I keep thy law continually, for ever and ever."

THE PRAYER BEFORE THE COMMUNION.

            O MOST high and holy One, who canst not be compre­hended by our shallow thoughts: though inconceivably beneath thine infinite majesty, and also a miserable sinner, I make bold, in the name of the LORD JESUS, who is my hope, with humble reverence to prostrate myself before thee; acknowledging that thou art my Maker, my LORD and Sovereign, and that I being the work of thy hands, must needs be thy servant and subject. Yea, thou hast given me leave to call thee Father, and ownest me for thy child. With what sorrow doth it become me to he in thy presence! For I have not always honored and served thee as my Creator, nor loved thee as my gracious Father, nor obeyed thee in all things, as my Sovereign LORD and Master. I have too often rebelled against thine almighty power, and spurned against the bowels of thy love, and broken thy most holy laws, and violated that faith which I professed in my baptism, and which I have many times since plighted unto thee. Thine almighty mercy accuses me. The passion and torment, the death and resurrection, the threatenings and promises, and all the love of my SAVIOR, condemn me; and so do the mighty works, and the gracious inspiration of the HOLY GHOST; and yet I have nothing to trust to but that almighty mercy, the passion and love of our LORD, the power and grace of the HOLY GHOST. O, the long-suffering and patience of my GOD! O, the infiniteness of thy mercy, and the precious­ness of that blood, that can wash away so many trans­gressions! I thank thee, O, God, who " Math set forth CHRIST JESUS to be a propitiation through faith in his blood." By his cross and passion, good LORD, I hope to be delivered; and I wait on thy mercy for the power of his HOLY SPIRIT, to " wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." Assist me thereby, I most humbly beseech thee, to purify myself from all " filthiness both of flesh and spirit;" to purge my mind and my affections from whatsoever is offensive to thy pure, eyes, who canst not approve of iniquity. For I would have no uncleanness, no inordinate affections, no evil concupiscence and covetousness, no anger, wrath, malice, or evil-speaking to be found any more within me. And now that I am about to remember the death of JEsus, help me' to-mortify all these more perfectly, and to hate them worse than death. Take an absolute possession of me rule in me by thy laws; guide me by thy counsels; fill me with thy love; satisfy me with the comfort of thy promises and joys; that I may delight to be thy faithful and obedient servant. O, that I may feel, at thy table, the liveliest apprehensions of what thou hast done for my soul. Hold my thoughts close unto thee; inspire me with devout meditations; strengthen and increase in me all good resolutions; and enable me to bring them to good effect. I know thou never failest those that heartily seek thee. Our SAVIOR has bid us ask and we shall receive, seek and we shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto us. Fulfill then, O, gracious LORD, all my petitions: give unto thy servant what he humbly asks; let him that seeks find; open the gate to him that knocks; that I may be made partaker of CHRIST's most blessed body and blood; and feeling the comforts of holy fellowship and friendship with him, and studying to maintain it by a pure and blameless life, I may now and ever triumph in thy salvation, and sing thy praises in thy church on earth, and among thy Saints and Angels in heaven; ascribing honor, blessing, power, and dominion unto thee, O, FATHER ALMIGHTY, and unto thy SON CHRIST JESUS, to all eternity. Amen.

THE MEDITATION AT HOME.

            DOST thou mind, O, my soul, what thou sayest, when every day thou tallest GOD, Father; thy " Father which is in heaven?" How happy art thou, if thou art beloved of GOD; so beloved, that the LORD of heaven and earth is thy Father! What is there that thou canst desire beyond this? How well satisfied shouldest thou be in the poorest condition? How well assured that all shall be well with thee, if thou art sure of this one thing, that he is thy Father? Where hast thou been now? What hast thou been doing? Hast thou not been with JESUS? He has shown thee the love which GOD bears to thee. He has bidden thee by those tokens; and rest assured that he will never cease to love thee: for he has given himself to thee; and thou hast given thyself to him. The covenant of eternal love has been renewed between us. Thou hast again made oath of fidelity to him; and he has sworn in his holiness that he will not take his loving-kindness from thee, nor suffer his faithfulness to fail. O, how rich is he, who possesses God, and is heir of his immortal glory.

            How void should we be of all other cares, but only this, to preserve the love of our heavenly FATHER! What should covetousness do in that heart, which enjoys such a trea­sure? What should ambition, what should vain glory do, in him who can boast of having GOD for his father? Need he fear that he shall want, who is so well provided? Should he murmur and repine who has such fullness? Is there any cause of anger, if our Father be not angry? Watch, O, my soul, and walk circumspectly, that thou lose not such abundant grace, as this which is bestowed on thee. Go forth in this new strength which thou hast received, and perfect thy conquests over the world, the flesh, and the Devil; and resolve that nothing shall se­parate thee from the love of GOD in CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

            Well mayest thou stand to this resolution, if thou re­memberest that he is thy Father; for what is it that has tempted thee, and drawn thy heart at any time from him? Nothing but a little short pleasure. Nothing but a vain, and many times foolish breath of a mortal man; whose breath is in his nostrils. Nothing but that which the moth can corrupt, or the rust consume, or of which a thief may despoil us. Nothing but a fading beauty, which sickness or time will certainly bring to decay. What are all these to the pleasures of pleasing GOD? to the praise which comes from unerring and eternal wisdom? to the durable riches, honor, and beauty, which our heavenly Father will give us for our portion? Our hopes in him are infinitely better than any thing else. The love of such a Father is of more worth than the whole world. Value thyself highly, then, upon this account; and never call him Father more, but with the greatest contentment of heart. " Be careful for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let thy requests be made known unto GOD." Look often into thy heart, and ask if he be there, and say, a It is enough; GOD is my Father, in this will I rejoice. The peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep my heart and mind through CHRIST JESUS."­

            You may all this week meditate often upon the great faith and confidence which he reposed in his heavenly FATHER, and expressed when he died, saying, "FATHER, into thy hands I commend my spirit." He trusted himself with him, that he should have a blessed resurrection. " His flesh rested in hope, that GOD would not leave his soul in hell, neither suffer his Holy One to see corruption." Though he was then scorned, abused, made the vilest of men, and shamefully put to death; yet he took GOD's word for it, that he should rise, and reign, and be glorified eternally; triumphing over all his enemies, hell, and death itself. Do thou labor to imitate him in this holy faith, both for all the things of this life, and of that which is to come. Trust in GOD's careful Providence, and precious promises; and " commit thyself unto him in well-doing." Take care of that only; and leave all the rest, with an assured confidence, to Him. " Let thy conversation be without covetousness; be content with such things as thou hast; for he has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man can do unto me."

THE THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER.

            I RETURN to thee, O, most great and glorious GOD, all praise and thanks, for thine infinite and inconceivable mercies. It is but just that I should acknowledge thee with the heartiest affection, and the greatest cheerfulness of spirit, who hast made us, and redeemed us, and sent thy HOLY SPIRIT to sanctify us, and designed us for immortal glory. All the host of heaven is continually praising thee. The Thrones, the Dominions, the Principalities and Powers, the Apostles, the Prophets, the Martyrs, and all the blessed, "rest not day nor night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, which was, and is, and is to Come."

            Thou ever wast, and ever wilt be the fullness of wisdom, power, bounty, holiness, and truth: and therefore it is not only my duty, but my happiness, to unite my heart with all that glorious company; and to bless thee, O, Father of Mercies, who hast brought me forth out of nothing, and made me such an excellent creature; and sent thy SON to seek and to save me when I was lost; and purchased me to thyself by his blood; and washed me in the laver of regeneration, adopted me for thy child, instructed me in thy holy Gospel, guided me hitherto by thy faithful Ministers, admitted me to the communion of Saints, and fed me with the body and blood of my SAVIOR. Blessed be that goodness, which has sent the HOLY SPIRIT SO often, to visit me, to comfort, assist, and conduct me through the dangers of this world; though I have not always given that reverence, attention, and obedience to his heavenly motions, which I ought. Every day gives me new occasions to speak good of thy name: and now particularly I am bound to render thee my thanks for the sweet refreshments of that holy feast, of which I have been partaker; for the new resolutions thou hast wrought in my heart; for the fresh pledges of thy love; for the assurance thou hast given me that thou art my Father who wilt ever take care of me; for the joys I feel in thy fatherly love; for the comforts of brotherly kindness; for all the pleasure of thy house, the foretastes of heaven, and the hope of everlasting life. I will trust thee; and commit myself entirely to thee. I will always hope in thy inercy; and depend on thy power and faithfulness; and satisfy myself in thy kindness and fatherly Providence; and glory in this, that I " know and understand that thou art the LORD, which exerciseth loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth;" for in these things are thy delight. And therefore I wait on thee, from whom come to my help and my salvation, for the constant supply of thy HOLY SPIRIT, which I believe thou wilt give to those that ask it, to strengthen and enable me, to pay thee my vows continually. Maintain, good LORD, such a sensible remembrance in me of -thee and of thy love, that my heart may always be '4 inclined to thy testimonies, and not unto covetousness," and that I may serve and please thee in all purity, heavenly-mindedness, simplicity, charity, humility, contentedness of spirit, faith, hope, and joy in the HOLY GHOST.

THE SEVENTH MEDITATION BEFORE THE
 COMMUNION.

            How can I think that I love my. SAVIOR? They are often in my thoughts, whom I love. My mind is perpetually looking towards them. I delight in their company and conversation; and ever labor to recommend myself to, their affections, by conforming myself to their will and humor. How do I study to please them; and if they will tell me what will please them, O, how glad am I of the opportunity to serve them! Nay, I can cross myself and my own inclinations, to follow theirs; I desire that they should be honored and esteemed by all. I am much cast down if I have given them any disgust; and not a little troubled that others have offended them or done them any wrong. O, that I felt but this little sign of love to my Redeemer; and that my heart were wounded, now that I am going to behold his wounds for the just offence I have at any time given him, and the forgetfulness and ingratitude of most of those who are called by his name. He may well be displeased, if it be but for the defects of my love, and the coldness of my affection to him, who has deserved to be remembered with the greatest passion. For I have long professed to love him. I have received many testimo­nies of his special kindness to me, and given many assu­rances of mine to him. And yet how dim are those marks of love to him, which are plainly visible in me to others.?

            Am I ever casting mine eyes towards him? Doth he often present himself before my mind, and feelingly touch my heart? Am I never better pleased than when I am going to him? Is the question rather what will please him, than whether I shall do it? He has declared his will in his holy Gospel; am I glad to hear of it, and read of it, and very desirous to know it in all things? Can I forsake my own will cheerfully to follow his; and cloth it grieve me much that his excellent laws are not observed, and that all Christians do not love and honor him?

            O LORD, thou knowest our weakness, and how hard it is to keep our minds and hearts steadfastly fixed upon invisible things. And in great pity therefore hast thou or­dained holy mysteries, for a frequent remembrance of thee, and to represent thyself and thy love more sensibly to us. By this means I hope to grow to a perfect love; ever bearing thee in mind, and delighting to give thee thanks and praise, and conforming myself to thy blessed will, and desiring and studying that thy name may be hallowed and honored by me, and all men else throughout the world. This hope encourages me to go to thy table, though un­worthy. There I hope also my LORD will meet me, and speak kindly to me; he invites us thither to increase our faith and nourish our love, and to strengthen our hope, and excite our gratitude, and exercise all our graces; and therefore I will not refuse his kindness; even because I desire to love him.

            But first, my soul, cloth it not become us humbly to confess the foolish wanderings of our affections from him; to blush for shame that we fall so short of our own resolu­tions; and to excite ourselves to greater watchfulness and diligence in well-doing? Ought not the very remembrance of our former coldness to put a greater heat into us; and that of our former backwardness, to make us more forward and zealous? Should we not devote our hearts. again to him; and let him know, that we shall not think we live when we do not love him, and that we shall be willing to die that we may love him more? But how can we hope to grow still better by these new expressions of his love, to which he invites us, without his gracious assistance? Let us go then to him before-band, and desire him to raise those thoughts and affections in us, which we cannot produce in ourselves; that we may bring a heart full of love to him, and carry it away full of joy, to find itself more enlarged to love and serve him.