Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

nature and end of this facred inftitution, what is meant by this holy action; to what purpose it was ordained, what benefits and advantages may be expected from it. Thisneceffary Knowledge once attained, and which may be compassed without great difficulty, will be a ftand. ing qualification in all our future communions, and create fuch godly difpofitions of mind that I may no longer be afraid to ap. proach the Lord's table. And to this end,

2, Let us call to mind our baptismal vow, wherein we have promised to lead a godly and chriftian life, which can never be fulfilled fo long as we live in a conftant neglect of this bo by facrament; nor is it poffible to be a meet partaker of that holy myftery, except there be a due preparation, by confeffing our fins with an humble, penitent, and obedient heart, and a readiness to forgive thofe that have offended us, and asking with faith: without these, O my foul, I dare not go to that holy table, and my prayers and praifes will find no acceptance at the throne of grace. But if I endeavour to live as becomes a chriftian; if I really believe the christian religion, and fincerely govern my life by the doctrines and precepts of the gofpel, there is nothing fhould deter me from parC 5 .taking

it

taking of this holy ordinance; nay, I am bound to receive it at any time when there is an opportunity. vd Moot siden dards no better two wond ton drob ad 3. Thus, tho' it be my duty to communicate at the Lord's table, it is very advifeable that my lamp should be trimmed, that Ifhould examine the ftate of my mind, renew my repentance, exercife my charity, enlarge my devotions, and fpiritualize my affections; I am therefore refolved to retire from all unneceffary bufinefs and pleafures; that by prayer and alms-deeds,thou, my foul, mayeft be raifed to relifh fpiritual enjoyinents; and that I may no longer be deprived of that glorious expectation of the faints, whither I can never expect to be exalted, if I live in the conftant habitual practice of any known fin without repentance; for fuch an impious approach to the bely table is a mocking of God, and a great contempt of his authority, od rad 4. Say then, I will wash my hands in innocen→

cy, will I compass thine altar, O Lord. Pfalm xxvi. 6. For I believe that according to a man's preparation, fo will be his profit. Impenitence makes our prayers an abomination to the Lord; for to profefs one's felf forry for one's fins, and refolved to forfake them, when there

there is no fenfe of the one, nor firm refolution to do the other, is the greateft affront imagi nable to our Maker, by fuppofing either that he doth not know our hearts, or that he will be pleased, cafed, when we draw near to him with our lips, though our hearts are far from him: but yet this is our encouragement, that if the Lord fees a man fet himfelf ferioully to a preparation, he will bear with many failings, and fo heal his people that they may keep the feast with gladness;' a feast wherein thou, OFather, haft commanded us to commemorate that great eft inftance of thy love to us, our redemption by the death of Jefus Chrift, thy Son, our Lord.

Here oblerve the directions given on page 8, and more particularly endeavour to improve your oul by reading a lesson out of the, 2E WHOLE DUTY OF MAN, Sunday 6..

The prayer on Tuesday evening, for a worthy receiving of the most holy facrament.

What reward fhall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits. that he hath done unto me? I will receive the cup of falvation, and call upón the name of the Lord. Pfalm cxvi. 11, 12.

B

Leffed be thou, Omy Lord, for ever blef fed, for this inftance of thy love to fallen mankind, in sending thine only begotten fon for our redemption, who are not worthy of the great and many mercies which thou haft fhewed unto us-Grant, O Lord, that this

[ocr errors][merged small]

thy inexpreffible love may not be loft supon med but, that, being fenfible of my fadrondition by nature, and my worse condition by any own willful fins, I may be thoroughly con vinced of the neceflity and bleffing of a redeemer, and that I may with an heart full of gratitude, join with thy faithful churchin giving our devoutest thanks to theey and in keeping up the remembrarice of what thy bleiled fon has done and fuffered for usa we PICGranty O my God, that I may always re reive that pledge of thy love, and the offers of pardon and grace, tendered to me in this holy ordinance, with a truly thankful heart, and in remembrance of thee, my great and beft benefactor; in remembrance of my Saviour's holy example. Of his bitter death and paffion. Of his glorious refurrection and afcenfion into heaven, and of his coming again to judge the world. m. lowb a 10m 1979 180 1

Give me, O my God, aftedfaft faith in thy word and promifes, and a firm truft in thy afmighty power and let the fear of thy justice and omniscience keep me from prefumptu. ous fins, and a fenfe of thy goodness and mercy preserve me from defpair. Defend me from all thofe fnares, which deftroy my love for thee; from worldly cares; from all fen

fuat

fual and finfulpleasures; from evil company; from foolish diverfions; and from every thing that may make me forget, that thou alone art worthy to be feared and loved: grant me thefe mercies for thy for Jefus Chrift his fake, whofe love and death I am now about commemarating. For, var diw njoj obutitarg to ni Omy God, Ifhall on Sunday next] prefume to come to thy holy table, not trufting in my own righteoufnels, but in thy manifold and great mercies. I am fenfible that I am not worthy fo much as to gather up the crumbswhich fall from thy table. But thou art the fame Lord, whole property is always to have mer cy, grant me, therefore; gracious Lord, foto eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jefus Christ, and to drink his blood, that my finful body may be made clean by his body, and my foul wafhed through his most precious blood, and that I may evermore dwell in him, and he in me.

Thefe, and whatever other mercies thou feeft neceffary for me, I intreat thou wilt grant for the fake of the fame thy dearly be loved Son, Jefus Chrift, my Lord and Saviourton Amen.ydi lo sinst a box un pra 5 ́ ́ See the concluding prayer and bleffing on page 36 and 37.

-nalismoji eesisɔ vizshow gwoul amb e

[ocr errors]

The

« AnteriorContinuar »