dependance on the Sacrament, that of having too slight thoughts of its utility. Milner observes, "Welldisposed persons who often gain both spiritual comfort and strength through sermons, gain nothing from the Sacrament. Why is this? They are in too 'lazy a posture of soul; they do not reverently esteem, as they should, this precious means of grace, as the channel in which the comforts of salvation may be expected richly to flow. Our Reformers speak differently of the importance of this Institution. From the expression, 'Dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us, and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son,' it is evident that the blessing of assurance was, in their idea, connected with the right reception of this ordinance." Yet many who obtain not the full assurance of hope, seeking the Lord in earnest, still gain some increase of faith, hope, and love. The consecration here made of ourselves to be" a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice to God," comes with great propriety after the memorial of such mercies. It is according to that exhortation of St. Paul-I beseech you, therefore, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice. The love of God in Christ Jesus, when brought home to the heart by the Holy Spirit, never fails of its efficacy in influencing a man to give himself unreservedly to God. The concluding hymn of praise is the following sublime thanksgiving. Then shall be said or sung. GLORY be to God on high, nd on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesu Christ. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, For thou only art holy, thou This hymn seems to unite the seraphic praise of the glorified hosts above, with the deep abasement of the contrite heart on earth. We here copy the example of our Saviour, who sung an hymn after the institution of the Lord's Supper. O had we a due sense of our privileges as sons of God, and our prospects as heirs of his glory, with what rapturous emotions, joined to what deep humility, should we sing this song! The Minister closes the whole with this BLESSING: THE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God Almighty the This blessing seems to include the main benefits of both Dispensations; that of Moses, (Numb. vi. 24-26,) and that of the Lamb, (John xiv. 27; Phil. iv. 7.) It is a parting prayer that the benefits which we have just received and commemorated, may abide in our hearts for ever. Inquire then, Christian communicant, whether your feelings in some degree correspond with the holy sentiments of this service. Such an inquiry will be both humbling and profitable. "We would be far from denying the acceptableness of many a real 1 communicant who may not come up to that full fervour of soul which is evidently the spirit of the institution," but by aiming at the highest degree of communion with our unseen but ever-present Lord and Saviour, we are best promoting our own edification and happiness. May divine grace so prevent and assist us, that we may never frequent this ordinance, dead to every spiritual sensation, go through the whole in a formal lifeless manner, and depart as cold and worldly as ever! And what shall we say to those who frequently, or altogether, deprive themselves of the benefits of this institution? They are like those who would prefer dwelling in a miserable and decaying hovel, when they might reside in a king's palace. They are like those who had rather feed on husks with swine, than banquet at the table of a loving and bountiful father. Christians! neglect not the opportunities afforded you of receiving the pledges of a father's love. Can you too often remember the grace of a dying Saviour? Can you, more frequently than you desire, receive the assurance that God is reconciled to you: that his Spirit dwells in you, that you are his children, and that heaven is your home? These are the blessings you enjoy, when devoutly partaking of the Lord's Supper. CHAPTER VI. ON THE REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST AT THE LORD'S TABLE. WE have already considered, in the former part, the nature of that remembrance which is our duty at the table of the Lord, with a more immediate reference to his death; but this remembrance is so primary a part of our due receiving of the Lord's Supper, that it may be advantageous here to consider it again, devotionally and practically, in other views. at his table? How can we best remember our Divine Redeemer Gracious is the promise which he has made; the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to soever I have said unto you. forter assist us to remember Jesus in his person and offices, for our souls' comfort. your remembrance, whatMay that blessed Com Remember him first as IMMANUEL, God with us. This wonderful name includes his divine glory as God; his omnipotent power over all his enemies, and that powerfully engaged in behalf of his people and on their side. With us, implies what is elsewhere asserted, that he was in all things made like unto his brethren, Heb. ii. 17. He was God in our nature, conceived and born of a virgin, and lived and dwelt among us, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh. He dwells also by faith in the hearts of all his people: Christ in us the hope of glory. O may I know the joy of having God with me, and of being in peace and union with the great God, the Lord of all, in Christ; God, in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, and I, through him, reconciled to God. May my mind be one with his, and may I enter into the sweetness of entire resignation of my own will to that of my Heavenly Father. May the rich hope of having God with me for ever, fill me with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Remember him as JESUS, the Saviour, God our Saviour. It is the name above every name, at which every knee shall bow. The name is the same as the Hebrew Joshua, whose name originally was Hoshea, but it was changed into Joshua, on his being exalted to be the captain of the Lord's host, and thus the striking type of our Lord Christ. Hoshea signifies Saviour; Joshua, Jehovah, the Saviour; hence the name of Joshua, or Jesus, perfectly corresponds to Immanuel, and fulfils the prophecy, They shall call his name Immanuel. Jehovah, coming in our nature to effect our salvation. He himself (avros) shall save his people from their sins, Matt. i. 21. Sin is our great enemy, the cause of our misery, and of all God's wrath against us. From sin no created being can deliver the sinner. But help is laid on one that is mighty, and mighty to save. He bore the curse for us, and redeemed us from the curse of the law: he ful filled the law as our head and representative, and he |