1 John i. 3. Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

15. THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.

Ephes. iv. 4-6. There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism;

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Phil. ii. 1, 2. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies.

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

1 John i. 2, 3. The life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;

That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us.

Eph. ii. 19, 20. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God;

And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.

1 Cor. xii. 25-27. The members should have the same care one for another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

16.-MORTIFICATION OF SIN.

Gal. v. 24. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts.

Rom. vi. 5, 6, If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection, knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Gal. ii. 20. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.

Rom. vi. 10, 11. In that he died, he died unto sin once; but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom. viii. 13. If ye, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Col. iii. 3-5. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth.

17.-STRENGTH ACCORDING TO OUR NECESSITY.

Deut. xxxiii. 25. As thy days, so shall thy strength be. Phil. iv. 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Isaiah xliii. 1, 2. Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, and formed thee; I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

2 Tim. i. 12. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Heb. iv. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

18.-VICTORY OVER TEMPTATION.

1 John v. 4, 5. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 Cor. x. 13. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able to bear, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

James i. 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Heb. ii. 18. In that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Rom. xvi. 20. The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

1 Cor. xv. 57. Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matt. xii. 20, 21. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

19.-ETERNAL LIFE.

Rom. vi. 23. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John vi. 51. if any man eat

John xvii. 3.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven; of this bread, he shall live for ever.

This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.

John xvii. 24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me.

1 Thess. v. 10. Christ died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Rev. vii. 15-17. They are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them, they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the LAMB which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Rev. xxii. 3, 5. There shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the LAMB shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him. And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.

CHAPTER IX.

MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS AFTER RECEIVING.

SOME hints are given, (see chap. x. part ii.) to assist the reader in a practical improvement of this ordinance; the following meditations and prayers are added, to help him in his retired devotion.

WHEN THE ORDINANCE HAS BEEN REFRESHING.

1 Thess. v. 18. In

every thing give thanks.

Thanks, more than I can express, be unto God, my Father, for his inestimable mercy in Christ Jesus. O my soul, thou hast abundant cause to bless the Lord! See thyself once an apostate rebel, without God, without Christ, and having no hope. But now see thy God, not only allowing, but inviting, and himself inclining thee to return. See him not only pardoning, but accepting and justifying thee. He treats thee, too, not as a servant, but as a child. He feeds thee at the table, when thou dost not deserve with the dogs to pick up the crumbs that fall from it. Nay, see the Father of mercies running, as it were, to embrace thee, and to give tokens of reconci

liation and love; and filling thee with holy desires and heavenly affections.

And as if all this were a small matter, he has told thee of things yet to come, even for ever and ever. In these things he has given thee a pledge of eternal favour and love.

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And may I then hope that I am a member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven?" O thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift? Only add, O Lord, this additional benefit, more grace to love thee, and to serve thee, till I come to see thee as thou art, and know as I am known.

Yet I have also to consider myself still as on the dangerous ocean, with a stormy tempest hovering around me; and I pray that I may ever fix my hope, as well as my heart, on HIM who alone is mighty to save. I must view myself as still in the midst of the barren wilderness, having gained, however, for a moment, a glipse of my native home; and I ardently beseech my Guide and my Defender, that in the strength of this I may be enabled to go on my way rejoicing.

What then shall I render unto the Lord who has heard my prayers? I will pay my vows in the presence of all his people. O God of my salvation, I have given myself to thee. Help me now, I beseech thee, to devote, day by day, all my possessions, and influence, and time, and abilities, to the service of Him who has bought me with a price, and blessed me with a hope full of immortality. And seeing that Jesus is the spring of all my joys, may I ever count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.