EARNEST COMMUNICANT. A Course of preparation for the BY THE RT. REV. ASHTON OXENDEN, D.D. BISHOP OF MONTREAL, AND METROPOLITAN OF CANADA. Two Hundred and Twenty-eighth Thousand. LONDON: HATCHARDS, PICCADILLY; HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO. 32 PATERNOSTER Row. Many books have been written to explain the nature of the Lord's Supper, and to exhort persons to partake of it. Such is not the object of this book. It is not intended for one who is seeking information respecting the Holy Communion; but it offers helps to one who is already an 'Earnest Communicant,' or desires to be so; and it is intended, under God, to assist him in rightly preparing himself from time to time for that holy Ordinance. LIBRARY 30 JUL 1923 OXFORD The Institution of the ST. MATTHEW, xxvi. 26-29. S they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.' (See also Mark, xiv. 22-25; Luke, xxii. 14-20; 1 Cor. x. 16, 17.) I COR. xi. 23-29. OR I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat this is my body, which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as oft as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.' Thus did our Lord appoint this heavenly Feast. He invites to it all His believing people. He calls them to it; yea, He bids them come. To each He says, 'Do this in remembrance of me.' God grant that we 'may come then, WITH A LOWLY AND CONTRITE HEART; WITH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST ; WITH LOVE TO THE BRETHREN ; WITH AN EARNEST DESIRE TO LEAD A NEW AND HOLY LIFE; WITH A THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THE And now, in order to help you towards a right receiving of this holy ordinance, I have drawn up for you a Course of Preparation. But remember that the mere formal use of this, or of any other Week's Preparation, will profit you nothing. You may punctually read |