man, to the amazing fortitude of his death, must not the highest admiration rife? If we view our fins as the caufes of his fufferings, what can we feel but humility, compunction and penitence? If we turn our obfervation to the severity of his pains, the anguish of his foul, and the torments of his body, must not sympathy melt the heart and fill the eye? If we furvey all the bleflings of his purchase, muft not gratitude to fo generous a benefactor, and fo divine a friend, exert its influence? But these, my brethren, are all fubjects immediately connected with the death of Chrift, which we commemorate in the facrament of his fupper. To render our obfervance of this inftitution acceptable, it is neceffary indeed, that every one of thefe confiderations fhould actually occur to the mind. But when an ordinance has a tendency to operate upon fo many of the most virtuous principles of our nature, does not this fhew, that it ought to be regarded with the greatest reverence and veneration?

3dly, The folemnity of this ordinance, and the reverence due to it, will further appear, if we confider that the obfervance of it implies the exertion of many affections,

which

which are all in their own nature of high importance and excellence. If each of these be facred, furely that which implies them all must be particularly fo..

Now, though the principal end of this inftitution be extremely fimple, namely, a commemoration of the death of Christ, yet it involves feveral other views. This may be collected from what was faid on the laft head. If a fenfe of the primary intention of this ordinance has a tendency to excite fo various feelings as have been pointed out, it is impoffible but these must produce their natural and ordinary effects. Let the communicant's view be turned to the fufferings of Christ, and to the confideration of fin as the cause of them; furely this is extremely natural. But can these be the objects of attention, to a fincere and honeft mind, without introducing a refolution against sin, or a prayer for its forgiveness? Holy resolutions then, and fervent prayer, have both their fhare in the devout obfervance of this inftitution. Yea, the latter, from the practice of all ages, and the example of our Saviour, is effentially neceffary before the ordinance can be celebrated.

I know it may be difputed, whether the examination of our conduct, and refolutions against all fin, be abfolutely requifite for a proper participation in this facrament. I doubt not, but circumftances might be fuppofed, in which a good man would think himself obliged to commemorate the death of his Redeemer, without having time for a previous examination of his conduct, or in which, during the time of his participation, his mind might be fo totally occupied with love or gratitude, that he might form no direct resolutions against fin. But this is nothing to those who would be most anxious to have it determined, that fuch exercises are not neceffary. But put the cafe, that at the time of participation, a man's confcience condemns him for his fins, and impels him to resolve against them, which yet the corruption of his heart, and his attachment to vice, engage him to neglect. In this fituation, could he approve of his conduct? Would not his heart condemn him; and if his heart condemn him, will God juftify him? At the tribunal of divine juftice, would one choose to truft to the refinements of an acute un

derstanding, or to the fimplicity of an upright

heart?

heart? Thus refolutions against fin may often become an indifpenfable part of our duty, during the participation of the Lord's fupper.

In like manner, if the inimitable love of Jesus Christ, and the inestimable bleffings of his purchase, are the objects of our reflection, while we are employed in this duty; does not the gratitude which thefe excite, naturally engage us to vow perpetual attachment to him, and steadfastness in his fervice? If the outward meannefs, the poverty, and low condition of Jefus Chrift, induce us to reflect upon the infignificancy and fmall importance of the things of this world; and if at the time confcience bring to our remembrance, an instance in which they have had influence enough to make us forfake the road of integrity, and abandon ourselves to fin; does not this lay us under an obligation to enter into a refolution of repentance, and to begin immediately to carry it into execution?

Thus prayer, pious and virtuous refolutions, vows of attachment, obedience and repentance, if not effentially neceffary to the participation of the Lord's fupper, yet may become indifpenfable parts of our duty durDd 2

ing

ing this action.

What, therefore, implies fuch ferious and folemn duties, must be an object of the greatest reverence.

4thly, My brethren, this inftitution, which is defigned to commemorate the death of Christ, is also intended to carry our thoughts forward to his fecond coming. The New Teftament connects it with this event; it is particularly connected with it in the words of my text; For as oft as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do fhew forth the Lord's death till he come. If there is any event in nature that can excite the awe, reverence, and respect of reasonable and accountable creatures, it is furely the future judgment. But this judgment is only to take place at the fecond appearance of Jefus. For God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that Man whom he bath ordained; even the Lord Jefus Chrift, the righteous. The apparatus, the procedure, the dignity of the Judge, the particu lar part we shall all have in this grand tranfaction, render it particularly interesting and important. If the foul of man can be occupied

Acts xvii. 31.