tion; to all which, when we further subjoin that the Christian Church has in every age fulfilled this their Lord's command, and has thus given all the encouragement of prescription and example to the conscientious performance of the duty, it will appear, I think, beyond all dispute, that it is indispensably binding on every Christian.

But the obligation to this duty is not less apparent if we take into view,

Every

2. The benefit of our own souls. motive to be derived from the value of the soul of man, and the importance of spiritual religion for his present and future happiness, is united in the case of this blessed Sacrament. The due and humble participation of it brings with it unspeakable blessings; the omission of it, where it is wilful, is inconsistent with a state of grace and acceptance with God. All the obligation, then, that can rest on an accountable being to consult his highest interests, and on a sinner under a dispensation of grace to avail himself of the offers of divine mercy, enforces the necessity of partaking of that sacrament which is the seal and bond of all the blessings of salvation, and is the means of conveying to us strength and support here, and preserving us to everlasting life hereafter.

CONCLUSION.

SINCERELY therefore would I hope that all into whose hands this Address may fall, will be convinced of the obligation under which they lie to partake in a suitable manner of the Lord's Supper.

It remains only, that, to promote this end still further, I enforce, in conclusion, the obligation I have explained,

I. On those who may be living in sin and negligence of religion, for the purpose of exhorting them to repent and turn to God. Let such remember, that whilst they are unfit for the Holy Communion, as at present they undoubtedly are, they are equally unfit to die and appear before God in judgment. Let them call to mind that the same state of heart which would lead them to living faith in the Son of God, would prepare them for celebrating the memorials of his death. Their continuance then in habits of sin brings on them, not only the immediate guilt of the acts of provocation which they commit against God, but also that mediate and remote criminality which is connected with their renouncing virtually their holy profession, disallowing the dedication made of them to God in baptism,

and remaining unfit to celebrate those mysteries of religion which are absolutely essential to the name of a sincere Christian. Every one, in fact, who was in infancy admitted to the Sacrament of Baptism, and there devoted to the love and service of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and who, being now arrived at years of discretion, lives in a course of life which incapacitates him for participating aright in the Communion of Jesus Christ, does virtually trample under foot the Son of God, counts the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and does despite to the Spirit of grace. The fearful state of such a person I need not describe. When he leaves the temple of God, where the mysteries of Christ are about to be celebrated, he turns away from Him that speaketh from heaven; he declares that he has no part nor lot in the matter, he judges himself unworthy of eternal life. Let me affectionately call on such to consider their ways, to hear the voice of mercy, to yield themselves unto God, and to submit to the sceptre of Christ. Then will the Church welcome them to this Holy Supper;

then will the Saviour feed them with his precious body and blood; then shall they know the blessedness and peace which spring from pardon and acceptance with God, and the strength and consolation which are derived

from that Sacrament which is the means of building them up to eternal life.

II. Allow me next to press the obligation of receiving the Holy Eucharist on those who are hesitating as to the course they should pursue. You have been devoted to God in the Sacrament of Baptism; you have been blessed perhaps with much religious instruction; you have some good impressions on your minds towards God; your lives and conduct are amiable and respectable: but yet you delay the time of publicly devoting yourselves to Christ at his holy institution; you halt between two opinions. O, let me beseech you to choose this day whom you will serve. Let me urge on your consciences the duty of deciding for God. Let me remind you, that the nearer you seem to heaven, if at last you should fall short of it, the more lamentable will be the event. Let me tell you, that he that is not with Christ is against him; and he that gathereth not with him, scattereth abroad. O, remember now your Creator in the days of your youth; enter seriously on the consideration of the Lord's Supper; implore fervently the grace you require for partaking of it in a suitable state of mind; seal your covenant with God; confess your Saviour publicly before men; join yourselves fully to his mystical body; and doubt not of receiving your Saviour's grace at his Table to

enable you to fulfil your vows. Thus shall you look back in future life on the season when you first approached the Holy Communion, as a time ever to be recorded with devout thankfulness to the God of your salvation.

Lastly, Let me urge the obligation of receiving the Lord's Supper on those who are in the habit of performing this duty, with the view of exhorting them to a more regular and conscientious discharge of it. Too many are defective in these respects. Let me invite such to entertain an increasing esteem of this institution, and never to rest satisfied without receiving some distinct and practical and abiding advantage from it. Let no opportunity of joining in this celebration be willingly omitted. Rather look forward with anticipation and joy to the seasons as they approach. Cultivate that high value and love for it which will always bear some proportion to your love to the Saviour who instituted the Sacrament, and who never ceases to bless it. Be diligent in seeking the presence and grace of God in your preparation for it, as well as in the discharge of the duties to which from time to time it binds you. And may God grant that the writer of these lines and the readers of them, may ever continue united to the mystical body of Christ, may be nourished in the union of that body by the most precious food provided at the Supper of the Lord our