lively faith, receive that holy sacrament, so is the danger great, to those who receive the same unworthily." How important, then, is it, that I should "examine myself, before I presume to eat of that bread, and drink of that cup?" O! thou Searcher of hearts, enable me to do it sincerely, as in thy presence; and thoroughly, by the aid of thy Spirit; that so I may be preserved from all self-delusion, and, as an accepted worshipper, approach thy altar!

But how dare I to hope for acceptance with Him who "is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity?" My heart is polluted by earthly affections, and carnal lusts: my life has been stained with many actual transgressions. O Lord! behold, I am vile: what shall I answer thee? "Enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified!" I cannot approach thee in my own righteousness, for "I am not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table." But thanks be to thy name! thou art the God of grace, whose property is always to have mercy. Thou hast provided a better righteousness, even that of thine only begotten Son; by which, sinner as I am, I may be brought nigh to thee with acceptance, if I truly repent and unfeignedly believe the holy gospel.

Can I, then, offer to God "a broken and a contrite heart," the only sacrifice of a sinner which he will not despise? Do I mourn with godly sorrow at the remembrance of my sins? Do I hate sin, not only

as destructive of my hopes, but on account of its inexpressible vileness, as an offence against a Being of infinite purity and benevolence? And am I bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance?-yielding myself unto God, as one that is alive from the dead? And am I steadfastly purposed to lead a new and holy life?

Do I lie, in all the lowliness of contrition and selfcondemnation, at the foot of the cross, lifting the eye of faith to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world? Have I "a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ?" Does my helpless soul hang on Jesus? Do I embrace him, by faith, "as made of God unto me wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption-all my salvation, and all my desire?" Yes! I can truly say, I have no hope but in him. "Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!" O! how free, how full, how precious, the redemption which is in Christ Jesus!

Have I a "thankful remembrance of his death?" Am I daily saying: "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise his holy name?" Yes! blessed be God! when I meditate upon the dying love of Jesus, my heart overflows with joy. I would call upon the whole rational creation to unite with me in proclaiming the riches of his mercy, and can say, in the fervour of a grateful soul, "eternity will be too short to utter all his praise!"

What can I render unto the Lord for all his benefits? Shall I rest contented with the poor acknow

ledgments of the lips? No! I am steadfastly purposed to keep his commandments. "And this is his commandment, that we should love one another, as he hath loved us." Do I, then, possess "charity towards all mankind?" Do I love the children of God, simply because they are his children? Do I choose, for my companions and friends, those who are the friends of Jesus-who fear God, and walk in his ways? And have I a heart to feel for the temporal and spiritual sufferings of all who are partakers of human nature? Do I show my charity by labouring, according to my ability, to supply the wants of the poor, and set forward the salvation of men? O! how sweet is it to imitate my God and Saviour by the exercise of benevolence! Strive, O my soul, to live more habitually under the influence of the Spirit, and abound, more and more, in the fruits of heaven-born love. Approach the table of thy Redeemer, earnestly desiring an increase of this precious grace, and offering up thy prayer for it, in the appropriate words which the Church has provided for her children: "O LORD, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth, send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into my heart that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace, and of all virtues; without which, whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee: grant this for thine only son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen."

CHAPTER IV.

THE DUTIES OF COMMUNICANTS; OR, THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN PROFESSION.

SECTION I.

What is implied in a profession of Christianity.

IN the discussion of the important subject suggested at the head of this chapter, it is deemed unnecessary, after what has been said in the preceding one about the qualifications required in communicants, to enter into a very extended and particular consideration of the graces which should enrich the heart, and the works which should adorn the life, of every disciple of Christ. But it is the conviction of the author, that the great ends of this treatise would not be properly secured, if it should be brought to a close without presenting to the consideration of its readers, a few plain and solemn reflections upon the obligations of the Christian profession, and the great danger and guilt of neglecting to fulfil them.

What is implied in a profession of Christianity? It certainly implies, that they who make it are Christians indeed. They who take the vows of the covenant in Baptism; and they who renew those vows in Confirmation, or come forward to the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper, profess that they believe all the

articles of the Christian faith, and are seriously determined, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to "adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour, in all things." They profess to have been convinced of their sinful state by nature and practice; truly to repent of their sins; to exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to be so persuaded of the transient and worthless nature of all worldly things, that they have firmly resolved, to consider themselves as strangers and pilgrims upon earth, and set their affections on those things which are above, where Jesus sitteth at the right hand of God. They solemnly promise, in the presence of God, angels and men, to "renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, and the sinful lusts of the flesh." They openly avow Jesus Christ to be their Lord and and master: and in a word, profess to yield themselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, sincerely desiring to glorify him, in their bodies and spirits, which are his.

All this is implied in the Christian profession. There is no reservation in it. The Christian professes to give himself up to God, his body and soul, with all their powers and faculties; his time, and talents, and influence, and wealth; all that he is, and all that he has; to be employed in his service, and consecrated to his glory.

The sacramental vow, thus sacred and comprehensive in its obligations, is offered at the altar of God.