to do it in remembrance of him, Luke xxii. 19. And St. Paul tells us, that as often as we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we do shew forth the Lord's Death till he come, 1 Cor. xi. 26. As for those men, who profess themselves Christians, and hope for salvation by Jesus Christ, not to pay obedience to this his command, is an affront to his sacred Majesty, and he may justly upbraid us Christians, as he did once the Jews, Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke vi. 46. How unworthy are we of that salvation which he hath wrought for us, if we deny him so small a favour, such a reasonable request as to commemorate his death and passion once a month, or at least thrice a year," who did humble himselfeven to the death of the cross, for us miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and in the shadow of death, that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life!" In this Sacrament of the Lord's Sup. per we have the pardon of all our sins, the assistance of God's holy Spirit, and the hopes of eternal life, freely offered unto us; and, therefore, had we no love,

no regard to the dying words of our crucified Saviour, yet surely, the consideration of our own present and future advantage might prevail with us to be more frequent than we usually are at the Lord's table.

Hitherto a Communicant hath been directed to set his heart right towards God; but this is not all, he must proceed further, and enquire how it stands towards his neighbour, since we are expressly forbidden, Matt. v. 23, 24, to offer up any gift of oblation unto God, if our hearts are leavened with malice, hatred, or revenge. If thou bring thy gift unto the altar and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Here you see that Christ prefers mercy before sacrifice; and it is generally agreed by the ancient fathers, that these words of our Saviour directly point at this Sacrament, on purpose to oblige all Communicants to forgive all manner of injuries" before they presume to eat of that Bread, or to drink of that Cup." And it is expressly said, Matt.

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vi. 14, 15, that our prayers are not accepted, nor our pardon sealed in heaven, until such time as we forgive men their trespasses; and certainly, we can never be welcome or worthy guests at this heavenly feast, where Jesus the Sa. viour of Penitents and the Prince of Peace is spiritually present, unless our repentance reconcile us to God, and our charity to all mankind.

And this charity of the heart, in forgiving injuries, must likewise show itselfin relieving the wants and necessities of the poor. We read that when this Sacrament was administered in the days of the apostles, farge collections of monies were gathered for the maintenance of the poor,1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2. And Theodoret observes, that Theodosius the emperor, when his time came to offer, arose, and presented his oblations with his own hands. It was not determined how much every man should give, but all men were exhorted and enjoined to offer something, according to their ability; which if any neglected, the fathers censured them as unworthy Communicants. And to be sure, nothing within our power can so effectually recommend our devo

tions as this offering of Charity. While Cornelius was fasting and praying, we read that an Angel from Heaven was dispatched to him with this happy message: Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God, Acts x. 4. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again, Prov. xix. 17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life, 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19. Do ye not know, that they who minister about holy things, live of the sacrifice; and they who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord also ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live of the gospel, 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your worldly things? Ver. 11. But we may complain with Basil, that we know some who will "fast and pray, sigh and groan, yea, and do all acts of religion which cost them nothing, but

will not give one farthing to the Poor: What benefit is there, saith he, of all the rest of their Devotion?" Basil, Homil. in Matt. xix.

When the Communicant has thus far advanced towards the altar, in his Examination, Repentance, &c. he must not forget another excellent preparative belonging to this duty of communicating worthily,which, although it be not mentioned in our Church Catechism, is yet implied as a necessary part of our Sacramental Preparation; that is, Prayer private and public; a duty upon which all our present and future blessings depend. Matt, vii. 7, 8, and 21, 22. Indeed so near a relation has the duty of Prayer with this Sacrament, that all the blessings therein promised are only in return to our prayer; and no doubt but that man, who makes a conscientious practice of this duty in his closet, and at church, can never be unprepared for this Sacrament,nor want a title to God's peculiar blessing: For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers, 1 Pet. iii. 12. The constant exercise of Prayer is the best method to get the mastery over all our