ing spectators, that we are not ashamed to confefs the despised JESUS before a crooked and perverse generation. We proclaim to the carnal world, that we have renounced their master, their idols, their hope; and have "avouched the Lord to be our God." We cry with the apostle, "God forbid that we should glory, 66 save in the crofs of our LORD JESUS CHRIST." This, indeed, is the only ordinance in which as believers, we make a public, social, and separate confefsion of his name. In other services of the sanctuary, we are mingled with the crowd: our profefsion, though public and social, is not separate, and does not distinguish us from others. In the worship of a godly family at home, it is, indeed, social and separate, but not public. In holy baptism, it is separate and public, but not social, or at most very imperfectly so. It is only in the supper of the Lord, that these three characters of the church's practical confefsion completely unite. humble commemoration of his death is a better testimony to his grace, and sinks a deeper conviction into the breasts of the profane, than years of empty profefsion or angry contro versy. One 2. The supper is an affecting representation of the communion which believers have with CHRIST JESUS. They appear at the sacramental table, as members of a family of whom CHRIST is the head; the federal head by legal, and the spiritual head by vital union. This double relation establishes between them and their Lord, a common interest, which is recognized and sealed in the holy supper. On the one hand, they, in worthily receiving the symbols of his body and blood, receive him by faith as a crucified Saviour; vow adherence to his cause, and claim the right of communicants in the benefits of his covenant. On the other hand, he accepts the vow, and admits the claim; divinely sanctioning their title to all the blessings which he hath to confer. The peace of God, which passeth understanding; access to him as a reconciled father; grace to help in every time of need; in a word, life, light, strength, consolation, victory: his presence, his spirit, his fulness, his kingdom, his glory-all these he owns to be their portion; all these he promises to give them. So that the sacramental seal of their being "planted together in the likeness of death," bespeaks, at the same time, the preparation and earnest of their being "planted also in the likeness of his resurrection." 3. The supper exhibits the union and communion of believers with each other, in CHRIST. They are citizens of the New Jerusalem, en joying equal privileges under a common charter-children of the same family sitting down to a feast provided by paternal love. They do "all eat the same spiritual meat; and do all drink the same spiritual drink." If there is ought in religion to make them feel that " they being many are one body;" that they are the purchase of the same blood, and monuments of the same grace; that they are combating in a common warfare; are partakers of a common salvation, and heirs of a common inheritance: that they have one faith; one calling; one hope; it is the communion of the body and blood of the Lord. Thrice blefsed ordinance! which clothes spiritual principle with visible form; and repeats to the senses, what the scripture hath solemnly addrefsed to the heart, that in the nations of the saved "there is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor female; for they are all one in Christ Jesus*." 4. The death of Christ commemorated in the supper, is the point in which the leading doctrines of redemption concentrate their rays, and where they shine with united lustre. Draw nigh, O Christian, and by faith contemplate in the crofs of Jesus, the infinite evil *Gal. iii, 28. of sin. Nothing lefs than a sacrifice of infinite value, can procure its pardon. To expiate its guilt, God manifested in the flesh, becomes a curse; to wash away its stain, his precious blood is poured out. See in the agonies of him who is JEHOVAH'S fellow; see in the sword of vengeance that cleaves his heart, the accursed sinfulness of the sin which thou hast committed; and which, without his interposition, would have sunk thee for ever into the lowest hell! Draw nigh, and contemplate the rigours of JEHOVAH'S justice in the punishment of sin. He hath sworn in his holiness, and by many infallible signs he hath demonstrated, that it shall not escape. The waters of his flood have swept from the earth a whole generation of rebels. Fire from heaven consumed the sinners of Sodom. Sword, and famine, and pestilence, have repeatedly avenged his quarrel. Nay, “the damnation of hell" is prepared for apostate angels, and the impenitent among men. But neither the flood of waters, nor the flood of fire; nor famine, nor pestilence, nor sword; nor that everlasting destruction from his presence; no, not even hell, with all its terrors; not any of these; not all of them combined, ascertain so dreadfully JEHOVAH's determination to punish sin, as his "not sparing his own Son." Oh how should we have supported the weight of that wrath which bowed down to the earth, and laid low in death, the WORD incarnate! Draw nigh, and contemplate the riches of the Father's grace in our salvation. his Apostates from his favour, and rebels against government, we were objects of his just and sore displeasure. Without the least impeachment of his righteousnefs, he might have sworn in his wrath, that we should never enter into his rest. But in the multitude of his mercies he provides for us, even for us, a ransom that delivers from going down into the pit. God so loved-how mighty the emphasis! so loved the world that he GAVE, not an angel, nor a host of angels,--but his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life*. Draw nigh, and contemplate the love af Christ-a love without parallel, and beyond comprehension. Though he was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, yet he made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men†. Source of eternal wonder! Lo "the Creator of the ends of the earth" descends into a tabernacle |