The Nature and Design of the Sacrament of the

Lord's Supper misunderstood by many-Too severe a Preparation for the Performance of this Duty censured -Discouragements removed-Objections from Timidity and Misapprehension silenced-Proposed method of treating the Subject-Account of the InstitutionMeaning of the word Sacrament-Its several Names and Titles explained—Application of Mind with which it is directed to be performed-Its ends and Purposes -Benefits resulting from it-Duty and Obligation to receive it-Objections founded on some Expressions in the Communion Service considered-Preparation and Qualifications necessary-Frequency of ReceivingConcluding Exhortation to Obedience.

T must occasion a melancholy reflection in the mind of every devout christian, to behold this Sacred Ordinance, the SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPper, so often neglected by those, who profess a sincere belief in the religion of Christ; to see the Dying Command of our great and benevolent Master so frequently disobeyed; and to perceive the principal and most solemn Institution of his religion, and the seal of the covenant of grace in the blood of a Redeemer, so little regarded. By many, most assuredly, its true Nature and Design is not thoroughly known, or the Preparations necessary for Receiving it Worthily, sufficiently understood: and whilst some regard it as no essential part of a christian's duty, but a mere indifferent branch of it, which may be either observed or neglected as inclination prompts or convenience allows; others, by far the greater number I fear, deem it such an awful mystery, and such a solemn act of spiritual worship, as absurdly to suppose, that they are not good enough to participate in a Rite, which is expressly declared to be their bounden Duty and Service.

Thus the SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER, though extremely plain and intelligible in its primary Institution, has been as much misunderstood,

as the most intricate point of speculative faith; though simple and easy in its nature and design, it has been swelled into the most tedious and burthensome system; though conducive, in its first establishment, to the good of man, it has been made the subject of the most heavy misgivings and perplexities; though an act delightful in itself, and so naturally inviting, that it seemed to be the darling object of the first christians, and the business which they appeared most anxious to meet upon (for they never failed in their assemblies to repeat it every day,) it has yet been made, in these latter times, a matter of the greatest terror to the christian world.

The endeavors of well-disposed christians, as well as the extreme piety of good men, to give this Institution of our Lord all possible reverence and solemnity, have principally contributed to establish these rigorous ideas, and the necessity of that severe preparation, which has been so long and so strenuously insisted on: and, whenever this warmth and fervency do not exceed the obligations of duty, and overact their part, they must certainly be approved and applauded. "It is good to be zealously affected "always in a good thing." But it cannot be disputed, that this extreme of piety, however honorable in its intention, and however intitled to the mildest treatment from all, on account of the principle from

which it springs, has been the occasion of many extravagant errors. Indeed, the cumbrous load of duties, which has been heaped upon this single rite, the wonderful virtues and properties which have been ascribed to it, and the unnecessary scruples which are entertained concerning it, have inevitably and unfortunately betrayed the world into the most erroneous notions both of its use and of its design.

When we consider the nature and intent of this Holy Communion, as instituted by our Lord himself and as it is delivered down to us in the writings of his Apostles, and then peruse the instructions which are generally given for its due observance, and the extremely rigorous terms that are imposed upon all, who intend to partake of it, we are struck with surprise, that an Institution, which was certainly intended by Him who ordained it, as a most welcome, easy, and inviting act of duty, and for the express purpose of bringing all to a ready and frequent compliance with it, should be held out to christians in an aspect so unfavorable, so forbidding, and therefore so contrary to its original design; we are affected with concern at the difficulties, which are thrown in the way of those, who would otherwise wish to embrace many opportunities of paying their acknowledgements to, and of testifying their Remembrance of, their Lord and Master, in this his Insti

tution. We behold every day the evil consequences, which these difficulties occasion in deterring the far greater part of the christian world from ever approaching that Table, and in filling the remainder with the fears and apprehensions of having come to it unworthily, and thereby rendered themselves obnoxious to the Divine displeasure. We must surely feel for our fellow-christians under either of these circumstances; on the one hand, we tremble for the fate of those, who have totally neglected this necessary, this indispensable duty, and have proceeded through life, without having once paid Him this small, but important tribute of acknowledgement and praise; the only sensible expression of, a thankful heart. On the other hand, we lament and commiserate the unhappiness of that bosom, which, when it has, in obedience to the express command of its Lord and Master, opened itself before Him, acknowledged its innumerable obligations to, and its dependance upon Him, and in a word, professed its sincere Remembrance of Him, as its Savior and its Judge, is, after this, tortured and oppressed with the apprehension of having rashly and unworthily approached his Table, because it did not appear a perfect Magdalen before Him, or bring a heart as clear from sin, as penitence could make it. We must surely doubt, we must surely discredit any