bly be offered at this altar, but in the spirit of reconciliation. In short, that excellent saying of our Lord should be our general direction in this case, "whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, "do ye even so unto them; for this is the Law and the "Prophets." These then being the dispositions requisite for receiving the holy Sacrament, as indeed they are for obtaining eternal happiness; it is our bounden duty and service to examine ourselves whether we possess them, in order that we may be meet partakers of those holy mysteries. Lastly. With regard to the FREQUENCY of performing this duty, I shall not presume to determine. The Scriptures have laid down no particular rules: they are silent on the subject. The Church of England, however, in her Rubric, has enjoined that " every parishioner shall communicate, at the "least, three times in the year:" but to those who consult her farther, she will appear to be far from satisfied with this; nor can it be inferred from the above Rubric that she does not enjoin and expect us to receive it oftener. It is necessary, in a national church, that every christian should occasionally give some public proof of his continuance in the christian profession; and no proof can so properly be given as that of communicating in the Lord's But Supper, which is a duty peculiar to christians, and by which they are distinguished from the professors of every other religion. With this view, therefore, our Church established the above order, as a mark to know her members; not excusing them from communicating oftener, but compelling them to communicate so often at least, that she may be satisfied that they have not deserted her communion. it is certain, that we cannot too often commemorate our great Lawgiver and Mediator, or think on the obligations we are under to observe his laws. We cannot too frequently reflect on his sufferings and death, whether as a token of God's hatred and abhorrence of sin, or as a ground of our hope and assurance in his mercy; we cannot too often pay this honorary regard to the memory of our Redeemer; or too often express our gratitude to God for his great mercy in the work of our redemption. O! then the precious comforts of this Feast to poor necessitous, and craving man! O! the sweet serenity, the envied exaltation of that soul, which with true fervency of desire thus meets its Savior! To pour forth before him the honest tribute of willing praise for all his gracious benefits; to sacrifice at his table every thing that thwarts his will; to leave there our complaints, our pains and our sorrows; to receive from him the healing balm of consolation to our Psalm. I WILL acknowledge my sin unto Thee, O God, and mine unrighteousness have I not hid. I said I will confess my sins unto the Lord; and so Thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin. For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto Thee, in a time when thou mayest be found. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. Hear then my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my calling. Desire and Resolution to receive the Communion Most gracious God, I laud and magnify thy great and glorious name for all the manifold mercies and comforts which Thou hast bestowed upon me, ever since |