us.

They have to realise that Jesus is one Whom we can call to our instant aid, as client calls his advocate; that He stands by and strengthens us with unseen strength as our Comforter—for this also is the translation of the word rendered Advocate. We have One to comfort us. Hence this "comfortable word" for those compassed with infirmity. What purpose the permission of sin is accomplishing I do not now dwell upon. The love of God is perfected in our love as wild flowers may be cultivated and brought to perfection. Christ's strength is made perfect in our weakness. Satan is being bruised every day in every sinful passion, or temper, or habit, or thought, which is being brought under the feet of our weak and imperfect nature. Our weakness is left in us that we may learn the perfection of hating what God allows and yet abhors. But ours must be the prayer of all His people, "Lord, increase our faith." The faith which once brought with it the forgiveness of sin as its reward, and by which we were justified, is the faith we are continually to exercise in the same living, loving, present Saviour; not so much for forgiveness of the past as for power and grace, and needful help in the present. Thus, as faith is increased, we exercise it more fully, and in proportion as we exercise it, it becomes stronger. In proportion as we exercise it is the blessing we receive; always provided we are willing to be saved. I know few more searching questions in the Bible than this, "Wilt thou be made whole?" "How far," wrote one to me, "may I believe that Jesus willing to save me?" The answer was not far to find.

is

"Just in so far

as you are willing that He should save you," was the reply.

And so we say to you. Search out your spirit. Sins of infirmity, are they not yours? Do they distress you? Are they a plague and a burden and a sorrow? Do you long for a purer mind, a nearer life, a more devoted spirit? When night falls, are its shadows but a parable of the shadow that darkens your spirit when you have to confess much done you could wish undone, much said you could wish unsaid, resolutions unfulfilled, purposes unaccomplished, high aims unattained, and as the baffled bird soaring aloft is beaten back to earth, do you sometimes feel as if heaven were still very, very, very far off Bring all this in prayer at Holy Communion to Jesus. Your infirmities, cleaving recollections, present wants, pressing cares and fears, bring them in faith to Him to deal with, to make His own, the subject of His pleadings, the occasion of His all-prevailing intercession for

you, the occasion also of your trust in Him. Thus and only thus will you be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man. Thus and only thus will sins of infirmity be converted into strength, and temptation past find you stronger to resist. And while experience must have taught you that to try in your own strength is surely to fail, and that your own strength is weakness, may taking Christ now simply at His word teach you this, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me," and yet again, "We are made than conquerors through Him who loved

more

us!"

"The perfect way is hard to flesh; It is not hard to love;

If thou wert sick for want of God.

How swiftly wouldst thou move!

"Then keep thy conscience sensitive; No inward token miss :

And go where grace entices thee ;

Perfection lies in this."

-FABER,

VII.

FREQUENCY OF COMMUNION.

"As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come."-1 COR. xi. 26.

THUS far we have considered together, first the institution of the Sacrament, variously called Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist; and next, step by step, the conditions connected with it by which, as fulfilled or unfulfilled, we partake of that sacrament worthily or unworthily. I have taken these in their strictly evangelical order, as they are also laid down and prescribed in the Prayer Book, the language and manual of believers. I have dwelt on Repentance, Faith, Thanksgiving, and Charity, on Sins of Infirmity, and now I proceed to consider the subject of frequent and infrequent Communion, bringing this series of addresses to a close with the subject of Self-examination, that one spiritual exercise which turns religion into an impressive reality, and is especially enjoined upon as preparatory to communicating.

It will pave the way to what is before us if, by way of prelude, we remind ourselves again and yet again of what Holy Communion is the enduring memorial, and what truth it declares. It sets forth as a historic fact and reality the death of Christ. It is one of the monu