CHAPTER IV.

HINTS FOR THE REGULATION AND EMPLOYMENT OF THE MIND DURING THE COMMUNION SERVICE.

THE Communion Service of the Church of England, with remarks upon it, and suitable meditations, will be given in chap. v, vi, and vii; the object in this chapter is, to assist the communicant in regulating the general state of his mind, and improving the leisure moments which he will have while others are receiving the sacred elements.

A devout attendance on the previous services, public worship, singing the praises of God, and hearing his gospel, are peculiarly calculated to prepare us for the more solemn act of devotion which succeeds.

An interval of time, while those who do not intend to partake of the Lord's Supper are leaving the church, will allow you a favourable opportunity for collecting your thoughts, and offering up a short prayer to God for his presence, help, and blessing. During the succeeding service, endeavour to maintain a COMPOSED AND TRANQUIL SPIRIT. Some are

so agitated by the importance of the service as to

lose calmness and self-possession; but let us remember, that we are going to a Father's table; and let us endeavour to go with freedom and cheerfulness, as well as with seriousness and devotion.

REALIZE, as much as practicable, THE DIVINE PRESENCE. It is a solemn service in which you are engaged. God is peculiarly present. You are about, as it were, entering into the holiest, but it is by the blood of Jesus. Heb. x. 19. Receiving unworthily is both sinful and dangerous; but this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them. With David, then, prayExamine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting: and with David also say, O send out thy light and thy truth; let them bring me unto thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy. Psalm xliii. 3, 4.

The following hints, in the way of actual direction, may assist in shewing you how the time may be most profitably employed while others are communicating, and before or after you yourself have communicated. But it is allowed that there is some danger, lest we should overload the mind of the communicant, and distract rather than help him. Be not then anxious minutely to attend to the whole of them, each time that you communicate. Some may serve to help you at one time, and some at another. You will find it probably more useful, rather to dwell on one or two points, than to be too particular in attempting to attend to them all at one time.

HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD. The nearer access we have to God, the more humble we should

be. When Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord, and heard of the song of the Seraphim—Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory! his own sinfulness rushed upon his mind, and his first expressions were-Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips! When the Centurion came to beseech Jesus in behalf of his afflicted servant, and Jesus promised to come and heal him, see how he humbles himself in the presence of such a visitor-Lord! I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. These are expressions suitable for us at this table. True humiliation makes us welcome the atonement of Christ.

LET THERE BE ACTS OF FAITH IN CHRIST CRUCIFIED; such a faith as worketh by love. You are under that New Dispensation where there is remission of sins, and may therefore have boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh. Heb. x. 19, 20. Now you should be looking to the crucified Redeemer, with a gracious confidence, as the poor malefactor did, when that Redeemer hung on the cross; and saying to him,-Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. Luke xxiii. 42. Look to him as those women did who followed him from Galilee, went after him weeping to the place of crucifixion, and came and stood by the cross, full of fidelity, tenderness, and love. Matt. xxvii. 55. Or again, as that disciple did whom Jesus loved, who waited on him in his last moments, and received his dying charge, and immediately and stedfastly fulfilled it. John xix. 25-27.

Be not content short of that faith

which applies and appropriates to your own soul the benefit of the death of Christ.

MAKE KNOWN YOUR REQUESTS UNTO GOD. It is a favourable time for prayer. Pray, 1st. FOR YOURSELF. Sinners are now reconciled to God by the death of his Son. Consider, then, what it is you most need; and be particular in unbosoming yourself to your God, even as a child would to a kind and loving father. Pray that the service in which you are now engaged may be a means of grace to your own soul, so that you may receive all the blessings designed by this institution, and especially an increase of faith in Christ: a more simple and entire dependance on his death, as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. Pray also, 2nd. FOR OTHERS that they may obtain like precious faith with you, in the righteousness of God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter i. 1. Enlarge your petitions as the time will allow. Pray for your partners in life; if worldly and unconverted, wrestle with God for their conversion; if pious, pray that they may abound always in every good word and® work. Parents, bring your dear children, as it were, one by one, and by name, before the Lord, and ask for each child a suitable blessing. Masters, pray for your servants. Pass on to the devout recollection of all your relatives and friends, and think especially of the peculiar circumstances of any of them, which may require peculiar aid from God. Pray for your minister, that while he dispenses to others, he may also richly partake of the bread of life, to the nourishing of his own soul; and for your fellow communicants, that as each partakes of the outward symbol, he may inwardly feed on Christ by

faith. Pray, too, for all Christians throughout the world. Intercede for all those who have wronged or injured you, striving to enter into the full meaning of our Lord's command, Love your enemies. Pray for Jews, Turks, infidels, and heretics; the death commemorated in the sacrament, is that of a Lamb to take away the sins of the world. Let then a communion-day be specially a day of intercession for all men, that God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh.

ENJOY COMMUNION WITH THE FATHER, THROUGH THE SON, AND BY THE SPIRIT. There is a realizing communion with God as a Father to us his adopted children; with Christ, our Lord, in his grace and tender compassion, and with the Holy Ghost in his teaching, sanctifying, and comforting work. When men lost the substance of the blessing of feeding by faith on Christ himself, they invented the Romish doctrine of transubstantiation; taking up the image of the truth, instead of the real blessing. Nothing can satisfy the soul but the real blessing; the actual enjoyment of communion with God, our Saviour, at his table.

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MANIFOLD MERCIES. Surely the immense benefits which we are here commemorating should lead us to say, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thy iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies: who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Never can we view redeeming love aright without a thankful and grateful heart.

If Jesus has done so much for us, surely we