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THE USEFULNESS OF ACTUAL PREPARATION

BEFORE RECEIVING

THE LORD'S SUPPER.

(FROM DR. WATERLAND.)

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"OUR esteem or disesteem of this holy Sacrament " will best be seen by our preparing or not preparing for it "as we ought.There is something of a preparation of "heart, mind and ways, required for all religious offices, "much more for this, which is the flower and perfection of ❝all.

"As to the length of time to be taken in preparing, there "is no one certain rule to be given, which can suit all cases “ or circumstances: only, when a man has competently ad“justed his accounts with God, (be it sooner or later) then "he is fit to come, and not till then.

"There is an habitual, and there is an actual preparation. "The habitual preparation is a good life; and the farther "we are advanced in it, the less need there is of any actual "preparation besides. But, because men are too apt to flatter " and deceive their own hearts, and to speak peace to them"selves without sufficient ground for so doing; therefore "some actual preparation, self-examination, &c. is generally “necessary, even to those who may be habitually good, if it ❝be only to give them a well-grounded assurance, that they "really are 80.

"It were to be wished there were not many amongst us who "have a great deal to consider of before hand; many offences "to correct, many disorders to set right, much to do, and "much to undo, before they presume to come to God's altar. "Fault has been sometimes found with these little treatises "of Weekly Preparation: I think without reason. They 66 are exceeding useful in their kind. "for them who need none of these helps: “need them, are not the men, generally, B

It may be happy but they that least who most despise

"them.

None of us, perhaps, are so perfect as not to want, "at some seasons, some such hints for recollection, or helps to "devotion. It is well for common Christians, that they are "provided with useful manuals of that kind. They that "are well disposed, will make use of them as often as they "need them, and will at all times give God thanks and praises "for them."

To the above judicious remarks it may be proper to add, that Christians should omit no opportunity of receiving the holy Eucharist, even when it has not been in their power to go through the usual previous preparation.

He who sincerely endeavours to serve his God and Saviour, is always prepared to receive the Lord's Supper. And he should thankfully embrace every opportunity of commemorating, in this sacred Ordinance, the love of his blessed Redeemer, and of receiving fresh supplies of grace quicken and strengthen him in his Christian course.

TO THE LORD'S SUPPER,

STATING THE NATURE OF THE ORDINANCE, THE NECES SARY PREPARATION FOR IT, AND THE OBLIGATIONS ON CHRISTIANS TO RECEIVE IT; AND REFUTING THE EXCUSES COMMONLY URGED FOR NEGLECTING IT.

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and the necessary preparation for it, stated and explained.

THE church tells us, that Christ has ordained only two Sacraments, as generally necessary to salvation; that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. Baptism was instituted by Christ, to be the rite of admission into his church, and is answerable to circumcision among the Jews. The Lord's Supper was ordained as a memorial of the sacri

a Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them, about three thousand souls. Acts ii. 41.

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.-Col. ii. 11, 12.

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fice of the death of Christ, and appointed by him, instead of the Jewish passover; These sacraments are both necessary to salvation. Baptism is necessary thereto, being the ordinance, whereby we are translated from our natural state into a state of grace, and born again to a title to all the privileges of the Gospel covenant; and the Lord's Supper is necessary to salvation, because it conveys that spiritual food by which we are nourished up to everlasting life. The former is to be only once, the latter often received.

These ordinances ministering to such great ends, the church says, are only generally and not absolutely necessary to salvation; because she dare not take upon her to exclude all hope of GOD's mercy in those extraordinary cases, where the want of opportunity or capacity prevents men from receiving these sacra

c For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the NewTestament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in re, membrance of me.-1 Cor. xi. 23, 24, 25.

d For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:-1 Cor. v. 7. e Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.-John iii. 5.

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.-John vi. 53.

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