in

It must be a lively faith and active; it must work such an obedience to God's commands as Christ has enjoined in the Gospel.

you

Faith is necessary to salvation, because the hope of sinners is entirely founded on the mercy of God through Christ, who sealed to us this mercy by his death.

(3.) Have you a thankful remembrance of Christ's death?

"Ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. vi. 20.

You must be thankful, because the blessings promised in the covenant of grace are so valuable, so necessary, and so freely given.

You should remember with gratitude and joy the death of Christ, as the means of procuring these blessings.

(4.) Are you in charity with all men?

"If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." 1 John iv. 11.

You must be in charity with all men; that is, love all men; forgive those who have offended you; ask forgiveness of those whom you have offended; and make restitution to any you have wronged. If you

harbour malice and resentment in your heart, you are not in a fit state either to live or die.

The Sacrament, remember, is given to you on a supposition, that your faith and repentance are sincere; and if this condition fail in you, the action of giving it to you, though by the most exemplary Minister, and in the most solemn manner, will never

save you.

A Help for conversing on the design of the Sacrament, and the preparation for receiving it; from the same.

As you desire to receive the Sacrament, I would beg you seriously to consider what follows.

Receiving the Sacrament can be of no real service, unless it be attended with

A lively faith in Christ. Heb. xi. 6.

An unfeigned repentance for all your sins. xiii. 3.

Luke

And sincere purposes of renewed obedience. Heb. v. 9. Particularly a renewal of the baptismal and sacramental covenant.

As these are the indispensable terms required of all who receive the Sacrament, they ought to be seriously considered.

The design of this Ordinance.

Of what?

As

a remem

brance

As a seal or confirmation

As a mark or badge

Christ's sufferings in character,

in soul,

in body, for our sakes.

Of what? Blessings purchased,

pardon of sins,

gift of the Holy Spirit, eternal life.

Of what? Being fellow members

of Christ's body. children of one Father,

redeemed by one Sa

viour,

heirs of one and the same glory.

The preparation for this Ordinance.

Are you grieved for having forgotten Christ?

Are you determined to recollect

and remember him more constantly and affectionately for the future?

As a seal or confirmation

As a mark or badge

Do you know what are the blessings to be sealed to you?

Are you sensible of your want of them?

Do you hunger and thirst after them?

Do you love all sincere Christians
of every rank and party, because
they are dear to Christ, and re-
deemed by his love?

Are you willing to forgive all who
have offended or injured you,
because God, for Christ's sake,
is willing to forgive you?
If any remainder of resentment,
or ill-will, or envy, still lurks in
your heart, are these your bur-
den and misery, what you la-
ment, strive against, and from
which you long to be delivered?
-For it is by this mark, (or
love to one another,) "that all
men shall know that ye are my
disciples." John xiii. 35.

Examine yourself by these questions, as in the presence of God; and when you can answer them in the affirmative, your heart (treacherous as it is) will not, I hope, deceive you; you will then be properly prepared for this ordinance. For such as you, Christ purchased all these blessings,-to such as you the Gospel promises them, and to you they will be confirmed and sealed in this ordinance.