V 'S<^s \ * 0 / scs .) T H £ SCOTCH MINISTER’S ASSISTANI) '-S //^ o» /nsaCYc ''/Tr^rC/C? Collection O F FORMS, FOR Celebrating the Ordinances of Marriage, Baptism, and tlie Eord’s Supper, according to the Usage OF THE ' CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, WITH SUITABLE DEVOTIONS FOR CHURCH AND FAMILY WORSHIP. 3fnDerneC0: PRINTED, AND SOLD BT YOUNG AND IMRAT. SOLD ALSO BY F. & C. RIVINGTON, LONDON J A- GUTHRIE, EDIN-’ burgh; brash & reid, Glasgow; and angus & son, AND A. BROWN, ABERDEEN. 1802 . ■•T ' / >• ^ '■ ' ■" ' •idS ojf^ nj I ^ ? 5 ’V ■' Ji Hji '5o dvA -Tt ' .vjfih'iH, ij/i ‘Sit sitiib V -• '-C-. '• ••'' V •' /b jo.iL, .vfl5 hiif, ..vbb^rv o) Ibr^ -'laqqiic '.rii AU'fr iii»iJ4 fu>qi' f;5it^U5 nvro diii :■ ■ f*. /■ ■•' •■ » - .K -f - ■/-. 3 !S«r“^ tLJ riff ADVERTISEMENT The Forms contained in the following coi- ledion, with a very few exceptions,' were originally composed by the Author for his own use; and under the impression that they may be found calculated to assist the devotion of the well-disposed reader, and likewise to gratify the curiosity of those of a different communion, who may be desirous to know the religious forms of our church, they are now committed to the press. It has often been complained of as a con¬ siderable disadvantage, that there are no Forms prescribed by the Church of Scotland for cele¬ brating Marriage, Baptism and the Lord s Supper. Every Clergyman is left to exercise his own talents upon such occasions, with no ' A 2 IV ADVERTISEMENT. Other assistance than a few general instrudiions laid down in the Direcftory annexed to the Confession of Faith. _ % As no attempt has hitherto been made by any Minister of the Church of Scotland to remedy this obvious inconvenience, the Author flatters himself that the following work, with all its imperfections, will be favourably re¬ ceived by his younger Brethren, for whose use it is chiefly intended. And since every sub¬ ject In Divinity has been so often discussed by a variety of able writers, it would be un¬ reasonable to expeCt that all the sentiments or even all the expressions in this work, should be new and original. The candid reader will be satisfied, if he shall find in this manual a selection of suitable matter arranged under proper heads.' It is by no means intended to obtrude these Forms upon those who are able to compose ADVERTISEMENT. V much better ones for themselves. On the contrary, it will afford sincere pleasure to the Author, to see a more perfect; work soon published, on the plan which he has here attempted. To the many respectable characters who have honoured this well-meant attempt with their patronage and support, much gratitude is justly due. It was certainly the intention of the Author to have prefixed their names to the work; but a correCt list could not easily be procured for publication. T- - - ■ Digitized by the Internet Archive , . in 2018 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library j'' https://archive.org/details/scotchministersaOOunse CONTENTS. Page Forms for Marriage,. __—Baptism,.* _—Fencing Communion Tables, .... _—Table Ser\’ices,. ___Concluding Exhortations to Communicants, 151 _Prayers before and after Sei-mon, . . . 165 __-—fora Fast Day,.215 ___at the Communion, .... 229 Form for a Prayer at the Ordination of a Minister, . 249 Forms for Family Prayers,.257 Form for a Prayer when Visiting the Sick, . . • • 3^5 ______--when Death Visits a Family, . • 313 9 27 61 99 'k-' . f , /t^TVL^xTKOp Q ■“ f.'C; ' • • • u. r.r.'i' i/sp^ O . ,rn ij-rriJ—r-—-—■ • ^ - i * f ■ p ^ • • . • • « v'iti i *— i^: \e:u,:Vuu-rr,(>, .*} 3tfoi;a.*''y?-3 ■^^»:>f^^'!u':).- *5^' . . , ,:. ..a.vji i:.K2 STJfed C t .. tei'I ; > C »» ^ , . . ani i;:-i..—fc- . W ,' jioiriniM i;'‘lo lioir.. vLiO as'j /: -.J< m-;o'I 4 . . . . . . \rrj<(£1*1 '(fiffr'.'I lot ermc-'I ^ a:0 ^aiji^iV nail//lO'^KT^ ^ J :!» . - w fc}h;7 ifJwaCI urjdv;.—--—• N . • . ^ - «1 . FORMS for marriage. . 1 »’.i' '.'-.VC ■ .,! •■Vrl..' w •■* ■ ^'..i'-V- s V^-' . ■ ' . V . • . . 4 ..■,' • «• > ' f‘ f. ' ** • • i ■ ; ' • ■-’■■ . ■ ' * i;.. • # '.S ,•>.' ' ■•.•>- '■^* . • • y. I ^. *■ A . ' ■'.• y ■S^.> • '■/vt . ‘"T 1*^. f /» # :^.u.. s •rf A > -V*. — •7 f . ‘X ■(■ ■■ *' V •■■ ', • ! '■■■ ■’ 7.0 ki a ‘ ■ .;>’f .: ■^;- - • ' I. ^ .• it, ■• ><1 ■ • '.'i' , ■ ,■; . , •, ic-t' -i :• ^ ' v , ■/‘■r'v ■ / •'. ■• '■■•• ■ iv/j .M 7 *. 4 K^ • jV-V* V '. 't ■ . •>r' ■■■ 1 ■ Vt ■. , \ ' \ , 'v V.. • -v, ; . • V . ».■■ -V-" - ^ - I v t •y-s-:. *,. : ■ ■ -v ^::4 ■' A'.'f.'-, '■'. ' -Ar »: v_ . ^ litl M A RR IA GE. FORM L PRAYER. All our happinefs proceeds from thee, O God, and unto thee our gratitude is ever due. For our paft experience of thy goodnefs, for our prefent felicity, and for our future prof- peds, we defire to render unto thee, the Father of mercies, the tribute of our unfeigned praife and thankfgiving. We befeech thee, O Lord, to caufe the light of thy countenance to Ihine upon us at this time, and to blefs the occahon of our meeting together, for the fake of Jefus Chrift our Lord and Saviour. Amen. The Exhortation. We learn from facred fcripture that mar¬ riage is a very ancient and honourable inflitu- tion. Ever hnce the world exifted, the con- B 2 12 Marriage, jugal flate has been, not only the foundation, but alfo the chief bond and cement of human fociety. And when this conned;ion is formed betwixt two perfons pofleft of a competent fhare of good fenfe and difcretion, it promifes to produce as much happinefs as this world can admit of. Married perfons ought to look upon themfelves as no longer twain but one: they are to confider themfelves as more inti¬ mately conned;ed to one another, than to the wiiole world belides. Indeed this relation im¬ plies and prefuppofes an union of hearts, a warm alfedbion, and a hearty efteem for each other, which ought to be carefully cherifhed and preferved throughout their whole lives. Further, as married perfons can have only one intereft, their joys and forrows fhould al¬ ways be one. And how comfortable is it to have a faithful friend, dear as our own foul^ to whom we can freely difclofe the fecrets of our hearts, in full confidence that our friend will participate both in our pleafures and our pains, v^ill divide our cares and double all our joys?! Marriage, 13 It is even gratifying to thofe who look on^ to fee two perfons of accomplifhed minds join¬ ed together in wedlock, difcharging their re-* fpedive duties with punduality, and enjoying all the comforts of domeftic life. What a pleafure is it to behold a happy pair, who are united not only in alFedion and intereft, but alfo in their tafte for the fame improvements, the fame recreations and pleafures ! while ha¬ bitual complacence fweetens their fatisfa(ftion, while love and tendernefs Ihine iti their coun¬ tenance, and every word and every adion declares that they are mutually pleafed, and that it is their chief ftudy to make each other happy ! Such an amiable pidure, will, I truft, always be exhibited in that family over which you are henceforth jointly to prefide. (T’he Minifier Jhall now deftre the parties to join hands^ and Jhall fay to the man as • follows,) Wilt thou have this woman to be thy married Wife, and doft thou, in the prefence of God, and before thefe witAefles, promife 14 Marriage^ ;ind covenant^ to be a loving and faithful Huf- hand to her, till God fliail feparate you by death ? (To which the man mujl give his ajfent: Then the Minijler Jhall fay to the woman as follozvs.) Wilt thou have this man to be thy Huf^ band, and doft thou, in the prefence of God, and before thefe witneffes, promife and coven¬ ant to be a loving, faithful and obedient Wife to him, till God lliali feparate you by death? (Co which the woman muJl give her affentk Then the Minijler foall fay as follows.) I pronounce you to be Hufband and Wife, according to God’s ordinance. Whom God hath joined together, let no man put afunder. Concluding Prayer. Follow with thy bleffing O Lord that honourable inflitution w^hich has now been celebrated according to thine appointment. Fmabie thy fervants vdio at this time have en- Marriage. tered Into a marriage covenant, faitlifiidy to fulfil their vows, and to perforin the feveral* duties which they owe to Thee, and to one another. With favour do thou eompafs them as wdth a iliield. May the voice of joy and gladnefs be ever heard in their dwelling. Guide them by thy counfel through this life, and do thou finally receive them into thy blefled prefence, where they fhall obtain ful- nefs of joy, and pleafiires for ever morCj through Jelus Chrift our Lord, Amen, : ■ V jV. , . V f;. ■ '4^' ■ t, J* 4 ' _ 4 ^ t <• V f : V ■ MP ' ^ ' "^1 • V'^S® .^■•••; .-,• ' . •< . . * '^^ ; \ . ^ ;, ^C'' / Li‘(4 r'vl<^.;.i^ ', * ‘ I ,.■■ -•• '(• T V^v *< .►)►■* ■' V ■ ■ ■ \ ^ i : '■\j. ■ ■■■ '^ • ■ ^ * " ’ '■'''' 1'/:' r'-:". i?-- .' •'^;>^v'.rVr..-n • ; ■ • ' . . • I -'-li* ^ /V . r V . •< . .'■^. , • I .. 7 » - .. ' ., :'•« ' ^ «-v >'^- . -A ■’> -t.'.ii • *■' V.-' WV'^'‘* • • ■( , - f; ' ‘rv ' kV '•\V - *.v '• >' 'l* <<*••. ■^' .1*.'-, w > '.V U . , wnrj - f> - n i .■ ' ; w ' . '•. -■.'-'. MARRIAGE. FORM II. PRAYER. lliVER glorious and adorable Lord our God 1 thou art infinitely blefled and happy in thy- « felf, and thou delighteft to communicate hap- pinefs to thy creatures. We blefs thee for all the comfortable accommodations which thou haft provided to fweeten our paflage through this our pilgrimage ftate, but more efpecially for thofe fpiritual bleffings conferred upon us through Chrift Jefus. Blefs the Lord, O our fouls, and forget not ail his benefits. May we teftify our gratitude not only by the praifes of our lips, but by the obedience of our lives. By thy grace aflifting, may we faithfully ful¬ fil the duties belonging to our feveral places and ftvations. We pray O Lord, that thou G Marriage, i8 wouldft be gracioufly prefent with us at this time, and that thou wouldft blefs that ordin¬ ance of thine appointment which we are now met to celebrate, for the fake of Jefus Chrift our Lord and Saviour. Amen. Exhortation. Marriage owes not its original inftitu- tion to man’s invention or device. When the Lord God created Adam and placed him in the garden of Eden, he faid it was not good for man to be alone, and therefore determined to make a help meet for him. And the Lord having formed woman out of a rib taken I from the man’s fide, brought her to the man, and the marriage of the firft pair of the human race was celebrated by God himfelf in paradife, during their happy ftate of innocence j upon which occafion Adam is reprefented faying, this is now bone of my bone, and flelh of my flefh ; therefore fhall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife. In the fulnefs of time, when Chrift the Son of God came to this lower world to accompli/h the Marriage, 19 work of our redemption, he gave his fandion to the original law of marriage, eflablifhing its authority, and he honoured this inftitution hy own prefence at a marriage in Cana of Gallilee, where he manifefted his power and glory. The apoftle Paul, as he pronounces marriage in general honourable, fo fpeaking of the union that fubfifts betwixt Chrift and the church, he compares it to the union that fhould take place betwixt married perfons: “ this is a great myftery,” faith he, but I fpeak concerning Chrift and the church, “ neverthelefs let every one of you in particular “ fo love his wife even as himfelf, and let the “ wife fee that Ihe reverence her hufband, As you, then, have your warrant and en¬ couragement for entering into this ftate and relation in the word of God, fo from thence you have your duty to learn; and as you would defire to profper, to live in peace and comfort, and to die with well grounded hope, let the ftatutes of God be your counfellors, fet the Lord before you, acknowledge him in all and he will dired your paths. C 2 your ways, 20 Ma7'rlage. Love, which is declared to be the fulfilling of the law, comprehending the duties which we owe both to God and man, doth likewifc comprehend the fum of the duties which mar¬ ried perfons owe, one to another. And when this principle is feated in the heart, every duty belonging to the conjugal ftate, will naturally and eafily flow from it. It is running a dan¬ gerous rifk to enter into the married ftate with one for whom we have not a fincere alfedlion and efteem ; nor is it enough that love fhould precede marriage, but there muft be a mutual care and endeavour to preferve and cherifti it afterwards : for love is a tender, delicate plant, that requires to be cultivated with care, and fenced from all inclement blafts, otherwife it wall foon droop and die. Married perfons muft be particularly careful to maintain their fidelity to each other in pre- ferving the marriage bed pure and undefiled : a wound given in this refped; pierces deep, is moft feverely felt, and fcarce curable. Further, married perfons muft be mutually affifting to each other in. promoting their Marriage. •21 ^vorldly intereft. It is the part of the hufband to be active and induftrious in making fuitable provifion for his family, nor muff he wafte and fquander in dilTipated courfes what they have a right and title to. On the other hand, the wife muft be frugal and induftrious in manag¬ ing her domeftic concerns, that thus, Ihe may deferve the amiable charader which Solomon gives of the virtuous wmman, “ She looketh “ well to the ways of her houfehold, and eat- “ eth not the bread of idlenefs, fo that the “ heart of her hufband doth fafely truft in her.” But while married perfons are careful to dif- charge the duties of domeftic life, they muft be on their guard left their hearts be too much attached to the world, and to fuch a degree as to caufe them forget the one thing needful, the care of their immortal fouls. They muft learn to dwell together as heirs of the grace of life, and be found walking in all the ordi¬ nances and commandments of God, blamelefs. Thrice happy the married pair who thus fpend their lives together, for after death they fhall not be feparated! 22 Marriage, ('Here the Minifter Jhall dejtre the parties to join hands^ ^c.J ' Concluding Prayer. Follow with thy blefling O Lord that duty in which we have been engaged at this time. Enable the parties who have now been joined together in a marriage covenant, to live as be- cometh the candidates for a blefled immorta¬ lity. May it be their chief ambition and happy attainment to be found interefted in that ever- lafting covenant which is well ordered in all things and fure. Grant O Lord that each of us who are here prefent, may ferioufly con- fider and lay to heart, that the time is drawing near wLen every earthly connedlion fliall be diffolved; may we therefore rejoice as though we rejoiced not, weep as though we w^ept not, buy as though we pofleft not, and ufe this world as not abufing it, feeing the fafhion of it palT- eth away. Be thou O God we humbly pray, our guide through life, our fupport in death, and our portion for ever more, through Jefus Chrifi; our Lord. Amen, M A RRI A G E, FORM III. EXHORTATION. IVIarriage has been defined, (not impro¬ perly,) a ftate which enlarges the fcene both of our comforts and our cares. A happy mar¬ riage affords all the pleafures of friendfhip, all the enjoyments of fenfe and reafon, and in¬ deed all the fweets of domeftic life. In this Rate, there is a certain fuperiority in one of the parties, fo tempored with an equality in other refpedts between both, by reafon of the near union of their pcrfons and interefts, that it founds and requires certain duties common on both fides, as v/ell as fome diftindl and peculiar to each. The whole duties of the conjugal flate may be fummed up in one comprehenfive word, Love. It is true indeed that the fcripture enjoins women to reverence u Marriage. and to obey their hufbands: but on the other hand, hufbands are enjoined to treat their wives with gentlenefs, tendernefs and condefcenfion. When we reflect on the lafting duration as well as the intimate nature of this union, it is evi¬ dent that it ought not to be formed haftily, rafhly and inconfiderately. It fliould be the refult of mature deliberation, and of as corn- pleat a knowledge as poffible of each others natural temper, difpofition and habits^ There is nothing of fo great importance to us as the good qualities of the perfon to whom we are united for life. They not only make our pre- fent hate agreeable, but often determine ouf happinefs to all eternity. It is a great misfor¬ tune, however, that in forming this conneflion, the generality of both fexes are more attracted by wealth, fplendour and external appearances than by the qualities of the heart and mind. There are few in comparifon, who are fuffi- ciently aware that the chief happinefs of the married ftate depends upon the prudence, dif- cretion, good temper and virtuous difpofitions of the partner of our lives. But whatever Marriage^ 25 fniftaken notions on this fubjed may prevail in the world, nothing is more certain than this, that fortune and happhiefs are two very diftinft ideas I a difeovery made by too many, when alas! it is too late. Do we then look for happinefs in the mar¬ ried ftatej let us be well fatisfied that the objed of our choice is governed by the principles of virtue and religion. An inattention to this point is the chief fource of that unhappinefs which clouds matrimonial life. Thofe who are led by religious principles have a pledge to give, and it is a pledge worthy of being trufted, that they will difeharge their duty to their fellow creatures, according to the dif¬ ferent relations in which they may be placed. Where this is wanting, there is little fecurity for happinefs in the married ftate. But even when married perfons are governed by the beft principles, perfection muft not be looked for on either fide. In the progrefs of the matri¬ monial life, it is fcarcely polTible, but that the hufband and the wife will difeover faults in each other which they had not previoufly D 26 Marriage. exped:ed. This mufl be the refult of intimate connection and uninterrupted fociety. What then is to be done in confequence of fuch a difeovery ? Is affeCtion to be reprefled ? Is it to be permitted to grow cold and languid, be- caufe the objeCt of it appears tinClured with fome defects which efcaped our notice in that hurry of fpirits and that dazzled Hate of mind peculiar to the feafon of growing attachment ? By no means, my friends. The knot being tied, and a marriage covenant folemnly en¬ tered into, we muft bear with one another’s frailties and infirmities, and fo fulfil the law of Chrift, forms for B a RT I s m. fV i •. - f ' > A' •..I ; •ry / r i' ' '' « ' • ' A' ■' ■ 'i . ',‘ ' » • ■' . ./r»f .^.4 r.. '«-'p IV- A.-;; '•’'fii t •t f ( M' O * ., ■ _, •J.,. V.«. '■, » ■ •»*'■ -^-V . ■• ■< • i>-; ' ■* -i. \ .•_■!• -■ -V ■' ■ •;■ : '■' :. . _ •> . r ^ i‘ 0 -v *' * ■ . ^i-^x V.--■^:,«-rtat-~>-.'«'"-^'*‘■■ ■ ^ r--:'..ft. ' ' . ; ^ . ■ ■ ;*i- t'rtt , jA,*, r.i' ‘■'\*)x( ' -}■ ■ . ' • ' ■ 1 ■( ■ ■■):*• ''. *■ '•' ' '■■''• . .. -• ^V’- A "A: »r : r ii • , V " ■ .7 ’* * •^:jr f>' ^ -f; -, t • ■■ > ■ , . .’■ A-', i B A P T I S M. FORM L TRAYEK. o ALMIGHTY and moil mercifui Father! Thou art holy in all thy ways, and righteous in all thy works; a God of truth and without iniquity, juft and right art thou. We would adore thee as the true and the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and mercy with them that fear thee, and obferve thy commandments. We blefs thee O Lord, that we were early baptized into the chriftian faith, and inftnifled in the duties of the chriftian life. We efteem it our higheft honour, and ineftimahle privi¬ lege, that we are called by the facred name of Chrift Jefus our Lord, through whom w'c have accefs by one Spirit unto the Father, and we are perfuaded that there is no other name under Ffeaven, given among men, whereby we can [3e faved. Baptism. Encouraged by thy gracious promile, that thou wilt be a God not only unto us, but to our children after us, we defire to dedicate this infant to thy fervice whom we now prefent before thee. Pour down, we befeech thee O heavenly Father, thy Spirit upon our feed, and thy bleffing upon our offspring, that they may fpring up as Willows by the water courfes, that they may become trees of righteoufnefs, the planting of the Lord, in whom he will be glorified. Hear thefe our prayers O Lord, and accept of our perfons and fervices through the merits of our Redeemer, who is God over all, blelfed for ever more. Amen. (The Minifier Jhall now call upon the parent or fponfor to prefent the infant that is to be bap¬ tized^ faying as follows.) Do you prefent this child to be baptized, profeffing it to be your earneft defire that he (or Ihe) may be admitted a member of the vifible church ? I (The parent or fponfor having declared the above to be his reqiief^ the Mini/lcr proceeds Baptism, 3 ^ to give a Jhort difcourfe on the nature of Bap- tifm^ as follows,) DISCOURSE. The holy facrament of Baptifm was infli- tuted by our blefled Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift himfelf in thefe words, “ Go ye and “ teach all nations, baptizing them in the name “ of the Father, Son and Holy Ghoft. Such is the gracious condefcenfion of the moft high God towards us, that he not only vouchfafes to regard mankind, and to give us promifes of good things, but moreover, for the ratifying and confirming of thefe his promifes, to enter into a covenant tranfadtion; a method whicli tends to convey to the heirs of promife ftrong confolation, at the fame time laying them un¬ der the ftrongeft ties and moft binding obli¬ gations. When the firft covenant was broken and violated by the difobedience and apoftacy of our firft parents, God was mercifully pleafed to enter into another and a better one, efta- bllfhed upon better promifes, whereof Jefus Baptism^ Clirift is the furety and mediator. By this new and gracious covenant, the Almighty pro- mifes to be a God to his people and to their feed after them, to beftow pardon and re- miffion of fm, regeneration and fandification, I t * the aids and affiftances, the confolation and fupport of his holy Spirit, with a right and title to eternal life, happinefs and glory. God, knowing how flow mankind are na¬ turally in apprehending fpiritual things and how apt to forget them, hath thought fit t6 appoint certain outward vifible figns and fym- hois to reprefent the blefTmgs of his covenant, to be received as figns and pledges of thofe hleffings, and to remind the receivers of their Own duty and obligations. Such is the ele¬ ment of water ufed in the facram.ent of Bap- tifm, which points out and leads us to reflect upon our guilty and polluted flate by nature j the neceflity of walhing implying uncleannefs, for that which is already clean needeth not to be wafhed. But it denotes the means devifed by the wifdom of God for our recovery and their efficacy, even the blood of Jefus Chrifty Baptism, 33 who was holy, harmlefs, undefiied, a Lamb without fpot and without blemiih, which clean- i'eth from all fm; and the purifying influen¬ ces of the Holy Ghofl; the fandtihei. It fur iher reprefents the freenefs of thele bleflTings, being obtainable like water, without money and without price. ‘‘ Ho! every one that thirfteth, come ye to the waters of life and “ drink' freely The being fprinkled with water, is intend¬ ed to teach the baptized perfon, to fhun and avoid all filthinefs and pollution both of flefli and fpirit, and to maintain purity of heart and holinefs of life and converfation. Perfons are waflied with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, not that they fliould be at liberty to defile themfelves with fm at pleafure, but that as this adion is a profeflTion of dedication to the holy Trinity, fo they might be careful to ferve thefe adorable perions in righteoufnefs and true holinefs throughout the whole of life. As God promifes to be for his people, fo he requires that they fliould be for him; that K 34 Ijaptuni, they fliould abilaiii from whatever he hath forbidden, and do what he commands. 1 he adult, perfons grown up to the years of dif- cretion, by failing to perform the conditions of God's covenant, forfeit all claim to the bleffings thereof, which blelfiiigs, none can warrantably claim, without complying with the conditions to which they are annexed. If any, then, would derive comfort from the con- fideration of being called by the worthy name of Chrift, and having a place in his houfe on earth, they Ihould examine how far they are poffefled of the difpofitions and qualifications required to conftitute a real chriftian. This we are concerned to do particularly when we liave occafion to witnefs the adminiftration of Baptifm. Perfons by Baptifm are admitted to a participation of church privileges, but by unbelief and difobedience, they cut themfelves olf from all fpiritual benefits. -In a word, Baptifm faves not as it is merely the putting away the filth of the fiefti, but when together with this there is the anfwer of a good* con- fcience towards God, Baptism. 35 (I'he Mtnijler Jhall next defire the parent or fpojifor to hold up the child., and take the vows of him as follows.) Do you believe that the fcriptures of the Old and New Teftaments contain the mind and will of God, and that the Confeffion of Faith and Catechifms of this National Church, are agreeable to, and founded upon the holy fcrip¬ tures, and are you fincerely defirous that your child Ihould be baptized in this faith ? Do you promife to train up your child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, in the knowledge of the grounds and principles of the chriftian religion ? and do you further engage, through divine affiftance, and according to the beft ot your power, that you and your family Ihall ferve the Lord ? (ne Mlnlfer fall next pray to the follow- Ing efea.) O Lord our God, with thee is the foun¬ tain of life, and from thee every good and pcrfed; gift proceeds; look down from Heaven, L o 3^ Baplisiii. the-habitation of thy holinefs, upon thy ler- vants now affembled in this place : Fulfil the. promife thou haft made to thy church, that thou wouldft be with them always to the end of the world, while they obferved the ordi- - nances of thine appointment. Deny us not thy prefence on this folemn occafion, O our God, deny us not thy grace. Samftify the ele¬ ment of water v/hich is now exhibited and f applied as a fign and fymbol of thy grace. Let the outward Baptifm with water be accom¬ panied with the inward Baptifm of the Holy Spirit. Grant, O gracious God, that whatfo- ever guilt or pollution may cleave to this child in confequence of his relation to the firft Adam, may be effectually removed by the blood of Chrift, to whom, with thee O Father, and the Holy Spirit, we would aferibe glory and ho¬ nour, dominion and praife, now and ever more. Amen. (Here the Mhtjfter is to demajid the child's name^ which being told him^ he is to fay (cal- Img the chdd by his name) while he fprinkles a little water on the face of the child.) Baptism, *!!*▼ i I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son,.and of the Holy Ghoh. f 'The Miiiijler then concludes 'With Praye?’ as follows.) Foli>ow with thy bleffing, O gracious God^ the folemn fervice in which w^e have now been employed. Ratify in Fleaven what has been done upon earth. May the child that has now been admitted a member of the vilible church, be received into the number of thine adopted children, and have a right to all the privileges ■ of the fons of God. If it ihall feem good unto, thee to removo him from this tranfitory fiiate in his infancy or childhood, wm pray, that of ' thine infinite mercy thou wouldft receive him to dwell with thyielf in glory. If thou art pleafed to lengthen his days here below, pre¬ fer ve him from the evil that is in the world: may he be kept by thy Almighty power * through faith unto eternal falvation. We blefs thee, O heavenly Father, for thy goodnefs manifefied to this family on the pie- fent occalion,. that there is a living mother and Baptism, a living child, that thou haft been pleafed to fpare both root and branch. Continue thy goodnefs to thy handmaid we befeech thee, and reftore her to perfe'.>^ ■ I-' 9rf* '■!:--:n‘^0m: nrhriGtfiiffo-)- fii* ;^>'.;i .v^y hw'; \.f ^ 3*5 ••• • ■' ♦ ■- ^ f ' • :.'' f.''>■^4* * :5 !;>>'] jhi wo i2'jI- •i'3Tp .^u ■ liJ ' I.ii''nt2'y7.i> b'so.-? T‘^ ; T'/^” t' *’' V ■-.,'K . i‘ ^.-^(l '>• • 0 '’ifn'^*»'^->’ ; :’. vii t jn '^Mrswf^ iti-f ■^:,t[tti.-^ i. te si;; ’ -'Vt ^ fwVvM/t O ,.'i'!'>ii|»-! • ;-?IM'/!t; ..’.V(';V(:.i t:;ir. bftxl'-■J t 1 ' ^ . . • ‘ # * ^ 1 *• ■■ ' '••W^ - ... i . . . ‘ • ' V •. . 4 ' -■•'’ •/ " ^ . . . . ' -M, ■".{'• >‘:’-^vV?'*ij‘ ■ - ' ■ b '•ihr' . .■ ■ • •*% ' -*'X . ♦ V . ■ , ■ ‘ * • • ' * • • ■ ^ • ■• • • ll ~ 40!' .'• V '■.7^ ti- m. ;Ae ' * i .i. r-^ ^ V " ;",* f , e baptism. FORM II. 1 HE religion of our Saviour is fimple, puie and fpiritual, and not encumbered with cere¬ monies ; for all fuch rites and ordinances he hath aboliflied, appointing only two, Baptifm and the Communion, both of them plain, eafy and hgnificant, and which had in them no¬ thing that could feem ftrange either to Jews or Gentiles. Baptifm is a religious rite which was generally pradifed before our Saviour in- ftituted it; for the Gentiles, in their folemn ads of devotion, made ufe of fprinklings and ablutions, and the Jews baptized all profelytes to their religion. Our Lord, in like manner, appointed this ceremony as a form of admidion into his fervice, and a public acknowledgment from the admitted perfons that they would, from thenceforth, be his difciplcs, that they F 42 Baptism. would glory in his crofs, and own him for their Lord and Mafter. This ordinance hath often been confidered by pious chriftians, as a proper emblem of moral purity, as*a fuitable reprefentation of the wathing or cleanfmg of the foul from fin by the blood of Chrift, and the influences of his Spirit. When a parent brings his child to be bap- ' tlzed, he doth folemnly dedicate and devote him to the Lord, at the fame time that he puts in a humble claim, in behalf of his child, to all the inellimabie blelfings of that covenant which was ratified by the fhedding of the blood of Jefus. The lawfulnefs and expediency of in¬ fant Baptifm, appears from the general, prac¬ tice of the church, and from wdrat the law of na,ture and nations teaches concerning a ftate of infancy. In all civilifed focieties, parents have ever been allowed-to covenant for their child¬ ren as well as for themfelves, and we find ac¬ cordingly, that children, before they arrive at years of difcretion, are entitled to various ad¬ vantages and privileges; they are part of the community, and treated as fuch. Since, then, Baptism. 43 Infants are fubjeds of the ftate, and members of civil fociety, by the fame realon, they may be members of religious fociety, and incor¬ porated into the vihble church of Chiift. But how is Baptifm to be performed ? Is it by immerfion or fprinkling ? At the beginning it feems to have been a very general pradice, but not always, to plunge the whole body in¬ to the water at Baptifm. This might anfwer in a warm climate where bathing was a gene¬ ral pradice, but in cold countries like ours, fuch a cuftom would be highly dangerous, and accordingly we find, the generality of chrift- ians are now baptized by fprinkling or poui- ing water on the hice, which being only a fign or fymbol, is fufficient for all the puipofes of this pohtive inftitution. The great concern of baptized perfons fliould be, to attain that purity of heart and holinefs of life, (repre- fented by the walhing with water) without which no man lhall fee the Lord. iaV *:• » •■•■-* -'■, Ys;;m ,' .'.H.^ •o- JA/ , ■ 1 jiiil . 4' /.j -!! ■'..'^ ^ .:'■ ■ ;Vj T' io 3:'rr47TV";rrt ■- 1 , s./-' I • T ■ .'■:], •>J,>' 3j.\\ * .V \%n t- :* • ■ *-' ■- '* '"^ ? Y;' ‘'4 / ' j, .' .'j(\ "[’Vi.ti'ol rv~rj‘j. .-'. .,i; ,V. 4 ' f> ii-i-r » //v ■^- j ■; '- 41;:;4^ 74‘74i4y /. ,4.i4 .:/.-/. . 4f:oq '^' -CV' . / '..X^UOJ ':-r>]j.. x.{|4’ , . -.'^Lk^ ; ^ ■ ■ if iw-r^::'^<^ ^■'•‘r''^* '■ ■ ' 4* .. , ^.-f t,'... .,f , . . r. i i i -.. y />( Or. ^ - *.* vJ i ' ir y -w^., 4* w ^ i 1 c ■ -• ... r'- •. ^ ■ .. ► -*- -■ * *' V, •- • ' ,„ , ;.. 1 t , * \ ^ ^ f r X/ i. r if. ■:! 4 (,v. Tj. ■ ; _ . ■ * _.v ' ,*> ■ -.4 . . .,j;i 7 i ^ '.} * /■ i '^-4 'M> < j >*' i) ' ' 1 .*• r ■i' '' ■ i ' . ’ ■ '• - iy t,'l''i f'V'^ ^'''f :'■: ' ij', " ' '•»■ r ;V ■ ■ ► •’ { I baptism. FORM III. T HAT was a very honourable teltlinony which the Almighty gave of Abraham the Father of the faithful, in Gen. xviii. i8. “ I know Ab- “ raham (faith God) that he will command his “ children and his houfehold after him, and “ they lhall keep the way of the Lord, and do “ juftice and judgment.” To deferve the fame charafler will be the ambition of every pious parent and head of a family. Now, in order to this, two eflential points muft be carefully attended to. Firft, to convey good inftruc- tion to our families; and fecondly, to exhibit a good example before their eyes. In the firft place, it is the indifpenfable duty of thofe who have the charge of youth, to feafon their tender minds early with the fundamental prin¬ ciples of religion, beginning with thofe truths 46 Baptism, which are inoft fimple and eafy to be under- flood, and when children have arrived at greater • maturity, let them be inflruQed in the more fublime do^Strines of the Gofpel. In order to engage young perfons to the practice of religion, we muft reprefent it to them in the moft amiable and alluring light. We mufl try to convince them that wifdom’s v/ays are ways of pleafantnefs, and all her paths are peace; that the path which religion points out, not only leads to compleat and endlefs liappinefs in a future ftate, but to peace, to joy and contentment in the prefent flate of our exiftence—that by adhering to the path of duty, we fhall enfure to ourfelves much pre¬ fent enjoyment, arifmg from the approbation of confcience, and the efleem and confidence of the wifefl and moft worthy of our fellow creatures,—but that a contrary courfe, that is, a profane, vicious and immoral life, will be followed with difquietude, difappointment and mifery. But, in the fecond place, another duty in¬ cumbent on thofe who have the charge of young Baptism, 47 perfons, is, to fet a good example before them. Without this, our heft inftrudions will fignify but very little, and lofe their influence. It will be vain for a parent to talk to his child¬ ren of the amiablenefs, the pleafures and the advantages of a religious life, if he fliews by his own irregular condudl, that he feels none of its attractions, and that he has no delight in fpiritual pleafures, no relifh for divine ex- ercifes and enjoyments. Parents fliould con- fider that their children have eyes to obferve their conduCt as well as ears to hear their in- ftruCtions, and that a defi're of imitation is natural to mankind; more efpecially at an early period of life, children are apt to look up to their parents as the models of wifdoin and excellence. How neceffary is it then, that in them they fhould behold living exam¬ ples of devotion towards God, of kind affed- ions and fmeerity towards men, as well as of / fobriety and felf-government! “ I will walk within my houfe (fays pious “ David) with a perfeCt heart.” Happy the parent who adopts the fame worthy refolution' Baptism^ 48 Thrice happy the children who are linder the tuition of fo good a parent. The religious impreflions which are thus early made upon the mind, will probably never be entirely effaced; and though they fhould difappear for a time, yet there is every reafon to hope, that God will be pleafed to feal the inftrudlions of pious parents, and to crown a religious education with his fpecial grace and blelling. ‘‘ Train “ up a child (faith Solomon) in the way he “ fliould go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” baptism. FORM IV. Baptism is a folemn rite or ceremony^ whereby perfons are admitted members of the vifible church according to Chrift’s appoint¬ ment. This ordinance is adminiftered by wafhing with water in the name of the feveral perfons of the adorable Trinity. But what is the fpiritual meaning of this wafhing with water ? and what is meant by ufmg the facred names of Father, Son and Holy Ghofl in this ordinance ? In the firft place, this wafhing with water implies a humble acknowledgement of fome pollution and defilement, otherwife there would be no need of wafhing. Whofoever is baptized doth profefs and declare that he is by nature a defiled creature, a finner, and therefore un¬ fit for communion with a thrice holy God, Baptism, 5^ until he is waflied and purified: Accordingly, we read in Matthew iii. 6. that the Jews who attended on the miniftry of John, were bap¬ tized of him in Jordan, confeffing their fins; and therefore they came to the water feeking to be purified. But in the fecond place, Baptifm implies a belief of the bleffed provifion which God has made in the gofpel for the purification of our fouls from fin and all its pollutions. He has provided for the removal of the guilt of fin, by giving his own Son for an atoning facri- fice, whofe blood cleanfeth from all fin. He has alfo provided for fiibduing the power of fin, by the effufion of his holy Spirit to re¬ new and fandtify our corrupt nature. Hence we are faid to be faved by the wafhing of re- generation and renewing of the Holy Ghofli: and the water made life of in Baptifm is a fig- nificant emblem of both thefe bleffings, viz. of the blood of Jefus, and of the purifying in¬ fluences of the Holy Spirit. But further, chriflian Baptifm implies a liumble acceptance of the bleffings purchafed Baptism, 51 by Chrift, and a confenting to all the terms and conditions of the new covenant. When we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghoft, this implies that we make choice of God as our portion, Chrift as our faviour, our advocate and interceflbr, and the Holy Spirit as our guide and our fandifier. In a word, the parent (or fponfor) by prefent- ing the child to be baptized, doth folemnly de¬ vote him to the Lord, and enrols his name in God’s family, as one who hopes to enjoy all the privileges of God’s adopted children, and who, by this folemn ad, is bound to renounce 'the devil, the world and the flefh, and to walk conftantly, in all the ordinances and command¬ ments of God, blamelefs. G 2 rV '.: ■ ' , ( * ' ' > . ■ ' :. 7 i io^'i otx. ■ • .\,H .j,ni.-; n*ty, _,‘;uy';>.-,:'iiiu ^i/roivb' {„ 4 I#<..- ' !*■■/'/•/ •/' . , ■;., ,* : • , /■: ■, 'li tl^e^: '. • >^v.''i' -' - -■ . ' 1 » • f , I* ' y . > r- ■ J.. . % . 1 r‘ •* ■* ’ •. “T- j * I.- -!'V. '». •<•»* ■ ’v ’' ‘ •t^T^ ¥■ . j; I.. 'If - • ^ ■ dj.' ► , i - \ . ’• ■ S '■• . t V ' ' ■'‘^'<’<‘''7 ■ *' < ' » ■ ► ^ .1 > / , /• *■• .1 -« ► < T * j . ' . '. .U;-vn !;,.:f H‘'V' t * * - " • - M t'V 1 ^'•' .V%'^ ■ ** N < .' S* f > ' •c< v-iv. vt^-?:. I • ■ i ■ •' I y. ,A \ • 4 -.. ■ A ^ ^ Tt V jy * 1 . 11 V i ’-.'-'- ■ 'iF . •■ ' ' 7 ' ’ • ■^ - I'r . , ■ ■; ' ll . ;'' *’(■ ■ 5 ’ 4 ’=f^'. t ' ■' f . I A .dJ’- :^r'y: 1. baptism. FORM V. 1 . jiUE religion is in a great meafure an in¬ ward and fpiritual thing: but it is of vaft im¬ portance towards the prefervation of any par¬ ticular religion in the world, to have lome of the moll confiderable points of it held forth or reprefented in vifible ceremonies, to ftiikc the fenfes of men, and to dwell upon their ima¬ gination. The God of nature knows our frame, how much we are touched and alfeded by things fenfible, and therefore he hath conde- fcended to deal with us in this manner, in all ages of the church; and upon this account the two chief bleflings of the new teftament, viz. cleanfmg from the defiling principles of fin by the Holy Spirit, and wafhing from the guilt of lin by the blood of Chrift, are held foith to our fenfes in the two great ordinances of f f U' h .o:.,h^ PjL’ViiJ' V'i-JOi^lo lO!|f^i|;' iv.!i‘' yd bi>V0ti Ol nr f-.^rdv y, f^ 3ti ._Oi ■*’*dP ; f >« 4 . i >i> \ ' !' ■ jilWHi'*'. 3l£;'n ,r;.>,i|yYy:-; t, • \ ' • " * , ■ . n Y (■ jX»'A» i i f t *> ■•’ 'n iiiitjiniili^t'y ttt. n^u > iYY-u, _. ' ^ I- (■• ■' * vf ’ • , 'r ■ * “■ “y. - - cii^ ■ ?. ' ■ V ■' ■ - * : . ’..■Ai'iCi':'"* - 'Hwf^’Jl#'#*'&" Y^'^'"''V‘■ i ;-— ' . / baptism. FORM VI. I HOPE you are duly fenfible that your child¬ ren are a great trull committed to you by the Lord. Remember that when God be¬ llows a child upon you, he fays to you in effedl as Pharaoh’s daughter faid to the mother of Mofes, “ Take this child and nurfe it for “ me.” Now this is a great and weighty trull indeed, for in your hands are depofited the hopes of the next generation. Families are the feminaries and nurferies both of church and Hate. If then, they are once corrupted, other focieties cannot long continue in a flour- ilhing Hate. By many ties, parents are bound to attend to their education of their children. It is a duty repeatedly enjoined in fcripture to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Prov. xxii. 6. Eph, vi. 4.) Our LI * f» ’ ' 'f:> . '. '"jpa Tj/'j.a: --^ i, pj (Uilly \. agr i f i / ,:\ : , i* >' '7 ‘ ^ ' / ’ ' ' • M —* c ’ : ‘ '4 *J*ri i^iT.^*^''’*^-^-■^-' j ^*4 .i> ' ■;■ :., an 11 •■ -, ';. .'.' M4 ^._iv ,,-a;.* a « Trjtfi ^ilW-'- 'i 4 ^ i i < » , y ' ', ' ■ ' ■> V^^#, its f i - ' a.-v/• ■ 0^/1..; ;i »5v.' •1^ ;:»b 4^ A‘ ■'• -- -i ' -' • V -t#* I. .-«./-i,' ; • ■• ' 11?.* n* .' ;■>' It' • ; . ' > 4.-* 4 Jr' "4/ ^ ‘'4 ' ' ’ ' ' » 1 * * .1 ii- -r '■' * .. «- ju-;^ -*,v -'t'.^wjA^rt^i^ - y. • 4ti' nwAiY - / '■■' ^' , ■ivyrY’fa I •' • -.A-i . ,« ..- »- Vi' V4rf ' >.AfiS ' ' '. .' ■•i •., '• 5 !.- r.riri«5atTS»?X;SL^ttfv: .- .vs-:- ji|s - • ,:a:»-j»«e'._-;x3C'at, / ^ . '• . • s '■ ; L,' . ? • ;-. .■ YisSMt- ,) ■ THE LORD'S SUPPER. FENCING TABLES. DISCOURSE I. The facrament of the Lord’s Supper, is not a ceremony of man’s invention, but it is an inftitution and appointment of Jefus Chrift the King of Zion, the Head of the Church, to whom all power in heaven and on earth was committed by the Father. It was the will and pleafure of our Lord and Saviour, that his death fhould be commemorated by his follow- ers, in fuch a manner as he fhewed them the fame night in which he was betrayed; name¬ ly, by giving thanks fuitable to the occafion, breaking bread and delivering it to his difcip- les, and pouring wine into a cup, defiring them all to drink of it. For this reafon it is, that the table on which the bread and wine 64 Fencmg Fables. are ferved up is called the Lord’s Tabic. It is he that covers it with the heavenly provifion, and invites us to partake, that our fouls may he fatisfied as with marrow and fatnefs, “ Come,” liiys he “ eat of my bread) and drink “ of the wine which I have mingled. Eat O “ friends, drink, yea drink abundantly O be- “ loved.” But we muft remember, that it is a fpiritual repaft which is here provided : It is not the body, but the foul that is here fed. The bread and the wine are no more than fymbols of Chrift’s body and blood. Our faith mull; therefore be exercifed on Chrih and him crucilied, otherwife, we can derive no fpiri¬ tual benefit from this ordinance. It is therefore of the higheft importance, that our commemoration of a fuffering Saviour be attended with fuitable alfeQions. We Ihould remember Chrift in this ordinance, with a pe¬ nitent fenfe of our fins, which were the caufes of his death; with an ardent love and grati¬ tude for his dying love to us; with an humble faith and confidence in the merit of his death to procure our acceptance with God, and with Fencing Fables* 65 a voluntary dedication of ourfelves to hiin and his fervice for ever. And hence we may leain the character of thofe who are prepared to communicate at this feaft. They, and only they, are prepared, who are true penitents, fully convinced of their fms, and deeply fenfible of their malignity, efpe- cially as nailing Chrift to the crois, and thoroughly determined to forfake them. They are fuch as feel the conftraining influence of the love of Chrift, and are determined, through grace aflifting them, to live no more to them- felves, but to him that died for them and rofe again. Examine yourfelves, and try whether the charaders I have now named apply to you. If they do, you need not perplex yourfelves with endlefs doubts and fcruples refpeding the qualifications of worthy communicants. Ra¬ ther be exhorted to lay afide your feais, and humbly approach the table of the Loid, to render unto him the facrifice of praife and thankfgiving, and to receive frefh tokens and pledges of his unchangeable good will and af- fedion towards you. I rv>' ; ^ ■■ . * - .V • > :■- •'v .'. /^ ■■ ^ - ^ .;.. ■ ■■ ■ , '■ ■' ' '. ■ *«• I ♦ * A. V ' p; ii>.-‘tvi^i.-'-nHj >;i/ '•if,' •k'.- ’.' :'■ ■ V , ■ ■' ' ■ ,•■,,•■.■ ‘ W-fJY]p:d ;T*a^ ^irrt ;■ •.fc's.ciU.' tUd;' 'id '>:f^4i^uf>V^.vtw Ui^-- i ijdr findi v-nri ; ,. ■- - 4 I*' * *1 ‘I* . 'Sti: vxrrjd t ‘ji:' ncnt) ;ji\ ,'• ' 'j; ’ra.htf^y y >^i:skhj v*‘ .' •lyw;’ .'. 'WMtfi' -i^*^rf:'jr ^Vfr^i;/ / "•—5;; >/> <►> •■.- •■'ft.'.fM .;''. ■. ^tir' -ir "i^tV * • t - •*- ' ~ ‘ l^fi ■•'• '^> -r! ' • _ . . » . . _ 4 ' sv'ix^i’':ty 3 : 1 ^[:i9f^y'^:0%nW' ,;:^f ? / ■*:?fi(:tMi ■ • ' * » *” f . 'f ’ '• ' . ' ' 1 ' ' , •' •> , ‘ , / t ' g . :', ■ "■'■iv:^'' i-v" ■ ■ '. "■ .•••:.' .. . -.P.. . .. •- . r.r >. ! > S' .'j.iil- ,)U,i 4 a£J z THE LORD’S SUPPER. FENCING TABLES. DISCOURSE 11. A N Opportunity which to fome of us may never occur again, is, in the good providence of God, given us this day, of celebrating the wonders of redeeming love, and of perfonally devoting ourfelves to the fervice of our God and Saviour. The numberlefs inftances of his undeferved goodnefs to us, the guilty child¬ ren of men, claim this grateful return. If we refleiT upon the circumftances in which our bleffed Redeemer appointed this folemn ordi¬ nance, w^e muft feel ourfelves under ftrong obligations to comply with his dying requeft. He had now finifhed his public miniftry, in the courfe of which he had endured much contradiction from finners. He had juft fo- I ^ 4. JkH 68 Fencing Fables. iemnized his lafl: paflbver, and was ready to offer himfelf up as a public propitiatory facri- fice for the fins of the world. It was then, my brethren, even on that night in which he was betrayed, when he was confcious that his enemies lay in wait for him, thirfting for his blood, and that he Ihould foon be forfaken by all his friends, and left alone to encounter all the rage and malice of earth and hell, that he enjoined this ordinance to be obferved. Even in thefe trying circumflances, our Redeemer was fo mindful of the conlolation of his church, that he inflituted this facrament as a pledge of his love, as a memorial of his fuffer- ings and death, and as the means of conveying all the rich and ineftimable bleffings which he purchafed by his death, to all true believers and fincere penitents. Can you then refufe to comply with fo reafonable a requefi: ? Surely my friends, if a dying parent or brother had given you a charge alniofl; with his expiring breath, you could not lightly have adled con¬ trary to it. How much greater regard do you owe to what the bleffed Jefus appointed the Tcncing Tables* 69 fame night in which he was betrayed ? In the early and purer ages of the church, we learn that the followers of Jefus were very ftrid: in obferving this his dying command. We read in Ads ii. 42. that “ they continued “ ftedfaflly in the apoftles’ dodrine, and fel- “ lowfhip, and in breaking of bread, and in “ prayers.” ■ The holy Communion appears to have made a part of the fervice, at every religious meeting, efpecially on the Lord’s day; for we find Pliny in his famous letter to Trajan the Roman Emperor, concerning the chriftians, declaring, “ that they ufed to meet on a fet “ day before fun rifing, and after other parts “ of worfhip, they ufed to bind themfelves by “ a facrament, or folemn oath, to do no evil.” And though I am far from thinking it necef- fary to falvation that we fhould exadly fol¬ low them therein, yet furely, the zeal of the primitive chriftians was infinitely preferable to the coldnefs and infenfibility of thefe in our days. Let no man therefore excufe himfelf from commemorating the death of Chrift, by F'enchig Tables^ 70 faying, that this is only a pofitive iiiftItutioi'J, which may eafily be difpenfed with without much hazard. It is a duty binding on us, becaufe our Redeemer has enjoined it, even though we fhould not be able to difeover the ufefLilnefs or propriety of it. But mull: we not all acknowledge that this ordinance of Chrlft adds greatly to the folemnity of our worfhip, that it affills our faith, and ftrength- ens our focial affediions \ It is peculiarly fer- viceable, as it recalls to our minds the moft important fadls and principles of chriflianity, and lays us under the Ilrongeft obligations to lead a holy and heavenly life. Neither let any man objedt, that religion being a perfonal thing, a facred tranfadlion betwixt God and the foul,-there is no occafion for making apublicprofeffionof it. For nothing is more clearly taught in feripture than this, that they who believe the dodirine of Chrift, ought to profefs their belief before the world, and that they who have entered into the fpirit of the gofpel, will be found in the pradtice of all its inftitutions. Like Zacharias and Elizabeth, Tcnchig Tables, 7J they will be found walking in all the com- maiidments and ordinances of the Lord, blamelefs. ^ Finally, let us remember, that as with the heart man believeth unto rightcoufnels, fo with the mouth confelTion is made unto falva- tion: and let our Saviour’s awful words be deeply engraven on each of our hearts: “ Whofoever ihall confefs me before men, him will I confefs before mv Father who is in “ heaven, and whofoever fhall be afhamed of “ me before men, of him alfo fhall I be adiam- ed, when I come in the glory of my Father, with my holy angels,” L 'pif ^ : ;v V '■L / - - i' S t . K 'i.' ‘ * • “ i a' • ■> ^ ' . tf“'^ X *’ . f---, •V'-t- * /■ ' ^. ■•, r, -■■- ■ v--''-'' . . ■‘‘ Avds:^,. ,, j^,'. ^ f'.Tr •■/:' '‘"7. 7' ;'■.< • 7 ': ' ^ ’ ; 7 V.' * f 3 Pf^ / ' .. ■ ' ..1 \ ■ ■ • ' .. j. ' . 1 .;. ' V; l• •^^. n. u : i'-tj • V 1 '..^ •Ty, '> •'v .7 ’yiT>‘J^^’ (r ■'■I':, .'j -i.-' :i :r'y'd! 'll--'; '^■- - ’ ■ I' ' ' r. ^ ■ ' i . __* , v r • ..:•' jH J-v ' ft ir < *■#» •V '■ ■’»' t ft, -■< C-! ■ 5 ’^ 'V :'*'>^i' V.,,, # • . ..< ' » H <'. .. .'• • ■ •< '•’ e , *'■ , ' * . ... . ■ *3^v."ir * r • • - ^ 'HCJi- •;♦. • '•/■- ■ - ■ •■ • i‘i-- ■' .,■>■?' i ^ .» iiiiiOTTfli" .,•., .i, ■■■ »'^. THE LORD’S SUFFER. FENCING TABLES. DISCOURSE HI. It is the peculiar excellency of the gofpel of Chrift, that it is fpiritual and plain in its doc¬ trines and precepts, and eafy and fimple in all its inftitutions; fo that our blefled Redeemer might juftly fay, “ my yoke is eafy, and my “ burden is light. One of thefe limple in¬ ftitutions we have now immediately in view, and that in obedience to one of thofe plain precepts, “ do this in remembrance of me. And may I not on this occafion addrefs you, my brethren, as Naaman s fervant did his mafter, “ My father, if the prophet had bid “ thee do fome great thing, wouldft thou not have done it j how much rather then, when he faith to thee, walh and be clean ? All K 74 Fencing Fables, that the Redeemer requires of you in return for his aftonilhing love, is, that you celebrate the memorial of his death, by eating and drink¬ ing at his table. He does not require of you what is .hard and difficult to perform, fuch as to go upon a pilgrimage to Jerufalem, and there to offer up coilly facrifices. He does not require of you to fcourge and torment your bodies by way of penance for fm, nor to abftain from food and nouriffiment. No, the duty he enjoins is both pleahint and eafy to perform, namely, to fit down and feaft with him at his table; “ Take, eat,” faith he, “ this “ is my body broken for you. This cup is “ the new teflament in my blood, ffied for you, “ drink ye all of it.” Can we refufe a requeft fo reafonable and eafy, when it is made by him who loved us and gave himfelf, an offer¬ ing to God of a iweet fmelling favour ? Shall we refufe to drink wine at his table, who, upon the crofs, drank vinegar mixed with gall for our fakes ? Did our Saviour drink a cup of wrath in our ftedd, and lhall we not thank¬ fully receive from his hand the cup of blcffing ? r Fencing Tables. Let each of us rather on this folemn occafion, adopt the refolution of the pious Pfalmift, “ I “ will take the cup of falvation,” fays he, “ and “ I will call upon the name of the Lord: I will “ pay my vows to the Lord now, in the pie- “ fence of all his people.” When our Re¬ deemer fays, “ Do this in remembrance of “ me,” Ihould not our hearts reply. Lord, what is it that we would not do for thy lake, who haft done and fuffered lb much for us ? Whom lhall we remember if we forget thee ? If we forget thee, O our Saviour, let our tongues cleave to the roof of our mouth, if we remember not thee, let our right hand foi- get her cunning. Are we determined this day to obey the dying command of our Redeemer, and do we exped and defire to enjoy com¬ munion with him at his table ? Then we niiift refolve, through grace aiTifting us, that we lhall have no fellowflftp with the unfruitful works of darknefs, but rather reprove them. Remember that as often as we fit down at the Lord’s Table, we folemnly engage ourfelves to maintain a perpetual w^ar againft all the cne- K 2 'I Fencing Fables, 76 mies of Chrift vs^ithout and within ns. And whenever we prefume to come to this table of the Lord, without this war maintained in our . converfation, we are guilty of the body and blood of Chrift, we eat and drink judgment to ourfelves, not difeerning the Lord’s body. Let every man examine himfelf, therefore, be¬ fore he partakes of the holy facrament; for to the wicked, God faith, “ what haft thou to “ do, to declare my ftatutes, or that thou “ fhouldft take my covenant in thy mouth ? feeing thou hateft inftrudlion and cafteft my “ words behind thee ?” Remember, “ they that “ are in the flefh cannot pleafe God.” (Rom. viii. 8.) And “ the works of the flefti are ma- “ nifeft, which are thefe, adultery, and every “ fpecies of impurity, idolatry, witchcraft, “ hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, ftrife, ‘‘ feditions, herefies, envyings, murders, drunk- “ ennefs, revellings and fuch like.” For them that do fuch things, there is a cup in the hand of the Lord, and the wine of it (faith the Pfalmift) is red, but it is the cup of indigna- Fe?icing Fabler. 77 tion, and the wine of the hercencfs ot his wrath. Rev. xvi. 19. I.et us then who espea: to enjoy cominuii- ioii. with our Redeemer on this foleinii occa-* fion, refolvc from henceforth to renounce all ungodlinefs and worldy lulls j let us crucify the flefli, with all its irregular appetites and delires. Let the grace and mercy of God, re¬ vealed in the goipel, poweriully conllrain iis to prelent onrfelves as living facrifices, holy, and acceptable to God, wdiich is our reafoii- able fervice. Draw nigh thus to God, and he will draw nigh to you; cleanle your hands ye finners, and purify your hearts ye double minded. Come to this feaft of love, hunger¬ ing and thirlling after righteoufnefs, for God hath promifed to fatisfy the longing foul, and to fill the hungry with good things. I.et the meek, the peaceable and the charitable, draw near to their Father’s table; for the meek fiiall eat, and lhall be fatisfied: Let the merciful draw near, for they fiiall obtain mercy: The .mourners in Zion, for they lhall be comforted: The pure in heart, for they fiiall fee God: Feficwg Fables, 7« And the poor in fpirit, for theirs is the king- ' clom of heaven. He who will, at the laft day, fay to you to whom the charad;ers now mentioned apply. Come ye bleifed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the begin- ning of the world,” has now covered a table for you in the prefence of your enemies, and authorifes his Minifters to invite'you, faying, come ve bleifed fouls, receive thefe tokens of your Redeemer’s love, as pledges and earnefts of fiiture blifs, to ftrengthen you in your pil- grimage-ftate, and to enable you to rejoice in hope of the glory of God. THE LORD'S SUPPER. FENCING TABLES. t DISCOURSE IV. We are now, my brethren, about to com¬ memorate the moft important event that ever happened upon earth: an event accomplifhed upwards of feventeen hundred years ago, but never to be forgotten: an event that extends its happy confequences to the remoteft periods of eternity: I mean, the fufferings and death of Jefus^Chrift, our adorable Redeemer. Chrift crucified is now to be evidently fet forth before your eyes. You are called to contemplate him by faith, “ coming from Edom, with “ dyed garments from Bozrah, travelling in “ the greatnefs of his ftrength, mighty tofave.’^ In this amazing tranfadlion, you may behold lalvation wrought out for fallen man, in a So I 'enchig ‘Tables^ manner confiftent with the honour of tlie divine perfedions. In Chrift Jefiis, mercy and truth have met together; righteoul’nefs and peace have kilTed each other. Tills great lalvation wrought out by the Son ot God is the admiration of angels; they de- fire to pry into this myftery of redeeming love. It is the envy of the fallen angels, who have no lot nor part in it: well does it therefore become us, to whom the blelTings of lalvation are freely offered, to celebrate the memory of redeeming love, in obedience to our Saviour’s dying command, “ Do this in remembrance “ of me.” But in what manner are we to re¬ member the death of Chrih ? What arc the qualifications of worthy communicants, and who are debarred from this table } This will appear, if we confider fome of the chief ends of this facred inftitution. In the firft place, this ordinance was ap¬ pointed to- be a memorial of ChrilVs fufferings and death, and of the ineftimable bleffmgs which he hath purchafed for his church, by fliedding his blood upon the crofs. Therefore, Fe?icitig Fables, 8 i all thole are debarred from this holy table, who are grofsly ignorant of the doctrine of the gofpel, and of the ends of Chrift’s death. For fuch perfons to partake of the Lord’s Supper, would be a folemn mocking of God, and de¬ ceiving their own fouls, feeing they cannot difeern the Lord’s body. 2. This ordinance was appointed to be a badge of our chriftian profeffion, to teftify to the world, that fo far from being afhamed of the crols of Chrift, we glory and triumph in it. We triumph in it as the foie foundation t of our hope of eternal life. At the Lord’s Table, we folemnly acknowledge that we have forfeited our title to life, and confeffing our fins, lay our hand upon the head of the great facrifice of atonement. Therefore I debar from this holy table, all infidels who deny the Lord that bought them, all thofe who are afhamed of the crofs of Chrift, and truft in themTelves that they are righteous before God. 3. This ordinance was appointed to pro¬ mote the fpiritual nourilhment and growth in grace of true chriftians, and therefore fuppofes X. 82 Foiclng Fables, a principle of fpiritual life being already re¬ ceived and implanted in the heart. Therefore I debar from this holy table, all unconverted Tinners, who have never experienced the mighty power of divine grace quickening their dead fouls, and uniting them to Chrift by a living faith. As many as profefs to be the difciples of jefus, without being thus united to Chrift, may be compared to dead and with¬ ered branches, and can receive no more bene¬ fit from coming to the Lord’s Table, than a dead man can from meat and drink. Where there is no principle of life, it is impoflible to derive nouriihment or refrefliment from the heft of food. 4. This ordinance was intended to promote union and brotherly love among thofe who profefs to be children of the fame Father, re¬ deemed by the fame Saviour, animated by the fame Spirit, and heirs of the fame glorious hopes; and therefore I debar from this hoiy table, all thofe, who, inftead of cheriftihig kind affedlions, harbour malice and ill-will in their breafts againft their fellow chriftians. Tenchig Tables. 83 Hear to this purpofe our Saviour s own deci- lion, (Math. V. 23, 24.) “ If thou bring thy “ gift to the altar, and there rememberell that “ thy brother hath ought againll thee, leave “ there thy gift before the altar, and go thy “ way; firll be reconciled to thy brother, and “ then come and offer thy gift. 5. Another end of coming to the Lord’s Table, is to renew our covenant with God in Chrift, to engage our fidelity to him, and to receive the feal of his faithful promifesHo us. For all the bleffings and privileges which Chrift has purchafed and promifed in the gofpel, are fealed in this ordinance to the worthy receiv¬ er, and therefore it is called the new teftament or covenant in his blood. And the language of our appearance at a communion table, is, that we highly value an intereft in this cove¬ nant, which is well ordered in all things and fure ; that we are fenfible we greatly need the bleffings of it; that in order to receive thefe bleflings, we are refolved to ftand to the terms of this covenant; and that we “join ourfelves “ therefore to the Lord in a perpetual coa e- L 2 84 Fencing Fables. “ nant, never'to be forgotten.” And If this is the language of our hearts too, and we are fincere from time to tii?ie in our covenant tran- I'adtions; we may then comfortably expedt a conftant fupply of the blelTings of it in the prefent world, according to our various ftates and circumflances in life, and the eternal blef- lings of it in the world to come. THE LORD'S SUPPER. FENCING TABLES. DISCOnKSE V. lliVERY inftitution of God challenges our veneration and regard. But that divine ordi¬ nance, now more immediately in our view, has a peculiar lolemnity llamped upon it by a variety of circumftances. It leads us to the contemplation of death, which is a fubjefl that naturally tends to make men ferious and thoughtful. But it is not death in its com¬ mon form, or the death of an ordinary perfon, that is brought to our view in this holy facra- ment of the Supper. This inftitution recalls to our thoughts the cruel and ignominious deatn which our adorable Redeemer lufFered upon the crofs; which is the fource of all our com¬ fort as guilty creatures, and the only foundation 86 Fencing Fables. of our hope of eternal life. In the death of the blelfed Jefus, we may behold the divine juftice fully fatished—mercy glorified, and a door of hope let open to every returning, pe¬ nitent finncr.. Sure, then, it is with reverence and awe upon our fpirits, and with the molt exalted apprclienfions of the divine perfedlions fo illuf- trioufiy difplayed in the work of our redemp¬ tion, that it becomes us to draw near to God in this ordinance. Let us remember that hoiinefs becomes God’s houfe, and in a fpe- cial manner becomes his table. Habitual hoiinefs is required of all thofe who would be worthy communicants. The Lord’s Table is not to be viewed in the light of an ordinary^ where all the guefts that enter, of whatever charadler, are to be promifcuoufly entertained. No, my brethren,—The facra- mental bread is children s breads and it is not to be call away upon the profane and immoral. In the primitive ages of the church, we read, that after fermon was done, and when they were going to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, an Fencing Fables, 87 officer ftood up and cried, “ Holy things belong “ only to thofe who are holyand then leve- ral of the congregation were to depart. Nay, the very heathens themfelves were fo lenlible of the abfolute neceffity of preparing themfelves for the worfhip of their Gods, that befoiethe celebration of their fuperftitious rites, they ufed to cry out, Procul ejle profaniy i. e. Let all wicked and unprepared perfons be gone. Hearts full of rancour and malice, are not meet to come to this feaft of love. Feet that walk in the unhallowed paths of fm, are not fit to tread in God’s holy courts. Mouths that are pol¬ luted with profane fwearing and evil fpeaking, are not fit to eat and drink the facred fymbols of Chrift’s body and blood. In a word, Chrifl debars from his holy table, all profane and fcandalous fmners, who live in the allowed and habitual violation of his righteous pre¬ cepts, or in the habitual negled of thofe duties whereby his difciples fhould be diftinguiflied from the men of the world. ' But on the other hand, Chrift, the mailer of this- feaft, invites and encourages every 88 Fencing Fables. humble, penitent finner to draw near his table, and to be partaker of the facred fymbols of his body and blood. Perhaps, O Chriftian, you are deterred by a confcioufnefs of guilt and infirmity, of the weaknefs and imperfedlion of your graces, from obeying your Redeemer’s dying com¬ mand; but, to remove this objection, conli- der, it is not the weaknefs of our faitb^ that unfits us for this lacrament; ’twas inftituted on purpofe to Ifrenghen it. ’Tis not the lan- gullhing of our love that unfits us; it was inftituted on purpofe to inflame it. ’Tis not the faintnefs or obfcurity of our hope that un¬ fits us; it was inftituted on purpofe to confirm and eftablifli it. ’Tis not, in a word, the fcantinefs of our graces and gifts, that unfits us for this facrament; it was inftituted on pur¬ pofe to convey and communicate more to us. But it is our living in wilful fin, our perfe- vering impenitently in a wicked and difobe- dient courfe, that difqualifies and unfits us for this ordinance. Remember, O fearful chrif¬ tian, that perfection in holinefs is not the Ftncing T^ahles. 89 attainment of any, while here on earth, and that you appear at the table of the Loid, not to declare to the world, that you aie inoie holy and righteous than your neighbours, but rather, you profefs there, that, being confci- ous of much guilt and imperfedion, you renounce all confidence in your own light- eoufnefs, and defire to fly to the atonement of Jefus as your only refuge, and lefolve thiough alfifting grace, to live henceforth, not to youi- felves, but to him who died for you, and rofe again. Are thefe the views and fentiments witli which you defire to fit down, at the Lord’s Table?—Then you may allure yourfelves oi being acceptable guefts at this fpiiitual feaft. M . ^1-; .^.,» ;y..,.t 'l^,*,t -J^mr ‘r.1. ^;i;;'7}..-V‘ ft'r. - \ lii" ; ' v.f, i)fK! 0 yyy(.' *• ' > > * . » • yy.cuyi *ir;y^y'.fU- ,., ■- ' • . . ^1 / • ,;)■•■.^^:>•:•r ■ M /■ '■ f.-,..~ r..'r/rr; jo" -;• ..v'-t':; 7l^ *v , ■ , ' t • •.iV J^‘. I riiill ‘'.r'i // ■"’''i.’i i ,)■ ‘ >:ir? 1 ■/.*«♦ M(’ f. i\> to # .*♦,.» I I ^ t J ,' : r, :. ■v.'/V.''t>{'V»'.V '7 . : '/.h J,,. ) ' i-. ly<" Jjih >• ify v ■•H---’ •* -} 1'., i; <; ‘ 4 v> ^ .’‘it ‘;t)' 1, 'j.-.i\ ■ 1 *;' ’ 'i’i''j. ■ 1 <■ > i '■’'■'('. ■^4 ^ ' ['./ >U‘-> .. '-i-: ■'J't i> y-> ‘V >l‘^iHlm r: if ,.^'|^'■..f.: U . ■ ■' i . ’Mi : .- .-^■••is^/iibi^fr'.-V' lv< V ■ W/ • *; ., :\i' v t. ■'M fixjiifp; -i' V D- ;ifV? ’! A *' v.’'41 *''-A' 't ■; 'f’. / * . 1 j I /■'■'■ 1 r ' THE LORD'S SUPPER. FENCING TABLES. - DISCOURSE VI. HEN we' are entering upon the lolenui fervice of this day, it becomes us, my chriftian brethren, to recollect our obligations to the goodnels of God, who hath delivered us from the power of darknefs, and has tranflated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. It may tend to cherifh our gratitude, to increafe our love to God, and confirm our purpofes of holy obe¬ dience, if we confider the ftate of darknefs from which we are delivered, and the glorious kingdom into which we are tranflated or in¬ troduced :—if we reflea on the difference be¬ tween the fervice in wdiich we are now engaging, and what would probably have been M a 92 Fencing Fables. our employment, had we continued in that darknefs which involved our anceftors while they were pagans ; and had not God deliv¬ ered us from that corrupt, fuperftitioiis and dangerous form of chriftianity, which we call popery. Firft, we fhould remember, that we are defcended from heathen anceftors, who were under the power of darknefs, and fiib- jeds of a kingdom, full of ignorance, idolatry, fin and mifery. Had we not been favoured with the light of the gofpel, we might now have been joining in facritices offered to devils or demons; we might have been paying ho¬ mage to the departed Ipirits of our kings and generals, and commemorating their heroic deeds, inftcad of celebrating the death of our adorable Redeemer. Had we remained in heathenifli ignorance, like many of our fore¬ fathers, we might, perhaps, on this day, have been attending the facrifice of a beloved child or-friend, offered in the inoft cruel manner, to.an imaginary god, or we might be join¬ ing .in fome other rites and fervices, inhuman, Fencing Fableu 9 .^ impure and Icandalous, for which the idolaters of this ifland were notorious. It fhould ex¬ cite and cherifli our fervent gratitude, that wc are tranllated from this dark and lavage Hate, into the kingdom of God’s dear Son; that we are favoured with chriftian piivileges, elpeci- ally this ordinance, fo excellent in itfelf, fo plealing to a holy God, and fo conducive to our fpiritual improvement. Again, It becomes us to acknowledge with gratitude the goodnefs of God, in delHering us from the power of popijl^ darknefs, and making us fubjeds of that kingdom of his dear Son, which is not of this world. The king¬ dom of the Pope is (as St. John foretold it would be. Rev. xvi. lo.) full of darkiiels, little better than the former darknefs ol pagan- ifm. The fubjeds of that kingdom are not allowed to read the fcriptures. T hey arc dii- couraged and kept from free enquiry, and their public prayers and praifes are offered up in an unknown tongue. But let me on this occafion, particularly remind you, how grolsly the J^ord f 94 Fencing Tables. Slipper is mifreprefeiited, diihonoured and per¬ verted by popery. Fall'eliood, facrilege and idolatry are mingled with this facred fervice. I. Notorious falfehood is mingled with it. The unhappy members of the church of Rome, are taught and obliged to believe, the abfurd dodtrine of tranfubilantiation, or, that upon pronouncing the words of confecration over the elements, by the prieft, this is my body^ the bread and wine are adlually changed into the fubftance of Chrilf’s flefh and blood; a dodtrine, I fay, not only abfurd in itfelf, and contraiy to our underftaiiding and fenfes, but contrary alfo to the very nature of the ordi¬ nance, which is a figii or fymbol, and not the tiling fignified. Again, the church of Rome alTerts, that this facrament is a proper atonement for thofe on whofe account it is prefented; and that there is a frelh offering of Chrift, every time the Mafs is celebrated. This is a high indig¬ nity to our bleffed Lord, as if his atonement were not fufficient. It is contrary to fcripture. Fencing Fables. 95 which declares that Chnfl once fuffered ; that the body of Tefus was offered once for ail. This facrament, which we arc about to cele- hrate, is a conuneiTioratioii ol a facrifice once offered—not the offering of a new one. 2 . In the church of facrllege is min¬ gled with this fervice. The popifh laity are denied the wine, becaufe the church faith, that the bread contains the 'whole body of Chrift; a notion grounded on the abfurd dodfrine of tranfubftantiation. It is alfo contrary to the command of Chrift, who enjoins, that his dii- ciples fhould all drink of the cup. It is con¬ trary to the pradfice of the apoftles and primi¬ tive chriftians, who partook of the cup as well as of the bread ; and it is a wicked ufur- pation of the rights of chriftians. Once more, in the church of FvOme, Idolatry is mingled with this holy inftitution. The papifts worlhip the hojl, that is, the fa- cramental bread and confecrated wafer; as it Thrift’s real body were prefent. They kneel as it paffeth by them in the ftreets, and wor- 5 6 , ¥encing Tables, fliip it with divine worfliip, when lifted up at the altar. Thus they worfliip a god which the pried; hath made. Thefe are the dodrines and practices of popifli countries. And had not the kindnefs of God appeared to us in bringing about the reformation^ thefe had been our tenets and ~ I prad:ices, or we had died martyrs, for refuf- ing to comply with them. What infinite reafon have we then, my chriftian and proteftant brethren, to blefs God, that we are delivered from all thefe errors, and that the folemn ordinance of the Lord’s Sup¬ per is adminiftered to us on this day, in its original fimplicity and purity. See then, bre- tliren, that you make your folemn approaches to God on this occafion, with an humble and thankful heart, defiring to remember and to reverence our Lord Jefus Chrift, as the only King and head of the church, and to enter a public proteft againfl: all rivals and ufurpers of his authority and dominion. Renouncing all other lords of your faith, you mull: pay your Fencing 'Tables. 97 homage to Jefus as the divine and ail-fufficient teacher, as your only mafter and lord. This day, you are called upon to celebrate the vidtories of vour Redeemer over fin and death, and all the powers of darknels, and to dedicate and devote yourfelves to his fervice, whom God hath exalted to be a prince and a faviour. On this day, you are alfo to declare to the world, that you are of that number, who re¬ nounce all confidence in the flefh, who rejoice in the Lord Jefus, trufting your eternal inte- refts in his hands, who is able to fave to the uttermoft all who come to God through him, being firmly perfuaded that the gates of hell (hall never prevail againft his church, but that he will fave all his faithful fubjedls with an everlafting falvation. Finally, brethren, while you keep this feaft with the moil lively gratitude to God for your civil and religious privileges, it becomes you to think with tender compalTion on thofe na¬ tions, who are yet fitting in darknefs, and in the fhadow of death. Beg of God to fend N 98 Fencing Fables, forth his light and his truth, to difpel the thick clouds of ignorance and error which overfpread fo great a part of the world, and to haften the time, when a pure offering fliall be prefented to him in righteoufnefs, from the rifing to the fetting fun. Amen. TABLE SERVICES. 1 /i •r* V • \ t - : -i-vr ' - . i* S-- ., .r, A / « ' \i » jy' ,J* . ,. ,. ... ... , .. . ..j '. •<::■•■ - • , ' .■•;• ■ • ^ \ if “Hl ' . ' \ • ■ ' V^;-" -■•■ ... ' .... -•... , .V- .>*->• ■/ •'.' ’..■ . • - ' / \ ff •• ■., I ' THE LORD’S SUFFER. COMMUNION SERVICE. TABLE J. You are now, my chriftian brethren, come forward to the Lord’s Table in obedience to his dying command, “ Do this in remem- ‘‘ brance of me.” I hope you are duly fenfible, that a bare hiftorical remembrance of Chrift, is not enough upon this occafion; for even judas remembers Chrift after this manner. He remembers with bitter repentance and in- iupportable anguiih of mind, that he betrayed his holy and innocent Lord and mailer into the hands of his enemies. Pilate alfo remem¬ bers, that, to gratify the Jews, he paffed fen- tence of condemnation againll the bleffed Jelus, although by his own confeffion, he found no fault in him. But it is with other feiitiments 102 Cojnmimloii Services. and views, that the friends of Jefas remember him at his own table. They remember him with the moft lively gratitude, as that compaf- fionate Saviour, who looked with pity upon them in their low and loll; ellate, when there was no other eye to pity, or hand to help them. Hiey remember him as the lamb of God that laketh away the fins of the world; and by faith, they behold him in this ordinance, bear¬ ing their fins in his own body on the accurfed tree. If you, my chriftian friends, thus re¬ member your Redeemer, you wdll confider yoiirfelves under the moil binding obligations to love, to honour and to obey him, who loved you and gave himfelf for you. You mufi not forget, my brethren, that it is a pradlical remembrance of himfelf, which our bleiied Redeemer expedfs and requires of thofe who profefs his name. It is fuch a remem¬ brance as warms the heart, enlivens the affec¬ tions, prompts us to imitate him, and to covet a participation of his Spirit, as well as of his merit. You are called to remember diriil upon this occafion, not only as your Communion Services. 103 merciful high prieft, who has atoned for your fins by the facrifice of himfelf, but alfo as your teacher and your guide, who is endued with heavenly wifdom to inftru£t you, and who is alfo invefted with authority to com¬ mand you, according to the ancient prophe¬ cy concerning him, I have given him tor a “ witnefs to the people, a leader and a com- “ mander to the people.” . As often as you celebrate the memorial of your Redeemer’s death, you mull remember what he has taught you, as well as what he has purchafed for you; firmly refolving, in an humble dependence upon the promifed aids of his Spirit, to follow whitherfoever he leads, and that you will tellify your gratitude for his love, by every poflible expreffion of it in your power, efpecially by a lelpedtful and ie\Lr- ential regard to his inllrudions, and by a wil¬ ling and chearful obedience to all his other commandments, as well as to his lall and dy¬ ing command, Do this in remembrance of “ me.” Trufting that you, my fellow chriftians, 1 04 ConwiimiQii Services, have now approached this holy table, with fuch fentiments and difpofitions as are becom¬ ing the folemn fervice in which you are en¬ gaged, I proceed to deliver to you the facred fymbols of Chrifl’s body and blood. “ The Lord Jefus Chrill, the fame night “ in which he was betrayed, took bread, and “ when he had given thanks, (as has been “ done in his name), he brake it, and faid, “ take, eat, this is my body which is broken “ for you, this do in remembrance of me.” Well does it become us, my brethren, to remember him, who remembered us in our low and loft eftate, beeaufe his mercy endur- eth for ever. Can we ever forget him, who chearfully fubmitted to be wounded for our tranfgreftions and bruifed for our iniquities, that by his ftripes we might be healed ? Lord pour down thy Spirit upon us at this time, that we may look upon him whom we have pierced with our fins, and mourn; that we may remember our own evil ways, and our doings which have not been good, and mav loathe ourfelves for our abominations. Communion Services: 105 But, bleiled be God, we are not called to mourn on "this occalion, as tliofe who have no hope. For, if we are truly penitent for our pall tranfgreffions of God’s holy law, we are encouraged to rejoice in the Lord Jelus, who hath magnified the law and made it hon¬ ourable, and brought in everlafting righteouf- nefs. “ We joy in God” faith the apoftle, “ through Jefus Chrifi; our Lord, by whom “ we have now received the atonement.” One great defign of appointing this ordinance was, to kindle hope in the breafts of all-trembling, defpairing, penitent finners; and to confirm their faith in the great atonement, as fufficient to procure the compleat pardon of all their fins. “ After fupper, Jefus alfo took the cup, hav- “ ing given thanks, and gave it to his difcip- “ les, faying, this cup is the new teftament in “ my blood, fired for the remififion of the fins “ of many; drink ye all of it. For as often ‘‘ as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye “ do Ihew the Lord’s death till he come.” Behold now bv faith, the Lamb of God, ✓ * O Communion Services, io6 that taketli away the fins of the world. Come now and let us reafon together, faith the Lord, though your fins be as fcarlet, they fhall be white as fnow; though they be red like crim- Ibn, they fliall be as wool. If we confefs our fins with unfeigned grief and forrow, God is faithful and juft to forgive us our fins, and to cleanfe us from all unrighteoufnefs: for the blood of Jefus Chrift his Son, when applied by faith, cleanfeth from all fin. Worthy, therefore, is the Lamb that was fain, and hath redeemed us to God by his own blood, to re¬ ceive blefling and honour, and glory and power. Is it not your enquiry now, what Ihall 1 render unto the Lord for all his benefits to¬ wards me ? Say with the Pfalmirt, I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I will take the cup of falvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the pre¬ fence of all his people. I will from henceforth live a life of faith and dependence upon the God of my falvation, and a life of obedience CoMmiiiiion Services. IQJ and fubjedion to him. Becaule thou haft been my help, O my God, therefore, in the fhadow of thy wings will I rejoice. Becaufe thou haft ^ inclined thine ear unto me, therefore will I call upon thee as long as I live. In every feafon of danger, of trial and temptation, 1 will lift up mine eyes to thofe everlaftmg hills, from whence cometh my help. Becaule thou haft redeemed me with fuch a price, therefore I will glorify thee with my body and fpirit which are thine. I refolve from henceforth to em¬ ploy my time, my talents and all the influence I am poffeft of, in doing thy will, and pro¬ moting thy glory. Truly I am thy fervant, O I.ord, I am thy fervant, and the fon of thy handmaid; thou haft loofed my bonds. I el- tcem it my hlgheft’ honour, to he called by^ thy name. Let me partake of the unaion of thy holy fpirit, that I may walk worthy of the vocation wherewith I am called. I am thine, O Lord, by creation and by purchafe, and 1 have this day, in the inoft folemn manner, declared that I am thine by covenant. I have (worn and I will perform it, that I will keep O 2 Communion Services. ic8 thy righteous laws. O let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the fon of man, whom thou madelf ftrong for thyfelf: fo will not we go back from thee. Quicken US, and- we fliall continue to call upon thy name. Caufe thy face to Ihine upon us, and we fhall be faved. Go now from the Lord’s Table, finging his praife. THE LORD'S SUFFER. COMMUNION SERVICE. table II' Who is this that cometh from Edom, avith dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glo¬ rious in his apparel, travelling in the greatoels of his ftrength? 1 that fpeak in rigliteoufnefs, (replies the great Redeemer) mighty to fave. Wherefore, O Almighty Saviour! art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the wine-fat? I have trodden the wine-prefs alone, (faith he) and of the people there was none with me. I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold! therefore mine own arm brought falvation. Yea, my brethren, our adorable Redeemer trode the wine-prefs of the father’s wrath, and no Co7nmunion Services, triumphed over principalities and powers in his own peribn alone \ of the people there was none with him: for when he encountered the powers of darknefs, they all forfook him and fled. But his heart was fo fully fet upon ac- complilhing the falvation of his church, that no difficulty which he met with could difcour- age him from perfevering in it. Neither the rage and fury of his enemies, nor the treach¬ ery and timidity of his friends, could prevail to make him defifl: from his arduous under¬ taking, until he could fay, “ It is fihiffied then he bowed his head and gave up the ghofl. Idft up your heads then, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlafting doors, that the king of glory may come in. Who is this king of glory ? The Lord, ftrong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle; conqueror of fin, of iatan and of death. He fought, he bled, he died; but in dying he conquered. The ftrength of fin is the law; this flrength he fubdued, by obeying the precepts of the law, and fuftaining the penalty due to our tranfgreffions. He de- flroyed death, and difarmed it of its fling. ColWilunioft Services, 111 He alfo deftroyed him that hath tlie power of death, even latan. He Ihook, yea, he over¬ turned-the foundations of his kingdom, broke open his prifon doors, releafed his prifoners, delivered the prey out of the hand of the mighty, and having fpoiled principalities and powers, he made a (hew ot them, openly tri¬ umphing over them on his crofs. By this vidory and triumph of our adorable Re¬ deemer, his name is rendered famous forever. as the pious Pfalmift obferves, “ his name for- ever fhall endure, laft like the hin it fhall. ' Time, we know, has buried in oblivion many famous names and great events; and vidones that have been celebrated with the utmoft pomp that human invention could contrive, are now entirely forgotten. The marble pil¬ lars, the ftatues and monuments by which the great ones of the world hoped to perpetuate their names upon earth, are now gone to luiii and crumbled into duft, as well as their found¬ ers ; but behold here a conqueror and a con- queft, the remembrance of which has been kept up in the world for many ages, and will 1 12 Communion Servicss. be kept, not only to the end of time, but even when time lhall be no more, through the end- iefs ages of eternity. It Vv^as to preferve the memory of this victory of our Redeemer, that the holy ordinance was inftituted which we are now met to celebrate. And I fervently pray, that this great and memorable event may be remembered by you with the moft lively gratitude, while I deliver to you the facred fymbols, according to Chrift’s appointment. “ The Lord Jefus, the fame night in which “ he was betrayed, took bread &c.” Lo I come, (faith the blelfed Redeemer) a body hall thou prepared for me. I delight to do thy will, O my God. Behold here the un¬ paralleled love of Jefus. He not only offered himfelf a facrifice of a fweet fmelling favour unto God, his heavenly Father; hut he re¬ joices that a body was given him to make him capable of fuffering in thy Read, O penitent fmner. He gave this very body to be broken, torn and wounded on thy account: Behold now by faith his broken body, and his blood Ihed for the remiffion of your fins. Co?nmiimo7i Services. 113 “ After fupper, Jefus alfo took the cup, &c.” Behold now, in the death of your Redeemer, the goodnefs and the feverity of God difplayed at once in the cleareft point of view:—His good¬ nefs and mercy in fparing the guilty, and pro¬ viding a facrifice in their room and head; Be¬ hold, on the other hand, the inflexible juftice of God, and the infinite evil of fin, for which no lefs a facrifice would be accepted than the flied- ding of Emanuel’s blood. O Lord our God, how uniearchable are thy judgments, and thy ways pall finding out! without controverfy, great is the myftery of godlinefs, God mani- feft in the flefh. Even angels are lofl: in wonder, while they pry into the myftery of redeeming love. Let us, therefore, turn away our eyes from beholding vanity. Let us turn afide and fee this great fight. Behold in the perfon of our Redeemer, the Godhead ! the fullnefs of the Godhead united to all the in¬ firmities of human nature, fin only excepted.- Behold the eternal Word, who was in the be¬ ginning with God, and who was God, made flefli, dwelling upon earth in poverty and P 114 Communion Services. want, defpifed and perlecuted, a man of for- rows and acquainted with grief, and at Lift hnifhing a life of unparalleled afflictions, by a painful and ignominious death, being crtici- iied upon mount Calvary betwixt two thieves. When we contemplate tbefe things by faith, it well becomes us to hand amazed, and to glorify God, faying with thofe of old, we have feen ftrange things to day. You have now, my chriftian brethren, com¬ memorated the death of your Redeemer, ac¬ cording to his own appointment. You have profeft, before God and the world, that you are his difciples, and redeemed by his blood; that you feel your obligations to him to exceed what you can ever pay; and that it is your firm purpofe and refolution, to be wholly and forever his. Let me then addrefs you in the words of the Pfalmift (i Chron. xvi. 15 .) “ Be ye ever ‘‘ mindful of his covenant.” As you have given a freffl pledge and affurance of your fidelity and obedience, be careful to hold faft the profeffion of your faith without wavering. Communion Services. 115 I doubt not but that you have felt ftrong emo¬ tions of grateful affection to your Redeemei, while you have been feafting with him at his table: But beware, left thefe good impreflions prove like the morning cloud, and the early dew, which foon pafleth away. Let the life you henceforth live in the flelh, be by the faith of the Son of God. If you are chriftians w- deed, as nothing can feparate you from the love of Chrift, fo nothing can eftiice the re¬ membrance of his love from your heaits. Remember, you have this day faid unto the Lord, in the moft folemn manner, thou art my God and my all-fufficient portion. See then that you often remind your fouls of tliis tranfadion, and that you endeavour to aO: confiftently with it. When afflidions dif- courage you, think of him who was a man of forrows and acquainted with grief; who, for the ioy that was fet before him, endured the crofs, defpifmg the ftiame, and is now fet down at the right hand of the Majefty on high. When temptation is like to prove too hard for you, look by faith to the ciofs of P 2 Commimion Sef’viccs. 116 ChriR', and the enemy will fly from you as alhamed. Think with joy of the victories and triumphs of your Redeemer, and put your truR in his promifes; then may you humbly hope, that notwithRanding all your fears and infirmities, he will lead you forth to glory and to viTory. The chriRian foldier has an im- fpeakahle advantage above all other foldiers, while he figfits under the banner of the captain of falvation. In the army of an earthly prince, there is no abfolute cei'-lainty of conqueR: Though men may adl vrith determined loyalty and courage, yet the event of war is ever du¬ bious; but the chriRian foldier, the humble believer in Jefus, can triumphantly fay in face of his enemies, the Lord is my light and my ialvation; whom Riall I fear ? I can do all things through ChriR which Rrengthens me. The chriRian may fay, even the very moment he has joined ChriR’s army, thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory, through our LordJefusChriR. AVork out your own falvation therefore, with fear and trembling, relying on the grace of your Redeemer for your eRedual Communion Services, 117 afRflance, and on his merits for your final ac¬ ceptance : And let all thofe who have this day enliiled under the Redeemer’s banner, tellify their loyalty to their King, by animat¬ ing each other to light the good fight of faith, and joining in this triumphant long, “ we are conquerors, yea more than conquerors “ through him who hath loved us. ’ v' ■' V ’., ■ “ "'■• ■ .■r.■.«»i*-’»w ., ■ .■'• .r'; ', i [ ’tt •■ Of Oii^-'^fcrU tu; • * ‘if!)? 7 y fti*. i^^’'.‘» '. ***'^ ^ ^ /■' v *b*.’ }-f '*'-^''’\ l), •■■'V ■'?^. KO Aij^-irr’A. i .\ Av> r^->‘- -r. :.<■ -• ^ ' V,'-.'- ' -',-■ '1 •' A" '* .O'; ^.' ,.' ■ . ■«.• < -. -T'-, ■' ■•■■ ■< • o ►; .' ^ • . ' ' ’• V- •■ •.'^<:0A- : '■'■'jA:' v.rr: A' ' V v.^A*3[r^ r- ■ ' ' ■'■ V- 0 , t > ■ ■. ■ . '' . ■ -■■ ’ : ;i • * ’ J I ' > ,' ♦ ' .. • V ’ • ' ' • - ' »•■■ '.ij&''V*'•<'■»'^ '’1^ Vc'C {•{>,',•’'■•'v'-'*V‘ iv?-;"''.,. ■0 v;. ' '■ ^ V;, ■■• -'n „ ■ ■' ..>'’'''.'.t^-y-. '■ ••' 5 _ /••’»/ •i.^ t .*1 tL.''■’ '■•*. •-••*■'** A ’ vr *'0'-■■ .' '• - '. .’..-v * »■—‘r^ A Avv,';A/'. -.• • v* ’ '. . ■ ■ -• ■*' .U ’ , - y vAv AAA^‘>V;i A t; ■. ’■■•^^♦4 - • •; yil'*" •• ’ • ■ ■> ‘ ''> • ■' ••..vHt', v'* t <‘'^‘• ^ V- ' ivNr l^v, f - * • • ’^-.v ' ■ rj. - v^.;v;>^0.AOA'A ■ - .A; A},«iAA''^uO .,v -.A"'' ■j ■iiMrf-< M * ^ >. 1 .. ' '■ ^- « A* ■ * " • ^ r«* ^ ^ V b X THE LORD'S SUPPER. COMMUNION SERVICE. TABLE III. The benefit of attending the Lord’s Table depends much upon the frame of foul in which you go to it. The meek Ihall eat and Ihall be fatisfied. The weary and heavy-laden Ihall find reft. But if you come to this feaft, entertaining high thoughts of yourfelves, in vain do you exped communion with Chrift, or any fpiritual benefit. They are the hungiy whom our blefled Saviour fills with good things; but the rich, thole that are full of themfelves, he fends empty away. He relift- eth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. The language of David when he fat before the Lord, becomes every foul that approaches this table, who am I, O Lord God, and vhat I 20 Communion Services. “ is my father’s houfe, that thou halt brought “ me hitherto ?” The more humble you are for the errors of your paft condud;, and the deeper fenfe you have of your wants, the better will you be prepared to meet with God, and to receive gracious communications from him who is the high and lofty one, whofe name is holy, and who dwells with him that is of a contrite and humble fpirit, to revive the fpirit of the humble, and the heart of the contrite ones. Now, in order to obtain this humble frame, I would recommend to you the following me¬ thod. Think what you were^ what you were by nature.^ eftranged from God, enemies to him, dead in trefpaffes and fins. Think my brethren, what you now are, how many and great your infirmities, how far you fall fhort of perfedion; how ftrong remaining corruption , is, and how weak your graces; in how many things you offend; how little care you have taken to walk worthy of your vocation, to live as the children of the great God, and co¬ heirs with Chrilf, Think further, how long Cojmnunion Services, I2I it was before many of you have been prevail¬ ed upon to join yourfelves in covenant with God ; how often God has called before you would anfwer; how often your Redeemer has knocked before you would open; how long it was before you chofe the fear of the Lord, and fet yourfelves to mind religion in earned:. Let me alfo exhort you to remember, where you are now fitting—at the table of the Lord; at the royal feaft of the King of heaven: You are about to join in the mod awful, folemn ordinance, that ever was indituted. Think what you are about to do; to come under the mod folemn vows and engagements to be the Lord’s; to renew that covenant with the great, the glorious, the eternal, the holy and jealous God, which you have fo often violated. Let your thoughts be thus employed, my breth¬ ren, and you mud increafe in the grace of humility, which is the bed preparation for re¬ ceiving drength and comfort at this folemn ordinance. But I proceed to deliver to you the facred fymbols of your Redeecmer’s body and blood. O X22 Communion Services, The Lord Jefus, the fame night in which he was betrayed, took bread, &c. Remember what Manoah’s wife faid to him, “ If the Lord were pleafed to kill us, he would “ not have received a burnt-offering, and a* “ meat-offering at our hands, neither would “ he have fliewed us all thefe things, nor would “ as at this time, have told us fuch things “ as thefe.” And may not you fay, O chrif- tians, if the Lord had pleafure in the death of finners, he would not have provided and accepted fuch a facrifice as we are now com¬ memorating ; but becaufe he delighteth in mercy, he hath fet forth his only begotten and bell beloved Son, to be a*propitiation through faith in his blood. After flipper, Jefus alfo took the cup, &c. Remember, now, the bitter cup which w^as put into your Redeemer’s hands, from which nature fhrunk back with dread and abhor¬ rence, and no wonder it fhould; but grace prevailed over nature. Love to his church, and refignation to his Father’s will, Taufcd Communion Services, 123 him to drink off the very dregs of it, laying, “ Father, not my will, but thine be done. You have now, my brethren, profeffed to join yourfelves with the Lord, in the bond of an everlafting covenant. God hath fealed ex¬ ceeding great and precious promifes to you, if you are true believers and fincere penitents; and you have fealed your vows of obedience and fidelity to him, over the fymbols of Chrift’s body and blood. See, then, that ye labour to behave at all times like thofe who are under the folemn obligations of the everlafting cove¬ nant, and who know and experience its him fupport and divine confolations. God is ever mindful of his promifes; and he obferves and remembers how we fulfil ours. Let us not forget, that as we profefs at the Lord’s Table, to hope for falvation, through the luffermgs and death of Jefus, fo we folemnly engage ourfelves to be conformed to the pattern of his life. “ He that faith he abideth in him, ought “ himfelf alfo to walk even as he walked.” It Ihould be our daily ftudy, to cultivate that humility, meeknefs and charity; that.purity. 124 Communion Services, piety and heavenly-mindednefs, wliich adorn¬ ed the life of our blefi'ed Redeemer. Suffer me to obferve, that it is not our de¬ vout behaviour at a Communion Table, or while we think the eyes of men do ftridlly mark our condiidt, that will prove the fmce- rity of our religions profeffion. Take heed, chriftians, that your conduct through life, in every relation in which you ftand connected, and every tranfadion in which you are en¬ gaged, may correfpond with the profeffion you have made this day at the Lord’s Table. Though I would by no means recommend to you a ftiff, four, forbidding manner, which -would rather injure than promote the caufe of God and truth; yet I would admonifh you on the other hand, againft that eafy and pliable religion which can accommodate itfelf to every tafle and company, however vain or vicious they may be. I would addrefs you in the -v^'ords of the infpircd apoftle, “ be not con- “ formed to this world, but be ye transformed ‘‘ by the renewing of your minds, that ye “ may prove what is that good, and perfed:, Co7}mii?no7t Se7'vices» ^^5 and acceptable will of God.” You have named the name of Chrift; depart therefore from all iniquity. You are children of tlie light; have no fellowfliip with the unfriiitlul works of darknefs. You have been commem¬ orating the love of Chrift, who laid down his life for our fakes: Beloved, if God fo loved us, we ought alfo to love one another. Be ye therefore kindly afiedlioned one to another, with brotherly love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the fpirit in the bond of peace, as becomes thofe Vvdio profefs to have one Lord, one faith, and to be heirs of the fame eternal hopes. Faithful is he that hath called you to his fervice; and if you put your humble truft in his mercy and grace, he will not fuffer you to be tempted above what you are able to bear, but with the temptation, will make a way for you to efcape. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to prefent you faultlefs before the preience of his glory, with exceeding joy: to the only wife God our Saviour, be afcribed glory and majefty, dominion and power, both now and ever. A men. ' ^ ! •,>t ■ •, • ( , 1 ' .' . ‘ * 1' e mSTM. *■ * A ’ ' '■\'X'l •• 1 , J'H'- .'fT' 1^! \ ■ 'J * '/ :,’fi^V'". -■ ’')•- ' '■ u* ,';;-: *; ■' M'.'r-! .... ■ T' 1 ■^v C , .- ' f ■/■ ^. ‘f’i: i:' *s ^ : • r >hJ^ *■ ' v;,*^': -O'-'’. ‘ *' ’'v::i:;^t'.‘ ' ■ f *y ,#y ► < -f * > .• *- ' '■ . /i ’* •, . ^ I 'V>, « ,: /:r, '. ' ■■ '•■ ^ ‘ ■• ':•»■ '» *' ■■ /■ f if '“'i f , !■ ',■ : • ' > . ■ V ' < -.< r; ■ ■ ■ 4 \ >A v' • t . » * - ■ , I / • ft , «■•■'#*,,• • '.v • - • ^ ' •’^ *'.*• •^'-‘ 1 1 . . .i ' .-t^ i ‘ i » . < . «/ i. • ( ^ . \ - ^ .»■• ' ' ■<>: JJ'i' - .ir . |1 .T );L:. '■ ' ''^ » j ■ it' . f ' , ‘. . f« i •,, '•■/.7' '■ "i; , THE LORD'S SUPPER. COMMUNION SERVICE. TABLE IV. IVIany ages before our blefled Redeemer ap¬ peared upon earth, it was foretold by the evangelical prophet concerning him, “ that “ he fliould make his foul an offering for fin; “ that the pleafure of the Lord fhould profper “ in his hand; and that he fhould fee the tra- “ vail of his foul and fliould be fatisfied.” The fubjeaof this prophecy is very clearly reprefent- ed in the folemn ordinance which we are now met to celebrate. Let your faith be therefore exercifed upon the agonies of your Redeemer, at this time, that fuitable affedions may be excited in your fouls. Think, O chrilfians, how painful mufl have been the fufferings of the bleffed Jefus, when he is reprcfcnted as in Communion Services. 12S great travail of ibul, to bring forth, or to ac- complifh the redemption and eternal falvation of his church. No heart of man can conceive, no tongue can exprefs, the agonies of foul which he endured from the wrath of God and the curfe of the law, when he condefeended to place himfelf in the room of the guilty. Sure it was no ordinary pain that made him pour out that doleful complaint, “ my foul is exceeding forrowful, even unto deathand again, to offer up prayers and fupplications, with ftrong cries and tears, faying, “ Father “ if it be poITible, let tliis cup pafs from me.” Thefe things our minds ought to dwell upon, that we may be duly affedled with the evil na¬ ture of fin, which could not be expiated by any other facrifice, but by fhedding the pre¬ cious blood of the Lamb of God. But in this ordinance, we may fee clearly exhibited, the happy fruits and eff’ed;s of thefe agonies of our Redeemer, which were his great fupport under all his fufferings. The Father promifed him that he fliould fee his feed: “ He fhall fee of “ the travail of his foul, and jdiall be fatisfied.” Coimnunion Services. 129 It is a great comfort to a dying man to have the profped of a numerous offspring, to per¬ petuate his name, and inherit his eftate. This comfort Jefus had, in all the calamities of his life: this animated liim to endure all with patience. He faw fome of his fpiritual chil¬ dren weeping around him while hanging on the crofs. He looked forward to the end of time, and faw a numerous offspring rifing up from age to age to call him bleffed, to bear up his name in the world, and to fhare in his heavenly inheritance. The apoftle tells us, that for the joy that was fet before him, he 'endured the crofs, defpirmg the fliame. His heart rejoiced at the happy profpe(T of pro¬ moting the glory of his Father, and the falvation of his church. “ I have fatiated “ the weary foul” might he fay, (Jer. xxxi. 25, 26.) “ and replenifhed every forrow- “ fill foul. Upon this I awaked and beheld, “ and my deep was fweet unto me.” This rendered Chrift’s death, and his fleep in the grave, pleafant to him. It fweetened all the travail of his foul to the bleffed Jefus, that R 130 Commtinion Services. he had latiated the v/eary foul and repleiihhed every forrowful foul. And here I would ob- ferve, that from this expreffion, you may learn, whether you belong to that number who are interrelbed in the travail of Chrifl’s foul. Are you weary and heavy laden ? Do you feel your fins a heavy burden, too heavy for you to bear? Be of good cheer, for Chrift was annointed to preach good tidings to the meek, to bind up the broken in heart. And let me add, for your comfort, his eyes are upon the aflembly met here to day, and if there be one of his fpiritual feed among us, he can dihin- guilh liim in the croud. He fees you liften- ing to his word with eager attention, he fees you now at his table, commemorating his love; he fees your liearts breaking with penitential % borrow, and melting at his crofs. And the fa- crifice of a broken and contrite heart he will not defpife. But I proceed to deliver to you the facred fymbols, which I pray may, through the influence of the bleiTed Spirit, confiirm your faith, enliven your hope, and' inflame your love, that you may go from this ordi¬ nance, rejoicing. Co7nmtinion Services . 131 The Lord Jeius, the fame night in whicli he was betrayed, took bread, &c. O tafte and fee now that the Lord is graci¬ ous, while you feed by faith on Chrift the bread of life, which came down from heaven. When the human race was perifliing for want ot fpiritual fupplies, Jefus, the true bread,the bread of life, came down from heaven, that he might raife ftarving, perifhing fpirits up to everlaft- ing life. He that eateth this bread (hall not hunger, and he that drinketh of this cup lhall not third, fhall never find himfelf deftitute of true comtort, but fliall find all his beft wiflies gratified, and all his nobleft delires fupplied. Lord, evermore give us this bread, and though our cups fhould not overflow in the dange¬ rous way of profperity, O may they ever overflow yviih the fweetnefs of divine bene- didion. After flipper alio, Jeius took the cup &c. Drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved ot the mod high God; drink all ye that are believers in my name. Lord, we believe, help thou our unbelief. They that tiud in R 2 132 Comimmion Services. thee, fhall never be afhamed of their hope. May we all who drink of this cup, find our hopes exalted, and our joys increafed in him, whom having not feen, we love, and in whom, though now we fee him not, yet be¬ lieving, we rejoice with joy unfpeakable, and full of glory. You have now been contemplating by faith the travail of your Redeemer’s foul. Chrift crucified has evidently been fet forth before your eyes. O that the eyes of your under- ftanding may be enlightened, that ye may be able to comprehend with all faints, the admi¬ rable dimenfions of redeeming love, which paffeth knowledge. He who loved you fo well as to lay down his life for your fakes, . role again for your juftification. Though his days on earth were cut fhort, yet they are prolonged in heaven. He who once hung upon the crofs, and lay dead in the tomb of Jofeph of Arimathea, has burft the bands of death, triumphed over the grave, and enjoys an immortal life. In fuch terms as thefe does he on this day addrefs you O chriftiarrs. Communion Services. 133 Fear not, I am the firft and the laftj I am he that iiveth and was dead, and behold, I “ am alive for ever more.” He ever lives to make interceffion for thole humble penitents, who have fled to him for refuge. He lives, chriftiansj to communicate his Spirit for your fandlification. He lives, to look after you in your pilgrimage through this wildernefs. He lives, to fend down fupplies to you according to your feveral exigences. He who Ihed his precious blood to redeem you'out of the hands of your enemies, now lives in heaven to plead your caufe, to urge your claims ^founded on his blood, and to folicit for you all the" blef- fmgs of time and eternity. He lives''-for ever to make you happy for ever. Well does it become you then to fay with the apoftle, ‘‘ I “ know in whom I have believed, and I am perfuaded, he is able to keep that which 1 “ have committed to him again!! that day. For what end is he exalted? Ifaiah will tell you (xxx. 18.) “ He is exalted that he may “ have mercy upon you- ’ He has placed himfelf upon his throne, as upon an eminence, ^34 Communion Sef~vices. if I may fo fpeak, that he may the more ad- vantageoufly fcatter bleffiiigs among the needy croud beneath him, that look up to him with eager, wifliful eyes, like the lame beggar on Peter and John, exped;ing to receive fome- thing from him. And fliall not fuch grace and bounty in one fo infinitely exalted above you, excite your love ? It furely muft, un- lefs the principle of gratitude be loft in your breafts. Let the love of Chrift then conftrain you to live from henceforth, not to yourfelves, but to him who both died, and rofe again, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living. Go now from the Lord’s Table under the lively imprelTions of redeeming love; and God grant that you may be enabled to walk humbly, watchfully and circumfpedlly, avoiding whatever may grieve the Holy Spirit, or interrupt the peace of your own minds. Amen. THE LORD'S SUPPER. COMMUNION SERVICE. table V. My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, faith the Lord; for as the heavens are higher than the earth, fo are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Who, that had beheld an infant, born in a ftable, and laid in a manger for a cradle, who lived a life of poverty, reproach and perfecution, and at laft died an ignominious death—who, I fay, could have imagined, {judging on human viewsj that this was he who was to redeem Ifrael, that this was the very Chrift, who Is the power of God and the wifdom of God to every one that believeth ? Yet fuch were the means by which it pleafed God to accomplilh Commiuiion Services. 136 the purpofes of his fovereign grace and mercy towards fallen man. O the depth of the rich¬ es, both of the wifdom and knowledge of God! how iinfearchable are his judgments, and his ways paft finding out! This is the doing of the Lord, and it is wondrous in our eyes. But blefled be the God of our fal^a- tion, as the means by which our redemption was accomplifhed, are fuch as it could never enter into the heart of man to conceive, fo the exceeding riches of the divine grace through Chrift Jefus to penitent finners, far tranfeend what we have any adequate idea of. Neither the greatnefs nor the number of our fins, nor any other circumftance can exclude us from pardon, but our unwillingnefs to part with them. Come now, and let us reafon to¬ gether, faith the Lord; though your fins be as fcarlet, they fliall be as white as fnow; though they be red like crimfon, they fhall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye fliall eat the good of the land. Be not therefore faithlefs, but believing. Think not that God is ftraitened in his compaflion as you Communion Services, ^37 3 re itraitened in your own bowels j oi that be- caule you find it hard to forgive your brother who olfendeth you until feven times, God has in like manner, become implacable, through the multitude of your tranfgreffions. No, my chriftian brethren; with our God there is plenteous redemption for every returning pe¬ nitent fmner. Let the wicked torlake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon: for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, faith the Lord. What a rich and tender difplay of the divine grace and com- palfion have we fet forth in the parable of the prodigal fon ! Llis reception from his father, far exceeded' his own expedations. “ I am no “ more worthy to be called thy fon, make me “ as one of thy hired fervants,” faid the poor prodigal, when he came to himfelf. But the father faid to his fervants, bring forth the belt robe and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and fhoes on his feet. The prodigal S Communion Services. -38 only defired to be treated like an hired fervant, but lo! the fatted calf is killed for him, and his return to his father’s houfe is celebrated with every deinonftration of joy and gladnefs* In like manner, there is joy in heaven over every finner that repenteth. Trufting there¬ fore, that you have now approached the Lord’s Table with penitent hearts, fmcerely afflidled for your fins, and determined, through grace, to forfake them; I proceed to deliver to you the I’acred pledges of your Redeemer’s love; which, I hope, you will receive with the mod; exalted apprehenfions ot his free grace, and pardoning mercy. The Lord Jefus, the fame night in which he was betrayed, took bread, &c. Jefus now addreffes you, O communicants, as he did Thomas of old, “ reach hither thy “ linger, and behold my hands; and reach “ hither thy hand, thrud; it into my fide, and “ be not faithlefs, but believing.” Are you not ready to reply with the apoftle, “ my “ Lord and my God.” In like manner after fupper, Jefus took the cup, &c. Communion Services. 139 Blefled jefus! thou haft drank at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; thou haft drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out j and thou haft put into my hand this cup of confolation. Behold what manner of love! O precious blood, that cleanfes from all fin ! Drink, O my foul, and remember Jefus—drink, and mourn over th^ paft fins and follies—drink, and receive thy pardon~“renew thy covenant and foiget thy forrows—drink, and forgive thy enemies triumph alfo over the adverfaries of thy ioul and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Say now, O chriftian, blefted Jefus! I will remember thy love more than wine. You have now, my brethren, fubfcribed with your hands unto the Lord; you have, in a very folemn manner, ratified and confirmed your baptifmal vows and engagements, and liaving opened your mouths to the Lord, and taken the facrament upon it that you will be his faithful fervants, you cannot go. back to the pradice of fin, without incurring the moll S 2 ' 140 Com?nu?no?t Services, aggravated guilt, and adding perjury to rebel¬ lion and difobedience. Let me folemnly exhort you, who have this day avouched the Lord for your God, and ’ have faid to Chrift at his table, my Lord and my God, to remember that he is both; and do not exped:, O communicant, that he Ihould be thy God, thy portion, thy exceeding great reward, if he be not alfo thy Lord. Do not think he will be thy Jefus, thy ranfom to fave thee from hell, if he be not thy Lord, to go- A^ern thy heart and life. He is the author of eternal falvation only to thofe that obey him. BcAvare of imagining, that your faying Lord, Lord, either now or hereafter, Avill fecure an intereft in his favour, if you are a worker of iniquity, and difregard his commands. If his intereft in thee, and his authority OA'^er thee, will not prevail' more than the entreaty of a friend, the gain of a little money, the allure¬ ments of pleafure, or the temptations of Satan, then thou haft no part or lot in the Saviour whofe death we are now celebrating. But if you fmcerely and unfeignedly take him to be Communion Services. 14^ your Lord, he will then be your God: and all bleffings, temporal, fpintual, and eternal are comprized in that, '^ou are then his jewels, his treahire, his portion, his inheri¬ tance, his peculiar people, if he be your God. O how dear, how valuable, how precious are the relations, privileges and bleffings, that this contains! what need you fear? what canyon want ? what can you afk more ? what can dii- may, afflidt or trouble fuch a foul? why ait thou call down, O my foul ? why art thou difquieted within me? may you fay, if you can add with David in another place, the Lord is my portion, and the lot of mine inheiitance. or if you can fay with Thomas, my Lord and my God. All things are yours; his Spirit, his providence—his attributes, his promifes; life, death, things prefent, things to come— grace here, heaven hereafter—all things are yours, if yo be Chrilf s, and he be as you have now profeft, y^our Lord and your God. Blelfed then are you, though you have not feen him with your bodily eyes, or thruft your hand into his wounded fide, or felt the print of the Communion Services. 142 nails in his crucified body: yet, having now by hearing of him, and receiving the facred fymbols, believed on him, and loved him, you fhall fee him hereafter in glory and tri¬ umph, and be for ever with him, to behold his glory, and to partake of it throughout the iafting ages of eternity. Amen. THE LORD'S SUFFER. COMMUNION SERVICE. TABLE VI. r-l~i i HERE is no dirpofitlon of mind more pro¬ per and becoming, when we approach to God in the folemnities of his worfhip, than a grate¬ ful one. To enter into his prefence with thankfgiving, and his gates with praife; to be thankful unto him and blefs his name, will be comfortable and edifying to our fouls, and acceptable to him. But there is no religious fervice, to which this grateful temper is more fuitable, than the ordinance now before us: in which we are called to recolledl, to com¬ memorate and celebrate, the moft important and valuable favours, with which a finful world was ever bleffed. And I truft, my fellow communicants, that your hearts are 144 Communion Services. now fo deeply imprelTed with a fenfe of re¬ deeming love, that you are ready to adopt the devout and grateful language of the pious Pfahnift, (Pfalm ci. i.) “ Blefs the Lord, “ O my foul; and all that is within me, blefs “ his holy name. Blefs the Lord, O my foul, “ and forget not all his benefits.” Blefs the Lord, O chriftians, for his pity and love to the finful children of men; that while he pal- fed by thofe nobler beings, the angels that fell, he had compaffion on the degenerate race of Adam. Blefs the Lord, that he has ordered your lot in a civilized country, favoured with the light of the gofpel, and where its ordinan¬ ces are adminifiered in purity, and not among thofe favage and barbarous nations, who offer up human facrifices, and bow the knee to idols. Blefs' the Lord, O chriffians, for appointing this ordinance, which is fo admirably fitted to help our devotion, to enfiame our love, and to quicken us to all holy obedience. An or¬ dinance, in which we fee that everlafting co¬ venant fealed and ratified, as it were, before our eyes; which giveth the aflurance of par- Communion Services. 145 don, peace and eternal life to every humble penitent believer. Blefs the Lord, that no ' domeftic calamity, or painful afflidion, has prevented you on this day, from partaking of lo delightful a feaft. Blefs the Lord, that you have no reafon to be filled with terror or tormenting fear, in approaching your Maker at this time, but that having fuch a high prieft fet over the houfe of God, who is touched with a feeling of your infirmities, you are en¬ couraged to come to a throne of grace, with humble confidence and joy, that you may ob¬ tain mercy and grace to help you in every time of need. I will add, my chriftian breth¬ ren, that we fhould be thankful to fee fo many ¥ of our brethren and friends joining us in the folemn fervice ’of this day, joining in the hime of homage, felf-dedication, love and hope. V/hat a pleafure is it, to fee fome young chrif- tians coming to the Lord’s Table, to fill up their father’s places; entering into their fer- vices and labours, and joining tliemfelves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant never to be forgotten! How delightful a fight muff this T 146 Communion Services. be to all the real friends of Jefus ! It encour- ageth us to hope and believe, that he will ftil! have a feed to ferve him in this place, where we have fo often remembered and celebrated his love, and had reafon to fay, “ It is good “ to be here.” And I fervently pray, that you may on this occafion, abundantly experi¬ ence the riches of divine grace, ^enlivening, ftrengthening, and comforting your fouls, while you are partaking of the facred fymbols of Chrift’s body and blood. The Lord Jefus, the fame night in which he was betrayed took bread, &c. Do this in remembrance of him who bare our fins in his own body on the accurfed tree, who fuffered the juft for the unjuft, that he might bring us to God. If the Jews could not forbear faying, “ behold how he loved “ him,” ,when they faw Jefus weeping at the grave of Lazarus, may we not with much more reafon cry out, behold how he loved us—when we think of his Ihedding, not tears, but blood, his vital blood for us. He hath loved us and waihed us from our fins,; in his own blood. Communion Services. H7 In like 'manner after fupper, he took the eup, &c. Imagine now, chriftians, that you fee Jefus handing in the midft of you, hs he did among his difciples, when he was newly rifen from the grave, faying, peace be unto you, eat, O friends—drink this cup which is the new tel- tament in my blood. Rejoice, and be ex¬ ceeding glad: as my Father hath loved me lo have I loved you: continue ye in my love. Behold here the fenfible figns and leals of my love. By thefe I give, myfelf to you, as once I gave myfelf for you. By thefe tokens I con¬ vey to you all that I have. I make over to you that inheritance which I have purchafed by my blood, even eternal life and happinefs. For though I was once dead, I am alive again, and behold I live for ever more. Amen. Lord Jefus; live for ever. Becaufe thou lived, we lhall live alfo. Thou knoweft how to pity us, becaufe thou art he who fullered and died ; and thou wilt never ceafe to pity and help us, becaufe thou art he that liveth, and being rai'fed from the dead, died no more; death T 2 Communion Services. 14S hath no more dominion over thee. Becanle thou waft tempted in all things like unto 11s, thou art fenfible of our infirmities, and able to fuccour us in all the trials of life and death. And becaufe thou liveft, thou canll make thy death powerful and efTedfual to us: ^ Thou canft make good all thy own promifes, and put us in pofieftion of the purchafed inheri¬ tance. Even death, the laft enemy, is now fwallowed up in viTory. O death, wdiere is thy fting ? O grave, where is thy victory ? Thanks be to God, who giveth us the vieftory through our Lord Jefus Chrift. You have now eaten of your Redeemer’s bread, I'ee that you lift not up the heel againft him. Remember that the folemn fervice in which you have been now engaged, is not on¬ ly a commemoration of Chrift’s ftrft appear¬ ance in a ftate of humiliation and fuffering, hut a fure pledge of his fecond coming to judge the world in righteoufnefs, and to compleat the redemption of his church. If you are a fmeere lover of Chrift, you will rejoice to think of this great event; and, tranfported with Communion Services. 149 the glorious proi'ped:, will be ready to exclaim, “ come, Lord Jefus, come quickly.” In this ordinance I fee thee darkly as through a glals. O when fliall I behold thee face to face ! when will the fun of righteoufnefs break through all interpofing veils, that the fhadows may be done away, and that his faithful ones may fee him in all his glory 1 delightful are the ap¬ proaches he now makes to our fouls: Even thefe diftant and cloudy views are refrefhing and comfortable, but how much will the plea- fure be encreafed, when 1 fliall be abfent from, the body, and prefent with the Lord! Above all, when I fnall put on my glorified body, and with the many thoufands, and thouland times ten thoufand of his faints that have ever lived upon the earth, fhall afcend to meet him in the air, be publicly abfolved and acknow¬ ledged by him, and by him prefented holy and without blame, to God, even our Father, fee him arrayed in majefty and love, and fall worfliipping at his feet! Chriftians, let this glorious and triumphant day be often realized to your minds by faith. Corrmiunion Services. Be watchful and diligent in your preparation for it. Gird up the loins of your minds, be fobcr and hope to the end for the grace that fliall be revealed to you, at the appearing of Jefus Chrift. Go now from the Lord’s Table, finging his praife. CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS ' TO COMMUNICANTS. , - », #ns ■ s , > ^ 1?*' r wff r’ >rr^ '-1 ViVi.N ir\‘ 'Si^ lkg<#:uV ' '.i'V ■ ;y•‘'U-'- f • i s I ;' ., viiU; ■•< . ^1 .'■^iJ , ' T* ■ ■■, f. . i. , -*,; I- q ; X/r.-i.VUV.;v’•-•.•. ' ' - S!' ,’ fk;>>i'‘-^ .tri'fl..iL- ■ MI', 3 V --■’a...'.-*•;• 7 :-/*-rarV-.>‘-‘-.4,v-/-i . V '. - ‘™ ' '' ‘'>’v'•^'' .':>• ’ ^;/,. -vir■ r- IS •> • if i.*:,/? ■■ - ■ [Tv • »* . •'fiJi ^ I. Hi,' “ *• '^ •<» ^ - <**i .M • Ii .'v . n't, : • /»i. .,, ..-j' /‘r . V • * . ✓ »/'.’*• . ,’lr •-^y /-a * yj THE LORD'S SUPPER. EXHORTATIONS To the Communicants., at the cojidiislon of the Solemn Action. ^ EXHORTATION I. Christian Brethren! The facramental table is now drawn, and I truft that many of you can fay from happy experience, truly our fellowfliip has been with the Father, and with his Son jefus Chrift. We have fat under his fnadow with great delight, and his fruit was fweet to our tafte. Permit me now to remind you, that the great defign of this ordinance is, to ftrengthen the principles of piety in your hearts, and to promote the practice of holinefs and univerfai righteoiifnefs in your lives. It this end be TJ ^54 Exhortations not in fome meafurc attained, we lofc the chief benefit of this inltitiition. For the bread of life is given us to ftrengthen us for our work. The defign of this appointment is to Ihew fortli the Lord’s death ; and the reafon wliv he ordered his death to be fo often com- j memorated is, to ftrengthen our faith, and hx us in the'belief of his meritorious fulferings, and of the accomplilliment of the promifes which are made in the gofpel; and that fuch a faith might bring us more and more in love with him. And the natural fruit of an in- creafed affection for Chrift is, a more ardent defire to be like him, a concern for his intereft, and diligent endeavours to abound in his fer- vice. Every faithful communicant will make confcience of walking humbly, watchfully and circumfpedfly. And remember, brethren, that loofe, carelefs, diforderly communicants are not worthy of the name or privileges of fuch. They are a difgrace to the fociety to which’ they belong. They diflionour their profeffion, and ought to be defpifed and avoided, Thofe that honour God, he will honour; but.thofe to Comimmicahts. 155 that defpife him, lie will allow iis to .efteem lightly. If your converfation be fuitable to this great folemnity in which you engage, if you come hither for fpiritual ftrength and improvement, and then go out into the world, and bring forth much fruit, and appear, and really aic more ferious, more devout, more fearful ol fm, more confcientious in the difcharge ol your duty than others are, you will delerve refped, and it is likely you will have it. for thofe who have no principle of real piety in their own hearts, yet ufually Ihew lome legard to holinefs in others. But on the contrary, if any' of us fhould go from this table, and walk as others walk, and be 'as vain and un- ‘^uarded as thofe who make no more than or- dinar^’’ pretenfions to religion, fo far irom commanding refpect, we fhall be defpiled both by God and man. Such a criminal behaviour on our part, will alfo harden the wicked and profane, and grieve the hearts of the righteous. Remember, it is not the name of a commu¬ nicant that is honourable, but the fan , - ■ -'t ; Oi ? ■ Y; • ',' •,:;'.: 0 :i)' bo;: d 0 m. oi '■ (f ;yS '.." ,. Vl. ■ > w- 4 - 4 - 4 - ;■■ b \'‘ii 'lu -J i ■' * t ‘ \ »‘t V 1 f, i 11 ^ i« 'lib;;.!' .'XO M :.» ;;{{'.ml > :;i,i ':•. ;'1,1 io ,• » ••(.'•’••'I i (/.•'*• - i t • vy.. .«• Yji t !vaJ ■ • I .-■-> ; " '■ br.:.-Vi- .' '■ ‘ - 3|-'' i.;. ‘ ' • t' ' ai i; > ’ 4‘Pc^:: « puf V7 ir»jnfi .,><■4 ud - J j; bij,; t r ■ ;i,z ,Uv7 b-> vl< ^ V* .^. V ^ ' 1 //:: na^ • / ,fiV ?^2fU;:TA ,.,- ‘'-M *r, i. ‘ f ■ f ;• /-:C .; ■ ^--r, ■: v'-- ri j:j4: • *' •: s 1 ’ •' "• f 1 THE LORD'S SUFFER. EXHORTATIONS to COMMUNICANTS. EXHORTATION II. 15y the good hand of our God upon us, we have been carried through the moft folemn part of the fervice of a communion Sabbath. We have profelfed to receive Chrift Jefus the Lord, as he is offered in the gofpel. ’ Let it be our care and endeavour from henceforth to walk in him, to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, to live as becomes the redeemed of the Lord, and the expedlants of glory, honour and Immortality. We read in the hiftory of Hezekiah (2 Chron. xxxi. I.) that when the Ifraelites had finifhed the celebration of the paffover, they all went out to the cities of Judah, and threw down the images, high places and idolatrous altars, till X i 62 Exhortaiions they had utterly deftroyed them all. We, my chriftian brethren, may derive a hint of ufeful inftrudtions from hence. When the religious exercifes of a Lord’s day, and efpe- cially of the Lord’s Supper, our chriftian paf- fover, are finifhed, we muft not think that our work is then ended. No: then the moft difficult ]:>art begins; which is, to fubdue and deftroy every thing in our temper and con- dud; that is offenfive to God; to renounce all our idols, and manifeft a holy zeal againft fm in ourfelves and others. The comforts we have enjoyed at the Lord’s Table and the folemn engagements we have renewed, fliould increafe this zeal in our breafts. Let us, with this view, confider that Jefus hath again been fet forth crucified among us; not merely to excite fome prefent good affedions to him, and give us a tranfient pleafure; but to be remem¬ bered and felt as an abiding principle and fource of obedience, an engagement to demolifh every idol and luft in our hearts. Remember what an apoftle faith (Heb. iii. 14.) “ Now are we partakers of Chrift, if we hold the beginning to Communicants, 163 “ of our confidence ftedfaft unto the end. The true chriftian maintains an uniform and conliftent charadler. His religion is not meie- iy the work of a Sabbath day or of a com¬ munion day, but hath an habitual influence upon his behaviour, in fubduing his paflions, fpiritualizing his affedtions, and regulating his condudt in the leveral relations of life. He can fay with the apoftle, “ I am crucified with “ Chrift, neverthelels I live; yet not I, but “ Chrift liveth in me, and the life which “ I now live in the flefh, I live by the faith ol “ the Son of God, who loved me, and gave “ himfelf for me.” When temptation alTaults, you muft remem¬ ber the folemn furrender you have made this day of yourfelves to your God and Savioui. When afflidions difcourage you, and the world frowns upon you, remember the profeflTion you have made at the Lord s Table. O my foul, thou haft fiiid unto the Lord, thou art my portion; therefore, “ although the fig tree flaall “ not bloflbm, neither fliall fruit be in the “ vine, the labour of the olive fhall fail, and X 2 164 ILxhorlations to Communicants. “ the fields fhall yield no meat; the flock fhall “ be cut of from the fold, and there fhall be “ no herd in the flail; yet I will rejoice in the “ Lord, I will joy in the God of my falvation.” Let us go on then to feek our refrefhment and happinefs in God, for there only fliall we find it. Let us watch againfl every thing that has a tendency to grieve his Spirit, and 40 in¬ terrupt his gracious communications to our fouls. In a word, let me exhort you in the conclufion, in the language of the bleffed apoflle, “ Fight the good fight of faith, lay “ hold on eternal life, whereunto ye are alfo “ called, and have profefl'ed a good profcflTion “ before many witnelfes.” Work out your own falvation with fear and trembling, relying on the grace of your Redeemer for your effec- « tual aflifiance, and on his merits for your final acceptance. Amen. PRAY E R S, BEFORE AND AFTER SERMON. s* ' * i'tw l \ 11^ '.-'."J'V { ' *- m • ->• ^ .' & • ■ 'I * ' _|Aj|^'£|^^ * t.. *»..'■ -.^ V , ■. , - ‘*- r- .1 ■„ r :.■* , V-., . ' i ■ ’ . ' ■ . ‘ . ' '■ ^fM,y •> JTX - .-f* *'(i vAf^ ^ '• * * / i*. r ■r:^''■r, ^ ■ r ' ■’ • . *' . -u' , *'V / ■> ♦ 'V t .A, . ’^*- \ ’.‘^ . ■; ••f-'' >5H Vi- ' .,<;'* *'- * • ^ • ; .'. ^v^.‘ r .■' V4 '■• 1 ^ ■ 1 '■'■ ■'? n »■ :. , -• •• 4'4^ , - ■ , r ” • . ^ " I • • ':' ^;»;y • '. .AvWFi:' >.«.. *f , ' • t ‘ DEVOTIONS for the CHURCH. BEFORE SERMON. PRAYER I. O MOST glorious, and highly exalted Lord our God! Thou art greatly to be feared in the aflembly of thy faints, and to be had in reverence of all that would draw nigh unto thee. We thy dependent creatures, would prefent ourfelves before thee at this time, with fentiments of humility and profound venera¬ tion; adoring thee as the only living and true God, the only proper objedf of our reli¬ gious homage and worfhip. For thou art every where prefent, to hear our fupplications and praifes:»and thou art alone polfeft of infinite wifdom to contrive, almighty power to exe¬ cute, and perfed goodnefs to defire our hap- pinefs. We are fenfible O our God, that our i6S Prayers. goodnefs cannot extend to thee, and that thy perfe(3;ions and glory can receive no addition from our imperfed; fervices. But it is good for us to draw near to God, for lo! they that are far from thee fliall perilh. It is good for us to draw near to thee, to teftify our entire dependence upon thee, and the innumerable obligations we owe thee, to excite and to improve good difpofitions in our minds, that beholding as in a glafs the glory of the Lord, we may be transformed into the fame image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Affift us, O Lord, we entreat thee, to perform the folemn duties in which we are now engaging, in fuch a man¬ ner as fliall render our fervices acceptable to thee through Jelus Chrift our adorable ad¬ vocate and intercelTor, and beneficial to our own fouls. O thou, who haft conftant accefs to our minds! we earneftly implore thy di¬ vine influence and aid, to put us into a fuitable frame and temper of mind for converfing with heavenly objedls, and to excite in us a fpirit of genuine piety and devotion. May we Prayers, 169 worfhip thee, the all-feeing Spirit, in fpirit and in truth. When we profefs to draw near thee with our mouths, and to honour thee with our lips, forbid that our liearts Ihould be far removed from thee. We fervently pray, O heavenly father, that no intruding caies may difturb our devotion, on this day ot fa- cred red, and that no mean defires and affedions may interrupt our communion with heaven, or fufpend our delightful intercourfc with thee, the Father of our fpirits. Quicken us that we may call upon thy name; open thou our lips, O Lord, and our mouths fliall Ihew forth thy praiie. All thy works praife thee, O God, and thy glorious perfedions arc engraven in Ihining characters on every part of thy vaft creation. But thy faints are in a more efpecial manner bound to extol and to magnify thy name, and to join in that fong ot praife, ‘‘ Worthy art thou to receive blefling “ and honour and glory and power.” What have we O God, that wc have not received from thee ? Ail that we are, all that we have, all that we can do, is wholly from thee! To Y 170 Prayers, love thee above all is therefore our firft duty, and to enjoy thee, our fupreme felicity. Whom have we in heaven but thee, O our God, and there is none upon earth that we delire befides thee. Our fielh and our heart faileth, but God is the ftrength of our heart, and our por¬ tion for ever more. We rejoice in that emin¬ ent diftindtion conferred upon our nature, that thou haft formed us with powers that ren¬ der us capable of maintaining an intercourfe with thee the author of our being, of know¬ ing, loving and ferving Thee here, and of en¬ joying Thee, when time ihali be no more. We blefs thee for the continued ufe and cxer- cife of our reafoning powers, and for all the teftimonies of thy paternal care, which we have experienced fmce we had a being in the world. We tafted of thy bounty even before we were capable of perceiving the hand from whence it came; and we muft acknowledge with gratitude that goodnefs and mercy have hitherto followed us. It is owing to the riches of thy goodnefs and forbearance and long fufiering, that thou Prayers, -171 urt Tpcii'lng us fo long in a. ftate of trial and probation, and beftowing upon us a variety of means for promoting our religious and moral improvement. To thee we are indebted for every thing that contributes to 0111 com¬ fort and enjoyment here on earth, and for all our profpe ■> C-'/i ' i ’ ^ . . < i ’ I , . ' V' ./r ti 'j . :;i; .-i- ^ VOv V O A AW ; v; -is-acser' ‘ i' ■ : V ■ > •) • * '** ^’ /* ....... .fsOmA -f ; , .. j;: i'- -. 'i ' *• . ? -.L. f .• \ i ‘ ' ^ l‘i II ■ ■ ^^ ^ ■ ...^^ fvr'- . AdJ ,;^frr»T.i- ,»>-iuf{j Hi >!£- xjfiwd A bi’ti ,\noil7 / '»'/■> btix. ,wod l/iuOiil ...•oiit VH! .| ■,b■'...! U . jniril id itafi) *'.1 i'Ai ^rjwoq'3(i) bar^ .iriob . jiiJ .jfKurA^ bat f /iotJi ' ’jW laddiio ^33x1? .Jiion e-’ #i3d a^iow / ff' . vdi .'Ainu jvii! * > /X’.* -hnamub lovriuJlin 3 Tj.. La^) u ,fi.! yn : Jp'^ '■-' •■ • -'• doij -iti. ■ 1 ■ , .. • „c Xfc ti'. w.* j‘ ^ bti'jb .>d ■ .:■ vi. ;.».bvii 'si ■>' DEVOTIONS for the CHURGEL BEFORE SERMON. PRAYER 11. O ETERNAL and moft blefled Lord our God ! We adore thee as the Alpha and Ome¬ ga, the firft and the laft, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things. To thee every knee lEould bow, and every tongue con- fels their fms; for thine, O Lord, is the king¬ dom, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majefty. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, neither are there any xvorks like unto thy works. Thy works O God are immenfe, full of wonder, demand¬ ing everlafting praife. Thou called the things that are not, as if they were; thou quickened the dead. Thou laidd at the beginning, let there be light, and there was light: Thou A a Prayers, 186^ faidfl: and it was done, thou commandedft and it ftood faft. At thy voice, O Lord God omnipotent, the earth quakes, the pillars of heaven tremble. The rocks melt like wax; the fea is dried up, and the foundations of the hills are moved. Who would not therefore fear thee O God ? Who would not glorify thy name?—Thou, Lord, hafl; a mighty arm: ftrong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. Thou art able to fulfil the defires of thy faithful fer- vants, who put their humble truft in thy mercy. Thou art able alio effed;ually to fub- due all the enemies of thy holy and righteous government. O Lord God of hofts ! Blelfed is the man who tnifteth in thee; yea blelfed is the man whom thou chufeft, and caufeft to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts. We blefs thy name, who art encour¬ aging us to draw near to thee, by revealing thyfelf in thy word as the proper objedt of our truft and confidence; not as an abfolute God, who is a confuming lire to all the workers of iniquity; but under the amiable charadier of the Father of mercies in whom compaftions flow ; Prayers 187 God in Chrift, reconciling a guilty world to thylelf, not imputing to penitent Tinners their trefpafles. Glory to God in the higheft, for peace proclaimed on earth, and good-will to the Tons of men. We defire now to come into thy houfe, in the multitude of thy tender mercies, and to worfhip in thy fear toward thy holy temple. Every time we appear in the tabernacles of thy grace, we muff confefs that we are called to the exercife of contrition and forrow. What reafon have we, holy Majefty, to mourn at thy footftool over the ruins of our degenerate, fallen nature, and to exclaim with the deepeft humility and abale- ment, how is the gold become dim! how is the moft fine gold changed! The crown, alas, is fallen from our heads; wo to us Tinners. VVe would lament in thy prefence, the fatal blindnefs and ignorance of our minds in fpi- ritual matters. How apt are we to miftake the true way to happinefs, and to feek the living among the dead ! How often have we miftaken evil for good, bitter for Tweet, and darknefs for light! We have likewife infinite A a 2 i88 Prayers, reafon to be humbled in thy fight, on account of the coldnefs and infenfibility of our hearts, which can hardly be allured by the gracious promifes of the gofpel, or alarmed by the awful terrors of the law. We would lament in thy prefence, O our God, the diforder and irregularity of our affections, and the preva¬ lence of that carnal mind, which is enmity againft God, and is not fubjeCt to his law. Who among us can underfland his errors? Innumerable evils do compafs us about. But we blefs and magnify thy name, though we have continual caufe of humiliation for what we are in ourfelves, we are encouraged by the gracious difeoveries made in the gofpel, to re¬ joice in the Lord Jefus, and in the various offices and characters which he fuftains, as the Redeemer of his church and people: Pie is made of God to all that believe in him, wif- dom, righteoufnefs, fanCtification and com¬ plete redemption. Teach us, we befeech thee, to flee to Jefus, as the only hope fet before us, and to believe in him to the faving of our fouls. Quicken us, O Lord, by thine al- Prayers. 189 .mighty grace, and lave us for thy name’s fa]s:e, by the wadiing of regeneration, and the re¬ newing of the Holy Ghoft. May we be in¬ grafted into Chrift, and become living and fruitful branches in him, the true vine. Con¬ vince us more elfe(£l;ually, we pray thee, of the vanity of the world, and its infufficiency to make us happy; of the vilencis of fm and its tendency to make us miferable; of the worth of our fouls, and the awfulnefs of that everlafting ftate, on the borders of which we are ftandingj and make us ferious and diligent In our preparation for it. From henceforth rnay we labour chiefly, not for the meat which perifheth, but for that which endureth to everlafting life. May we ever adt under the influence of that faith which is the fubftance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not feen. May we approve ourfelves true believers, by thirfting for God, for his enlivening power and prefence. May our affections be lixed, not on prefent objeCts, but on that Saviour, whom having not leen, we love, and in whom, though now we fee 190 Prayers. him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy iinfpeakable and full of glory. What we know not, teach thou us, and enable us faith¬ fully to comply with the knowledge already received. May we fand;ify thee, the Lord, in f our hearts, and make thee our fear and our dread. May integrity and uprightnefs conti¬ nually preferve us, and grant that our hearts may not reproach us as long as we live. We muft confefs, O Lord, thk every day makes new difeoveries to us of our own frailty and infirmity, in the hour of trial and temp- - tation. As our day is, let our ftrength be. Suft’er us not to be tempted above what we are able to bear, but with the temptation, make a way for us to efcape. May the faithful God who hath called us to the fellowlhip of his fon Jefus Chrift, confirm us even unto the end. May we be kept by his almighty power, through faith unto eternal falvation. Bleffed be thy name,. O heavenly Father, for the diftinguilhed advantages with which thou haft favoured us, for promoting our fpiritual improvement and growth in grace. Prayers. 191 Thou haft been pleafed to caft our lot in a land of light, in which thou haft built habita¬ tions for thyfelf; wherein we enjoy the inef- timable privilege of attending thy folemn worftiip, and of being inftruaed in the way of falvation. O Lord, fend forth thy ligM with thy truth on this day, that a willing people may come to thee, who (hall worlhip thee in the beauty of holinefs. Be gracioufly prefent with us, and with all the worihipping aflemblies of thy people, met together on this day, throughout the world. Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied to all the Ifrael of God, to all thofe, of whatever denomination, who love our Lord Jefus Chrift in finceiity. May their joys abound—may their number be daily increafed. Enable thy fervants to fpeak the truth on this day, in demonftration of the Spirit, and with power; and may the hearers of the gofpel receive with meeknefs the in¬ grafted word, which is able to fave their fouls. May they receive it with faith and love, lay it up in their hearts, and pra^tife it in their lives. Vifit in mercy the affli(fted and diftreft Fraycfi, 192 % who pant after thine ordinances, as the hart panteth after the water brooks; who, in the true fpirit of devotion, are ready to exclaim, Blefled are they that dwell in thy houfe! O Vvdieii’fhall we come and appear before God in Zion. We fervently pray, O Lord, that thou wouldft be the ftrength of their heart, and that they may abundantly enjoy the con- folations of thy Spirit, wdio art not confined to temples made with hands. May each of us find, that it is good for us to draw near to God. May the ordinances of thine houfe bet the joy of our hearts, and a day in thy courts be in our efteem preferable to a thoufand elfe-- wliere. Hear thefe our prayers, O Lord. Forgive our fins, and accept of our fervices, for the merits and mediation of our adorable Redeemer; and we fhall aferibe glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Ghofi, world without end. Amen. DEVOTIONS for the CHURCH. AFTER SERMON. PRAYER II. O Lord our God, how many and wonderful are thy works which thou haft done, and thy gracious thoughts towards us ; they cannot be reckoned up in order before thee. If we would declare and fpeak of them, they are more than can be numbered. We acknowledge our- felves, O our God, entirely dependent upon thee. Without thee we are nothing, we have nothing, we can do nothing. We blels thee for the conftant communication of fo much unmerited favour; for all the bounties of na¬ ture, and the gifts of providence: but above and beyond all, for thine ineftimable love, in the falvation of the world by Jefus Chrift thy Son, our mediator, through whom thou art B b 194 Prayers. Indulging us with the ‘ means of grace, and reviving us with the hope of glory; through whom thou art railing fallen, guilty, degene¬ rate and unhappy man, to a higher and a nobler condition, even than that of his firft creation. For ever hleffed be thy mercy through our Mediator, that our views are not limited to the boundaries of time, that they are ffretched' beyond the barriers of the world, into that new heaven, and that new earth, whereih dwell righteoufnefs and happinefs for ever more; and that, amidft the vanity and vex¬ ation that adhere to this condition of life, we ai'e allowed and encouraged to confole our- felves with the profpe^t of a better, nobler, and more divine life, beyond the grave, where fill and forrow ihall never enter, where we ihall be at reft from all the troubles of morta¬ lity, and what is moft to be defired and beft of all, where we (hall learn to love our God, our Saviour, and one another, after a nobler and more perfeeft manner, than we can pof- fibly attain m this feeble ftate of humanity. Make us duly fenfible, we befeech thee, O Prayers 195 Lord, of the adt^antages with which thou haft favoured us, and difpofe and enable us to im¬ prove them to thy glory. Grant that the moft flattering allurements of the world may never be able to fliake onr fidelity to thee, 01 to feduce us from the path of duty. May the word of Chrifl dwell in us richly in all wifdom. May we ever approve of the things that are excellent, and delight to do thy will after the inward man. May thy tel- timonies be the rejoifing of our hearts, and let thy ffatutes be our fongs in the houie of our pilgrimage. Hold up our goings in thy paths, that our feet may not flumble. Strengthen us with all might by thy Spirit in the innei man, and uphold us with thy powerful and almighty arm. Though we fall, yet let us not be ut¬ terly caft down, but qo thou gracioufly reftoie our'fouls, reclaim us from our wanderings, and lead us in the paths of rlghteoufnefs for thy name’s fake. In all our ways may we acknow¬ ledge thee, and never lean to our own under- fianding or our own flrength. Let our waiting- eves be ever direded towards thee, wTofe wil- R b 2 196 Prayers. dom is unerring, and in whom everlafting ftrength is to be found. Enable us, O Lord, to enjoy all the gifts of tby bounty with fo- briety and moderation, and to yield wEat thou art pleafed to call for, with patience and refig- nation to thy will. And however our fpirits may at any time be in danger ot being de- prefsed by the borrows of life, or entangled by its fnares, may we ftill find the power of di¬ vine principle guiding us right, and ftrength- ening us in our goings, that our path may be like that of the morning light, which fhineth more and more to the perfect day. And as thou haft: taugEt us to offer up prayers and fupplications for all men, we befeech thee to extend thy mercy and favour to all mankind. May all the kingdoms of the earth be brought to the knowledge and wmrffiip of Thee the only true God, and of Jefus Chrift: whom thou liafl fent, wEom to know is life eternal. Remove every obflacle that hinders the fuccefs of the gofpel. Vouchfafe more of thy Spirit, O Lord, to all the churches and fervants in the world. Grant, that as their ignorance and Prayers^ 197 imperfctSlions have divided and weakened them, have proved a ftumbling-block to inli- dels, and hardened tlie wicked and ungodly; fo may their increafing knowledge, unite and llrengthen them, and gain converts to the truth. Be very gracious to the lands of our nativi¬ ty, and the church planted among us. Peace be within the walls of our Zion, and profpe- rity within her palaces. Send thy reforming Spirit, O Lord, around the world, and reftore a diffipated and diftraded age to piety and good morals. Give paftors according to thy own heart, who fliall feed thy people with knowledge and underftanding. Enrich our King and all connected with him, or placed in authority under him, with thy choiceft mercies. And do thou fo direft public coun¬ cils, that thofe meafures may be adopted, winch will tend to the prefervation of domeftic har¬ mony, and the reftoration and ellabliflunent of peace among the nations. Thine arm, O almighty God, has often been extended for our defence and proteTion. In thee, we de- 198 Prayers, tire ftill to place our triift, O grant, that in defiance of all the attempts of our enemies, our liberties, civil and religious, may be pre- ferved and conveyed to the latell pofterity. Blefs our land with the fruits of the earth in their feafon, and with fuch temperate weather as is necelfary to bring them to maturity. Let thy blefling reft upon us, who are met together on this day, as a cliriftian fociety, to worlhip and to ferve thee. Let thy word vs^hich we have heard fink deep into our hearts, and bring forth fruit to thy glory. We rejoice to think, that while fuch multitudes are ad- drefting thee at one and the fame time through¬ out the world, thou heareft all their requefts, thou knoweft alb their wants, a'nd art both able and willing to fupply them. Blefs us, we be- leech thee, and all whom we ought to remem¬ ber at a throne of grace, with fpiritual blef- fings in Chrift Jefus, and with fuch a portion of worldly profperity as thy wifdom ftiall fee conducive to our everlafting happinefs. Let all the dilpenfations of thy providence, Vve pray thee, be fandtined to us. May thy Prayers. 199 mercies, as cords of love, draw us nearer to thyfelf; and may the ftrokes of thine affiiding hand wean us from fin, mortify us to this world, and make us ready for our departure hence, whenfoever thou art pleafed to call us. Guide us by thy counfel and fupport us by thy grace, in all our travels through this danger¬ ous wildernefs, and at laft give us the victory over death, and a triumphant entrance into thy glorious kingdom in the higheft heavens. AlTift us, gracious God, in finging thy praifes. Difmifs us from thy houfe with thy bleffing. Hear and anfwer us; pardon, ac¬ cept and blefs us, for thy mercies’ fake in Chrift Jefas, to whom, with thee O Father, and the Floly Spirit, we would afcribe glorv and immortal praifes. Amen. *r 'I ■ ■" viwiHaa aaoiaa ' •.T/ : ' i-f * ? f?pj; - ■ - 1 -/ '' ' ;; , ■ :'■ ' j-a;. . ■ ■, - '' '■ : ' ‘ ' : ft - ; ,A 5 l¥ '. « . ^ ■*. . 'r . \ c • , V > i r , ; . ,- .' »• ■ 1 / • •• * • ^ ■.'»j:- ,w ■ ■ f'ff'' ' ;•, : ‘ ^XA)r! i t'i? />ii} uoti'l ‘ OifioA O jftLirf itrw/^w bctL ^box). 'Jiio t^bihb : ai^y,3 Uf-Af'i)v/;ha/i ,boO ?/i3xhst iwo birF« bioJ liJO to I'XrlJ^i bofi. boO 3/>frjl>xln''jo fivflii 3 w aiotsuorix buL ^finrfU Wiajv >V/ paoidt ^{ib IlO tooibooi orfJ dofiOtqqB oi rjoij '^d biiuod es^/bhuo 3:^bDiw'0ni3ii *jvoi ot ^3iobG boij 3tifiiq oi ^gnoiJB^iido bnjs . to 'i^rniot ')di m uorb lot :33rij ovT^ii o) bfu ujo ; pJiiiqt liJD io grit bflr. fioiburl ,iofi)Bbn3d iu'ihfifjod bii£ ,73vi3toi(f imbinoj 'UOfit buB fOiB'j YfiJ noqu bB:> 37 / pxaw viiB-'d ‘jfjfo ffoqo ;^nijd ow n^riw t 3 qoxl OJ eu iivbBxn tU-H dnoJ 7/0 H >nLUid . J DEVOTIONS for the CHURCH, BEFORE SERMON. PRAYER III. O Lord ! Thou art God, and there is nonc' befide thee, our God, and we will praife thee, our father’s God, and we will exalt thee; the God and Father of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, and therefore we have confidence to approach the footftool of thy throne. We acknowledge ourfelves bound by many ties and obligations, to praife and adore, to love and to ferve thee: for thou art the former of our bodies, and the father of our fpirits ; our conftant preferver, and bountiful benefaTor. Early were we call upon thy care, and thou madeft us to hope, when we hung upon our mother’s breafts. How often, Lord, haft C c 20Z Prayers. thou fupplied our wants, relieved our pains, healed our difeafes, preferved our Ibiils from death, our eyes from tears, and our feet from falling! Blefs the Lord, O our fouls, and forget not all his benefits. ✓ But while we celebrate the loving kindnefs of the I.ord, and the praifes of our God, we have reafon to blulli and to be afliamed of our own condud:. Though thou haft nourilhed and brought us up as children, we have, alas ! too often proved ungrateful, difobedient child¬ ren to thee. In many inftanccs our own hearts condemn us, and thou art greater than our hearts, and knoweft all things. If thou art ftrid to mark iniquity, O Lord, who can ftand before thee ? But adored be thy rich and free grace, there is forgivenels with thee, that thou mayeft be feared, and plenteous redemption. This is thy name, and this is thy memorial throughout all ages and generations, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long- lulfering, and fiow to wrath, abundant in goodnefs and truth, forgiving iniquity, tranf- Prayers^ o-reffion and fin. Thou haft no pleaiure in the death of Tinners, but rather that they Ihould turn from their evil ways and live. We adore thee, that thy wifdom hath devifed an expe¬ dient, whereby mercy may be extended to humble, penitent Tinners, without any viola¬ tion of juftice. In Chrift Jelus, mercy and truth have met together, righteouTnefs and peace have kiifed each other. Juftily us free¬ ly by thy grace, we befeech thee, O Lord, through the redemption that is in Lhiift Jelus. For his Take who was made Tin for us though he knew no Tin, may we be accepted as right¬ eous in thy Tight. And being juftified by faith, may we have peace with God, through our Lord Jefus Chrift, by whom we have ac- ceTs to that grace wherein thy people ftand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And we humbly pray, that our faith and hope may have'a purifying influence upon our hearts and lives. May we be daily growing in grace, as well as in the knowledge of Chrift. Save us we befeech thee, from the deluTions of the Cc 2 f^rayers. ^04 children of difobedience, who promife them-' felves liberty, while they are the fervants of corruption. Let us never efteem ourfelves pofleft of true liberty, till the Son makes us free, and then we fhall be free indeed. And that we may be able to affert our fpiritual li¬ berty, we earneftly pray that we may receive the continual communications of thy enlight¬ ening, quickening and fandtifying Spirit, with¬ out which our fouls are dark, dead and pol¬ luted. May thy Spirit dwell in our hearts, and fandtify us wholly for thy fervice. Suf¬ fer not the pleafures, or riches, or honours of this vain world, to withdraw our hearts from thee, or to lead us to the commiffion of any forbidden adt, which would offend thy puri¬ ty, and grieve thy holy Spirit. Enable us to walk circumfpedtly and with¬ out oftence, redeeming time, becaufe the days are few and evil. May we do juftly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. May it be our happy attainment, through aflifting grace, to be found walking in all the ftatutes Prayers, 205 and ordinances of the Lord, blamelefs. Search us, O God, and know our hearts, try us, and know our thouglits; fee if there be any hidden wickednefs in us, which in time paPc we have overlooked or connived at, and lead us in the way everlafting. We blefs thee, O Lord, for lengthening out our day of grace, and continuing to us the means of grace and falvation; that thine ordinances are ftill dif- penfed among us, and that our teachers are not hid in a corner. But feeing Paul may plant, and Apollos may water, but thou giveft the increafe, we fervently pray, that the feed of the word, fown this day, may be watered with the dew of heaven, that thy fervants may not labour in vain, and that thy people may not be faithlefs, but believing. Let all the minifters of the gofpel, and all the af- femblies of thy people, find thee a very pre- fent help on this day. While we feel our own infirmities, may we alfo fee where our flrcngth is to be found. Aflift us, gracious God, as we are feverally to be employed at 206 Prayers, this time. May we l])eak and hear thy word, as becomes the oracles of the living God. In¬ cline thine ear to our reqnefts, O Lord; do for us exceedingly above what we are able to afk, or think. All we ail-t, is in the prevail¬ ing name of Jefus, our advocate and interceffor, to v/hom, with thee O Father, and the Holy Spirit, we would aferibe blelTing and honour, and glory and power, for ever more. Amen. DEVOTIONS for the CHURCH. AFTER SERMON. PRAYER III. O Lord our God! thou art giving us line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. Thou art inftruding us both by thy word and by the difpenlations of thy providence. Help us to mark the judgments of thy mouth, and the operations of thy hands, and fo to ponder all in our hearts, that we may become wife unto falvation. We thank thee for every renewed opportunity of alTembling together in thy houfe of prayer. May we re¬ member that all our opportunities are uncer¬ tain, that our days are as a fhadow, that the Judge ftandeth at the door, that we mull ere 2o8 Prayers^ long give an account of the deeds done in the body, whether they be good or bad. O grant, that under thefe imprefbons, we may ever and think, and feel, and believe. Infpire us, we befeech thee, with the fentiments which become the candidates of glory, of honour, and of immortality. If there are any in thy prefence at this time, O omnifeient God, who are utterly unconcerned about the things which belong to their peace, living without thee, without hope in this world, and without care for a better, we pray thee, to arrefl; them in the carreer of folly, to awaken them to wife reflexion, and fober thought: AVe befeech thee, O Lord, to fhew them their error, their mifery, their iniquity, and to lead them to that great Redeemer, who alone can relcue them from this vain world, who alone can de¬ liver them from the bondage of corruption, and make them partakers of a divine nature, and of an eternal inheritance. May it be the great care of each of us, to give all diligence, to make our calling and election fure, that fo Prayers, 209 when our earthly houfe of this tabernacle is diflblved, we may have a building of God, a houfe not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Make thy ways known upon the earth, and thy faving health among all nations. Let the gofpel have free courfe and be glori¬ fied, from the rifing to the fetting fun. \Vc pray for the converfion of Jews and Gentiles to the faith as it is in Jefus. We pray for the progrefs of the reformation abroad and at home. We recommend to thee our Sovereign the King, and all the branches of His Family, entreating thee to continue to us by their means, the invaluable bleffing of the proteftant fucceffion. By thy grace, animate thofe who are diftinguiflied by power, riches, or talents, that they may improve all for the public good. We earneftly pray, that the minifters of the gofpel, of every denomination, may, with united alfec^tion, ardour, zeal, and eminent fuccefs, be carrying on the work of the Lord. O thou God of infinite mercy, diffufe among chriftians of every profeflion, a fpirit of for¬ bearance, candour and love. Vifit all that arc D d 210 Prayers. in afflidion, whether perfonal or relative, in. mind, body or eftate; gracioufly fuppqrt them under their borrows, and in thine own time, fend them deliverance. If it lhall pleafe thee to lay thy chaftening hand upon us or ours, may we chearfully lubmit to thy will, after the example of the Author and Finiflier of our faith, who thus expreft himfelf upon the moll trying occafion, “ The cup which my Father “ hath put into my hand, fhall 1 not drink “ itf’ And, O Lord, we pray, that our minds may be ever deeply imprefled with this perfuafion, tliat however dark and inexplica¬ ble the ways of providence may now appear to us, Ihort-fighted creatures, there is a day coming, in which thy goodnefs and equity ihall be acknowledged by ^11 thy intelligent crea- tures'—when thou iLalt judge the world in righteoufnefs by Jefus Clirill—when tribula¬ tion and anguifh flrall leize all unbelievers and impenitent linners, but when the righteous fhall lift up their heads with joy, bccaufe their complete redemption draweth nigh. May each of us be found in peace on that great de-i Pt'ayers, 21 I ciiive day, and join all thy redeemed people, in celebrating* the prail'es of him, who loved ns and gave himlelf for us. And now Lord, what wait we for? Our hope is in thy mercy. Let thine ears be open to the fupplications of thy fervants. Difmifs us at this time with thy bleffing: and grant that we may ever dwell in thy houfe, and ever give thee praife, through fefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. * 1 V ^'(ff^rtjlc? r.t^'J^fr •sdj . 'k.. •'Jrtibii^^Ofi bv/\ .^ii|'ik^^!l':j|i»i.'^f!>vi'f>«t>^}i- • '.•' '. . ' ■ • ' * ‘ ’ , • '' * .'fiA- lifii^ ; tij O- '‘>V- "jiAW »if**/? < *" ' • * I ^ -_ • r T^ifh ia?;r^j iflr ai'j^aiirf^K:! * .i'Jrivv-T'if v>{ffi '3W brffj >.ili ,>^ikTif''9vr,^oyn^ '; . • /dl ;i A M 3'm a :• '< J,''i iit V < J' >;i -■ ■ , ' ' y, ."'.^ .'-.y ' \^4l>::j ' r"*, A'.ft.kr • • r • f A .. •y-'*v .i. i‘. ;.•. V . . - i/^ r r •'♦A• ^ > .y4i ! ' -<■ -‘ ?i,'TyH.’if ■ .. 1 • ,/*■■ • ''-. r» ■ ' . ' • • " f ; - • vy'f ' 1 ' t *’> ,. ' *, • " ■■' J-'-, . ^ .4 A ', \ , ^ f.*'''».*y t--‘ 1 .4» V» ’* ■ ‘ r;-:* V ■ Si ' ? ■' ''^t ' .• ‘■^■■/. *■■ ■ ''‘■’■•-i',. tn '; , ^-u ■v'S'i’ % » " ■*. ;«i ■,. 'r-v.‘.' .' ■' ;■ '/•' < ■1 r ■■- ■. • ' ,V '. XA- >-■ r .^r Wy < » ) ■ -> ■y 1 •>•'':■_■ - ' s:.^<^■t...aC 1 jSp ^'.y. * • • • • / ^-^' y' i. j - < ’•'-_ ^y■ -r ■ v >" >/-' . «*?> ' .' * ;'^ • ‘ .,f' ’/•. • ^ '■••' i **•'••*’ ’^ *]■ ^ '• ’ > • ^ <. v' f ^ V >•••;*' ■ r » ‘ ‘ ^ t. \\* •' y o - PRAYERS, FOR A FA^r DAT, IN TIME OF WAR ^ i'- ■■■ tiv V , • ' y • /■ ‘ ‘ ■ '».’ ■• i',‘ ' ' *\ «■ jV ’ ■ ' • . ■' .."v- I'r ’'r ■ '¥■ ■’ ‘ V, • • •■ , ik ■ «pk :. , I' , - • V / . ' - ■j' 1 • ( . » ^^1 •■ b ‘ 1 ■.' V ' i •lAl S 1 . v,V. - *' •. i ' *’ - -’ o.''* — . ri ^ 'r-- V .*• ,y,/.;;. -• V-;'• ■ ' • . ' ^1-' '■J'-.t ' - 'v i id" .-V ’4 \' ■ H A jsa't y vtxyy^^n--yj V ,i/ '■ ■ ■ '■• '■.’■ ■ ■' 'is, A u ,* ' •/*^Vfc Vvkl- * * < ^ 'll • '■* ' * i- . ' ,r >!?**'. , \ • * , . ■• ' ‘ . / ■ . , » Vi- ■ . • V . • •,*' J'.:- ■ ’ '*.' -. <* 'A * ^ '• . • * ■•'r .1* , ■ ‘Aw »; I •' ■M‘ 4 ^ *f t- ■ y ■ y' ■ 4., . ^ , r; , •. ’ % 'M ,^-V- > K', ^ • • • ' i PRArERS for a FAST DAT. BEFORE SERMON. Eternal and Almighty Lord God! Thou alone art he whole name is Jehovah ; theuiioft l-Eigh over all the earth. Thou lived: and reigned: for ever and ever. Thou reigned:, let the earth rejoice, let the multitude of the ides be glad: For though clouds and darknefs are round about thee, righteouf- nels and judgment are the habitation of thy throne, mercy and truth go continu¬ ally before thy face; and thou art conduct¬ ing and dilpofmg all events for the general good of thy creatures, and for the par¬ ticular benefit and advantage of thole Vvdio feek thy face, and put their liumble trull in thy mercy. May we learn to obferve thy hand in the various revolutions and viciditudes of human locicty. May we alfo Icain to tiiul Prayers, •216 111 thee at all times, and to pour out our hearts before thed It well becomes us, O Lord, thankfully to own thy goodnefs in all the com- ibrts that we poifefs, whether perfonal or national, and humbly to adore thy wife and righteous providence, in all the troubles with which we are at any time vifited. And now, fmee it hath pleafed thee to intennipt our na¬ tional peace and profperity, and to bring upon us the calamities of war, we defire to humble ourfelves under thy mighty hand, and to of¬ fer up our united and fervent fupplications unto thee, who alone canft help and deliver us, that thou wouldft difplay thy power and thy mercy in our behalf. Unto whom, 0 Lord, fliall we go but unto thee, who art a prefent help in the time of trouble, and haft made thyfelf known as a God who heareth prayer. While fome truft in horfes and cha¬ riots, or confide in an arm of flefh, we will truft in thee the Lord alone, in whom ever- Jafting drength is to be found. ^ In compliance with the invitation of thy word, and the calls of providence, we are Prayers, 217 now met together, to feek thy face, and to implore thy favour towards our guilty land. Gracious God, we pray, that thou wouldft pour out upon us, and upon all thy people on this day, a fpirit of grace and fupplication, a fpirit of humiliation and repentance. Diveft our minds, we befeech thee, O Lord, of every party-prejudice and corrupt affedion. Enable us to lift up holy hands, without wrath or doubting, and to unite with one heart and foul, in feeking thy mercy to pardon our manifold offences, to heal our breaches, and to reform and fave our country. O mod merciful Father, we defire with hearts full of grateful fentiments, to acknowledge the dif- tinguifhed favours with which in times pad, thou had vifited us, and the manifold bleffings which we dill enjoy, as chridians, as proted- ants, and as Britons. We blefs thee that our happy lot was cad in a land of plenty, of light and of liberty. Surely the lines have fallen to us in pleafant places, and we have got a goodly heritage. We thank thee O Lord, and defire to magnify thy name, becaufe thou E e 2i8 Travers, haft frequently defeated the coiinfels of our enemies, and turned them into foolillinefs, haft fruftrated tlie repeated attempts of our adverfarles, and prevented them from fubvert- ing our happy conftitutlon. Blefled be thy name, thou haft helped us hitherto, and aver¬ ted the deftrucftion of our liberties and laws. O that we had duly improved our diftinguilh- ed mercies, and that we had hearkened to the voice of thy commandments! Then had our peace been as a river, and our tranquility had been undifturbed. But we muft confefs, O moft holy and righteous God, that we have been too infen- fible of our mercies, and that we have griev- oufly abufed them. We are, alas! a fmful nation, a people laden with iniquity ; our land is filled with fm againft the Holy One of Ifrael; we who attempt to lead the devotion of others are men of unclean lips, and w^e dwell among an impure and perverle people. How' is the gold become dim, and the fine gold changed! Hov/ are we degenerated from the faith, the purity, and the zeal of our ariceftors [ Prayers, 219 How lukewarm have we become, in refped: to the truths and ordinances of the gofpel! How much has the power of godlinefs declined in our tamilies and in our churches and the more diifinguifliing thy goodneis hath been towards us, the more aggravated is our dif- obedience and rebellion againft thee. We I confefs O Lord, that on-account of our crying fins, thou mighteft juftly withdraw thy pro- tedion from us, and make us to feel the fevere effeds of thy divine difpleafure. But O mod merciful Father, we entreat that thou wouldft not deal with us according to our deferts, but according to the multitude of thy tender mer¬ cies in Chrift Jefus. Be gracioully pleafed to appear for us now in the time of our calami¬ ty, and avert the judgments which our fins have mod righteouily deferved. O Lord, be favourable to our land, and lave us for thy Name’s fake. Save us from the evil defigns of all our enemies, whether without or with¬ in, and let no weapon that may be formed againd Britain prolper. Let no foreign foe be fudered to invade our coads, to Ipread the F. e 2 ■Z20 Prayers, evils of anarchy and defpotifm among us. Suffer no internal enemies to fow the feeds of diffention, and to kindle the flames of war among our fellow fubjed;s, to overturn our government, and fubjed: us to civil tyranny or religious thraldom. Vain is the help of man: vain is the help of princes: our help only is in the Lord who made heaven and earth. To thee we would fly as our refuge from the ftorm, and our covert from the tem- peft. Be thou, we pray, our defence in the time of trouble. Thou Lord, haft delivered, thou doft deliver, to thee we humbly feek, and in thee we truft that thou wilt yet deliver. O God of mercy, let not our fruitful fields be laid wafte, nor our rivers be turned into blood. Let not our commerce be annihilated, nor our towns and cities made defolate. Let not us, our fons and our daughters be carried captive, nor flain with the edge of the fword. Let not our houfes be confumed, nor our temples be laid in ruins, or made the ftrong holds of the fons of violence. Pity O Lord, we pray thee, thofe nations wTere thefe out- Prayers* 'll! rages are committed, and tliefe mlferies are felt. Caufe the rod of the opprelfor to ceafe, and let the captives go free. O deliver the diftraded nations of the earth from the hor¬ rors of war, and reftore to mankind the blef- fings of peace and good government. Imprels upon our hearts, we befeech thee, O Lord, a lively fenfe of the ineflimable privileges civil and religious, which we ftill continue to en¬ joy. Enable us to improve aright the day of our merciful vilitation, left the things that be¬ long to our peace be hid from our eyes- Countenance us and all the aflemblies of thy people, met together on this day, fet apait for falling and humiliation. Deny us not thy prefence, deny us not thy grace. May we fpeak and hear thy word as becomes the ora¬ cles of the living God. Hear thefe our pray¬ ers, O Lord, and accept of our perfons and fervices, for the merits and mediation of Jelus Chrift the righteous, the one Mediator betwixt God and man. And we fliall aferibe, as is moft due, glory to the Father, to the Son, and the Holy Ghoft, now and ever more. Amen. -.li . ridjfeitjq^) '■:;;il ho'i -■ '• < 23 ^" ^ 0 ^>’ pi"-*' i/jo 'n . iji.T i'lh ^>' 4 ^ ^iiUiyik bTiWiGJUn i>:T. Vi-V;T^a^ ,^ti:.-^.. rj.;*T J :'>ui;v 1 j'/rf ? k>;’'.'kr 4 § .p’.OwL (ik “■ !'--i'i’4' <^^>7 hI i.fJ ’i n’ar: L'/y*if,! ■^i *t>j'J'f‘^tki*'Uij itW' v'*'^ ^f.ptp’3. i' ' ii*'sti,'f’'fr '^ *•? ‘'‘^'k.-^' ^ ‘- -V'"- ' ^(' /.il ,■■' '(■ bM'<"• K «->• jjrji^ li.> cvirrlffi^ij/l .U .JlfLi^{V:tktl^lf(^ -f^V’ (P : iS* > ' *t> 3 ^r.:* yfsvO. .• .''•,>i.'?:iI?o?^fd4vn.« .^Mifiit ^ ■ •tW;r ivrl'/v ■ r.(^ iao:^^'i:r>4?,V ->.^i-' '/’ii ':-dj io ^.-5^'. •■ ,hrOvl O v;VPit ^iJi iifrt? ^i!t. •» • . riM^ oi fv. - 'T>- koir. -v’'*, ''Jy i> ^i^wi ■•■ T ' - - ■ '>i.. . tV . ^ V. . >,n -U., , :v^:-wvvl ^ ^ ___ . ^ _ j::,* .‘ *• irli M 4*. $ U'l- .V:i:r‘ ^ ■~r- :Vst •‘r^'i. "r^ i . >w*^\ • jit. ib>d uyd- >u';>1l}4,:i . n >v/. byp ,5>Jttiq'biij; siut b,)fl ‘j^i), Wu^^iucT'iii^n‘^{ :iiii ,luO IC' LhjO ui<;ilw fiaiiQti^ jiliixiQ mp\, ‘iupivt^ bxix. bioJ !,() t>ffuudJ ii oi jiipii wfiih ol uvtil ‘jv/ jftcaoTOP won orix lod ooiil -ooli^ fi'iihflU to ^Tiibbodi OiiJ ••'('] bodi3i:.I »i doifiv -iU (tb iriiriJ oii> -ow icri} bfn. ,buf>tc) t^LudooiM jhtnovoo Jj'>rij’iu (ilfioi odJ o/ioooi oi boJtv oiidw ifidl:^50/jj liiooiod o7> «UifnJ > b)LU*Td do .'Jii'nifolo b-^i.wj^ro tid; to odtjxtcj y^-- PRATERS at theCOMMUNION. PRAYER FOR A BLESSING ON THE ELEMENTS. Worthy art thou, O Lord, to receive blef- fmg, and honour, and glory, and power, for thou haft created all things, and for thy plea- fure and praife, they are, and were created. We adore thee as the God of our life, and the length of our days, but above all, as the God of falvation, the God and Fathei of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, through whom we have accefs to draw near to a throne of grace. We blefs thee for the new covenant which is ratified by the ftiedding of Chrift’s precious blood, and that we are this day in¬ vited to receive the leals of that covenant. Grant, O Lord, we befeech thee, that while we partake of the outward elements of- bread Prayers, and wine, we may by a lively faith, behold Chrift crucified evidently fet forth before us, and feed On him to our fpiritual nourifliment and growth in grace. Excite in our fouls on this folemn occafion, all thofe devout affe<^f ions which thou rcquireft in thy chofen people. O Lord, we humbly pray, that thou wouldft give us clearer views than we ever had here¬ tofore, of the infinite evil of fm, and of the admirable dimenfions of redeeming love. Grant us, we befeech thee, clear and fatisfying views of our perfonal intereft in that everlaft- ing covenant, which is well ordered in all things and fure; and give us the earneft of thy Spirit • in our hearts, fealing us to the day of redemp¬ tion. Good Lord, pardon every one who hath fincerely endeavoured to prepare his heart for waiting upon thee, at this folemn feaft, though he be not cleanfed according to the purification of the fandluary. Let not our ini¬ quities provoke thee to hide thy face from us at this lime, but do thou open the fountain of life, for the refrefhment of thirfty fouls, and grant us Inch abundant communications Prayers, of thy love and favour, as lhall enable us to fay, from our happy experience, this is Be¬ thel, this is the houfe of God and the gate of heaven. Hear our prayers, O Lord, and accept of our fpiritual facrifices, through the merits of our once crucified, and now exalted Redeemer, and we fhall afcribe glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoft, now and ever more. Amen. 3 b.L.. ;blD-l v>',,,l">V,;i:j j;;VJ-l£t)H .i.v/^V jI ^O I ‘ . ** ■fi: IfOxi ; ji; i j •:■:> 'io .^t ijrr V * • T '> •-? n* 7 f’-j fi; v:i.>K Li L'Z’. (I'Jiti'^JoJ^^ '■'' ■■' iv ' ■ ■ . y \ •■ - r: J)'!/; ,rv:>ri uAi ^v? /^onh, i ' ■•L'..:-: 7>U'. ■ i lol ,bbov> oib to sdi no m T'i(X]r[Ui vtno ni/^ iijidv^ Kficntcloino^ aiii/ib -Tomfii; ototil toi bnif bi^G ^’oivii rfiod iiiiif.'A/ ofit oi 3jT?.)rpob-L ofioln o'uj ii^idw -lornmi bim '/nin,r- bnoim 'inoto s'jKiiv/ hciB ■ 50fft o^iitr’i‘jbnt>*iflfirfl icrl^/ .fiOifniub Iijf fled ^noiliiiifnnt yn'B idt O ynji tot ibfdon ban fbd Ofh aLifi-z/oJ po -bb bfiB odl to horl. y // i^vroiv iinj t; to 3:>in;^ briK tov/co tjd? b> ^nii to ynrrnot to nibffTorn yliidtni* ;iit b> her .tonTOob^)! PRATERS at theCOMMUNION. PRAYER EOR A BLESSING ON THE ELEMENTS. Blessed through everlafting ages be the God and Father of Jelus Ghrift our Lord, who hath given us counlel thus to ftand forth, in a degenerate age, to evince our firm reli¬ ance on the Redeemer of the world, for thofe divine confolations which can only lupport us both living and dying; and tor thofe immor¬ tal joys, which are alone adequate to the wants and wifiics of our rational nature and immor¬ tal duration. What thall we render unto thee O Lord, for any inclinations thou haft given us towards the heft and nobleft things, for any juft views we have had of the vilenefs and de¬ formity of fin, of the power and grace of a Redeemer, and of the infinite moment of G c; 2 Prayers^ '^36 eternal concerns. Not unto us, not unto us, in whom dwelleth no good thing, but only to thee, be all the praife, from whom defcend- eth every good and perfect gift. We fervently pray, that thou, who haft called and invited us to the marriage-fupper of the Lamb, wouldft cloathe us with the wed¬ ding garment. May we partake of this great gofpel feaft, with the deepeft humility, with a firm faith in the blood of atonement, with ardent love, and ch earful hope. Blefs to us this day, the provifions of thy lioufe, and fatisfy our fouls with the bread of life. May we find Chrift’s flefh to be meat indeed, and his blood to be drink indeed. Seal unto each of us the pardon of our fins, and grant that we may be ftrengthened and confirmed in our refolutions of living from henceforth, not to ourfelves, but unto him who died for us and rofe again. Grace thine own ordinance with thy prefence, and enable us to return from it, with our conferen¬ ces quieted, our corruptions fubdued, our graces encreafed, and our fouls encouraged. Prayers, with our hearts enlarged to run the way of thy commands. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, of illuftrious manifeftations of thy grace, of glorious days of the Son of Man, which they have feen upon earth, while waiting upon thee in the ordi¬ nances of thine appointment. Yea, we can teftify from our own experience, that thou haft never been to us a barren wildernefs, or a land of drought. O let it appear on this day that thou art ftill the fame God, rich in mercy, and nigh to fuch as call upon thee in fincerity and truth. Bow the heavens and come down; ftiine forth thou that dwelleft between the cherubims, ftir up thy ftrength, and come and fave us. May we hear thy voice, and tafte thy goodnefs; may we feel the powerful influence of thy Spirit upon our hearts, communicating life and light and joy to our fouls. May we fee thy glory, as thou wert feen heretofore in thy fanduary. Our waiting eyes are towards thee, O Lord, let our help come from thee. May grace, mercy and peace be upon us and upon all thy ferv- % 238 Prayers, ants and people throughout the world, which we beg through the interceffion, and in the prevailing name, of Jefus, our hrength and our Redeemer. Amen. I I t r f y. ♦♦t-.*. ' ' ,: .V /J\ t ■ ::(' PRATER S the COMMUNION, PRAYER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SOLEMN SERVICE. Blessing and honour, and glory and power, be unto him that fitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb that was flam, for ever and ever. O Lord God of our falvation, thou haft remembered us in our low eftate, becaufc* thy mercy endureth for ever. We blefs thy name, that when we had de- ftroyed ourfelves, in thee was our help found. Tliou haft laid help on one that is mighty and able to fave to the uttermoft, all that come to thee through him. Glory be to God in the higheft, on earth peace, and good-will to the fon’s of men! Glory be to the Son of God, the Prince of Peace who hath loved us and given himfelf for us, to redeem us from fin, 240 Prayers, and all its fatal confequences, and left us fuch memorials of himfelf, and fuch precious pledges of Ids never failing love. Adored, forever adored, be the amazing con- defcenfions of thy grace, that thou art willing to dwell with men, with rebellious men here upon earth, and that thou permitted: fin- ful worms to take thy covenant into their mouths. By this we know that thou favour¬ ed; us; for if thou hadd been pleafed to kill us, thou wouldd not have fhewn us fuch things as thefe. Blefs the Lord, O our fouls, and forget not all his benefits. O keep us ever mindful of thy vows which are upon us, and enable us to live as becomes thy redeemed peo¬ ple. May the love of Chrid condrain us; may the Spirit of Chrid adid us; may our whole life be a hymn of gratitude and of praife; may we never edeem any thing too much to do, to hazard, or to fuder; never edeem any thing too dear to fiicrifice, by which we may fhew our gratitude to the great fountain of our hap- pinefs. Be fnrcty O Lord, unto thy fervants for good. Be pleafed to died abroad thy famdi-^ Prayers. 241 tifying influences on our fouls, to form us for every duty thou required:. Fill our breads with good affedions towards thee our God, and towards our fellow creatures. Help us always to realize thy prefence, and to remember that every fecret fentiment of our fouls is open to thy view. Under fuch a con- vidion, may we guard againd the fird rifings of fm, and the fird approaches to it. May we be fo joined to Chrid Jefus our Lord, as to become one fpirit with him, and feel his invigorating influences continually bearing us on, fuperior to every temptation and to every corruption \ that while the youths fliall faint and be weary, and the young tnen utterly fall, we may fo wait upon the Lord, as to renew our fpiritual drength, to run without weari- nefs, and to walk without fainting. May w^e go on continually from one degree of faith and love, of holinefs and zeal, to another, till we appear perfed before thee in Zion, to drink in. immortal vigour and joy, from thee the ever- lading fountain of both. While we are here on earth, we are fubjed to many infirmities,' H h 242 Prayers. and expofed to many trials and difficulties. Bleffed God, to thine almighty power we flee for aid and refuge. O thou that favefl; by thy right hand them that put their truft in thee, 'ftretch out thine omnipotent arm to fave us. We put ourfelves under thy protection; let thy grace be fufficient for us, and thy flrength be made perfeCt in our weaknefs. Give us thy Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever. May we continually receive from him thole communications of light, and life, and forti¬ tude, and joy, which will furnifh us for what remains of the days of our pilgrimage here on earth, till we finilh our courfe with comfort and well-grounded hope, and are permitted to ' lay hold on that crown of righteoufnefs, which the Lord, the righteous judge, fhall give to us at that day, and not to us only, but to all them that love his appearing. (Here introduce the general intercejjion.) forgive, gracious God, what thy pure eye hath feen amifs in our folemn fervices. May the precious blood of Chrift, Ihed for the re- Prayers* 243 miflion of lin, atone for all our defeds and im- perfedions. In every thing we muft confefs that we offend, but we rejoice in the thought, that our Redeemer liveth for ever to plead for us, and that we fhall be accepted and crowned for his fake, who is worthy though we are ut¬ terly unworthy. Now to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, one God, we defire to al- cribe glory and honour, dominion and praife, for ever more. Amen. H h 2 r »• i,)-.. >i}f \ ' . i :.■ > ■' ,^^ ^ " '' hk ■ ^.i.(-‘ •■ ■■ ■i'.H: V-;/ . ■'j ?f: !* : « _=fl1 -''- * ■ T y 1" i<' •' ■ > . - ■ ■ ■:;i -1 , vUi ^ ‘fb r iil '/ .,'1' (i-Xl jih /! (r'H.i'b ‘ .ir.T /ill T "'T -’-K w(i''b. ■; ,4H *r/' :^! :■ -i,.. .'■ ' '.nv'*’;-. ■;’J.l >rf 'V/v ''(Tf. vloff v.i^ A Kl, vL ■■' j’i .'/ *'''■ f boot 5 i .H1 n ?• ^ 1 u'U r '- f / 1' ' ^ ■ ' ' /M.-', ,i :■’,( ■ fc’/- ■ . 4^ ■ . ■>■ naf A.i jVrV- K • ■ ■■ \ Ml r’ ,. y\'i' -A.^ ^■: 4 ci^f..X'gcm Ai A , nit. td^ti nu ircuVf '■^v,-,.. 1),.,. • v->n*j^'m'. nijaar'-ifiiO' lEftl ■' t- ' iT 'fi- ■ ^■ TtiO " ■ Wi '^i PllSf 'j rft dd bsi — ... - , k . .... ... MW *.{... Wr . . X\ ' L « u.Citt i^oih vdt ; ^• .V.'/Wi bus /fftb 01 , ► * I * 11 V •■ J „ -^.r:' I ‘;-u; , _ . , •.ViivDl hfii.j. si*jnb6u;5 s^fiJ ^ ;; ,r ''' A ; ' .''^v ' .' '• ;iii a'i:ohj5.Ll!JOv/ <.- ,^ -.. A, >.’r.>.;': ''..113 c2{TtFl">lc[ bi/lmqi * * t . '.>'//; . , , 'j'/r . -cui^l •i'ind3 dgiibiib ,'^i.-j. : ; - i-fdj>A.b y.jd * • • ■ . ,* vrrr.{ir'‘''^^5 «'b'Ii'.^ ,flulj36nuf { « V ‘ ' ‘ • V ■ • ^ 7 ’ ’ ■ • ■' *. • • . ,J;‘ ,’ ^• ,! .',. lAi ,i.i’7/'.'Vvd'giibi^'xi ‘ ^ai to y:>Uyi-qn4iio:' ^ f : ..- 't : ;j 0 .’ 7 // jdu'li vf: - -'V ■ ■ ■■“■•.... . ■ . ■• ■ ■ • 1 N y ORDINATION PRATER. o MOST bleffed and glorious Lord our God! Thou art rich in mercy, and nigh to all thofe that call upon thee in lincerity and truth. Our fathers trufted in thee, and they never had caufe to be alhamed of their hope. Blef¬ fed be thy Name, thou art ftill the fame God to day, yefterday and for ever, without any variablenefs or Ihadow of turning. Many, O Lord, and valuable have been the difplays of thy goodnefs and loving kindnefs to us, who are lefs than the leaft of all thy mercies. We would adore thee, in a fpecial manner, for the fpiritual blelTings thou haft conferred upon us through Chrift Jefus. We adore thy Name for his meritorious death, his triumphant re- iurredfion, his glorious alcenfion, and for the precious benefits beftowed upon his church in confequence of his prevailing interceffion at thy right hand. ‘ AA/^e blefs thee, O Lord, for I i 2 Prayers, 252 the extraordinary and miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit that were bellowed upon the pro¬ phets and apoftles in the firft ages of the church, which rendered the gofpel triumphant over the oppofition of powerful enemies. We blefs thee for the ordinary influences of thy Spirit communicated to pallors and teachers in fucceeding ages, by which means a church has been maintained and fupported upon earth, againll which thou hall promifed the gates of hell lhall never prevail. We blefs thee that the gofpel mellhge has reached our ears, who dwell in thefe remote parts of the earth. We hear the glad tidings of great joy, that God is in Chrill reconciling the world to himfelf, not imputing to penitent finners their trefpalTes; and thou hail honoured us fo far, as to commit to us the rninillry of reconciliation. What am I Lord, (may each of us fay of himfelf,) and what is my father’s lioufe, that thou haft brought me hitherto? Unto us who are lefs than the leaft of all faints, is this grace given, that we lliould preach among the Gentiles, the iinfearchable riches of Chrill. This treafure Prayers. 253 is put into earthen veffels, that the excellency of the power may appear to be of God. We adore thee, that though the prophets do not live for ever, yet inftead of the fathers, thou art raifrng up the children, to perform the fer- vices of thy fandiuary, and that while fun and moon endure, thou haft ordained a lamp for thine anointed. Thou haft promifed, and en¬ couraged us to hope, that when we are ga¬ thered to our fathers there flhall be a feed to ferve thee upon earth, who fhall declare thy righteoufnefs and falvation to generations yet unborn. We blefs thee O Lord, who haft in¬ clined, and in fome meafure fitted tlois tiuin^ whom we now fet apart in thy Name, to the work of the miniftry. Endue him we befeech thee, with the fpirit of his office, and make him an able minifter of the New Teftament. Grant that he may make full proof of his mi¬ niftry, that fo he may deliver his own foul, and promote the fpiritual improvement of his hearers. As he is called in thy fovereign pro¬ vidence to difpenfe the bread of life unto thy houfehold, endue him, we befeech thee, wirh Prayers, 254 wifdom and fidelity, with zeal and utterance, that he may divide the word aright, giving to each his portion of meat in due feafon. By an impartial manifeftation of the truth, may he commend himfelf to every man’s confcience in the fight of God. Lord, who is fufficient for thefe things? The mofi; exalted angel might well tremble to undertake the arduous talk. We entreat that thou wouldft caufe thy fcrvant now entering upon the holy miniftry, and us who have for fome time been employed in thy fervice, to experience that our .fuffici- encv is of God; and that when we are weak in ourfelves, we may be ftrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Being thus alfifted, may thy word profper in our mouths, and thy work in our hands. May the gofpei which we preach, prove the favour of life, unto life, and the power of God to the falva- tion of many fouls. And we fervently pray, that the fervice in which we are this day en¬ gaged, and every fimilar occafion, may increafe our fidelity, our zeal and diligence in the im¬ portant duties of our facred office, and cpiicken Prayers, 255 \is in our preparation for our latter end. Con¬ vince us, we' pray thee, that ere long we muft give an account of our ftewardlhip, and others lhall enter into our labours, and occupy our nations in thy church. Teach us there¬ fore, fo to number our days, that we may ap¬ ply our hearts to wifdom. May we work the works of him that fent us, while our day of grace is continued, that when the time ol our departure cometh, we may finifli our courfc with joy, and receive that animating fcntcnce of approbation, from our great maftei, W ell done good and faithful fervants, entei ^ e “ into the joy of your Lord.” Hear us O Lord, from heaven thy dwelling place, accept and blefs us, for the merits and mediation of Jefus Chrift the righteous, our ftrength and our Redeemer. Amen. ► rrrv) ,bfK J T'jitc?'V i k ' rit y.y‘f - xnol- 'in- ' ' ' ',* f at / hr:ri .q.;- ^ ;o "i*' ’riiJO'.. ■ ■ iff, ✓ iVr;.: i- f ! '';j'iO i)fl 1 vj. /1 kid ofJ If ho doiJV . ,-vtit Hi r: f > -QL '-urn. 3 V7 l£fh ’>jj) i:)'> •' ''' ’ "uri ot .' Ji?';? ‘";t: - • » ^ f f . >1 ■I ■' t j‘j j'.» ::;'r.rf n'j V; ^ I ( J* ' ) ”. •.( .* ' ' .'! • • • u c.iiiiL jr.’Jl •lyy - *•' yXfij) iu;.!ilt;t -J' ,y ^;il .'iSsli "'- I'-mJ y-'Y- ;■■: urr'K. ,'>jr:'.'f'>ri,lfTf ;'.•?*■ v'i n'l'fiTjif ry ’ ~ J): ■ ' A' “ i ■ ^ . JO. jdj iOl ,-itS' h'j> ftd ft > v’ - - Tijo , *: I . . -■ It. *1^ ‘ ■ ■ •• , 1 ^. ' : - •< 0 ".' ) 1- , FAMILY DEVOTIONS. , Art-' ■.Sfc.V—V' '•"■ ,/ ^ / /''■■ . . -^V. ',*. - h "ilf ’^* 7 “ .•..*% ^ ' *'* , ‘ • V, * •' • . . ^ r ' .i. ^ /i. >f. Q '#' 1 'V • >" r* 4 i> ;,■.+ ,i-' " i''.>;. -iti‘Y''f.'•«,'' ’■■ -, j:iv'•;. '' ■'/• • ■ 7 -^' ' • ■ • if /. t bo D %i^>S hSftrftd ^ f a vi‘ AU y^ni^ ^ * ' . ••« 3 . lir-i. . ^ • ,4i9//l< Jwli vsdt lU'lwh.,t>how '‘-*iJJ .il<>'-'iS>‘'' , kV. ■ fc'V iZwJM i&i. uoili i.d ,^;jiill 911^ S'// .m->i9riv * >> 5 n^rfjb"Yl;> 7 rffra ■^/\ / jT ilf, .bnR« o'iU'to Vjii>b'bb/oiU ^/ tt^ih ja 81 ' •do. mo bni n(!X{U ioo bii>^ lo btiJido ol ,^‘jdi_oT anoUiiSb c ruo t>vi;g oi.dii.83itifX>3a Ibw jI .■' ailibiq oj j^iu; ^biOwl ti44 oi •■ • ';^iii\^ol rii'jo) w^at’O) :( U;^iH iiQtyi p- ' ■, ibu’baati^i ,^ni«ioni ;ji1j nl dl‘>al>ni;? « •:', . ufl if'* ^A. ■ < ■• '- ' *• \ A' ■' ■^ . ' • ' V t ^ - • ' • ‘ . ' I ' ✓ /V , ”, ‘ * l.t , r:dK L*’' '' it '.' >': Ltil'/*-* FAMILY DEVOTIONS. MORNING PRAYER I. Ever blefled and glorious Lord God! Thou art a great God and a great King, above all gods. The earth is thine, and the fulnefs thereof j the world, and all they that dwell therein. We are thine, for thou haft created us, and on thee we entirely depend for the continuance of life and all its enjoyments. It is therefore fit that we Ihould daily acknow¬ ledge our dependance upon thee, and our ob- lio-ations to thee, in united ads of prayer and O praife. It well becomes us to give thanks un¬ to the Lord, and to fmg praifes unto thy name, O thou Moft High; to fhew forth thy loving kindnefs in the morning, and thy faithfulnefs every night. Look not upon us at this time, K k 2 26 o Prayers. we befeech thee, as we are in ourlelves, but in the face of thine anointed. Be merciful to our unrighteoufnefs for the fake of Jefus thy well-beloved Son, who hath fulfilled all righteoufnefs, and give us to experience the blelfednefs of thofewhofetranfgrefiions are for¬ given, whofe fins are covered: And grant, that thy pardoning mercy may be accompanied with thy fandifying grace, to fubdue effedtually the remaining corruption of our hearts, and to corredt the irregularities of our lives. Put thy fear into our hearts, that we may never de¬ part from thee. And being thus prepared, do thou, Lord, lead us forth to all the duties and events of the day. In the feveral ftations and callings in which thy providence has placed us, may we ever abide with thee, not being flothful in bufmefs, but fervent in fpirit, ferv- ing the Lord. Teach us the value of timie, and enable us to improve it to the beft advan¬ tage. May we occupy our feveral talents, as becomes thofe who are confcious that they have an account to give.—Whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, may we do all to Prayers, 'iGi thy glory. May our eyes be ever watchful to obferve the defcent of mercies from thee; and may a grateful fenfe of thy hand and thy love in them, add a favour and relilh to all. While in this world of trial, may we accuftom ourfelves to e^cped; afflidions, and when they come, may we be reconciled to them, by re¬ membering, that they come from thee, and by firmly believing, that the fame love which gives us our daily bread, appoints our daily croffes. May we learn to take up our crofs and follow Chrift, manifefting the fame temper and fpirit that was in Chrift Jefus. Like him, may we fay in all trying circum- ftances, “ The cup which my Father hath “ given me, fhall I not drink it?” Preferve us, O Lord, from the influence of thofe temp¬ tations, to which we are daily expofed. Make us duly fenfible of our own weaknefs, that our hearts may be raifed to thee in humble and fervent fupplications for the needful fup- plies of grace and ftrength. When we are en¬ gaged in the fociety of others, may it be our defire and our care, to do and to receive 262 Prayers. as much good as poffible. When we are alone, may w'e remember that our heavenly Father is with us: May we enjoy the pleafure of thy prefence, and feel the animating power of it, awakening our fouls to an e^lrneft defire to think and adl as in thy fight. May we be fo- licitous daily to be anfwering the great pur- pofes of life, by honouring thee, and diffufmg knowledge and happinefs in the world. May all our days on earth be fpent as becomes thofe who are defigned for an eternal exiftence, that we may at laft finiili our courfe with joy, and have an entrance minifliered to us abundantly into thy heavenly kingdom, through the merits and mediation of Jefus Chrift our Sa¬ viour and Redeemer. Amen. FAMILY DEVOTIONS MORNING PRAYER. U. o MOST High and holy Lord God! Thou art worthy to receive bleffing and honour, and glory and praife, from all thine intelligent creatures; for thou haft created all things by thy power, thou ruleft and preferveft all things by thy providence, and filleft all places with thy prefence. We are in thy hands, as the clay is in the hands of the potter. From thee we have received our exiftence, and on thee we depend for all the comforts of life. We adore thy name, for the high rank which thou haft aftigned to us in the fcale of Beings; that thou haft made man a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and dig¬ nity. We adore thee, who haft formed us 204 Prayers, rational and moral agents, capable of the re¬ fined and exalted pleafiires of devotion; cap¬ able of maintaining an intercoiirfe with thee the Father of our fpirits; of imitating thy perfedions in fome degree, here on earth, and of enj oy ing confummate blifs with thee in heav¬ en, when time fhall be no more. We blefs thee, O Lord, who hafl not confined us to that knowledge of thee and of our duty, which may be difcovered by the mere light of nature, and thy works of creation and providence, but had given us thy word to be a light to our feet and a lamp to our paths, to be the unerring rule of our faith and pradice. When we had become vain in our imaginations, and were corrupted by fin, in thee was our help found. Thou didft contrive and reveal a glorious plan of I'alvation, whereby thou mayeft be juft, and the Juftilier of all that believe in Jefus. Through the tender mercy of our God, the day-fpring from on high hath vifited us who fat in darkncfs and in the fhadow of death, to give us light, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. We adore thee for the Prayers* 265 knowledge of thy truth, for the proixulcs of thy mercy and grace, and for the joyful pro- fpea of immortal life, fo clearly revealed by that Saviour w^ho w^as himfelf the conqueror of death, and having rifen from the grave, and afcended into heaven, is become the firft fruits of them that flept. Poffefs our minds, O Lord, we beleech thee, with inch a deep lenfe and hrm perfuafion of thofe important truths thou haft revealed in the gofpel, as ihall powerful¬ ly influence and regulate all our thoughts, words and aaions. By a patient continuance in well-doing, may we feek for glory, honour and immortality. Shed abroad thy love in our hearts by the Holy Ghoft, that we may love thee the Lord our God, with a fupreme afledtion, and that we may love one another with pure hearts, fervently. By thy grace af- lifting, may we faithfully fulfil the duties be¬ longing to our feveral places and ftations. May we render to Casfar the things that are CaifaPs, and to God the things that are God sj ’——may we bear one anothers burthens, and fo fulfil the law of Chrift. To do thy will L 1 266 Prayers^ may we take delight, and may thy law be written upon our hearts. May it be our ftudy and our delight to diffufe happinefs, and to alleviate mifery all around us, that we may approve ourfelves followers of God as dear children, who delighteth to exercife loving kindnefs and tender mercy upon the earth, pity, O Lord, all who are under afflidtions of whatever kind; Over-rule every circumftance of diftrefs and woe, for the wifeft and beft purpofes, and teach thine afflidted children, to feek their relief and comfort from God. Give us grace, O Lord, to hold faft our inte¬ grity, and never let it go, that our hearts may not reproach us as long as we live. Help us to maintain a confcience void of offence to¬ wards thee, and towards man; and having done our duty according to the meafure of power thou haft given us, then to caft all our cares on thee, who haft hitherto cared for us. We thank thee, O our God, for all thy goodnefs to us and ours, throughout our paft lives; efpecially for the fafety and reft of the paft night, and for the ability and opportunity of Prayers, 267 meeting together this morning, as we are bound by duty and obligation to do j to ex** prefs our gratitude for thy providential care and goodnefs to us. God forbid, that the frequent returns of thy mercies Ihould make us inattentive to their value, or forgetful of the bountiful Giver of all our bleflings. O grant that we may never be made fenfible of their worth, by being deprived of them. Gra- cioully continue thy protection and favour to us this day. Save us from hn, we befeech thee, and from all other evils, if it be thy blelTed will. May we go out and come in, under the fenfe of thy prefence, and rejoicing in thy protection and favour. Hear thefe our prayers, and grant us acceptance in thy fight, through the merits and interceflion of Jefus Chrift the righteous, our prevailing Ad¬ vocate at thy right hand,—and we fhall afcribe glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoft, world without end. Amen. I :r :la , ' WvOVl‘(r'\?v<,t" ' t=A\ Mv^ '^ ''} fcrs^ -r -.<33 2 r:*ff ^.•' , .:!• I } » V .; vi-.; ■ ’>., yi "j'Vf j^' , > : y^ii M ■tr . KJ 'li- ‘.''i-. - ■ ' ■ h o . 1 :.. -! r , I -i ■ ■ '■ r :■ ; irfil ’ir^ bn-i'f KTJO rlnS^jg'.' b'^t '1''?^ '' 'i"'! ^ ffK'i'oHt ^ RH<|f A •’*'*' <'t •' yrYr-M iriTn^hv^it'^ >tprl T' *’?5bfHi,iit: 'Wr •m^>H ,’/ ■*'» ''"ir/ffj glabio'* Vwb' hfih yimif hfrtdr{} ?itfr Ttnri qn itlPoi'^j'Tibb ^rr bijrtf v'v«*'^£{*''irFf'fti fr)Hrr''/H i»-,Hj i/'^fT? O ■ vitiif morf'AT '• ’ g- ■' • iritiA f(:yi^oHr .'T'jiif fK'l'’irtKV .,r-^(t4t-»«^n ‘ •j^b'^iWOnv^'iB f‘5ttTtrt>fTf P'l *■'fy'rnr^'fjf vf-f'mf.j’f tliini';' ntrc.' fo :>i!l t“fV>'r'Afft. "i* -b< »fV5| bxJB • ,'3 -tB:> vf3 tN^H ,b'’'-’-^ ’1 ■ ‘ ■ IMA -bUn'ifyt -int i-nd •;n')thbrb) Hf o, f FA MILT DEVOTIONS. M O R M I N G PRAYKR lit. Infinitely bleffed and glorious God I ^ve adore thee as the Alpha and Omega, the iirll and the laft, of whom, through wliom, anti to whom are all things. Unto thee every knee fhould bow, and every tongue confefs their fins. Unto thee we defire to lift up our ioiils at this time, O thou that dwelled: in the heav¬ ens ! To whom diould we go but unto tliee ? Doubtlefs thou art our Father, though Abra¬ ham be ignorant of us, and Ifrael acknowledge us not, thou art the guide of our youth, Ifarly were we cad: upon thy care, and good- nefs and mercy have hitherto followed us. Thou, Lord, had nouridied and brought us up as children, but alas! we mud confefs with Prayers^ ^JQ lliame and contrition, that we have proved iindutiful, difobedient children to thee. Too often have we given a deaf ear to thy voice, while we have liftened to the counfel of our enemies. Too often have we indulged the paffions and appetites which we ought to have oppofed and fubdued, and have left our duty unperformed, Enter not into judgment with ns O Lord, we befeech thee, for if thou art lln£l to mark iniquity, who can hand before thee. Grant us redemption, we humbly pray, through the peace-fpeaking blood of Jefus, even the forgivenefs of our fms, according to the riches of thy grace: and grant, that we may live from henceforth as becomes the re¬ deemed of the Lord, the children of the light, and the candidates for a blelled immortality. May our converfation be without covetoufnefs, and grant that we may be content with fuch things as we have. May thy blelfed will fet bounds to our defires, and regulate all our paflions. Save us we befeech thee from the fnares of profperity and adverfity. Suffer us not to forget thee in our abundance, nor to Prayers, queftioii thy goodnefs in our diftreis. Firmly perluaded that all things fhall work together for good to them that love thee, may we chear- fully fubmit to all the difpofals of thy provi¬ dence. May we be anxioufly careful for no¬ thing, but in every thing, by prayer and fup- plication with thankfgiving, make our requefts knowm to thee our God. While we pray for ourfelves, we would humbly recommend the interefls of mankind to Thee, our common pa¬ rent. May thy bleffings both temporal and fpiritual, be continued to every rational crea¬ ture, on the face of the whole earth. May they be chearfully accepted, gratefully acknow¬ ledged and wifely improved. May thy good providence open a way for the increafing pre¬ valence of truth and righteoufnefs. To this end, may the everlafting gofpel be more ex- tenfively propagated in its original purity and fimplicity* And may thofe who are already favoured with the chriftian doctrine, learn, ' value and prad;ife, the truth as it is in Jefus. May all nations enjoy the bleffings of a wife and equal government. In this our native 2/2 Prayers, country, may eveiy thing conducive to real luippinel's, prevail more and more. May our niperior advantages produce fuperior virtue, Blefs our rightful Sovereign King George, and all the branches of the Royal Family* Over-rule public counfels to the public good* May our magiftrates difpenfe 'juftice in the fear of God—and may the minifters of relR gion, by dodlrine and example^ greatly pro-*- mote the interefts of folid piety, and univerfal goodnefs. In tender mercy, O God, regard all who arc in diftrefs of mind, of body, or outward eftate. Be the father of the father* lefs, and plead the caufe of the widow. Be the everlafting fupport of all thofe who call upon thy name* And do good unto all, as their various cafes and circumftances may re-*- quire. We defire this morning, to offer thee the facrilice of thankfgiving for the watchful care of thy providence exercifed over us, by night and by day. We laid us down to deep, and bleffed be thy name, we have arifen in fafety. We recommend ourfelves to thy pro* ted;ion, the enfuing day. May we walk in Prayers. 273 thy fear, all the day long. In all our thoughts, words and adions, may we endeavour to ap¬ prove ourfelves in thy fight, and, by a fteadfaft adherence to duty, may we be prepared for all events. When that moft awful event lhall arrive which will remove us from the prefent ftate of exiftence, grant, O merciful God, that we may depart in peace, and be admitted to fpend a happy eternity in that kingdom which thou haft prepared for the righteous from the foundation of the world. Now, to the only wife God, be glory through Jelus Chrift, for ever and ever. Amen. IVl m / : -- i • X* V. viA V v>' Sk-v\ v,v- XaV '.Ms.'ii ; d ;■ ^; • r . it . ’I'M Vfi'M LI .;*.b; * ‘f *> '‘i J¥f .i X. ' -j:! .r .->'■ .■S V, J . Ji: "h.fiiJ,i«aA O . i.v 3 v‘y lot u-jiwio boO nh uo£i 'fftT ' ;Haj.i;to6J-i;'iib uas ^jbuini vid li.. ■3?^ ,3iyuo rM 1o • X-.tiim. 5b' bii£ jtJiiii’iq bn^ianioo oi oj 410 tu'jj^ii'ram mid: iU to ^notUi^nsY i?dr \o ^i£imrUid Yfb-BiQid aW .?nnqi b^ijbiiv dEif uodi inoriw sVtfii id madman. 3 ilt bMi> bm-^MybiiK ,iio{fit>i ibiw r>y 3 W BE Yfino?/nu bafi /iliuir riEiir tdv> i.Y has. oib d^aoidJ b'jrnmmq vine loa.w^'^ dpH .30f!r 5 iv 4 ''d Bi-tuyfi lao Juo laoq oi boavni lad f .rf io ir/ji mX febibbt oi oat FAMILY DEVOTIONS. EVENING PRAYER I» O Almighty and moft merciful Father! Thou art God over all, bleffed for ever; a being infinite, eternal and unchangeable! Thy glorious name is exalted above all bleffing and praife; and the perfections of thy nature are worthy to engage the love, and to command the veneration, of all thine intelligent off- fpririg.. We blefs thy name, that we are of the number of thofe whom thou haft endued with reafon, and defigned for immortality; and that, guilty and unworthy as we’ are, yet, through the merits and interceflion of our great High Prieft, we are not only permitted, but invited to pour out our hearts before thee^ and to addrefs the feat of "fovereign majefty* M m a Prayers, 276 purity and goodnefs. We rejoice in all thy goodnefs which thou haft made to pafs before us, in eveiy period of our exiftence. We adore that goodnefs which fupplies our wants, and gives us all things richly to enjoy, which pre- ferves us from dangers, and beftows on us fo many valuable bleflings to fweeten the journey of life, and to render our paflage through this world, agreeable and delightful. But above all, we praife that goodnefs, which confines not our hopes to this Ihorc and perifliing life, but encourageth us to extend our views into eternity, and to look for a happy ftate beyond the grave, which fliall know neither imper- fed;ion nor end. Suffer us never to be in- fenfible of thy mercies, by which we are encompaifed, enlivened, comforted aiid re¬ deemed from fin and mifery. May the chear- ful obedience of our lives, bear continual and honourable teftimony to the gratitude of our hearts. Alas! O Lord, every time we prefent ourfelves at the footftool of thy throne, we have caufe to lament before thee, the perverfe- nefs of our wills, the treachery of our hearts, Prayers, 277 and the inconftancy of our good afFeftions; our pronenefs to corrupt inclinations and fm- ful lufts, and our reluctance to the practice of what is good and excellent. We have finned, O Father, againft heaven and in thy fight, and are no more worthy to be called thy chil¬ dren. But our hope is in thine infinite mercy through Chrifi: Jefus. For his fake who is worthy and hath redeemed us by his own blood, pardon our fins, and pity our infirmi¬ ties. We earneftly implore the continual fup- plies of thy grace, to improve in us every virtuous inclination and divine difpofition. May thy Holy Spirit fix and flrengthen our wavering hearts, fupport our pious purpofes and refolutions, infpire us with divine prin^ ciples, and fuggeft to our minds, proper mo¬ tives and ufeful truths on dl occafions. Aflift us, we entreat thee, O thou God of all grace and mercy, to furmount all the oppofition we may have to encounter, in the courfe of a pious and virtuous life. And grant that nei¬ ther the frowns nor flatteries of men, nor the corruptions of our own hearts, nor the diffi- Prayers, culties which attend the pradiice of virtue, nor the deceitful pleafures of vice, nor things pre- fent, nor things to come, may ever feparate our fouls from the love of G od and goodnefs, or caufe us to defert our duty in any inftance. Prepare us, O Lord, for all the unfeeii events, which are ordained to befal .us in the courfe of thy providence, during our continuance in this uncertain w’orld. With refpedt to our outward condition and circumftances in life^ we would refer ourfelves entirely to thy wife difpofal. Lead us whitherfoever thou wilt—- deal with us as thou pleafeft—Give us poverty or riches, profperity or adverfity, as fliall feem beft to thine infinite wifdom and goodnefs; only blefs us, we entreat thee, with ferenity, compofure, and fatisfadiion of mind, and en¬ able us to adorn every ftation of life in w’^hich thou flialt think proper to place us, by a pious and becoming condudf. May a fenfe of our entire dependence on thee, and of the uncer¬ tain nature of all earthly enjoyments, preferve us from pride and infolence, from a forgetful* nefs of God, or an ungenerous treatment of Prayers. 279 our fellow creature, while our clrcumftances In life are eafy and profperous; and grant, O I.ord, we entreat thee, that a confcioufnefs of our own integrity, a well-grounded fenfe of thy favour, through a Redeemer, and the hrni hopes of everlafting happinefs, may fupport us under all the evils of life, and arm us againfl the fears of death and dilfolution. O Lord, we pray, that in the multitude of thy tender compaffions, thou wouldft favour all our brethren of mankind with the fame fpirltual privileges which we enjoy. Blefs in a fpecial manner, the lands of our nativitv. Pour out thy Spirit upon all ranks and degrees of men among us. May our friends and relatives be the objects of thy peculiar care and love, and may our enemies be interefted in thy pardon¬ ing grace, We thank thee, for the mercies of this day, and of all our pall years, mercies more than we can reckon up, and infinitely more than we deferve. From our experience of thy goodnefs in time paft, we are encour¬ aged ftill to feek for refuge under the fhadow of thy wings. May the Shepherd of Ifrae], 28 o Prayers, who. never fliimbers nor fleeps, watch over our family and interefts, during the filence of this night. When we awake in the morning, may we find thee at our right hand, and then we fiiall not he greatly moved. Incline thine car to our requefts, and accept of our perfons and fervices, through the merits aud media¬ tion of Jefiis Chrifl; the righteous, to whom, with thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, we would afcribe, as is mofi; due, everlafting praife and glory. Amen. FAMLLT DEVOTIONS. EVENING PRAYER 11 . O THOU, whofe name alone is Jehovah, thou art the moft high God over all the earth. Thy greatnefs is unfearchable, thy under- {landing is infinite, and thy tender mercies are over all thy works. From everlafling to everlafting thou art God, with whom there is no variahlenefs, neither fhadow of turning. Thou, O Lord, filleft heaven and earth with thy prefence. Thou fearcheft the heart, and trieft the reins, of the children of men. Thou knoweft our down-fitting and our up-rifmg, and art intimately acquainted with all our ways. Yea, all things are naked and open to the eyes of that God with whom we have to do. Im- prefs upon our minds, we befeech thee, O N n 282 Prayers. Lord, a deep and lively fenie of all thy glori¬ ous perfedlions, that we may worlhip thee in the beauty of holinefs, and fandify thy name, in our religious approaches to thee. May we be enabled to draw near thee at this time, with an awful and reverend fenfe of thy majefly upon our fpirits, and with an humble truft and confidence in thy mercy. We are vile, O Lord, what fhall we anfwer thee ? we have loft our original righteoufnefs, our natures are wholly depraved by the apoftacy of our firft parents, and our lives have been ftaincd with many adiual tranfgreflions. But in this we would rejoice, that though we are finners, we have an Advocate at thy right hand, Jefus Chrift the righteous, who is the propitiation for our fins. This is a faithful faying, and we efteem it worthy of all acceptation, that Chrift Jefus came into the world to fave fin¬ ners, even the chief of finners. Enter not into judgment with us, thy unworthy fervants, O Lord, but hear that blefted Advocate in our behalf, who maketh interceffion for tranfgref- fors, and whofe blood cleanfeth from all fin. Prayers. ^83 Blot out our ims as a thick cloud from the book of thy remembrance, and call them into the depths of the fea; and we humbly pray, thou wouldft enable us lirraly to believe, that though our lins have been as fcarlet, yet through faith in the blood of atonement, they lhall be whiter than fnow, and though in number, more than the fands on the fea ^ore, they fliall by this means, be covered and done away.WVgainft all the hery darts of the wick¬ ed one, may this prove to us an impenetrable Ihield; under the moft diftreffing accufations of guilt, may Chrift crucified appear to us a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempeft of divine wrath. And grant that the riches of thy grace in Chrift, may over¬ come our natural enmity, and the difalFediion of our hearts to thee and thy laws. May the love of Chrift conftrain us to live from hence¬ forth, not to ourfelves, but to him who died for us, and rofe again. May we have fellow- Ihip witli Chrift in his death, and feel the power of his refurredion raifing up our fouls to newnefs of life. Lead us in the paths of N n 2 284 Prayers, righteoufhefs, we befeech thee, O Lord, for thy name’s fake. Call us not away from thy prefence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from us; otherwife like Samfon, our ftrength will depart from us, and we lhall become like other men. O lead us, we .pray. Lord, in that narro'w but fafe way, in which thy prefence is obtained and enjoyed; and whenever we are tempted to turn afide from it, either to the right hand or to the left, let us hear thy gracious voice faying to us, “ this is the way “ walk ye in it.” Preferve us by thy grace, from ftepping afide into the paths of the deftroyer, and teach us to look upon every forbidden en¬ joyment, as an accurfed thing. Search us, O God, and know our hearts^; try us and know our thoughts; fee if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlafting. We blefs thee, O Lord, for thy goodnefs to us through the paft day, and for every cir- cumftance that is comfortable in our lot on this evening. Continue thy loving kindnefs to us, and perfect what concerneth us. May each of us in this family, and all whom we Prayers* ought to remember in thy prefence, dwell this night in fafety under the fhadow of thy wings. Spare us, if it be thy blelTed will, to fee the light of a new day, and as our day is, let our ftrength be. Hear and accept of us, for the merits of our Redeemer, who is God over allj bleffed for ever more. Amen. .C>K ^ ^'J■^ J 3 f. f • - =^-Y.'^ : - ■■.' '• ,rU•l>^•VT' f) -; j , ■ ', '^. ’/r;)■.'■;*/: :«) ''^5 • . .^,: I u.. i J :i J • • . / I. . ■ . ■ • ,/t '•? > '■- ' IVV: - ■' ■ *. * t ' • . ' ni.’.iKHll ..> ' jr>. ibo ,o a[o*-i O VI<>1‘'’ vd k' V', -Mlllli b/It .tCMlJ, -i .j/a ‘:'>iijj;M Viii bn^-,sjd{fi ocU' luo tic c'bfi3>.b " . t . nc'‘^ifiiTJiiffrinriffV >,ilTnv7 viij iff; vn^ -i&hfrrt fir br^bfUd rtbidv/ ?.tsoin:ud(i<^ 3ii/ • \ ‘>ib ‘^'Vr, ;,‘V ;fd,^ xjiJT-o/Tbi oJ. bnc qirfho^v/ oi ic'jqqc rr>Ar biif; ,.7liHiod Yd^ to yIlbI? « * ufionT Y^rvii >flt ,looitJooi v»ij Jt atiiT ~'ioi sftiisJftbl-^nal yrij to riU/lvr t«dj Yffj 3iobfi sW , ,3Ciueifcad * / ■ iutt hidioi biic 'U:/i)fb ^noii^atiyq Y'lt a Yen ^bi>7^ciiiO;ja3 yic :>w .a‘tri:>ccnqqe ,i‘jqlO]9 oii.> t'! 7/ii to'nohr.hYoi aril /d firm tuo 'litq bffi ,oyHj (iiiui tcya w 'iii b* Ubv b-.;i'in;> .! !; i-. -fc .JvlljYt FAMILY DEVOTIONS. EVENING PRAYER III. O Lord, our God! Thou art mfinitely great, and Infinitely good. Thy glory tran- fcends all our thoughts, and thy tender mer¬ cies are over all thy works. Innumerable are the obligations which thou haft; laid us under, to worfliip and to ferve thee; for we are the daily objeTs of thy bounty, and we appear this evening at thy footftool, the living monu¬ ments of thy long-fuffering patience and for¬ bearance. We adore thy name, that while thy glorious perfections check and forbid our • approaches, we are encouraged, nay invited, by the revelation of thy grace in the gofpel, to draw near unto thee, and to put our truft in thee, as our merciful and reconciled God 288 Prayers, and Father in ChrifI: Jel'us. We would con- fefs our tranfgreffions unto the Lord, humbly pleading, that thou wouldfl forgive our fins and iniquities, and give us grace to forfake them in time to come. We have caufe to be humbled in thy prefence, on account of our early apoftacy from thee our God, and the prevailing alienation of our hearts and affec¬ tions from thee. Thou didft indeed create us O Lord, after thy own bleffed image, in an holy and happy eftate: but alas! man being in honour, did not long continue, but foon became vain in his imagination and purfuits, and reduced himfelf too nearly, to a level with the beaftsthat periih. We muft acknowledge with borrow and contrition, that fin hath cor¬ rupted all our powers, and perverted them from the ends for which we were made. We are fo averfe to good, and fd prone to evil, that we muft acknowledge it is owdng to thy rich mercy and free grace, that we are yet fpared in the land of hope. Bleffed be thy name, that where fin abound¬ ed, grace did more abound; Chrift was exalted Prayers. 289 as a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Ifracl, and forgivenels of fins. O grant, that he may be made to every foul amongll us, what he is to all thy faithful people, wif- dom, righteoufnefs, fanclification and redemp¬ tion. , From that infinite fulnefs that dwells in Chriil:, may we receive grace fufficient lor us, to pardon our fins, and fubdue our iniqui¬ ties. Grant, that by the powerful influence of thy Holy Spirit upon our hearts, we may be enabled daily to die unto fm, and to live unto righteoufnefs; to lay afide every weight, and the fm that doth mofl; eafily befet us. O let not fm reign in our mortal bodies, that we fhould obey it in the lulls thereof. Let there be no fm in us, but what is known and felt, hated, lamented and refilled by us. May we hate every falfe way, and elleem thy precepts concerning all things to be right. Transform us more into that blelfed image, after which thou didll create us; and make us partakers of a divine nature; that we may at length be qualified for feeing thee as thou art, and meet to be partakers of the inheritance of O o 290 Prayers. the faints in light. While thou art pleafed to continue us in a ftate of trial and probation, preferve us from the evil that is in the world. Give us hearts to know thee, to love and obey thee, and to truft in thee at all times and in all fituations. Deliver us we befeech thee, from every thing that may prove a hindrance to our falvation, or that may retard us in run¬ ning our chriftian race with patience and for¬ titude. Suffer us not to be overcharged with the cares of this life, to be enfnared by its pleafures, nor to fink under its burdens. May we be kept by thy almighty power, through faith unto eternal falvation. The fame mer¬ cies that we afk for ourfelves, we entreat alfo for our brethren of mankind. O bring nigh unto thee all thofe that are yet afar off. May the glad tidings of falvation be publifhed to all the ends of the earth, and grant that the power of religion may prevail among all who have a form of godlinefs. Blefs the church and nation to which we belong, and all ranks and orders of men, from the King upon the Throne, to the meaneft fubjed:. Profper the Prayen. 291 mimilration of gofpel ordinances in this corner of thy vineyard. Encourage and encreale the ' number of thofe that truly fear thy name, and feek thy face. Be the God of this family, and grant that we may be thy faithful fervants de¬ voted to thy fear. May the portion of Jacob be the choice of each of us. May the ftrength of Ifrael be our ftay, and the atonement of fefus our refuge. Be very gracious to our abfent friends. We recommend them to thy favour and protediion, who art the confidence ‘ of all the ends of the earth, and of thofe that are far olf upon the fea. Forgive thofe who have done or wifhed us evil, and give us from the heart to forgive them. We recommend to thy tender compaffion the fick and aftlidled, the poor and the needy, the tempted and dii- confolate, the widows and fatherlefs. Be thou a prefent help to them in time of trouble. O Lord, draw near in mercy, as a reconciled'God and Father in Chrift, to thofe who are draw¬ ing near the gates of death. Prepare each of us for that great change vdiich vrill bring us down to the grave, the houfe appointed for - O o 2 292 Prayers. all living. We beleech thee to preferve us in our integrity to our dying day, that we may hnifli our courfe with joy, and our flefli may reft in hope that when Chrift who is our life fliall appear, we may alfo with him appear in glory. We defire now to afcribe the praife due to thy name for that goodnefs of thine which has protected us and provided for us through the day paft. Imprefs, wm befeech thee O Lord, fuch a deep fenfe of thy loving kindnefs and tender mercies upon our hearts, as fl:iall awaken our gratitude, conftrain us to a more careful obedience, and encourage our conftant truft in thy providence and grace. May goodnefs and mercy ftili follow us. To thy gracious protection we commit ourfelves and ail our interefts, during the fiient watches of the night, that no evil may come nigh our perfons or our dwellings. With our fouls may we defire thee in the night,—with our fpirits within us may we feek thee early. Incline thine ear to our requefts, O Lord, and accept ot us, tor the ftdee of Jefus Chrift, our ftrength and our Redeemer. Amen. FA MILT DEVOTIONS. FOR THE LORD’S DAY MORNING. Holy , holy, holy Lord God Almighty, who art, and wert, and art to come. Thou art the former of our bodies, the Father of our fpirits, and the fountain of all our happinefs. We defire on this morning of thy day, to draw nigh to the footftool of thy throne, with all that humility and veneration, which greatnels like thine can infpire in minds like ours. We defire at this time to join our humble adora¬ tions with the more exalted lervices of angels and arch-angels, and thofe myriads of blefied fpirits who behold thy face in righteoufnefs, and celebrate thy praifes, without interruption, and without wearinefs. We rejoice, O Lord, that though thou art the high and the lofty One who inliabiteth eternity, yet Inch is thine amazing condefcenhon, that thou doft not dif- dain to hear the voice that aril'es from the diift. To this man wilt thou look, and with this man wilt thou dwell, who is of an humble and contrite fpirit, and who trembles at thy word. We rejoice, that though we are apof- tate guilty creatures, unworthy to lift up our eyes to that place of purity where thine honour dweileth, that we have a powerful Advocate at thy right hand, Jefus Chrift the righteous, who is the propitiation for our fins. We blefs thee, who art revealing thyfelf in the gofpel, feated upon a throne of grace, waiting to be gracious and merciful to every returning pe¬ nitent finner. We adore thy name, that not- ♦ withilanding our unfruitfulnefs in time paft, yet thou art lengthening out our days of grace, and making the outgoings of the evening and the morning to rejoice over us. This is the day which the I.ord hath made; which he liath fet apart peculiarly for his own wordiip and fervice; we will rejoice and be. glad in it. Save now, we bcfeech ihce, O Lord, lend Prayers, 295 now profpenty. We bids thee, that the gate of thy temple is hill open to receive us. May we enter thy gates with thankfgiving and thy courts with praife. May we on this day, worfliip thee, who art a Spirit, in fpirit and in truth. Enable us by faith, to realize thy glorious and thy gracious prelence, to folemnize and to encourage our hearts. O grant us the af- fiftance of thy holy Spirit in every part of the facred lervice. Raife us above that dulnefs and languor which fo often opprefs us ; and preferve us from the intrufion of vain and wandering thoughts. May our confefTions of fm, our prayers and fupplications, our praifes and thankfgivings, be the language of our in- moft foil], and an acceptable facrifice, through Chrifl: our Lord. Countenance all the wor- iliipping alTemblies of thy people, who fliall meet together on this day throughout the world. Enable thy fervants who adminifter in holy things, rightly to divide the word of truth; and grant that they may fpeak in demonftra- tion of the Spi]*it, and with po^ver. May the Prayers. 296 the hearers of the gofpel, receive with meek- nefs the ingrafted word, which is able to fave their fouls. May they receive it with faith and love, lay it up in their hearts, and j)rac- tife it in their lives. O Lord, look with com- palTion upon thofe unhappy w^anderers, who, not knowing the things that belong to their peace, devote this day to forbidden pleafure. May they be brought home to thy fold, and made to rejoice in thy holy word, which they now defpife. Let this O Lord, be a day of comfort to the affli6led.—Let the opprefl'ed and defolate, and the troubled in mind, flock to thv houfe, and find comfort there. O let them not return alhamed. Let the poor and the needy praife thy name. Be gracious to all who fhall wait upon thee this day, hungering and thirfting after righteoufnefs. May each of us who now worlhip at thy footftool, be of that happy number, and do thou fatisfy us with the goodnefs of thy houfe, even of thy holy temple. Aflift; us gracious God, as we are to be feverally employed, in fpeaking and in hearing thy word. Make thy grace fuffi- Prayers. 297 dent for us, and thy ilrength perfed in our weaknefs. O fend forth thy light and thy truth, and do thou powerfully iinprefs the weight of eternal things upon our minds. Dil- pofe us, O Lord, to attend to the inftrudions of thy word, with an earnefh defire to know thy will, and a fixed refolution to pradife it. And do thou accompany it with fuch power to our hearts, that it may convince us of fin, determine us to our duty, and guide us to life everlafting. We commit ourfelves to the protedion of thy providence and grace, through the whole of this day. Preferve us from every evil that we fear or deferve; efpecially from that which we ought to dread as the greateft; from offending God; when we are profeffing to worfhip and to honour him. Enable us to difcharge every duty to which we are called on this day, both public and private, in fuch a manner, as fhall prove acceptable to thee, and comfortable and beneficial to our own fouls. Grant, O Lord, that every fucceflive oppor¬ tunity, which thou affordeft us of waiting on thee in thy houfe, may increafe in us all thofe P p Prayers, 598 holy difpofitions, which will prepare and qua¬ lify us for the more exalted worfhip of heaven, where we fhall join the General Affembly and Church of the firft born, in celebrating the praifes of him that fitteth upon the throne, and of the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen. FA MILT DEVOTIONS. -> .. ■— '' ■■■■■■■ - ■— ■ ■■ ■ - - ■ - . FOR THE LORD’S DAY EVENING. O MOST bleffed and glorious God! Thy name is excellent in all the earth; and thou haft fet thy glory above the heavens. Thou art great, and greatly to be praifed; thou art good, and greatly to be loved; and worthy to receive the united adoration and homage of all thy reafonable creatures. Thou needeft not, indeed, our fervices, nor canft thou receive the leaft advantage from our praifes; but never can we be more honourably or advantageoufly employed, than in celebrating thy perfedions, admiring thy works, gratefully recolleding the paft inftances of thy goodhefs, and imploring the continuance of thy kind and favourable regards. Pp 2 300 F7’ayers, We defire this evening to blefs thy name, that thou haft not made the wildernefs our habitation, nor the barren land our dwelling, but that thou haft fixed our lot in a civilized and fruitful country, in a land of light and liberty, wherein we enjoy the ineftimable privilege of attending thy folemn worfhip, and of being inftruCted in the way of falvation. We adore thy name for the continued com¬ munication of fo much unmerited favour, for all our enjoyments in the prefent life, and for our profpecfts in that which is to come. We afcribe praife to thy name" for all thofe powers with which thou haft endowed our minds, and all thofe feelings with which thou haft reple- niftied our hearts;—for the hopes thou haft infpired, the difcoveries thou haft given, and the privileges thou haft vouchfafed. We blefil thee, O Lord, that thy ways are not as our ways, nor thy thoughts as our thoughts; that even when we turned our back upon thee, and rebelled againft thee, thy thoughts towards us were thoughts of peace, and not of evil; and therefore, inftead of ftretching forth thy mighty Prayers, 301 hand to deftroy us, thou haft made bare an arm of lalvation in our behalf. And now, O Lord, as thou haft been gracioufly pleafed to reveal to us the glad tidings of falvation, en¬ large our minds, we befeech thee, that we may be better able to comprehend the breadth and length, and depth and height of the love of Chrift which pafleth knowledge. Imprefs upon each of our hearts a lively fenfe of our obligations to that blefted Saviour who loved us and wafhed us from our fins in his own blood. Grant, O Lord, that we may not be of the unhappy number of thofe, who hear of this almighty Saviour and yet rejed him, as the unbelieving Jews did. Let it never be faid of any of us, that he came to us, and we received him not. Enable us by thy grace, to receive him as he is offered in the gofpel, to hearken to his inftrudions, to follow him as our guide and pattern, to rely on his atone¬ ment, and to fubmit cheerfully to his authority. Let it not content us, O Lord, to call our- felves by the name of Chrift; but may we remember that he came into the \^mrld, not 302 Prayers* merely to give us a new name, but to make us new creatures. Lord, enable us then to put olF the old man which is corrupt, and to put on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteoufnefs and true holinefs. May the w^ord of thy grace, which we are fa¬ voured to hear from time to time, make us more fruitful in every good work. Through the powerful influence of thy Spirit accompa¬ nying the truth, may our faith be more and more ftrengthened, and our love towards God, and to one another, be made to abound: and grant that we may at laft receive the end of our faith, even the falvation of our fouls. Hear, we entreat thee, O God of mercy, thofe interceflions, which have this day been offered up to thy divine Majefty, for all man¬ kind. May the whole earth fhare with us in all our diftinguifhed privileges as chriftians. Mav all the churches of Chrift, wherever dif- perfed, and by whatever name diftinguilhed, partake of his Spirit, and be abundantly watered with the dew of heaven. Blefs all chriftian kings and magiflrates, efpecially out Prayers, 303 gracious Sovereign, King George. Make the minifters of the gofpel, faithful, diligent and fuccefsful. Hear the prayers likewife that have been offered up this day, for the afflidied and diftreft, whether in mind, body, or circumftances. May all their wants and ours, be abundantly fupplied from thine inexhauflable fulnefs. O Lord, we blefs thy name, for the renewed opportunity which we had this day, of waiting upon thee in thy houfe. We hope it has been good for us to draw near unto thee, in the ordinances of thine appoint¬ ment. Pardon, we befeech thee, thofe imper¬ fections that have attended our religious fervices, and accept of whatever has been in fmcerity attempted with a fmgle eye to thy glory. Wafh us thoroughly from all our fins, in the fountain opened for fin and for unclean- nefs. Defend us from all the dangers of the, enfuing night, during the filent and defence- lefs hours of reft; and grant, that we may arife in the morning, with renewed vigour to en¬ gage in the fervices of the following day. Hear our prayers for ourfelves, and our interceflions 3^4 Prayers, for others, which we offer up in the name of Jefus Chrift, our ftrength and our Redeemer. Amen. PRAYER, WHEN VISITING THE SICK. 'm s. I-” , .f£ ’X ¥1.9; or.- . ‘r^ n v L. ' —.: S:^. ' ' ■. , , . - < '^r « Vi ■ ^yo . ^ 6j i977oq ikii uiiv/ iiii lo i-^loq^.b >i ;‘jviU OJ biir. *l>qi*d nt^j oilW > oJ ioi/i f'^wm jtdw /jjio;/ §nilLvt/3q*A rtjiv/ oiuu Yoiio fdJ Ik 'iii uoiij ru^ ';ijoatri;gii j^Y ' 'iuoxii iioo ^ ;jd bt/W^ir ' ik ' ^evjsv/ ICOJ fVl^iitl'irw Jj/lfk JOti flqb tfOrtJ’ f^aiMfi fd) iolfljkTiii ei lo nbiblo: . g/h •:0w 3^4? ffiij b-->ibiftli4 fkd jjodi jpAxi ' •’ fc ■ . rxiioxiw ‘,iq] SftiLWou' '{di lo A'ri»it4li.q >d . l»Uh j ad' ..ri^^^qi btoJ. ' xiai <1^4V/ ♦diavf.T.o'i pd iiOJ ^ ^ i/aUt^W :hil// ,:ui-4,rOV . Arn^m Mo^od ■