death, and the merits of his mediation, through many nations, by imparting the influences of his spirit; by clothing his priests with salvation, and his gospel with power; by making a willing people in the day of sovereign love; and by preserving alive the good work of grace which he has begun in their souls.

Yes, Christians, look forward to the triumphs of your Redeemer's cross in future periods; its sanctifying triumphs over the hearts, the prejudices, the passions, the policy, and the power of its enemies; when nations shall be blessed in him; when the fulness of the Gentiles shall be brought in; when unbelieving Jews shall look to him whom they have pierced; and when all Israel shall be saved of the Lord, and a pure offering ascend from the rising to the setting sun.

Thus, brethren, let us shew forth the Lord's death in the ordinance of the supper. Let us remember with delight the matchless Saviour, who he is, what he has done for sinners of mankind, what he is now doing for his people's welfare, and what he will do when he comes the second time for the complete salvation of all his redeemed. O that our remembrance of him in this ordinance

may be accompanied with a clear discernment of the inestimable value of his obedience, sufferings, death, and mediation, with a firm faith in the certainty of these important truths, their suitableness to our own circumstances, and their sufficiency to instil peace into our hearts! And may this remembrance prove effectual for imparting unfeigned godly sorrow for sin, a rooted abhorrence of whatever is dipleasing or dishonouring to Christ, and for renewing daily in our soul all heavenly joy in the Rock of our salvation, and the lively hope of future glory! Amen.

SERMON

SERMON XIX.

the objects of the BELIEVER'S CONTEMPLATION IN THE LORD'S SUPPER.

1 CORINTHIANS Xi. 26.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

FROM

ROM these words I have told you,-That sincere faith in Christ, in this ordinance, discovers the character of the true God unfolded, and his glory displayed in peculiar brightness-that we contemplate in it the death of Christ as the price of our redemption, and the great source of spiritual blessings ;—that we anticipate communion with the church сез of

of the first-born in heaven, and the spirits of the just made perfect ;-that we view there a lively representation of the circumstances connected with the death of Christ, and a sacred memorial of our best and dearest Friend. We proceed to observe,

IV. That we are to view this ordinance as a solemn gospel feast, a sacred Christian festival. It is therefore called the Lord's supper, bearing an allusion to the practice of the faithful under the Old-Testament dispensation. They offered up their sacrifices; and when they had good reason to think that their offerings were accepted, they feasted upon their sacrifices, in testimony of their gratitude to the God whom they worshipped, and in token of their mutual agreement as Israelites. Thus it is under the gospel. The sacramental ordinance is not a sacrifice, as some superstitious professors of Christianity ignorantly and vainly suppose; it is a feast upon the great atoning sacrifice of Christ, a feast of holy gratitude and joy; therefore commonly called the Eucharist, or ordinance of rejoicing and love.

This view of the Lord's supper includes

three

three things. 1st, Suitable provision; 2dly, Spiritual nourishment; 3dly, Happy fellowship.

1st, In the everlasting gospel provision is made for the most indigent of mankind; and in this sacred ordinance, the poor and needy feed with satisfaction on the rich blessings of the great salvation. A pardon, as full and free as guilty transgressors can desire, is put into their hands; and hence the Psalmist joyfully proclaims, "He forgiveth all our iniquities; there is forgiveness with God, and he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities." In like manner says the inspired apostle, “We have redemption in his blood, even the forgiveness of sins through the riches of his grace.

But this forgiveness of sin, this deliverance from guilt and punishment, bears no resemblance to that remission which ignorant men desire, and which a superstitious worship promises. It gives no indulgence to vice, allows no breach even of the least commandment, and tolerates no transgression in the most favoured of the saints. Its uniform language is, Shall we continue in sin, because grace abounds? God forbid. How shall we, who

are