more holy, is emphatically to enjoy him. The great object which we ought to have in view in this ordinace, is our spiritual strength and refreshment. The last depends upon the first. As the body of sin and of death is decaying, the life of righteousness is maturing; and, with its maturity, brings along with its own delights. The more we taste that the Lord is gracious, the more ability we acquire to resist temptations, and to conquer at the last. We proceed to unfold, II. The safety which the believing use of the Lord's Supper affords from all such present and future dangers. 1. It saves us from the condemnation of sin. The blood of the Covenant, apprehended by faith, is a covering for our guilt, and a cleansing of our pollution. God looks upon us, in that case, as one with his Anointed, "There and therefore accepted in him. "is therefore now no condemnation to them "which are in Christ Jesus." They have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus c Rom. viii. 1. Christ. They walk in the liberty of the sons of God, enjoying the comforts of the Holy Ghost. 2. A believing use of the Lord's Supper, will save us from casting in our lot with those who are strangers to God and his Christ. We shall separate ourselves from their iniquities, that thus we may escape their judgments in this world. The command is, "Be not ye therefore partakers with them." Connected as we are in social intercourse with others; insensibly adopting their maxims, and assimilating to their manners, few commands are more difficult to be obeyed than this. Hence you perceive the importance to Christian character and conduct, of partaking of the Lord's Supper in faith, that the evils to which we are exposed from our relations in life may be avoided or rectified. 3. A believing use of the Lord's Supper will save us from the dispiriting and injurious effects of adversity and sorrow, as also from the power of all our enemies. Here we have sealed to us his favour, who is God in providence, as well as King in Zi e Eph. v. 7. on; Lord of angels, as well as men; Conqueror of principalities and powers, as well as Protector of his chosen. He will hide us in the hollow of his hand from every storm. Or, if the storm be permitted to burst over our heads, he will protect us from its injuries. Whatever afflictions may befal us, the curse being taken out of them, he will convert into blessings, for our growth in grace. Every thing shall work for our good. "Neither-angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to 66 come, nor height, nor depth, nor any "other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ "Jesus." Death itself will be converted into our unspeakable gain, our everlasting glory. Communicants! suffer not the thoughts of God's wrath to obscure your view of his love, as exhibited in this ordinance. Believe with your whole hearts in him who is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Take him by an especial act now as your God, and the God of your families. f Rom. viii. 38, 39. Cast all your care, for yourselves and yours, on the Surety of the covenant. Leave yourselves with him, in this day of calamity2, that he may order your case. Only be careful that ye so commune, that from adversity, if it should befal, the curse may be removed. See that ye are marked with the blood of the Covenant, that, as the destroying angel is passing over the land, and pouring the plagues of God's wrath in the habitations of sinful men, ye may be safe. AMEN. ≈ This sermon was preached during the late war. SERMON VI. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BELIEVERS NUMBERS XXIII. 9. Lo! the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the na-` tions. THESE words were spoken by Balaam, the son of Beor, who had been sent for by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel. In their literal meaning, they refer to the peculiar separation of God's chosen people, under the Mosaic œconomy, from other nations, by their laws, religion, and character, as a holy people. Hence they may be fitly applied 16 VOL. II. |