The Twentieth Sacrament, December 5, 1731

I BEGAN with some reflections upon the going up of Moses to Mount Pisgah; and observed, that our prospect is vastly more entertaining than was his. The country we survey is moi excellent, and our own interest in it is more important. Moses saw Canaan — an agreeable sight; the stream of Jordan, the plain of Jericho; rich pastures, painted meadows, fruitful fields, beautiful cities: but what are these to the view of the heavenly Canaan? Had he seen this, — all the beauty and grandeur of Jerusalem, as in David’s time; all the sacred and solemn magnificence of the temple, as recorded by Solomon; what had it been to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the temple of God above, which, through his unmerited grace, is our prospect? He saw a city then possessed by an enemy, where was once the home of some of his pious forefathers. But we see a city possessed by our best Friend, the kingdom of our God! He saw a city where the Israel of God were to have but a transient settlement; which they might lose, as they have now done; but we see that everlasting abode where we shall never die — whence we shall never be expelled. Once more he saw a country on which he was never to enter. God said to him, “Thou shalt not go thither unto the land;” Deut. xxxii. 52; — but he says not the like to us. How should we delight in the assurance! How should we cherish the reviving thought! And ’ how cheerfully should we go up to the top of Pisgah to view ill How cheerfully should we die to enter upon it! There is Jordan between, and the passage may be cold and difficult; but there is the God of Israel before us; — he leads us, and his right arm upholds us.

After the prayer, I considered this ordinance as the Christian passover, and as such applied to it. Lord, I come to be more completely rescued from nature’s dark bondage. I come to’ be delivered from the stroke of the avenging angel through this blood sprinkled on my soul. I come, that every idol in my heart may fall down, and that I may be led onward in my way to the heavenly Canaan. Lord, we would eat our passover with unleavened bread, with bitter herbs, with loins girded, and our staves in our hands, ready to remove when thou givest us the dismission. Speaking of seeing Jesus, I quoted Traill, and spoke of Christians once commemorating this ordinance with us, and now with Christ above. And how do they wonder that their hearts were no more inflamed by love! Is this the Saviour I loved so coldly — that I served so weakly! Now the King of glory says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” Rev. iii. 20. Come in, thou beloved of my heart! Let the door be opened; nay, let the wall be broken down, rather than that he should be excluded; rather let me die to admit Christ, than live without him in my heart.

Addressing myself to some young people who were spectators, I observed — If you asked us the meaning of this service, we should tell you that we commemorate a dying Lord; that we were once in bondage, and that he delivered us; yes, he saved us from wrath; he is leading us to Canaan; we come hither for refreshment by the way: — is it not a noble, a reasonable, and an important service? and ought not you to pray that you may have a right to it, and then a share in it.