At the Sacrament, October 1, 1732

Although my violent cold hindered me from speaking this day at the table with my usual freedom, yet, 1 bless God, it was a very comfortable ordinance; and that in the midst of the weakness, and even of the distress of nature, I had some delightful views of my everlasting rest.

Having discoursed on the abundance of mercy, in a strain which was very comfortable to myself in the preparation, and I hope, in some measure, to my hearers in the delivery, I proceeded at the table to some meditations on these words, “He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God.” 2 Cor. v. 5. That is, it was the work of a God, to bring us to it. He is God, and none but he could have done it. — To work us to it — to such a thing as a meetness for what we were naturally so very unfit. 0 think what it is that we are wrought to; think who we are — what opposition God found — how few are wrought to it: — all, may awaken our admiration as well as our joy.

In breaking the bread, there were mentioned some believing views of Christ; and in receiving the cup, was enjoined a deep submission to the determinations of Divine Providence, and a readiness to receive any cup from the hand of God. Since we can say that, through grace, I am well persuaded that it cannot be a cup of wrath; therefore, O my God, I rejoice in saying “Thy will be done.”

I then apprehended something of the beginning of a fever, and recollected it might be fatal, yet I cannot say that I thought of it with any terror, but rather found a sweet willingness to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, which is far better than this present life. I adore God for it as his own work. Behold, O Lord, I am in thy hands. I would be waiting for thy salvation, and doing thy commands.