The Forty-Fourth Sacrament, December 2, 1733

1 OPENED the ordinance with some meditations on those words, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Galatians vi. 14. — I observed the apostle’s temper with respect to the cross of Christ, and the reason of this regard to it. His temper was that he gloried in it. To be sure, he had been often upbraided with it; “This babbler, — thou art beside thyself,” etc.: yet he was not ashamed to own himself the disciple of a crucified Redeemer; very far from that. I hope we, too, are not ashamed of that cause. If every friend present were the most keen and inveterate enemy to the gospel, I hope that I should not be ashamed to administer the ordinance, or to receive it. Rather may we glory in that, and in nothing else: — not in ourselves; in our wisdom, learning, reasoning powers, or morality; — in nothing, inconsistent with our coming as naked, trembling, guilty creatures, to shelter ourselves under the cross; which though to those that perish foolishness, (as I had been showing this day from the pulpit,) is to the believing soul, Christ the power and the wisdom of God! The effect follows. O that it may be found in us! “By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world:” that is, when I consider a suffering Redeemer, methinks that the world is as nothing; I am dead to it, and it to me. It can no more relieve, help, delight, or save me, than it could a dying man. I have no more desire after it, than one expiring upon the cross; but I live to Him that died for me.

After deep humiliation, I proceeded to break the bread, and in breaking it I spoke of the love of Christ. How affecting, if a friend had interposed between us and one that came to assault and to destroy us; and if he had only received a wound, how would it have impressed our hearts! Much more was it to die for us: to die when it was in his own power to have prevented it, which he took care to show, by striking those to the ground who came to apprehend him. Behold, too, the hardness and obstinacy of their hearts, that they would still persist in that attempt. Yet when our Lord had given this testimony of his power, he submitted himself, as if he had been weak and vanquished. Admire his goodness.

In pouring out the cup, I mentioned the prophecy, “He shall see his seed.” Isaiah liii. 10. How comfortable the thought! It is fulfilled in us, and it shall be accomplished in those that come after us. Christ shall have a seed to serve him when we are in our graves; and we and they, at the consummation of all things, shall be taken up with the enjoyment of him, and drink new wine in our Father’s kingdom.

I bless God that I had a very delightful day: my tears flowed, as I hope, of love, for this fountain of my heart was unutterably revived with a sense of my covenant interest in God.