The Fifty-Fifth Sacrameivt, January 5, 1735
As I was this day employed in meditations on Christ’s compassion to tempted souls, I introduced the sacrament with some contemplations on those words, “Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly.” Colossians ii. 15. Our danger from the powers of hell was great; they foiled our first parents even in paradise; and if such things were done in the green tree, what would have been done in the dry? No doubt the devil triumphed in that victory. He looked on mankind as his prey; but Christ took the spoil out of the hands of the mighty. Little did the devil think how his devices would end. Little did he think how God would overrule them to his own glory, and to the advanced happiness of his people; how, out of the eater there should come forth meat, and out of the strong sweetness. Judges xiv. 14. As little did he think, when he was tempting and triumphing over Christ on the cross, that he was wounding his own cause, and destroying his own kingdom; but there, Christ despoiled him; there he covered him with confusion and shame. For there he recovered his people out of his hands; he bound the strong man armed, and spoiled his goods. Then he led captivity captive! ascended in triumph; and having broken the head of the dragon, gave him, as it were, to be meat to his people inhabiting the wilderness. Now the victory is begun; ere long it shall be completed, and the God of peace — He who through Christ became so — shall shortly bruise Satan under our feet. Yet a little while, and we shall trample upon him; not only as a wounded, but as a destroyed enemy; for by death, Christ has destroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. O let us celebrate the victory.
In breaking the bread, I had some reflections on the manner of Christ’s making himself known to his people; — in the riches of his dying love; in the power of his resurrection; the prevalence of his intercession; the stability of his covenant, and the glory of his kingdom. O, how happy, to behold
Jesus, to see him face to face! We rejoice to receive a letter from a friend; but how much more do we rejoice to meet that friend, to converse with him! What, then, will our meeting above be, should this be our last sacrament?
Before pouring out the wine, I said — By the cross of Christ, the world is crucified to us, and we to the world. It makes us indifferent to it, by filling our minds with other thoughts. When John stood before the cross of Christ, as his soul was possessed with the idea of his crucified Master, how little was he impressed with earthly things! Surely, it would have been much the same, whether he had to return to a palace or a cottage. This ordinance also encourages our dependence upon God for what is necessary. If he spreads such a table for us, will he not spread our own? If my Prince allows and invites me to come monthly, and to sit down with him at his own table, will he see me starve on other days? Will he not, in one way or another, find bread for me and for my family? How unworthy a suspicion!
After the prayer, and just before I received the cup, I fell into a pleasing reflection on these words, “They did all drink the same spiritual drink;” — the apostles; the martyrs; our remote ancestors; our fathers; our former companions in the ways of God. They all came to this ordinance, and were refreshed by it. Future Christians shall arise, and partake of it, too, when our places are empty. We are related to all. Methinks, that we should look back, look around, and look forward with delight, and make, as it were, the joy of the whole church our own. But O, that better assembly where we shall all unite; where we shall all meet triumphantly around the board of our heavenly Father, and share in much nobler entertainments!
In the prayer, I had a pleasing view of God, as one, without whom we should not know what to do, but be even a burden to ourselves.