The Eighty-Eighth Sacrament, August 7, 1737

I INTRODUCED the ordinance with some scattered thoughts on those words, “Ye shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” John xvi. 32. I began with observing the uncertainty of human friendship. The disciples of Christ, although under so many engagements to defend him, dispersed. They left him alone. So may we fall. I then observed the support of Christ — “The Father is with me.” Here was great faith: to believe the Father invariably present, and to rejoice in him, as sufficient, although deserted by human friends. So let us fix our hope in God, and place our happiness in a converse with him. May he ever be with us, espe-Sf8 TWENTY-NINTH MEDITATION.

cially in solitude; then we shall never be less forsaken than when we are alone.

Among some other meditations in breaking the bread, this was one: — If a prince were not only to send a pardon to a traitor, but to take him to his table; and not only so, but to admit him into his family, and to add, “I will make thee my child,” it would be amazing, it would be almost incredible; yet this does the Lord! Let it melt our hearts. How little does it signify what we lose, if we retain God, and his favour.

It was no small affliction to me to resign the society of that dear and amiable friend, (Miss Wilkinson,) who for now almost fourteen months has been the ornament and delight of my family, and in every circumstance during that time has behaved with a tenderness of friendship almost unparalleled, as well as with a strict and constant piety, from which the most confirmed Christian might have learned some useful lessons; but I have this day been enabled to resign her to God, owning his goodness in having enjoyed her converse here so long, and referring it to him whether our next meeting shall be at Northampton, in Yorkshire, or in heaven.