On the Sacrament, March 11, 1744
Having preached of the power of faith in our coming to God, I fixed my meditations at the Lord’s table on those words in Peter; “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. ii. 4, 5. I here observed the view we have of Christ. As looked upon by the generality of mankind, he is “disallowed;” they slight him. Many openly reject his gospel, and oppose it. Others concern not themselves about it. They do not make him the foundation of their hopes. Either they have no foundation at all, no evidences for eternity, or it is some other foundation, and not Christ. But he is “chosen of God.” So chosen, that the great God has passed a decree, that if ever any sinful creature obtains salvation, it should be through Christ, and as sought by him. If ever the gospel comes to a man, Christ must be acceptable, or he shall not have eternal life. Every other foundation shall undoubtedly fail, and the hail shall sweep it away as a refuge of lies. He is also precious in the sight of God. In this view, he is called, “My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. iii. 17. It is pleasant to view Christ as the foundation of his church: in this view also the eyes of the Lord are upon him. He is also precious to every believer; incomparably so. And they come to him as for something that passes between Christ and the real Christian. He speaks to his Lord, speaks to him from the heart, and is built up as a spiritual house, and as lively stones. This of natural buildings would be absurd; not so in the spiritual sense. The building of the Father of spirits, is a spiritual building. Spirits are active in it. It is their language, “Lord, let me be laid as a stone in thy house, and be one of those whom thou wilt condescend to inhabit as thy temple.” The simile is then changed, and Christians are represented as a holy priesthood in this house, to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God through Christ. They are priests. They shall be so above. They are so now; and, as such, holy; they desire to separate themselves
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from all impurities of flesh and spirit; and they attend to ofter prayers, praises, and alms-deeds. They are spiritual in all; all is done in the name and fear of God, from a true spiritual principle, which engages the heart. And they’’ are acceptable to God; but it is all through Christ. He is the xlaron, the representative of the whole body. And they are chosen in him. And they shall at length be made priests to keep God’s charge, for he will, as in the promise to Joshua, give them a place among them that stand by. Zech. iii. 7. Glorious hope! In the mean time, let us offer the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks in his name; and commemorate that great priestly act of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which we are consecrated; and that blood through which we have boldness to enter into the holy place.