Hints of Meditations on the Sacrament, February, 1749

The subject of my meditation was, “What is thy petition, and what is thy requestl” Esth. vii. 2. Were we at the banquet of wine of a king, and might imagine him to be addressing that question to each; — should we be at a loss for an answer? No: Lord, that our sins may be forgiven; — all of them; those since we first entered into covenant with thee, and those since our last covenant engagements. God answers, “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Heb. viii. 12, And what further? — Lord, that all remaining sin may be rooted out, not only from our actions and words, but from our thoughts. He will subdue our iniquities; he will cast sin into the depths of the sea. “Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Rom, vi. 14. And what further? — Lord, that our souls may be animated in thy service; that we may have wisdom, and courage, and perseverance, “I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord.” Zech. X. 12. And any thing further? — That we may be enabled to bear up under the burdens and afHictions of life; not be dismayed and terrified, but remain calm and composed. “When thcu passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.” Isaiah xliii. 2. Let not our Lord be angry, and we will speak but once more. — That thou wilt support us in death, and receive us to glory. This is the great promise, that, after passing through the dark valley, he will give unto us eternal life. All the rest have a reference to this. “Begotten again to a lively hope,” 1 Pet. i. 3; which God that cannot lie has promised. Lord, I have no more to ask for myself, but for others I have. “O that Ishmael might live before thee!” Gen. xvii. 18; my companions; my children; every one of them, from the eldest to the youngest. I cannot say that it is an absolute promise; but he hath said “I will be a God to thee, and to thy seed.” Gen. xvii. 7. Confirm, O Lord, the pleasing hope, and accept my grateful vows for the honour of thy name. O Lord, extend thy gospel here, althoutih perhaps it may not be immediately among those whom we are most concerned for, yet, surely, upon the whole, we have that comfortable promise, The knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth — a seed shall remain to serve him. Isaiah xi. 9; Psalm xxii. 30. Lord, we believe that thou hast granted our petitions: we will turn them into praise; we will go away as those that have this cheerful and comfortable hope.

Invitations were then given to the aged and the young. Here are seasons now of gathering, for the fruit is ripe! — and of hope, for others are coming forward with the favourable gale of youth: may they steer into this peaceful harbour.