The Fourteenth Sacrament, May 16, 173L

I INTRODUCED the discourse with acknowledging that evil heart of unbelief which attends us at all times, and which follows us even to the table of the Lord. This hinders us from profiting by providential occurrences; by ordinances; and even those of a sacramental nature. Let us endeavour to conquer our unbelief by having recourse to the promises. Observe, how free, how full, how suitable they are. I particularly directed my hearers to the blood of Christ, which cleanseth from all sin. We have brought to the table of the Lord a multitude of sins; many committed since the last time we came hither. These sins need expiation; these pollutions need .cleansing. We are sensible of the pollution of them, and are therefore unwilling that others should be conscious to them; we had rather be caught in the greatest disorder, in the foulest or the meanest dress, than that all our sins, in all their circumstances, should be exposed to each other; how much more, then, should we be ashamed of them in the presence of the holy God! And it becomes us at this time to loathe and abhor Ourselves, and to repent as in dust and in ashes. But the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin, and procures not only pardon, but the sanctifying Spirit; and by serious reflections upon it, as a moral means, our hearts are purified. Let none, then, dread the sacrament because they are sinners: for our very coming implies a confession that we are so, otherwise we should have no business here. The only question is. Do we desire cleansing? If we do not, we have indeed no business at it, and can receive no benefit by it. In this instance Christ does, in effect, say to every one of us, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” John xiii. 8. But I hope that we can appeal to him, that it is our desire that he would wash our feet, our hands, head, and heart, that we may be entirely purified. And if this be indeed our desire, then are we welcome guests to the table of the Lord. Let us, then, go into his presence, and plead this blood, in the hope of being purified and accepted by it.

In breaking the bread, such reflections as these arose in my mind: — “Lord,” as saith the psalmist, “who knoweth the power of thine anger?” Psalm xc. 11. It is known but to the damned in hell! They completely know it. Yet, something we know of it in other instances, especially in the humiliation and death of Christ. But is there not reason, on the contrary, to say, “Lord, who knoweth the power of thy love?” We know much of it here; but we shall only completely know it above.

In pouring out the wine, the meditations were as follow: — We have boldness to enter into the most holy place by the blood of Jesus. We are now, in comparison, but outer-court worshippers. I hope not so in every sense; but we are, undoubtedly, in some. Yet, blessed be the name of God, we have a hope of coming nearer, and have a confident assurance of entering. Some of those that were once worshipping with us are already entered. We hope to go to them by the same way. They have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. So we hope to wash ours. Lord, I would receive this sacred cup as a token of my admittance to behold thee on the mercy-seat, not merely with an eye of faith, but in a more sensible and illustrious manner.

I remarked afterwards, that when God conversed with Abraham, he mentioned two kind things which he intended to do for Isaac. No doubt Abraham rejoiced in them, but he prayed for poor Ishmael; and methinks that we should do so too.* Some of our friends are now partaking, and it is dehghtful to think that they, as well as we, are interested in the blessing. O that all were so interested!