INSTRUCTIONS How to live well, after a worthy receiving of the sacrament. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us, and to our children for ever. Deut. xxix. 29. Ir thou wouldst preserve thy faith incorrupt, and thy devotion from distraction, content thyself with reverencing and admiring these holy mysteries; and do not indulge a busy curiosity, in bold and unprofitable inquiries concerning them, for this is one way to damp a godly zeal, and to perplex thy mind with intricate and endless doubts. Happy is that meekness and poverty of spirit, which industriously declines the rugged thorny paths of controversy and captious disputes, and walks in the plain smooth way of duty and practical religion; which studies God's commands, and labours to understand things of a size with its own capacity, without troubling itself about his doings and decrees. Too many instances there are of daring men, who, by presuming to sound the deep things of religion, have cavilled and argued themselves out of all religion. These men mis e their business: for the thing required of a christian, is not penetration, and subtilty of wit, nice distinction, or sublime notions, but victorious faith, and an honest holy life; sobriety, and temperance, and chastity, justice and charity, piety and devotion. These doubts are not always sinful, nor always from themselves, but frequently owing to the temptations of the devil, and industriously scattered by him, with wicked artifice and malicious design. Be not therefore too anxious upon these occasions. Trouble not thyself to argue nicely, nor employ thy thoughts upon the matter, nor hold thyself concerned to be able to answer everycavil, which he puts into thy head: but keep close to scripture, and do thy duty; and the enemy will soon retreat when he finds thee neglect his attempts: Think not these inward distractions a sign that thou art forsaken of God. They are rather on the contrary, a mark of grace. God suffers them to exercise thy patience, to try thy constancy, to promote thy spiritual advantage. Proceed then in thy christian course with resolution and patience, and still frequent the sacrament with steadfast faith, and humble reverence. Whatever there thou findest to exceed thy understanding, put it to God's account; and leave him to make it good, though thou canst not conceive how it should be done. He will not deceive thee; but they, who rely upon their own understanding, are sure to deceive themselves. For, Remember, God hath said, that he walks and dwells with the humble, and shows his ways to the meek; that he reveals himself to babes; that he opens the eyes of the honest and sincere; but hides his grace and knowledge from the proud and wise in their own sight. Human reason may both deceive and be deceived; but faith hath God for its foundation, and cannot err; because depending upon one who is truth itself, incapable of mistaking, or of imposing upon others. It is therefore highly fit, and in matters of religion absolutely necessary, that these two principles should know their order, and respective stations; and each contain itself within its proper sphere. Faith (which supposes a revelation received and acknowledged) challenges the highest place: and reason ought to keep her distance, to serve and follow after, not to set bounds to, or assume, and encroach, and usurp over the other. For, Faith and charity are the two pillars, upon which christianity stands; the two governing principles of a good man's opinions and actions. And their authority and influence are, in no one instance, more considerable, God than in this of the blessed sacrament. is infinite and eternal, his power unbounded, and incomprehensible, he does whatsoever pleaseth him in heaven and earth: and who can understand his council, or find out all his methods? If the works of God were such as human reason could penetrate with ease, they would lose great part of their glory. We should soon abate of our awe and veneration for their author, if his dealings were not above the power of our tongues to express, and the utmost extent of our imaginations to conceive. O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness, and confess the wonders that he doth for the children of men! for great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God almighty; how unsearchable are thy judgments, and thy ways past finding out? A prayer of thanksgiving, in our retirement after we are returned home, from the Lord's table. Behold thou art made whole, sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. John v. 14, O Lord my God! I acknowledge with all thankfulness of heart thy great mercy and goodness, in giving me an opportunity of approaching thy holy table, in disposing my mind to commemorate the infinite love of my M 124 A Prayer crucified saviour, to render him thanks and praise for laying down his life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, and to represent unto thee that sacrifice as a full satisfaction for them; whereby thou dost incline me humbly to hope for all, the benefits of his death and passion. But, What thanks, most gracious God, can I return unto thy divine majesty, for impressing a sense of my duty upon my mind; and for that strength and power, whereby thou hast, in some measure, enabled me to perform it? I will praise and magnify thy great and glorious name, and I will entirely devote myself to thy service, as long as I have any being. Blessed be thy name for those fresh supplies of grace I have received; grant that they may make me run the way of thy commandments with delight and pleasure, that I may never more faint or droop, or tire in my duty. Blessed be thy name for those comfortable assurances thou hast given me of pardon and forgiveness. Let this thy compassionate goodness be a perpetual obligation to love and gratitude : let it put me upon my guard, that I may watch over all my ways, and do always that which is wellpleasing in thy sight. Blessed by thy name for that peace and quiet thou hast restored to my soul; for those resolutions thou hast wrought in me to per |