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For after our Lord instituted it, he was absent from them only during his laying in the grave; and being risen, he was seen of them forty days, speaking unto them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God; giving them clear conceptions and apprehensions of the nature, use, and end of his positive institutions; of the form and order of his church under the present dispensation; of the officers of it, by which means, when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, they were immediately qualified for the performance of every branch and part of instituted worship. It is likely and probable, that Christ appeared unto, and was with one or other of his apostles every day in that space of time between his resurrection and ascension, after which they continued with one accord in prayer and supplication for the gift of the Holy Ghost, who being given them about ten days after our Lord's coronation in heaven, they then, and also afterwards, continued in breaking of bread. Acts ii. 46.

The continuance of this ordinance as

sures us of the certainty of our Lord's second coming.

As it leads our thoughts back to his first coming in the flesh, suffering and dying in our stead, thereby obtaining eternal redemption for us, so it leads forward to expect and believe he will come again to put us into the full pos session of the salvation which he hath finished; when there will be no more occasion of this ordinance, or any other, but all will cease, and God be" all in all.” From whence we may observe, that Christ's church, ministers, gospel, and ordinances, will be continued until day and night come to an end; even to the end of the world. Christ's instituted church is the seat of ordinances, against which the gates of hell shall not be able finally to prevail.

And as all commands must be kept until the appearing of Jesus Christ, (see 1 Tim. vi. 14.) so there will be ministers of Christ to dispense this ordinance even unto the end of time.

It is not unsuitable to the solemnity, to contemplate the glory, majesty, and

greatness of Christ's personal appearing. Methinks it warms the heart, and enkindles it with holy rapture. So that the language of many is, Come, Lord Jesus, come, quickly! The Lord bless his truth to you. Amen.

64

SERMON IV.

DELIVERED PREVIOUS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

BELOVED in the Lord, as closely connected with the last discourse I gave you on the Lord's Supper, I intend at this time to consider the 27th verse of the 11th chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians:

"" WHEREFORE, WHOSOEVER SHALL EAT THIS BREAD, AND DRINK THIS CUP OF THE LORD, UNWORTHILY, SHALL BE GUILTY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF THE LORD."

THE apostle having given a particular account of the institution of the Lord's Supper, with the form and manner of the administration of it, proceeds to shew the evil of an unworthy partaking of this ordinance, how that such are guilty of, vilify and reproach, the body and blood of Christ.

As he had spoken of the continuance of this means of grace until the second coming of Christ, he draws this inference from the words before us, suited to the

case of these Corinthians; the substance of which you may take thus-seeing this ordinance is appointed by Christ as a sacred memorial of him, in the celebration of which, we shew forth and commemorate his sufferings, sacrifice, and death; therefore an unbecoming frame and carriage at the Lord's table is a reflection upon Christ's majesty and authority; it is a casting contempt upon the body and blood of Christ, which is represented in the symbols and emblems of it; the bread and cup, which Paul calls "the bread and cup of the Lord," because ate and drank in remembrance of him.

To the intent I may open these words, without the least design to wound, or injure you, whilst at the same time I would aim to maintain and preserve the whole emphasis and elixir of them, I propose to consider them in the following method and order:

First, by setting before you the peculiar case of these Corinthians as a church, and what their unworthy receiving consisted in. Secondly, what unworthy receiving, as it respects us, positively is.

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