Page:Perswasive to frequent communion (2).pdf/10

 and to ſupport us under ſufferings; and the glorious reward of eternal life. So that in neglecting this Sacrament we neglect our own intereſt and happineſs, we forſake our own mercies, and Judge our ſelves unworthy of all the bleſſings of the Goſpel; and deprive ourſelves of one of the beſt means and advantages of confirming and conveying theſe bleſſings to us. So that if we had not a due ſenſe of our duty, the conſideration of our own intereſt ſhould oblige us, not to neglect ſo excellent and ſo effectual a means of promoting our own comfort and happineſs.

3. We are likewiſe particulary obliged in point of Gratitude to the carefull obſervance of this Inſtitution. This was the particular thing our Lord gave in charge, when he was going to lay down his life for us, Do this in remembrance of me. Men uſe religiouſly to obſerve the charge of a dying friend and unleſs it be very difficult and unreaſonable, to do what he deſires: But this is the charge of our beſt freindfriend [sic] (nay of the greateſt friend and benefactor of all mankind) when he was preparing himſelf to die in our ſtead, and to offer up himſelf a ſacrifice for us; to undergo the moſt grievous pains and ſufferings for our ſakes, and to yield up himſelf to the worſt of temporal Deaths. That he might deliver us from the bitter pains of eternal Death. And can we

deny him any thing he asks of us who was going to do all this for us? Can we deny him this? ſo little grievous and burthenſome in it ſelf; ſo infinitly beneficial to us? Had ſuch a friend, and in ſuch circumſtances bid us do ſome great thing, would we not have done it? How much more when he hath only ſaid, Do this in remembrance of me? when he hath only commanded to us one of the moſt natural and delightful Actions, as a fit repreſentation and memorial of his wonderfull Love to us, and of his cruel ſufferings for our ſakes; when he hath only enjoyned us, in a thankfull commemoration of his goodneſs, to meet at his table, and to remember what he hath done for us; to look on him whom we have pierced, and to reſolve to grieve and wound him no more? Can we without the moſt horrible ingratitude neglect this dying charge of our Soveraign