Page:Preparation sermon, before receiving the Holy sacrament.pdf/14



1. Hence ſee what a malignant deviliſh nature ſin hath. It turns wholeſome food into poison, the waters of the sanctuary into the waters of Mara, a cup of ſalvation to a cup of damnation. How stupid and inſenſible does it make the heart! who could think that ſinners could ever become so barbarous and hard hearted as to ſtab and murder the Lord of glory, who hath already, to the astoniſhment of men and angels, laid down his life to ſave them?

2. Hence he altoniſhed at God's patience and long ſuffering that he ſhould suffer ſuch horrid and barbarous murderers to live ſo long: that he ſhould ſuffer to many wretches to approach his table, and ſtab him over and over again, when he hath flames and vengeance at command to conſume and destroy them. O wonderful patience! O riches of forbearance! O ſinners, bleſs God that ye have yet an offer of that blood which alone can cleanſe you from the guilt of ſhedding it?

But have not all of in reaſon to lament our unworthineſs? Who among us can ſay, that he never contracted any thing of this guilt of the body and blood of Chriſt? Did we never ſit down at Chriſt's table with our minds wavering, our hearts cold, our affections languiſhing, our ſpirits, that ſhould have been in heaven, ſunk in the earth? Alas! alas! Deliver me from blood guiltineſs may be the cry of every one of us, as it was David's Pſal. 51. 14 How often have we wounded him who delivered us, and killed him who ſaved us, trampled on that blood which muſt ſprinkle and cleanſe us? O we have all of us reaſon to weep over a crucified ſlain Lord, and to make this a place of Bochim

3. What care ſhould we all take of preparing ourſelves to come to Chriſt's table with the wedding