Page images
PDF
EPUB

not only in word but in deed, everlasting life. Oh, may

by enable us all like the holy things but loss for the excellency of Christ Jesus our Lord.

[graphic]

heaven? One might have expected that the mere selfish nature of man would have taught him better things. But that accursed Spirit which tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit still tempts us and whispers in our ear, "Ye shall not surely die." And we too often fall into the snare and make all sorts of excuses for our weakness and unwillingness to be saved. Every one is ready to offer excuses for his unwillingness, and while some civilly beg to be excused others roughly answer, "I cannot come." But whatever be our excuse, and in whatsoever way it be offered, the all-seeing eye of God sees in a moment that it is but an excuse. Indeed the very persons who refuse God's call to pardon and acceptance know that their excuse will avail them nothing in the day of judgment. What folly, then, is it to offer that in justification of ourselves now, which will serve only to condemn us in the last day! Let us not deceive ourselves in such a foolish way. We may give to the world and our family a due portion of care: but let nothing keep us from that heavenly feast which God has prepared for us in His dear Son. Our Lord Himself has declared that "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." May the Holy Spirit impress this upon every soul here present. May He cause this to dwell in our hearts and enable us by His blessed help to give up all things for the glory of God, who so loved us that he gave us His only begotten Son to die for us, therein giving us the strongest proof of His love, and promising to us that whosoever believeth in Him, i.e., whosoever lives to Him and receives him with Luke xiv., 26, 27.

* Gen. iii., 4.

all his heart, living to God not only in word but in deed, should not perish but have everlasting life. Oh, may

God in His infinite mercy enable us all like the holy Paul, to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.

SERMON X.

ON THE LORD'S SUPPER.

2 Kings, Chap v., Verse 13.

And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My Father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldst thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

IT

T certainly must be confessed to be no easy thing for a man to discharge all the duties of a real Christian. It is no easy thing, in our daily conduct, in our goings out and comings in, at all times, and upon all occasions, to maintain a constant deportment as Christians. The temptations which beset us are so many, the circumstances in which we may be placed are so various, and, often so trying, that nothing less than the grace of God in our hearts, and the Spirit of God upholding us, can sustain us in a really Christian course. But what is still more to be lamented is that strange disinclination, which even comparatively good men shew, to discharge duties so easy and acceptable to God. Of this we see a lamentable instance in the frequent neglect of the Lord's Supper. What can be more easy, more delightful, more exalting, than to sit down at the Holy Supper of our Lord, and to partake of that bread broken, and that wine poured forth, in remembrance of His sacred body broken, and His precious blood shed for the redemption of our souls? And yet how few

seem anxious to avail themselves of this privilege! How many make difficulties, and delay, on sundry vain excuses, their coming to this heavenly banquet! Now to such I would say-Would you be pleased if I were to tell you that you were not Christians? And yet in a manner, as far as you are interested in being partakers of the most holy rite of your religion, you declare yourselves, by your absence from it, as not true and obedient followers of the Lord Jesus, who, almost with His dying words, enjoined you to "do this in remembrance of Him." Think of one of the last commands of your Lord, my brethren, and ask yourselves if you would not have been. anxious to perform it, had it been some great and diffi cult thing? Think of it, and consider how utterly inexcusable your conduct is when He requires you to eat of bread and drink of wine in remembrance of His death, and you disobey, you refuse to observe so easy, so agreeable a command! If you are indeed sincere followers of the Lord Jesus, if you are prepared to die, you are prepared to be partakers of that holy ordinance; and if you are not so prepared, your case is indeed dreadful, and you have need to prepare yourselves without a moment's delay. Think then of these things and be wise to-day, while it is called to-day-before night cometh, when no man can work.

I have been led into these preliminary remarks by frequently reflecting upon the spiritual state of many of my Parishioners, and the earnest desire I see in many persons in other respects to do their duty to God. And when I see them thus desirous of being what they ought to be, and call to mind their unaccountable back

« PreviousContinue »