ciples of Jefus, are clean already, as he teftified; but it is ftill neceflary, even for them, to renew their application to him, that they may be freed from thofe poliutions, which they are daily contracting..

The action was defigned, likewife, as a lesson of humility to all his people. He had frequently inculcated poverty of fpirit, felf-denial, meeknefs, and lowlinefs of mind. and now, to confirm the inftructions he had given, he stooped to this fervice. He, therefore, called upon the twelve, to be confiftent with their profeffions of regarding him as their Mafter and Lord, and to follow his example by a readinefs to fubmit to mean and painful employments, for the benefit and comfort of others. He reminded them, that a fimilar conduct would be no difparagement to them, who were only his attendants and meffengers, and that their religious knowledge would be a bleffing, no farther than as it produced a practical influence.

The folemn admonition, probably, had a peculiar reference to the ftate of their minds. At that very time, a strange and unfeasonable contention had arifen among them, about the chief preferment in the temporal dominion, which they ftill expected him to establish *. This ambitious fpirit, these carnal views and affections he reproved. He argued, that, though fuch a fondness for power prevailed in the Gent le world, it was inconfiftent with their character and engagements, as they were required to fhew their eminence by condefcenfion and meekness, and as he himself had appeared among them in the form of a fervant. He affured them, that he did not forget their faithful and steadfast attachment through his various afflictions, and that he would recompenfe it by conducting them to a ftate of exalt

Luke xxii. 24-30.

ation, far fuperior to that which they had fo eagerly defired. He folemnly promised them, that they fhould partake of that bliss and glory, which he was going to poffefs, that they should there enjoy the moft intimate communion with him, and even fit, like his affeffors in the judgment, with marks of peculiar dignity, approving and confirming the fentence, which fhould be pronounced upon the twelve tribes of Ifrael.

WE alfo, who follow the Saviour, fhould be inftructed to look for our preferment in the world. above. Being Being "faithful unto death," we shall receive 66 a crown of life." The meanest of his fervants shall hereafter obtain "a kingdom, which cannot be moved." A diftinguifhed honour, doubtlefs, is referved for the Apoftles at the laft day. Yet believers of a lower order may exult in the profpect of their future advancement. "Do ye not know, that the faints fhall judge the world?" Jefus himself hath declared, without refpect of perfons, "To him that overcometh, will I grant to fit with me in my throne +." But, for the prefent, this is our direction, "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low eftate ‡." We are forbidden to be ambitious, covetous, envious, or contentious. We are strictly enjoined to forego our own intereft, eafe, and reputation, whenever we can thereby render ourselves more extenfively useful in life. With this view we must frequently submit to fuch services, as may feem to diminish our confequence, and require painful and laborious exertions. This would be to imitate our great exemplar; and thofe only can claim an intereft in his promises, who are willing to tread in his steps.

Where, then, fhall we find thofe, who maintain the Chriftian character with confiftency? Many

1 Cor. vi. 2. + Rev. iii. 21. Rom. xii. 16. VOL. IV. D

there

there are, who compliment Jefus with the appellation of Lord and Mafter: but we afk, Do you posfefs the mind, which was in Him? Is He the pattern, which you propose to yourselves for the regulation of your own fpirit and practice? Are you living under the habitual influence of humility? The appearance and the language you may eafily affume: but does the difpofition itself abide in you, and govern your conduct? What means that selfishness, that pride, and eagerness for advancement, which we fo frequently discover under a religious profeffion? How unfuitable for you, who should be dead to the world, are all contentions about honour and precedency! Do not the various commotions, by which even the Church itself is divided, prove, that there is little of real Chriftianity among us, because there is little conformity to Chrift? Why do you decline this or the other office, to which you are called? Poffibly, it may feem low and degrading in the estimation of men; it may be grating to corrupt nature; or it may obftruct your fecular views. But, while you contemplate the Lord of glory washing the feet of his difciples, be ashamed of paying fo much regard to your own convenience. Surely, it is not beneath you to copy after him; and to do this, you must be " as one that ferveth."

Upon the fame occafion, alfo, Jefus inftituted the Eucharift, probably before they rose from the table, fince it is faid to be done" as they were eating. While he fulfilled in himself the ancient paffover, and abolished its obfervance, he embraced that opportunity to ordain a new facrament, which fucceeded to it, as baptifm did to circumcifion. This is a rite of peculiar importance under the Gospel difpenfation; and it is not difficult to ascertain its nature and defign, from the clear account which is given of its original appointment *.

Jefus took bread, and, looking up with devout affections to God for his bleffing, he divided it into feveral shares. He then diftributed it among his difciples, commanding them to receive it as an emblein of his fuffering body, and in commemoration of his death. In like manner, also, he delivered to them a cup of wine, which he directed them all to partake of, as a representation of his precious blood, whereby the new Covenant is confirmed to us, and remiffion of fins is obtained. He further declared, that he should no more join with them in that folemnity upon earth, but that they should hereafter celebrate together the facred myfteries therein exhibited.

Such was the inftitution: nor can we doubt that the observance of it is binding upon us, fince an Apostle has taught us, that hereby we are to "fhew the Lord's death, TILL HE COME*." It is also manifeft, from the plain and fimple defcription before us, for what purposes, and with what temper of mind, we should communicate in this divine ordinance. Jefus himself is the grand object, which it is intended to difplay. He is fet forth before us, as our fpiritual food and fuftenance. Thofe vifible elements, bread and wine, which afford peculiar nourishment to our bodies, very fitly reprefent Him, who alone can maintain the life and vigour of our fouls. Yet, as he does this only in confequence of his fufferings, he is here proposed to our view, as wounded, bleeding, dying for us. His body, like the bread, was broken; his blood, like the wine, was poured out. Thus, we obferve, by virtue of his facrifice," his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed +."

The participation of this facrament fhews the neceffity of receiving Chrift by faith. The bread and wine must be taken, before they can yield any nutriment: and "except we eat the flesh of the Son of

man, and drink his blood, we have no life in us *." Then especially, when we approach to his table, we fhould exercife a fixed and ftrong dependence upon him. Let us attend to his own injuction, "Do this in remembrance of me." Let us bear in mind the dignity of his perfon, the glory which he originally poffeffed, and the humiliation to which he stooped. We are to regard him, not only as a bright example, or a kind benefactor, but as our High Prieft, offering up himself as an atonement to God, to make reconciliation for us. Thus, while we remember the agonies, which he endured, we should "look upon him, whom we have pierced, and mourn for him +. The recollection of his cross will conftrain us to ❝ abhor ourselves, and repent in duft and afhes.”

Yet, as a holy feftival, it affords a proper occafion for the exercise of lively joy. And what can be fo calculated to revive and gladden the heart, as the view of thofe ineftimable benefits, which are here exhibited? What can tend more to inspire us with hope, confidence, love, and zeal? Nay, it is the appointed method, in which God is pleafed to ftrengthen, quicken, and comfort his people; and, as our wants return upon us, fo, by a frequent attendance on this ordinance, we fhould feek fresh communications of grace. We are encouraged to expect his presence and bleffing, and thus we fhall be enabled to maintain a freedom of intercourfe with him. Such an attendance, alfo, will be the means of uniting us together in the bonds of Chriftian fellowship, and of rendering us" kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love." What a fource of happiness is this! Yet does not the general neglect of the Lord's table prove, that the Saviour has but a small fhare in our remembrances?

We do not invite finners, who are living in igno

5

*John vi. 53. + Zech. xii. 10.