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In my former discourse on these words, I made it my endeavour shortly to explain the true nature and end of that holy institution to which they refer. I trust I may in some degree have succeeded in shewing, that, while the particular words of my text mention the remembrance of our crucified Redeemer as a main and principal purpose for which the rite was appointed, yet the very significant and remarkable terms in which it was ordained, the peculiar juncture of time at which the first institution took place, and the striking expressions in explanation of it, which occur in different parts of Scripture, manifestly carry our minds beyond the notion of a mere memorial, and point to some higher character appertaining to the rite, and to some special benefits conveyed by it.

It is my design, in the present discourse, to shew that the view which has thus been afforded is fully in accordance with all which our Church teaches as the doctrine of Scripture on this important subject. I propose at the same time, shortly to point out, how admirably all the services of this Church are framed for the purpose of directing the minds of Christians to a just knowledge of the nature of the rite, and of encouraging those dispositions which are required for the worthy celebration of it. And happy shall I be if this consideration should have the blessed effect of inciting, in any instance, the faithful disciple of his crucified Redeemer to present himself at the table of his Lord, as frequently as occasion will permit, with warm feelings of grateful piety, with a true penitent heart, and with lively faith, no less from a sense of duty in thus obeying a positive divine command, than from the desire of obtaining the inestimable benefits which may thence be derived.

It may be said with perfect truth, that, the more we contemplate the several services and institutions of our pure and reformed Church, the more we shall ever find reason to admire them, as framed with moderation and with sound discretion; as removed from all degrading bigotry and superstition, and as breathing throughout a spirit of sincere, but not enthusiastic,

piety. But, when we consider her doctrine and her ordinances on the subject of the Lord's supper, we find peculiar reason to applaud and to admire her wisdom in discovering the true intent of Scripture and her caution in expressing it; her discreetness in avoiding all unnecessary refinement; her moderation in leaving some reasonable latitude to the opinions of her members, where Scripture has not clearly decided; and, more than all, the spirit of ardent and rational piety, with which her whole service with reference to this holy ordinance is conceived and expressed.

Now, on examining the liturgy of our Church as it respects this subject, we find, as might be expected, that the leading idea which pervades it, to which the mind of the Christian is especially directed and most frequently recalled, as the primary end for which the sacred rite was appointed, is the pious and thankful commemoration of the death and passion of our blessed Lord, and of all that has been effected for us thereby. In that excellent summary of Christian faith which is prepared by our Church for the instruction of youth, and which abounds with so much sound and excellent doctrine, expressed in correct and guarded language, that it well deserves the meditations of our riper years, we are told that the rite was ordained" for the

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continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we receive thereby." Here we observe it to be stated that we celebrate in the Lord's supper, not only a memorial of our Lord as a departed benefactor, but a memorial specially of His death, and of that death considered as a sacrifice; considered as the availing mean by which a propitiation for sin has been effected for us, as procuring for us pardon and reconciliation and grace. strict accordance with this, we find in different parts of our service of the holy communion, that the rite is especially mentioned, not merely as commemorative of our Saviour's passion, but of His passion considered as meritorious, as purchasing for us peculiar benefits. In the exhortation to frequent attendance at it, we are told that this sacrament is to be received" in remembrance of our Saviour's meritorious cross and passion." In the address at the time of celebration we are informed that He instituted and ordained these holy mysteries," to the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our only Saviour thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by His precious bloodshedding He hath obtained to us." And in the prayer of consecration we are instructed to speak of our Saviour, as having by His one oblation of Himself once offered made a

full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world, and as having instituted in this holy rite a perpetual memory of that His precious death, until His "coming again." The language of the homilies, too, fully accords with that of the liturgy. In them we are at various times reminded that " at the Lord's table is the public celebration of the memory of His precious death ;" and that" our loving Saviour hath ordained and established the remembrance of His great mercy expressed in His passion, in the institution of His heavenly supper."

But while our Church most truly and properly collects from Scripture that the primary end of the institution is the remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, she carries our minds beyond this notion to something far more weighty and significant. She tells us, in the first place, that this holy rite is a sacrament; as indeed every Christian church, which has admitted amongst its institutions any thing bearing the name of a sacrament, has believed it to be: and she defines a sacrament to be an "outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace;" a sign ordained by Christ himself to be the mean of our receiving this grace, and a pledge to assure us that we shall receive it. Here then we at once perceive that much more is understood

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