Book IV. of J E S U S C H R 1 s T. 187

Oh ! the wretched Blindnefs^ the inflexible Obftina- cy and Hardncfs of Mens Hearts, which will not fee, or feeing, will not value (o ineftimable Benefits • but turn their very Happinefs into an Occafion of De- ftrudion, by fuffering the frequent Opportunities, and the very Eafinefs of attaining thefe precious Privile- ges, to bring them into general Difefteem ; which make the Greatnefs of their Mafter's Love , the abundant Provifion for their Health and Support, a Pretence for Starving in the midft of Plenty.
For I can fcarce perfuade my felf, but that, if this holy Sacrament could be had in one Place, and from one fingle Hand only. Men would with eager Zeal repair thither, and vafl Crowds of People ftrive to partake of fo rare a Bleffing. But now, when every Church, and every Feflival, when every Prieft, and almofl every Lord's Day, exhibits this Delicious Food, brings it home to our Doors, and offers it to as many as are religioufly and devoutly difpofed to accept the gracious Tenders ; when every Sermon exhorts, in- treats, conjures us to be thus happy j we turn our Backs, and flight the cheap, the eafie Favour. Yet manifeft it is, that the Kindnefs of our Lord is not the lefs, but much the greater, for putting the Terms of our Salvation within our own Power, and leaving the whole Blame and Condemnation at our own Doors, if we refufe to take what without our Fault we can ne- ver want. And fliall we then proceed to naufeate and difdain our greateft Bleffings ^ to think them Itfs valuable for being more common ? No, bleifed Jefus! We will acknowledge thy unfpeakable Bounty ; we will moft thankfully confefs thee "the good Shepherd, who. haft provided fuchrichSufl:enance for thy ^heep, and leadeft them out into Fat Paflures. Bleifed be thy Eternal Mercy, who vouchfafeft to give thy Bo- dy, not only for, but to thy poor Servantsin this dif- confolate State : Whd/-fiOc content to facrifice it
once
i88 ^l tl^c ^mitatton Book IV.
once upon the Crofs, ofFereft it daily in the Sacra- ment ; and haft filenced all the Fears and Melancho- ly Mifgivings of our own Guilt and Unworthinefs, by that moft tender and compaffionate, that moft ex- tenfive and univerfal Invitation ; Come unto me all ye that labour and are heauy laden with the Burthen of your Sins, and I will refresh yon.
Chap. II.
The Love of God to the Sod manifefled in this Sacrament.
D//^//>/e}Ti Ehold, Lord, thus encouraged, thus in- J3 vited, I come ; but I do not prefume to do fo, trttfting in my own Righteoufnefs^ hut in thy ma- nifold and great Mercies. I feel, alas I my Weaknefles and Wants ; and betake my felf to Thee for Relief: lick and difeafed I fly to the Phyfician of Souls ; hun- gry and thirfty to this Fountain of Living Water, and Bread of Life ; poor and needy to the Bountiful King of Heaven ^ a Servant to his kind Mafter ; a Creature to his compaflionate Creator, who hateth . nothing that he hath made ; and a forlorn difconfo- lace Wretch , to Thee , the Holy , the Eternal, the Only Comforter. But whence is this to me, that my God fhould vouchfafe to come unto me ? Or whom am I, that thou fhould'lt communicate to me thy own felf ^ How (hall a wicked Sinner dare to appear be- fore thee ? Or how canit Thou , who art of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity, endure to make fuch condefcending Approaches , to a Soul polluted with Sin and with Uncleannefs ? Thou feeft my yery Inward Parts, and knoweft I have nothing in me that is good, nothing to inyite fuch Mercy, nothing fit for
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