Book IV. OfjBSUSCHRIST. 31^

and diffolate^ nay, many thoughrlefs and lukewarm People, allow themfelves in this Indifference; and induftrioufly feek Pretences to defer their Repentance and Approaches to the Lord's Table, meerly to avoid, as they think, the NecefHcy of parting with their dar- ling Lufts, and the keeping that ftrid Guard upon their Converfations, without which they muft be loft to all Eternity.
How cold, alas ! is thofe Mens Love for me ? How feeble their Devotion, who, upon fuch frivolous Pre- tences, can difpenfe with this fo neceffary Duty, fo glorious Privilege, of Communicating at my Table? How happy, how eafie to himfelf, how acceptable, how dear to God is that Man, whofe Condu(5b is fo ftridly virtuous, whofe Confcience fo void of llain and reproach, that he could every Day moft chear- fully,moft fafely, partake of this Heavenly Feaft, were the Opportunities of doing it equal to his Difpoficion, and might his Zeal efcape the Cenfure of needlefs O- ftentation ? For a Man is not prefently to be con- demned, who does not feek or embrace every poffible Occafion of Communicating. There may befomevery allowable, and others even commendable, Reafons for abfenting. If out ofdeep Humility, and awful Re- verence, or as a voluntary Punifliment inflided upon a Man's felf for fome grievous Relapfe, he impofe this Penance, or dread to come: TheRefpecfl paid to the Ordinance, or the holy Indignation conceived againft himfelf, may be better accepted and more be- coming, than Receiving in fuch Circumftances. But this muft not be fo far indulged, that long difufe fliould produce indifference and difregard for the Sacrament. For, if once the Soul degenerate into Negled and Spiritual Sloth, all poffible Endeavours muft be ufed to awaken it. Not doubting, but that God will be ever prefent with the Affiftances of his Grace, and fecond thy Care with fuccefs proportionable to
X 4 thy
3ig iS^l t|ie imitation Bgok IV.
rhy Vigour and Diligsnce, ^nd the Sincerity of thy good Intentions.
But One thing muft always he obferv'd,That,whet| |:he Hindrances to Communicating are real and ini- portant and neceflary^ no: frivolous Excufes indu- ilrioufly foqghr, or readily laid hold on^ to cover Im- piety and Negligence, the Perfon fo detained is pre- fent in Wifii 'And Inclination^ though not in adtual Attendance. And then the^enefit of the Sacrament, ?»nd al! the Saving Efieds of ic are as fully imparted to him, as his Appearance in the Congregation, and the Elements themfelves, could have pnfured them. For 'vis a great Miuake to imagine, that good Men re- ceive not theAdvantages of Chrift'sBody and Blood, pxcept jufi: then, when they receive the outward and yilible Signs of th^m. Every Day, everyHour fur- pifnes Opportunities of Communicating fpiricu^lly, «ind a Mgn thus pompofed can never be furpri^ed,n?- yer find any difficulty to comply with any Occafion of doing it publickly. For an innocent Life, and a de- vout Mind, are a cpnftant Preparation. But.whenthe (ifual Seafoas return^ and efpecially the Solemn Fefti- yals,wherein the great and glorious Myfteries of the Chriftian Religion are commemorated, then fuch a one will think ic his Duty to join with thePublick Af- fembliesin this fubiin^efllnftance of Piety and Thankf- giving,' he will approach with a Heart full of AiTedion and Reverence ,• and efteem this Homage due, not only CO hijnfeli" for the Comforts and Advantages he iTiay exped from it, but rpovQ efpcciiiliy to Me, for the Ho^nour and Tribute of Praife, by which my Nam^ and Mercies oughL;|o be thus magnified among inen. An-d this is a Fruit, which can only redound to ?ne hy open and vifible Acts of VVorfliip. ' Whereas ^he Other of prl/ate Impioyementand my ftical Com- munion with Chrift; is ^.ttained in fecret, and con- ^a|idy ft^llows upon every religious Meditation cori- ■""••*•■' * ■/":■:'", .'':' "■ '' ''■'Gerning