Book IV. of J E s U S C H R I S T. 317

cerning my Incarnation, and Sufferings, or any other of the mylierious Works, by which the Redemption of Mankind was compleated, and the pious Affedi- Ons of Chriftians are cherifhed and inflamed.
They, whoreferve themfelves for theFeaf^s of the Church only, and take no care to put their Souls in a due Polf ure for Receiving, except only when fuch Solemnities. call them to it, are feldomor never pre- pared as they ought to be. He is the fafe, the hap- py Man,who makes it his frequent Pradice, and con- flantly offers up himfelf a Sacrifice to his God. In the A(5l of Communicating keepRule and Order, and let not thy Hafte or Impatience, the length of thy pri- vate Devotions, or any other Singularity of thy own Fancy, give difturbance to the common Ufages and Ceremonies of the Congregation whereof thou art a Member. For take this along with thee. That, even in this Part of Worlhip, where Zeal and Devotion are moft acceptable Ingredients, yet thefe very Qualifi- cations, when indulged out of Seafon and Meafure„ lofe all their Value , and are not half fo pleaiing in the Sight of God, as unaffected Modefty,and an hum- ble decent Compliance with the eftabliflied Orders ^nd Cuftoms of the Church, and the Convenience of others • who ought not to be diilurbed, or incommo- ded, for the fantaftical or peculiar Ways of any pri- vate Perfon whatfoever.
Chap. XI.
The Beneft of Chrifl'sBody and Word.
f>i/r;W^.]/^Svveeteft, deareft Jefus I Who can ex-
V^ prefs the Charms, the Tranfports, of
that Soul, which feafts with thee at thy Table -, That
• Table,
iiS ( tl^eglmitatton Book i v.
Table, where no Common Food is placed, but theDi- vine Entertainment of thy own Body and Blood ? An Entertainment delicious above all that Man can ex- pre(s or imagine ! What Satisfaction fhould we take to come into thy .Tabernacle , and fall low on our Knees before thy Foot-ftooljto open wide our Hearts for the Delights of thy Houfe, and, with M^ry Mag- dakfty to wafh thy holy Feet withTears of Love ? But v^here, alas I is this Devotion to be found? where are thofe Eyes overflowing with pious Sorrow? Or, if that Sorrow be fwallow'd up in Joy,yet ought we noteven thus to approach thee with dry Eyes ^ but Tears of Joy fliould trickle down apace, when we confider our mighty Privilege, and the Happinefs of being ad- mitted to thy bleffed Prefence, and made Partakers of the Blifs of Angels. For, as They really behold thy Face in Glory, fo am I fure to fee,and to receive thee, in the mylHck Elements ,• tho' covered there under a different Form, and flirouded in a Veil of Bread and Wine.
I adore thy Goodnefs, which thus condefcends to the Infirmities of Human Nature^ and in much Com- paffion is pleafed under thefe fenfible Reprefentations to hide that glorious Majefty, whofe native Luftre is too piercing bright, for Me or any Created Being to behold in its full Strength. But tho' my Eyes fee thee not as thou art^yet here, I know, I have thee moft ef- fetftually, and do therefore moft humbly adore that Divinity on Earth, which Angels proftrate themfelves' before in Heaven. I do it through a Glafs, and Igaze
I c^r. xiii. ^^^^ ^^^^ ^y "^ ^^ V2i\th ; They are permit- ted to do it Face to Face^ and to hno-w even as they are known. And, tho' this Glafs be dark and dim jet it is fiich as I ought to be content with, fmce Mortalicy admits of nothing better,- nor can I attain aay higher PeifeAion, till the Day of EverlaftingLife d^wn, and the thick Shadows of Figures are feat-
tered