2. As christians, much more should we thus do. Why? Partly because there is an end appointed. Every duty is appointed for an end, not only a general end for the glory of God, but some especial use. It is not a task, but means appointed in order to the obtaining some end. If duties had been a mere task, then we should look no farther than the work wrought. But now we are to use them as means for the end to which God hath sanctified them. God out of sovereignty might have appointed them as a task, as an acknowledgment of his own domi- nion ; but he hath affixed some end and spiritual profit to be obtained by them ; and therefore called means of grace. Partly also because of God's observation. He looketh not to the action, but the aim : Prov. X. 2, ' All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weigheth the spirits' in the balance of the sanctuary. The plea from
A SERMON OX THE ENDS OF THE SACRAMENT. 489
the act is not allowed, Luke xiii. 26. The action must not only he good, but performed to a good end. Partly because the end is the dis- criminating circumstance in all actions : Hosea i. 4, ' The Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel ; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.' There was God's command ; but Jehu's aim was at his own greatness. He did it not with that mind God required. A man may do good, but not well. And to come to duties : ' Hearing the word.' This may be but a customary devotion : Ezek. xxxiii. 31, ' They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them ; for with their mouth they show much love ; but their heart goeth after their covetousness ; ' so the seals. Many that tear the bond yet prize the seal out of a superstitious conceit. Good things done to an ill end are not acceptable. So in prayer and all other duties, we are chiefly to regard the aim and end ; for these duties may be performed out of self-interest, or to feed fancy, or to satisfy curi- osity : Ezek. xxxiii. 32, ' Lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument : for they hear thy words, but they do them not.'
3. This will further appear from the profit of thus considering what we are about. In approaching to the table of the Lord there is a treble benefit.
[1.] It maketh us come the more worthil}-. The work cannot be well done unless the end be regarded. ' Hear, for it is for thy life ' — finis est tnensura mediorum. They that come for a worthy end will come in a worthy manner. When we go about it hand over head, we are slight and careless. A right pure intention in the supper begets reverence, awakens desires after the blessings offered. It is for Christ, therefore with reverence, therefore with affection, hungering and thirsting after him. What am I now a-doing ? When the Israelites came to hear God, they washed their garments : Exod. xix. 12. When we come to taste God, to feed on Christ, we had need to prepare our appetites, seeing such great things are made over to us.
[2.] As it maketh us to do it seriously, so with cheerfulness ; the end sweeteneth the means. Physic is troublesome, but it is for health. To sequester ourselves, and to examine conscience, all soul- work is difficult ; the soul is loath to discover its own nakedness, as a man in debt is loath to cast up his accounts. Every duty is tedious to the fiesh, but God hath annexed some spiritual profit. What will it be in the issue ? It is a relief to the soul. As a worldly man worketh hard, fareth hard, but it is for gain : Isa. Iv. 2, ' Wherefore do you spend your money for that which is not bread ? and your labour for that which satisfieth not ? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.' The Spirit of God would have them to consider with themselves.
[3.] It helpeth us to judge of the success. You thrive in an ordi- nance when you have the ends for which God appointed it. Every duty hath its special end, as every tree its special fruit. Would a man gather grapes off thorns or figs off thistles ? There are experiences as a well by the way. Now, w^hen you have fixed your aim, you will sensibly
490 A SEEMON ON THE ENDS OF THE SACRAMENT.
discern whether you have thrived. We see what to look after. Have I met with Christ according to that way of manifestation which is proper to this duty ? In the word we come to him as our teacher ; in prayer, as our advocate ; in the supper, as the master of the feast, to satisfy us with his loves.