* If any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.' A mer- ciless man hath denied the faith. And Jer. ix. 25, 26, ' Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches ; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteous- ness in the earth ; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.' So that our lives must be a hymn to Christ, or a constant glorying in him. Great things are expected of the peculiar people : 1 Peter ii. 9,
* Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.' Well, then, this annunciating the death of Christ before many witnesses is useful to us in times of trouble, that we may be faithful to his interest, and in times of peace, that we may be the more bound to all holy conver- sation and godliness.
(3.) We profess also ourselves to be partakers of the benefits of Christ's death by a lively faith ; for the apostle tells us, 1 Cor. x. 21, ' Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils ; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of devils.' In the Lord's supper we profess to be partakers of the body and blood of Christ ; that is, the benefits of his death. And he had said before of the Jews, ver. 18, ' They which eat of the sacrifices are partakers of the altar ; ' they eat and drink with God at the altar. So eating and drinking at the Lord's table is a sign of communion with Christ ; and that we rejoice in this, that we are admitted into the participation of the benefits and efficacy of his death. If we be unqualified and un- prepared to receive them, we mock God, and dishonour Christ. [3.] We annunciate it to God. This we do two ways — (1.) In a way of prayer, pleading before him the value of this sacrifice, with humility and affiance, expecting the benefits thereof, Christ's blood is pleaded by him in heaven by his constant intercession, and by us upon earth in prayer, when we show the Father that sacrifice once made by him, in which we trust, and for which we expect mercy and grace to help us ; as the apostle beggeth grace through the blood of the everlasting covenant : Heb. xiii. 20, 21, ' Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make ye perfect in every work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.' And we sue out our pardon, and beg the gift of the Spirit, in the name of our mediator and advocate.
334 SERMON UPON I CORINTHIANS XI. 26.
(2.) In thanksgiving and praise to God for Jesus Christ and hi» benefits : Eph. i. 3, ' Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.' Looking upon all blessings as streaming to us in his blood, and the fruits of his mediatorial administration.
2. With respect to the properties and manner how it is to be an- nunciated.
[1.] It must be serious. In spiritual things the heart is not soon wrought upon, or else the sacred impressions are easily defaced; glances have no fruit and efficacy to warm the heart. As birds that often straggle from their nests suffer their eggs to grow chill and cold^ but when they sit long, the brood is hatched ; so by a constant incuba- tion we profit most, and these things sink deeper into our hearts. It is true the things represented are great things, and so force their way into our minds whether we will or no ; but yet they are spiritual, and depend on faith, therefore some entertainment and serious consider- ation is necessary : Heb, iii. 1, ' Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.' The heart of man catcheth like tinder at every spark when sin is represented, but it is otherwise in holy and heavenly things. They that do not use to command their thoughts make less earnings certainly than others who are not of such a light and unsettled mind. It is said, Zech. xii. 10, ' They shall look upon him whom they have pierced ; ' which implieth a steady consideration, otherwise we are in danger to go as we came. There is not that lively commemoration of Christ. You come full of other cares, desires, and delights, and therefore return empty of all solid and true refreshment.
[2.] It must be applicative : Gal. ii. 20, ' He loved me, and gave himself for me.' This great love which God hath manifested in Christ is not only sounded in our ears and represented to our eyes, but is brought home to us, and ' shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost given to us,' Rom. v. 5. The Spirit accompanieth Christ's institutions, and the diligent, serious, hungry soul is not left destitute. Christ and his benefits are nowhere so particularly offered, applied, and sealed to us as in this duty. Christ's messengers ofi'er him to us in particular, with a charge and command that we should receive him, take and eat for our own comfort and use. What is particularly applied to us, and made ours, as food that is turned into our substance, should awaken in us greater thoughts and care about our own interest.