I have one rule more in these meditations : — Doth any thing fall in that doth peculiarly affect your spirits, as to that regard which you have to God? — set it down. Most Christians are poor in experi- ence,— they have no stock; they have not laid up any thing for a dear year or a hard time, — though they may have had many tokens for good, yet they have forgot them. When your hearts are raised by intercourse between God and yourselves m the performance of this duty, be at pains to set this doivn for your own use; if any thino- do immediately affect your spirits, you will be no loser by it: it is as easy a way to grow rich in spiritual experiences as any I know. This is the first part of this duty of preparation ; which, with the rules given, may be constantly so observed as to be no way burdensome nor weari- some to you, but veiy much to your advantage. The other duties I shall but name, and so have done.
2. There is examination. Examination is the word of my text, and that duty which most have commonly spoke unto, that have treated any thing about preparation for this ordinance. It respects principally two things, — namely, repentance and faith.
(1.) Our examination as to repentance, as far as it concerns pre- paration unto this duty, may be referred to three heads : —
[1.] To call ourselves to account whether indeed ive have habi- tually that mourning frame of spirit upon us which is required in them who converse with God in the cross of Jesus Christ. " They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and mourn." There is an habitual mourning frame of spirit required in us ; and we may do well to search ourselves about it, whether it is maintained and kept up or no, — whether worldly security and carnal joys do not devour it; for spiritual joys will not do it. Spiritual joys will take off nothing from spiritual mourning; but worldly security and carnal joy and pleasures will devour that frame of spirit.
[2.] Our examination as to repentance respects actual sins, espe- cially as for those who have the privilege and advantage of frequent and ordinary participation of this ordinance. It respects the surprisals that have befallen us (as there is no man that doeth good, and sinneth not) since we received the last pledge of the love of God in the ad-
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562 SACRAMENTAL DISCOURSES.
ministration of that ordinance. Friends, let us not be afraid of call- ing ourselves to a strict account. We have to do with Him " that is greater than we, and knoweth all things." Let us not be afraid to look into the book of conscience and conversation, to look over our surprisals, our neglects, our sinful failings and miscarriages. These things belong to this preparation, — to look over them, and mourn over them also. I would not be thought to myself or you to prescribe a hard burden in this duty of preparation. It is nothing but what God expects from us, and what we must do if we intend any communion with him in this ordinance. I may add', —
[3.] Whether we have kept alive our last received pledges of the love of God. It may be, at an ordinance we have received some special intimations of the good-will of God. It is our duty to keep them alive in our spirits; and let us never be afraid we shall have no room for more. The keeping of them makes way for what farther is to come. Have we lost such sensible impressions? — there is then matter for repentance and humiliation.
(2.) Examination also concerns faith; and that in general and in particular. In general: — Is not my heart hypocritical? or do I really do what in this ordinance I profess? which is, placing all my faith and hope in Jesus Christ, for life, mercy, salvation, and for peace with God. And in particular: — Do I stir up and act faith to meet Christ in this ordinance ? I shall not enlarge upon these things, that are commonly spoken unto.
3. The third part of our preparation is supplication; that is, add- ing prayer to this meditation and examination. Add prayer, which may inlay and digest all the rest in the soul. Pray over what we have thought on, what we have conceived, what we have apprehended, what we desire, and what we fear; gather all up into supplications to God.
4. There belongs unto this duty expectation also ; that is, to ex- pect that God will answer his promise, and meet us according to the desire of our hearts. We should look to meet God, because he hath promised to meet us there, and we go upon his promise of grace, expecting he will answer his word, and meet us: not going at all adventures, as not knowing whether we shall find him or not. God may, indeed, then surprise us, as he did Jacob, when he appeared unto him, and made him say, " God is in this place, and I knew it not," — but we go where we know God is. He hath placed his name upon his ordinances, and there he is. Go to them with expectation, and rise from the rest of the duties with this expectation.