1. So necessary —
[The greatest of all concerns is the salvation of the soul : but that cannot be effected by any other means. The person who does not live on Christ, has no spiritual life : he may have wealth, and honour, learning, and even morality (in some sense), but he has no lifem: he may even "have a name to live, but he is really dead";" and his spiritual death will issue in death eternal0. What then can be so necessary as to believe in Christ?]
2. So beneficial —
[The possession of the whole world is not to be compared with eternal life : yet life eternal is secured by eating the flesh of Christ. As for past sins, they shall be no bar to our obtain- ing of this blessing". Indeed, " the believer has already eternal life " in his soul. He has a title to it, confirmed by the promise and oath of Jehovah q. He has also the earnest of it, since this communion with Christ is heaven begun on earth1: and the Saviour in whom he trusts, will raise him up at the last day" to the complete and everlasting enjoyment of it.]
3. So excellent —
[They may be said to " feed on ashes," who have no higher gratifications than those which are derived from carnal indulgences: but " the body and blood of Christ are meat indeed, and drink indeed." Nothing affords such unspeakable delight as the exercise of faith on Christs: nor has any thing such a transforming efficacy on the soul*. Surely, if the manna was "angels' food11," much more is the body and blood of Christ.]
Address —
1. Those who are disregarding this heavenly ban- quet—
[Would to God that you would consider Who it is that utters the declarations in the text ! and that you would mark the energetic manner in which he utters them ! Think you that his words are false, or that they shall ever be reversed ? Ah ! cast away the husks on which you are feeding ; and live, as the Apostle did, by faith on the Son of Godx.]
2. Those who doubt whether they may partake of it —
m 1 John v. 11, 12. " Rev. iii. 1. ° Rev. xxi. 8.
p Heb. viii. 12. 'i Heb. vi. 17, 18. r Eph. i. 14.
s 1 Pet. i. 8. '2 Cor. iii. 18. « Ps. Ixxviii. 25
x Gal. ii. 20.