we have no wishes but in thee. Our whole desire and glory is to be, to do, to suffer, whatsoever thou art pleased to appoint."

Christian reader! does not true zeal for the glory of God, and enlarged benevolence for the best happiness of man, equally excite us to pray and labour for the advancement of such a state of blessedness? What a world would this be, if that peaceful, meek, kind, and tender spirit, in which we often come from the Lord's table, were universally diffused! Men would be like angels, and earth like heaven. Yes; what a happy world would this be even now, if all men could, on good grounds, hope that they had received the Holy Spirit, were children of God, and going to his heavenly kingdom; and if the communion of saints were a general blessing! Thus the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isaiah li. 3. Supposing the Lord's Supper to be devoutly and universally observed, it would be as the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Let us then remember that there is much within our own reach for aiding the increase of Christ's government in the world. Every step in the way of righteousness helps to advance and bring it on: every sin which we commit retards its progress, and does something towards hindering not only our own happiness, but the general happiness of the human race. Let us remember, that every additional communicant gained to attend the Lord's Supper in the right spirit,

who before altogether neglected it, or attended it only formally, is another inroad on the kingdom of darkness, sin, and misery; and another approach towards the universal prevalence of that blessed empire, which is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Every soul born of God is an additional heir of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him, and which he will ultimately triumphantly establish.

The universal remembrance of Christ, and the subjection of all nations to him, cannot be indeed scripturally hoped for till his return, and we, by the Lord's Supper, only show forth his death till he come. Then it is that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ; and then the prayer will be answered, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Our chief aspirations must be those with which the sacred volume closes; in reply to the last assurance of our Lord: Surely I come quickly; Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Let us be hasting to the day of the Lord, and preparing for communion with him, in visible glory in his kingdom, by seeking communion with him in faith and spirit, here below, while he is yet absent from us.

K

CHAPTER XI.

ON COMMUNION WITH CHRIST AND HIS PEOPLE ON EARTH.

THE Communion of the body and blood of Christ is a means of enjoying communion with him on earth, and also a pledge of that glorious communion which Christians hope for in heaven.

There is a communion, a holy and a delightful interchange of affectionate communication between Christ and his people. This agreement, fellowship, and friendship, (and we have the authority of Scripture for applying even such terms to so high and heavenly an intercourse) are so near, entire, and intimate, that the same Scripture compares the union between Christ and his people to that of the husband and the wife. Ephes. v. 25-32;-the vine and the branches. John xv. 1-8;-the body and the members. 1 Cor. xii. 12-27.

It is a communion promised to all his obedient disciples. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father; and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. When Judas, on

hearing these words, asked how the Lord would manifest himself to them, and not to the world, he replied-If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Hence it is clear that there is a peculiar manifestation of Christ to his people.

The world, as our Lord intimates, knows not of this communion; it understands it not; it ridicules the idea. But still the real Christian is privileged to enjoy a sensible, perceptible, and enlivening intercourse with his Lord. He has a secret and spiritual access to him, and comfort from him. Jesus Christ is his best friend, and his gracious support, refuge, and strength.

Jesus Christ speaks to him THROUGH THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. Often by them he is touched and affected with godly sorrow for sin, with ardent desires after holiness, and with a lively hope of future glory. Often in reading the sacred volume he hears the voice of Christ, and thus is led to communion with him. His Saviour more directly still imparts grace to his soul, by the gift and teaching of THE HOLY GHOST, whose office it is to take of the things of Christ and show them to us. Thus do we discover his grace and glory, long for his presence, and earnestly seek him. He to whom all power in heaven and earth is given, speaks again in HIS PROVIDence. If trials and sorrows be sent, consolations are generally at the same time so mingled with them, that in his best moments the Christian thanks God for them. If blessings are bestowed, they are received as given through a Saviour. In every providence, his voice, his hand, and his love may be marked. All are

designed to lead us to nearer communion with him. All should be viewed as the manifestation of his care and wisdom, his compassion and tenderness. The Christian has ears to hear this voice, has eyes to see this hand, has a heart to feel this love. He knows Christ and is known to him.

Christians have an unreserved communion with Christ. Drawn by his Spirit, they rejoice to go to him. They love his day, his house, his people, and every path of duty where they find their Saviour. His grace descends on them, and their hearts are raised to him. Truly, says St. John, our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. There is no friendship on earth so entire, so unreserved, and so invaluable, as that which subsists between Christ and the faithful soul. It is a friendship which has ever subsisted between the believer and his God. Enoch walked with God. Abraham was called the friend of God. Jesus said to his disciples, Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth ; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you. How many are the benefits of having such a friend! He is a friend always near at hand, ever willing to hear us, who bears with our infirmities, who instructs us with the wisest counsel, gives us the most effectual aid, and never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is an unchanging and an unchangeable friend. The Christian's privilege is to know this friend, consult him, ask for his guidance, converse with him, tell him all his sorrows, and all his sins, depend on him for support in all difficulties, for supplies in all wants, and to cast all