The Communicant's Companion (continued)
spread among us, and her voice heard in our streets, and we are called to her feasts, we have a nail in God's holy place, a settlement in his house, and stated opportunities of communion with him.—" If the Lord had been pleased to kill us, he would not have shown us such things as these." O what a privilege is it thus to eat and drink in Christ's presence! to sit down under his shadow at his table, with his friends and favorites! that we, who deserved to have been set with the dogs of his flock, should be set with the children of his family, and eat of the children's bread! nay, that we should be numbered among his priests, and eat of the dedicated things! "Bless the Lord, O my soul!"
2. That God hath given us a heart to improve the price in our hands. We have reason to be thankful that he hath not only invited us to this feast, which is a token of his good-will towards us; but that he hath inclined us to accept the invitation, which is the effect of a good work upon us. Many that are called make light of it, and go their way to their farms and merchandize; and, if we had been left to ourselves, we should have made the same foolish choice, and, in the greatness of our folly, should have gone astray, and wandered endlessly. It was free grace that made us willing in the day of power, and graciously compelled us to come in to the gospel feast; it was distinguishing grace that revealed to us babes, the things that were hid from the wise and prudent; let that grace have the glory, and let us have the joy of this blessed work.
IX. Let us come to this ordinance in charity with all men, and with a sincere affection to all good Christians.—It is a love feast, and if we do not come in love, we come without the wedding garment, and forfeit the comforts of the feast. This is to be seriously thought of when we bring our gift to the altar, as we hope for acceptance there. When we come to the