The Communicant's Companion
sacrament, we must bring with us ill-will to none, good-will to all, but especially to them who are of the household of faith.
1. We must bear ill-will to none; no, not to those that have been most injurious and provoking to us: though they have affronted us ever so much in our honor, wronged us in our interest, and set themselves to vilify us, and do us mischief, yet we must not hate them, nor entertain any malice towards them; we must not be desirous or studious of revenge, to seek their hurt in any respect, but must from our hearts forgive them, as we ourselves are, and hope to be forgiven of God. We must see to it, that there be not the least degree of enmity to any person in the world lodged in our breast, but carefully purge out all that old leaven: not only lay aside the thoughts of it for the present, but wholly pluck up, and cast out that root of bitterness, "which bears gall and wormwood." Pure hands must, in this ordinance, as well as in prayer, be "lifted up without wrath and doubting." How can we expect that God should be reconciled to us, if we bring not with us a disposition to be reconciled to our brethren? for our trespasses against God are unspeakably greater than the worst of our brethren's trespasses against us. O that each would apply this caution to themselves! You have a neighbor, that, upon some disgust conceived, you cannot find in your hearts to speak to, nor to speak well of; some one that you have entertained a prejudice against, and would willingly do an ill turn to, if it lay in your power; some one, of whom it may be you are ready to say, you cannot endure the sight. And dare you retain such a spirit when you come to this ordinance? Can you conceal it from God; or do you think you can justify it at his bar, and make it out that you do well to be angry? Let the fear of God's wrath, and the hope of Christ's love, reduce you to a better temper; and when you celebrate the memorial of the dying of the Lord Jesus, be