The Communicant's Companion
stolen waters, and bread eaten in secret, under pretense that they are sweet and pleasant; "for the dead are there, and her guests are in the depths of hell."
5. We must see to it, that we be abundantly charitable and beneficent. It is not enough that we do no hurt, but if we would order our conversation aright, we must, as we have opportunity, do good to all men, as becomes those to whom God in Christ is good, and does good, and who profess themselves the disciples and followers of him who went about doing good.
Shall we be selfish, and seek our own things only, who have here seen how
Christ humbled and emptied himself for us? Shall we be sparing of our pains for our brethren's good, who have here seen Christ among us, as one that serves, as one that suffers, and as one who came not to be ministered unto, "but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many?" Shall we be shy of speaking to, or speaking for our poor brethren, who have here seen our Lord Jesus not ashamed to own us, and intercede for us, notwithstanding our poverty and meanness? Shall we be strait-handed in distributing to the necessities of the saints, who have here found Christ so liberal and open-handed in imparting to us, not only the gospel of God, but even his own soul? After we have been at this ordinance, we should show how much we are affected with our receiving there, by being ready and forward "to every good work;" because our goodness extends not to God, it ought to extend to the saints that are in the earth. Thus we must be "followers of God as dear children; we must walk in love, as here we see
Christ hath loved us, and given himself for us."
6. We must see to it, that we be more taken off from this world, and more taken up with another world. A Christian then lives like himself, when he lives above the things that are seen, which are temporal, and looks upon