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In what sense do you say, Amen?

To express my trust that God will, of his mercy and goodness, through our Lord Jesus Christ, hear and answer my prayers. Therefore, I say, Amen, so be it. All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matt. xxi, 22.

Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father, in my name, he will give it you. John xvi, 23.

Of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. Rom. xi, 36. All the promises of God in him are Yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Cor. i, 20.

[He] is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Eph. iii, 20.

While you repeat this prayer, endeavour to have your heart as well as your lips engaged. Do not imagine that you honour Christ by a mere repetition of the words used by his disciples, while you lead the life of rebels and enemies. The most excellent form of prayer will avail you nothing, unless your heart be affected by it.

X.On the Sacraments.

How many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church? Two only, as generally necessary to salvation; that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.

What is the meaning of the word Sacrament?

The word was originally used to express the oath by which the Roman soldiers bound themselves to be faithful to their General. It is, therefore, very appropriately used to shew the fidelity and zeal which the followers of Jesus profess and promise to him as the Captain of their Salvation. They engage to fight manfully under his banner against the world, the flesh, and the devil. (See Page 8.)

Is the receiving of these Sacraments absolutely necessary to salvation?

No: they are only generally necessary to salvation; because when there is not a wilful neglect of them, God may, in particular cases, convey the benefit without the ordinance; but as they are ordained by Christ himself,

they ought not to be neglected, because they are a means whereby we receive his grace, and a pledge to assure us thereof.

By the Sacrament of Baptism we are admitted into the Church of Christ. By the Lord's Supper we profess to continue members of it; and while devoutly attending this ordinance, we receive strength to live in a devoted obedience to Christ.

Baptism has been already considered; (See Pages 6--11.) we now come to treat of the other Sacrament, called the Supper of the Lord.

On the Lord's Supper.

Why was the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper ordained? For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we receive thereby.

"To the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master, and only Saviour Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding he hath obtained to us; he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort."

This do in remembrance of me. Luke xxii, 19.

Many things are represented to us in this Sacrifice, and which we are called upon at the same time to remember, such as,

1. The exceeding great love of our Master and only Saviour thus dying for us.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John xv, 13.

Christ hath loved us, and given himself for us. Eph. v, 2.

What views have we of this great love wherewith he loved us? If we regard Christ as we ough, we shall both trust in, and love above all things, him who does " assure us hereby of his favour and goodness towards us."

2. We are reminded of the great evil of sin; since; nothing but the blood of Christ could obtain the pardon of it.

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John i, 29.

God, sending his Son, for sin, condemned sin. Rom. viii, 3.
He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. 2 Cor. v, 21.
Christ came to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Heb. ix, 26.
It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away
sin. Heb. x, 4-10).

3. This ordinance is to shew the Lord's death till he

come.

As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 1 Cor. xi, 26.

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Col. iii, 4.

What are the benefits which Christ, by his precious bloodshedding, hath obtained for us?

1. We have hereby the pardon of sin.

This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. Matt. xxvi, 28.

2. Adoption into his family.

In Christ Jesus, ye, who sometimes were far of, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph. ii, 13.

3. Spiritual peace and consolation.

He is our peace, having slain the enmity [by the cross.] Eph. ii, 14, 16.

Having made peace through the blood of his cross. Col. i, 20.

4. Strength from him, whereby we may deny self, and follow Christ, and do all other things whereto we are called.

The cross, to us which are saved, is the power of God. 1 Cor. i, 18. The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Gal, vi, 14.

By this standing ordinance, Jesus Christ has provided that the doctrines of the atonement, and salvation by grace, through faith, shall be made known to the world, whoever neglects or opposes them.

Why is this ordinance called the Lord's Supper.

Because it was instituted by our Lord at supper time, during the feast of the passover, the same night on which he was betrayed. The Paschal Lamb that was slain was a type of the death of Christ, and the Lord's Supper seems intended to occupy the same place under the Christian Dispensation, that the Passover did under the Jewish.

When even was come, he sat down with the twelve. Matt. xxvi, 20.
Likewise also [he took] the cup, after supper. Luke xxii, 20.
After the same manner also, he took the cup, when he had supped,

1 Cor. xi, 25.

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Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.

1 Cor. v, 7.

How many parts are there in a Sacrament?

Two: the outward visible sign, and the inward and spiritual grace.

What is the outward part, or sign, of the Lord's Supper? Bread and wine, which the Lord hath commanded to be received.

Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it. Matt. xxvi, 26; 1 Cor. xi, 23.

And he took the cup, and gave it to them. Matt. xxvi, 27; 1 Cor. xi, 25.

[By these things] Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you. Gal. iii, 1.

The bread broken is an emblem of Christ's body broken on the cross; and the wine poured out represents his blood shed by the soldier's spear.

What is the inward part, or thing signified?

The body and blood of Christ, which are verily and indeed taken, and received by the faithful in the Lord's Supper.

Are the bread and wine changed after consecration?

No: After consecration, they are still bread and wine. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ?-the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Cor. x, 16.

As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 1 Cor. xi, 26.

What do you mean by their being verily and indeed taken?

That they are received spiritually, that is, to all the intents and purposes for which the body and blood of Christ were given.

Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. John vi, 53.

For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed; he that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. John vi, 55, 56.

The believer is really a partaker of Christ, and of the benefits of his death; and his interest herein is sealed in this ordinance. He has spiritually, as real an intercourse. of friendship with his Saviour in heaven, as a man has, temporally, with a friend on earth, and the endearing pledges of mutual love are greatly cherished by this ordinance.

What are the benefits whereof we are partakers thereby?'

The strengthening and refreshing of our souls by the body and blood of Christ, as our bodies are by the bread and wine.

Eating the bread and drinking the wine represent the manner in which we are to feed upon Christ in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving. As bread and wine refresh the body, so does the Lord's Supper refresh the soul of those who are true believers. For then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood; then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us." It supplies the believer with strength to hold on his pilgrimage, and gives him courage to encounter the enemies that beset his way: and it furnishes him with some of the strongest motives against sin.

By eating this bread and drinking this cup, we declare our conviction that our souls are as dependent on the atonement of Christ for salvation, as our bodies are on our proper food for support; and as our bodies would not be supported unless food were eaten, so our souls will receive no benefit from the atonement of Christ, unless by faith we receive and enjoy it.

Wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. Ps. civ, 15.

Thy love is better than wine. Cant. i, 2.

I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John vi, 35.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh. John vi, 51,

Among the purposes for which we are to attend the Sacrament, may be mentioned those of obtaining nearer communion with God,-keeping alive our gratitude, --and dedicating ourselves anew to him.

How does this ordinance contribute to strengthen and refresh our souls?

By the divine blessing on the faithful receiver, his faith is strengthened, and he is assured that Christ is willing to be the food of his soul. They who receive this ordinance aright, are so influenced by the mercies of God, as to present themselves, soul and body, to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.

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