196

IN

SERMON XIV.

ST. LUKE, xxii. 19.

"THIS DO, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME."

my former discourse, I considered the case of those, who were prevented from attendance on the Lord's Table, first of all, by wilful and intentional sin; secondly, by careless indifference; and thirdly, by the fear of man. I shall now proceed to the examination of another very general motive for withdrawing, on ordinary occasions, from the holy Sacrament a motive which, in my opinion, involves a principle, more formidably opposed to the very life and soul of religion amongst us, than any other: I mean a fear of going too far, in devotional concerns; a jealousy of becoming righteous overmuch; a notion that religion, beyond a certain point, runs to seed, and becomes unmanageable.

And here, perhaps, more than in any other instance, we may perceive the truth of what I before advanced; namely, that the Sacrament stands as a sign of religion in general. One of its great uses, is to serve as a touchstone or criterion, how we stand affected towards God; and, consequently,

where reluctance as to the constant and comfortable reception of this means of grace, is felt, there will be a correspondent disinclination to a free, and close, and filial approach to its great institutor and end.

The individuals to whom I allude, have never, perhaps, taken into serious consideration, whether the nature of the Sacrament is, or is not such, that it is right to receive it, only upon rare and solemn occasions, and not with that frequency which is observed by some. But there is a general principle, on which the former is thought preferable to the latter. Many persons have, in fact, a notion, that there are two kinds of religious profession :that one is a steady, sober, rational system, which keeps everything in its proper place; that, while it forbids whatever is positively sinful, it still keeps matters fair and even with the world; and thus secures us from being marked, or from giving offence, by anything singular or eccentric.

The other kind of religion, they doubt not, is often well meant: but they think, that like many other things, where the intention may be good, it passes the bounds of moderation; and that there is no telling where it may stop. They suspect that aiming too high, it shoots its arrows into the air; that it substitutes high profession, and abstrac notions, for the sober realities of duty; and that,

by a vain effort to anticipate a world to come, it leads to a neglect of the charities, the proprieties, and the responsibilities of the world in which we

are.

Now, I do not say that this opinion is the result of much thought or reasoning; for I really do not believe that the class I have in view, think or reason much, on these matters, at all. But, still, they are guided, in feeling and in practice, by a kind of floating notion, and general conviction, that religion is not a thing to be gone too far with. And being, as the mass of mankind are, much more influenced by the example of a few leading characters, than by anything which they make out for themselves, they are strengthened in this prejudice, by observing the conduct of those, whom they consider the wise and prudent of the world ;— particularly, if these are their superiors in rank and station. They say, "These persons do not do so and so, and why should we? We might be argued, in these points, out of our senses; and, therefore, we will not argue, but we will act. And we are sure we cannot take a safer road, than that which is trodden by those, whom every body must respect."

Now, that all this bears upon the neglect of frequent communion, I believe. To the thing itself, indeed-taken merely by itself—there would

be, probably, no great objection. If sanctioned by authority, and by general practice, receiving the Sacrament every month or week, would soon be adopted, as a form to be gone through, like any other. But here is the obstacle, with the class of persons which I am now considering. They have been accustomed to receive, only at particular seasons why, then, are they to alter in this instance? Religion is not to be gone too far with: why, then, not make their stand here, as well as after yielding so much ground? If they parley with the claims which religion would make upon them, in this particular, it will be encouraged to make some further claims: and, by admitting so much, they would only call in question the very grounds, on which resistance must be made at last, if they do not intend to go to every length.

And here, I trust, I shall be excused for a

short digression. I would ask those, who are fearful of a more devoted spirit of religion, as unfriendly to social order, and who are for keeping to, what they would fain think, the good old system of moderation-I would ask them, how it has succeeded, in promoting the happiness of society. Certainly, the mass of us have not erred, if there could be such an error, in an over zeal for God. And in what sort of state, has worldly wisdom

left the country? Are the abominations which deluge the land, the fruits of a too scrupulous piety, or puritanical strictness, in those who might be examples to the nation? Are these the deranging influences, which have descended and broken out, in every form of vice-in drunkenness, sabbath breakings, daily massacres, and midnight conflagrations? Or can any man doubt, that if the members of the Established Church, comprising almost all the wealth, and station, and intelligence of the country, had been glorifying God in their lives, and walking in the light of his word, and crowding to the table of the Lord, as to a feast of love, from which they would rather want their daily bread, than be excluded-can any one doubt, that, at this moment, the light of the Reformation would have reached the dark corners of the land; that now we might lie down upon our beds in safety; that our Jerusalem would be in great prosperity-peace within her walls-plenteousness within her palaces-contentment, and every substantial comfort, in the humble dwellings of the poor? Oh! when will men see their own true interests; and set themselves to act, as if they believed Christianity to be true? When will they, in good earnest, call in the aid of Him, to whom all power is given in heaven and in earth?