and to be reviled and perfecuted for it, we should remember, was the lot of him who was our GREAT EXEMPLAR. But it must not be fuppofed that the neglect of the Sacrament is confined to the poor. The man of bufinefs, the man of pleasure, and the man of ambition, feem to take little notice of it; whether from thoughtleffnefs, from contempt, or from the multitude of their occupations is not easy to determine. All that can be faid respecting fuch perfons is, that the churches are open, and they are invited to enter and receive inftruction; that treatifes are written and offered to their perufal; and that if they will not enter the one, nor read the other, on themselves only must fall the evil confequence, In the day of pain, fickness, or fome other adverfity, they may learn to feel their want of spiritual confolation. In the day of health and wealth they are too apt to be under the influence of pride, which renders the heart obdurate, and the ear deaf to admonition. The The perfons above fpoken of, whether rich or poor, are fpoken of as what they profefs to be-Chriftians. Sceptics, infidels, and many modern rationalists are a numerous tribe, who, on principle, neglect the Eucharift. Argument has little effect on them, for they are enthusiasts in their way, enthufiafts in the school of fophiftry. The fchool of adversity may, perhaps, afford them at fome period of their lives a better leffon. The grace of God may find entrance into their hearts when foftened by affliction. The Sacrament may then be fought with an avidity equal to their prefent indifference. However that may be, it is certain that Chriftians cannot live confiftently with their profeffion, without participation of the Lord's Supper; and no lefs certain, that the greater number do not participate. This phænomenon in religion will justify this attempt of mine, and call for the active exertions of all who wish to be faithful minifters of the Gofpel. It It may reprefs the miftaken zeal of the depreciators, when they fee how few affemble at the Communion; few, in comparison with thofe who never approach it. If the benefits are little, or none, who will incur the danger? The danger, as it is formidably defcribed, of receiving unworthily? Even prudent and fober-minded men may, in their fears, be tempted to believe that it is better to abstain, where the benefit is represented by great theologians as doubtful, or rather none at all, while the poffibility of incurring the greatest penalties is declared in the Communion Service. Every minister of a parish may affure himself, that an addition to the number of Communicants, is one of the moft certain proofs of an increase of piety among his parishioners, and of his fuccefs in the discharge of his minifterial office. When the religious principle is ftrong it will lead men to delight in the feaft of piety and charity: but when fuch a banquet is offered in vain, it is an infallible indication of a loft or vitiated appetite. The The papifts were deemed highly culpable for denying the cup to the laity. May not thofe perfons incur greater blame, who in this Proteftant country, do in effect deny both the cup and the bread to their parishioners; when, upon this fubject, they neglect to inform ignorance, or to fimulate indifference? SECTION XXVIII. The Spirit and Circumftances of the prefent Times render Diligence in defending and diffufing the great and myfterious Doc-` trines of Chriftianity peculiarly expedient. HAT thefe are not times for diminish THA ing the force of religious principle among mankind, will be readily acknowledged by all who form a just estimate of them. The adverfaries of the Church and its doctrines are numerous and indefatigable. They multiply their publications and characterise them, as Bishop Cleaver fays," with a profligate intrepidity of affertion, which bears down the native diffidence of young minds, imposes upon their candour, and, precluding all fufpicion of doubt, induces them to believe propofitions which have neither truth nor the colour of truth. "And |