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themſelves to a more ſolemn account of their actions. Becauſe this ought to be done ſometime, and I know no fitter time for it than this. And perhaps ſome would never find time to recollect themſelves, and to take the condition of their ſouls into ſerious conſideration, were it not upon this ſolemn occaſion.

The ſum of what I have ſaid is this, that ſuppoſing a perſon to be habitually prepared by a religious diſpoſition of mind, and the general courſe of a good life, this more ſolemn actual preparation is not always neceſſary; And it is better when there is an opportunity to receive without it, than no to receive at all: But the greater our actual preparation is, the better. For no man can examine himſelf too often, and underſtand the ſtate of his ſoul too well, and exerciſe repentance, and renew the reſolutions of a good life too frequently. And there is perhaps no fitter opportunity for the doing of all this, than when we approach the Lord's table, there to commemorate his death, and to renew our Covenant with him to live as becomes the Goſpel.

All the Reflection I ſhal now make upon this Diſcourſe, ſhall be from the conſideration of what hath been ſaid, earneſtly to excite all that profeſs and call themſelves Chriſtians to a due preparation of themſelves for this holy Sacrament, and a frequent participation of it, according to the intention of our Lord and Saviour in the inſtitution of it, and the undoubted practice of Chriſtians to the primitive and beſt times, when men had more devotion, and fewer ſcruples about their duty.

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