Page:Perswasive to frequent communion (1).pdf/9

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ſhall appear, and paſs final ſentence upon men, ſuch obſtinate and impenitent Wretches as could not be wrought upon, by the remembrance of the deareſt love of their dying Lord, nor be engaged to leave their ſins by all the eyes and obligations of this holy Sacrament, ſhall have their portion with Pilate and Judas, with the chief Prieſts and Souldiers, who were the betrayers and murtherers of the Lord of life and glory; and ſhall be dealt withal as thoſe who are in ſome ſort guilty of the body and bloud of the Lord. Which ſevere threatning ought not to diſcourage men from the Sacrament, but to deterr all thoſe from their ſins, who think of engaging themſelves to God by ſo ſolemn and holy a Covenant. It is by no means a ſufficient reaſon to make men to fly from the Sacrament, but certainly one of the moſt powerful arguments in the world, to make men forſake their ſins; as I ſhall ſhew more fully in the third head of this Diſcourſe.

11. The Obligation that lyes upon all Chriſtians to the frequent obſervance and practice of this Inſtitution. For though it be not neceſſarily implyed in theſe words, as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup; yet if we compare theſe words of the Apoſtle with the uſage and practice of Chriſtians at that time, which was to communicate in this holy Sacrament, ſo often as they ſolemnly met together to worſhip God, they plainly ſuppoſe and recommend to us the frequent uſe of this Sacrament, or rather imply an obligation upon Chriſtians to embrace all opportunities of receiving it. For the ſenſe and meaning of any Law or Inſtitution is beſt underſtood by the general practiſe, which follows immediatly upon it.

And to convince men of their obligation hereunto,