lisemunc can tcll how he, the heavenly vine, was
iezeil in the wine-press of the wrath of God, till
I his opened pores, even in the oold night, and on

cool ground, there issued forth great drops of
dy sweat. — U ndcr all these direful apprehensions)
n joyed a calm screnily of mind, and mixed fanii-
discourse with his disciples at the last passovcr-
ler. If the last words, and dying actions of our
ids, -claim our peculiar regard ; the last concluding
le of our Redeemer's life is ten thfiusand time?
e worthy our attentiim. It was in these precious
nentfl, he, as the king of Israel, instituted the com-
amorating ordinance of the supper.-^No more, ye
I Israel of God, shall }'e practise the bloo<ly rites,
ch' I commanded Moses, in memory of your deli-
ince fmm the bondage of Pharaoh. Now, that my
k1 is as good as sIrmI ; and I, who am the true pass-
r-lamb, on the brink of being sacrificed for you ;
t enacted, that, in all succeeding generations, the
pie elements of bread and wine be my only mem(k

Had this ordinance been of a trifling nature, s
;ter of hiditTrrenc}', and but short of duration, who

persuade Ihemselves, that a |>er8on of such con-
imatc wisdom, would have employed Uv^r^ ^v\>qab'

8



206

\ U' hnnif, in ti;iviiig any injiinc lions about it to tlic
f'oiccJt'd o;.oi.llcs :' The holy evangelists record i( ;
."Jul the cho.-*fn vessel to I'ear God's name uuto the
Ci en Hies, mUU his eonrirmation ; " for I have recei-
veil," priys he, " from the Lord, thnt which ] also de-
tivtred uuto von, that hi the B-.nic mi^hi wherein he
\\i\s helrayed, he appointed this expressive ortUnance
to he perpetuated i?i the church/'

liO ! he takes the hread, which was before him
on the table; hread, v^hich Id the stalTonire ; bread,
whiL'h Klreng:ihencth the hcarl. lie Messed it ; nol
lor a natural i:?e, as ordinary bread is sanclincd bj
prayer for eornnion pur|)ose9 ; but he blessc*d it for
c xtraordlnury pur-otcH, and supernatural ends. Al
iiian, be craved ; as tJod, he l.ei?lowed the blessing.—
Me breaks it ; he trives it into the hands of the apos-
tles. Take with your fingei'S, eat wiih yoifr oioatbjv
he savs, this con:-.ecrated bread. 