Page:Brief inquiry into the origin and tendency of sacramental preaching-days (1).pdf/13

This page has been validated.

13

⟨nor⟩ regarded with affection. The preaching-days may be attended with pleasure, and with profit; but the table of the Lord is rather an object of fear, than of delightful anticipation— a scene ⟨of⟩ fear and trembling, rather than of filial confidence and joy in God. Now, this state of things, which is by no means uncommon, must, in the case of Christians, arise in a great measure from the distorted views of its nature and design which these extra days, with their usual services, are calculated to inspire. Whereas, when viewed in its native simplicity, unencumbered with human inventions, as a commemoration of the death of Christ, and a symbolical representation of the fellowship of all the children of God with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, and with one another in the enjoyment of the common salvation, it is calculated in the highest degree, to inspire the Christian’s mind with confidence, and joy in God.^[1] But, not only have the preaching-days put the Lord’s Supper out of its proper place in every point of view, but they have.

2. Greatly contributed to its profanation. This is no doubt a serious charge, a charge that would need to be well supported, seeing they are professedly designed to prevent this evil: yet, I am

↑ From the misapplication of such passages, (Exod. chapters xix. and xx.) many of the best of Christians approach their reconciled God and Father with a slavish fear like that of the Israelites when approaching the mount that burned with fire; or that of Peter when he said, “depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” They sit down at the table of the Lord, with as great terror as the high priest entered the holiest of all”— “Doubtless, the seldom dispensing this ordinance has led many of the less judicious, into such, melancholy superstitious apprehensions, and roused such terrors in their minds, that they could not attend upon God in this institution without distraction, and thus were deprived of much of the comfort and benefit, which otherwise they would have reaped from it,”— Erskine’s Dissertation on frequent communicating— Section 3d.

[1] From the misapplication of such passages, (Exod. chapters xix. and xx.) many of the best of Christians approach their reconciled God and Father with a slavish fear like that of the Israelites when approaching the mount that burned with fire; or that of Peter when he said, “depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” They sit down at the table of the Lord, with as great terror as the high priest entered the holiest of all”— “Doubtless, the seldom dispensing this ordinance has led many of the less judicious, into such, melancholy superstitious apprehensions, and roused such terrors in their minds, that they could not attend upon God in this institution without distraction, and thus were deprived of much of the comfort and benefit, which otherwise they would have reaped from it,”— Erskine’s Dissertation on frequent communicating— Section 3d.

[1]