will prepare for the due performance of this necessary duty: With the idea thus impressed on their minds, that the would be holiness of a week will compensate for the unrighteousness of a year, and secure the favour and approbation of God, what is to be expected, but that multitudes, without faith, without repentance, without holiness, without love to God, to his law, to his Son, or to his people, ⟨should⟩, after a few formal prayers, and other prescribed duties, during the Sacrament week, be found at the communion table, on the Sacrament Sabbath, in the expectation of clearing scores with their Maker, who will as naturally, and as certainly, turn again to their vices, as the dog to his vomit, or the ⟨sow⟩ to the mire!
It is impossible not to see what a ruinous lure ⟨this⟩ must become to multitudes of precious souls, what a sad and fearful prostitution of a sacred ordinance, and what a distorted view of the simple and holy religion of Jesus, it must present to the world. Whereas, let it be exhibited in its scriptural frequency and simplicity, let it be divested of the parade of extra services that now mar its beauty, and obscure its meaning; let people be taught that it is not any course of prescribed preparation, but the possession of a previous character, that gives ⟨right⟩ to it, and benefit from it, and it will, by the blessing of God, go far to prevent these evils
‘Frequent and simple communion,’ says Dr. Mason, will probably purge the church of unworthy members. Perhaps there could not be devised ⟨a⟩ more effectual expedient for getting rid of them, ⟨than⟩ employing them in spiritual work. With abundance of formality, they may attend to the ⟨notorious⟩ externals of religion: and as a bridle to conscience, and a set-off to character, they may have ⟨no⟩ objection to the communion, if it be not too often. Once or twice a year will do. But strip this precious
