that they are also from Ireland. During the ⟨residence⟩ of the Scotch ministers in that country, ⟨hey⟩ jointly held a monthly meeting for fasting; ⟨and⟩ frequently the Lord’s Supper was celebrated ⟨in⟩ one or other of their parishes, on the following ⟨Sabbath.⟩ “I know,” says, Mr. Randal, “no such ⟨likely⟩ beginning to our Fasts before our Sacraments ⟨as⟩ this is.”[1]
It is true, that Mr. Livingston preached on the Monday after the Sacrament at the Kirk of Shots, ⟨in⟩ the year 1630, but this sermon being preached ⟨at⟩ the particular request of Lady Culross, and with ⟨some⟩ reluctance on his part, proves that it was not ⟨then⟩ customary, nor understood to have any ⟨connexion⟩ with the Lord’s Supper.
The foregoing conjectures of various writers, ⟨who⟩ have enquired into the subjects furnish us with ⟨the⟩ only probable origin of this system, and had it ⟨been⟩ laid aside when the cause which gave rise to ⟨it⟩ ceased to operate, it had been well. But the ⟨continuance⟩ of it without any adequate, cause, or ⟨rational⟩ use, has done no little injury.
Before entering on the second part of the inquiry ⟨viz⟩, the tendency of this system, I must premise ⟨two⟩ things.
1. That I have no objections to week-day sermons ⟨as⟩ such. It is the duty of preachers to “be instant ⟨in⟩ season and out of season;” and where people ⟨are⟩ ready to hear, the opportunity ought to be ⟨eagerly⟩ embraced; and may be expected to be ⟨followed⟩ with happy effects.
2. That I have no doubt that Sacramental ⟨preaching⟩-days may have been made useful on many ⟨occasions⟩, in the conversion of sinners, and building ⟨up⟩ of believers in faith and holiness. God has ⟨promised⟩ that his word shall not return unto him
- ↑ Letter, &c.— Postscript.
