ound the arts and conquer the oppositions of the heathen world, and, in spite of all the devices of Satan, to set up the kingdom of the Lord Christ. And shall not we praise thee for these miraculous dispensations, by which the Gospel was made known even to us in these utmost corners and last of times? Yes, holy Jesus, we will also meet with one accord at thy table, not doubting but thou wouldst give us the same measures of thy Spirit there, if our duty or our necessity did require it. It is enough for us that thou knowest our needs; more than will supply them we dare not ask, less thou wilt not give. Thou hast given us thyself, wherefore we believe thou wilt not deny us thy Spirit, without which we can have no interest in thee, nor benefit from thee. We come not, gracious Lord, with the carnal Jews, to devour thy flesh, but to partake of thy Spirit, which only giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing. Behold, thy Spirit hath converted millions; let me, therefore, together with thy precious body, receive here such proportions of thy Holy Spirit as may suppress my evil affections, revive my dead heart, comfort my dejected mind, and turn my ignorance into knowledge, my knowledge into practice; and make that practice so sweet and easy, that this may be a day of joy to me also, solemnised in the white garments of sanctification and rejoicing; and, finally, let not this hea venly inspiration be only expressed in ecstacies and holy fervours this day, but let thy Spirit rest upon me, and dwell in me for ever; so shall I always have cause to bless thee for so incomparable a gift. Methinks I feel already the force thereof bearing down my corruptions, and its bright beams driving away the mists of sin and error. I find its flames warming my heart with zeal and charity, and its quickening power opening my sealed lips to shew forth thy praise. Therefore with angels, &c. DEAN COMBER. XII. A MEDITATION FOR THE COMMUNION ON O admirable mystery, to be adored in the profoundest silence! by the contemplation whereof, when I am struck with amazement, I can learn humility, and discover my own ignorance; and I have the opportunity of exercising a nobler faith than if I could comprehend it with my shallow reasonings and imperfect demonstrations. The Trinity in Unity, and the Unity in Trinity, hath been derided by the heathens, and endeavoured to be perplexed by the wits of all kinds of heretics; but it sufficeth me, blessed Jesus, that thou hast revealed it, and thy holy Church (divided in too many other things) hath universally agreed in this great truth. And I am the more confirmed in it, because I learn by it to worship with a regular devotion; from hence I am taught to pray to the Father in the name of the Son, through the assistance of the Holy Ghost; and as long as I live will I praise thee and magnify thee in this manner. I will bless thee particularly at this holy feast for so excellent a revelation; for this ordinance itself contains many things above my understanding, and all is mystery. The Trinity is the article, and this sacrament the rite, which do distinguish thy true religion from all the sects in the world wherefore, by observing this rite, I do embrace this faith; and upon the representation of thy death, I do profess to live in it, and die for it, resolving never to have other Lord. And when I find the Father giving, the Son given, and the Holy Ghost dispensing that gift unto my soul in this sacred communion, it shall be a greater confirmation to my faith in this divine mystery than can be acquired from the most curious search into it. However, I am resolved my reason shall vail to thy word, and i will be content to stay for a fuli apprehension of this sublime truth, till I am advanced to a state of angelic perfection, and come to behold the glories of the Triune God. Till then I will bless thee for what I |