44. The Patient prays before partaking of the Lord's Supper

EXHORTATION.

"Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed."—John vi. 54, 55.

To partake of the Lord's Supper in a devout and becoming manner, is the duty of every true Christian, in sickness no less than in health.

1. For this purpose a rigid self-examination is the first of requisites.

2. In sickness it is important to reflect that the present may be the last opportunity for partaking of the Lord's Supper. This reflection must lead to a doubly strong resolution to improve in faith and in true piety. 3. If it has been the most ardent longing of pious men, that the name of Jesus might be the last word on their lips, the holy communion their last nourishment, and the crucified Saviour their latest thought, how then shall a patient do otherwise than rejoice when one of these blessings is extended him on his sick bed, and be of assured hope that God will not withhold his favor to supply the others? 4. But let every one beware of the iniquitous

THE PATIENT PRAYS BEFORE superstition that the Lord's Supper will restore him to health.

Dearest Jesus! I long to receive the love feast instituted by thee, because I know not when I shall leave this world. But that I may not appear before the judgment seat of God without thee, I would once more unite myself with thee, so that thou mayest be and remain in me, and I in thee. I will receive the Holy Communion at home, assured that there also thou wilt gladden and refresh me with thy gracious presence. O lover of souls! thou art near to the wretched, thou dost rejoice the afflicted; thou dost help those who are stricken in spirit; let my heart also be cheered, and my soul quickened by this heavenly meat and drink. O dearest Jesus, as I desire to partake of thy heavenly meal in pure and holy devotion, grant that this frame of mind may not be disturbed by unrelenting pains and sufferings, but hold them in check until the time be passed! I proclaim thy death, and call to mind thy sufferings and death, thy wounds and torments; thy agony and bloody sweat; thy death upon the cross, and all that thou hast done for me; and I will thank thee for all, to all eternity. I also remember the institution of thy Holy Supper, in which thou dost give me to eat PARTAKING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

and to drink for life eternal. I believe thy words, as being spoken by an omniscient, almighty God, who is just and true; I believe that in the holy sacrament I receive thy body indeed, and thy blood indeed. This heavenly meat and drink shall strengthen me in the faith of my reconciliation with God; this heavenly meat and drink shall comfort me with the assurance that I am not lost, but have eternal life; this heavenly meat and drink shall convince me that I am in thy grace, that I have the forgiveness of sins, and am united with thee, who art the redemption from my sins and for the sins of all the world. This heavenly meat and drink are to remind me of the heavenly board, of the eternal joy and glory to which thou wilt lead me after death. O shepherd of my soul, do thou lead thy lamb on a green pasture, feed me with the bread of life, refresh me with thy blood. Then I shall have a ransom for all my sins, which thou hast paid for me at the tree of the cross, whereby I am saved Amen. 1. A pledge is by the Lord's own hand now unto me awarded,

Most precious pledge beyond compare, how am I so regarded!

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The greatest bliss the heavens afford,

The blood and body of the Lord

To me shall now be given.

2. The God of love delights in me, and that his high affection

May be more manifest and ne'er forsake my recollection,

He doth this sacred token give,

And promises in me to live

And dwell with me forever.

3 This pledge gives me assurance strong of all my sins forgiven,

But by the power of his grace my terrors forth are driven,

That henceforth he shall never cease

To give me comfort, joy, and peace,

Until my work is ended.

4. Yea, by this token, I am sure I shall not die forever;

But shall arise out of my grave to joy that endeth never;

Because this food and drink are mine

The grave cannot my limbs confine

So from the faith I swerve not.

5. Give thanks and praise unto the Lord, for in this rich collation

He his most holy, precious self, has given for my salvation;

And, in return, what can I do,

But give myself unto him too,

In life, in death, and after.

THE PATIENT PRAYS, ETC.