Let us remember that the Apostles and first Christians received the Communion daily; that, in the primitive Church, the Lord's Supper was the chief object of a congregation assembling; and that it was considered essential to the completeness of divine service. Must we not feel that we are either insincere in professing our belief of great advantages flowing from a participation thereof, or should we not endeavour to restore, under the sanction of authority, the observance of a more frequent, if not, weekly Communion?

The service in the primitive Church, as in ours, began with the Lord's Prayer and St. Jerome, not quite 400 years after Christ, in reference to this usage, applies the words "Give us this day our daily bread," to the holy sustenance for the soul, provided in the Spiritual Sacrifice. A prayer follows, valuable at all times, but especially when preparing to receive "Christ and his life" in our hearts, by faith. A prayer,

1 Hooker.

that our inmost thoughts may be cleansed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; to the end that we may perfectly love God, and worthily magnify his holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Never, perhaps, was there a more beautiful illustration of the doctrine-"the law was a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ'," than the position of the ten Commandments, in the Communion service. The Law continues to be to us, though not a covenant of works, yet a rule of life, a standard of holiness; when taken in the length and breadth, enforced and exemplified by our Saviour. And the summary of God's will in the Ten Commandments is now read aloud, in order that all, examining themselves by the spiritual meaning of each, may seek mercy for past transgressions, and obtain grace, inclining our minds-to keep the will of God, and to desire continually that all his Laws may be written in our hearts.

We shall answer the intention of the

1 Gal. iii. 24.

Church best, if we turn the reading of these Commandments spoken from Heaven by God, into heads of self examination; by viewing them in that spiritual light, which He reflected on them, who "came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfil 1.”

1. "Thou shalt have none other Gods but me." Thus did God begin to speak these words. From the voice of God, himself, we learn, that he "knoweth of none other God than himself?" Now unless we understand something of the very corrupt state of the human heart, we are ready to imagine, that if we had even broken all the other nine commandments, by the most flagrant disobedience, at least, we are not guilty under this head. Beware! lest thy boasting be built on a wrong foundation.

You have never said, like the fool," there is no God "." but have you never had any doubts? You have never indulged those vain dreams of "philosophy, falsely so

1 Matt. v. 17.

2 Is. lvi. 8.

3 Ps. xiv. 1.

called," which represent all things as having existed from eternity, as they are: but have you never listened to beguiling theories of materialism? have you never acted, as if, practically, there were no moral Governor to frown on your evil doings?

Men, who profess to believe in God, deny Him in their works, when they are guilty of actions, only before Him, from the commission of which, the quick eye of a child would affright them. We practically deny God, when we attribute our talents, our success, situation in life, safety, or knowledge to ourselves, instead of God. How often do we hear from the lips of those, who ought to have learned better lessons in the school of Christ-of good luck, of such a person being fortunate, of mere chance! Too frequently is there no reference, open or secret, to the government of the world by God. It is thought either beyond his attention, or beneath his dignity, to give heed to our concerns: whereas his blessed Son hath declared, that "not a

sparrow can fall to the ground without Him; and that the very hairs of our head are all numbered 1."

The world claims, on too many occasions, a deference to its arbitrary decrees, which is not so readily conceded to the Lord of all. For have we not marked a conflict within ourselves or others? Present duty is on one side; pleasure or gain on the other: there is a struggle for the mastery. Our salvation is implicated: and when Faith should come forward and give the victory, some deceitful plea is taken up for being false to our master's interests; we turn from him that loved us to the death, and league with a world, hastening to ruin.

What will be thought and said of me, if I do not join in such an amusement (which the spirit of the Gospel condemns, as ill suiting the self-denying life of a Christian). What remarks will be made, if our houses, and dress, and furniture are not of a superior quality! Our means, perhaps, are not equal

Luke xii. 6.