ΑΝ ESSAY ΟΝ ΤΗΕ LORD'S SUPPER: Wherein is fhewn, The NATURE and END of that 2 The OBLIGATION to frequent it; The proper DISPOSITIONS for Receiving it; AND The ADVANTAGES of a worthy Reception. To which are added, Prayers, Thanksgivings, and Meditations, To the End that we should always remember the exceeding great Communion Service. LOND ON: Printed and Sold by J. MECHELL, at his Printing- Sold alfo by Meffrs Longman and Sherwell, C. Hitch, T. Afley, M.DCC.XLVII. 83 ΤΟ RICHARD TAUNTON, Of Ramridge, Efq; Dear Sir, TH HE grateful Senfe I have of your long and uninterrupted Friendfhip, might alone have inclined me to offer you the following Sheets; efpecially as your great Candour, and thorough Knowledge of my Engagements in another Way, would prompt you the more readily to make a favourable Allowance for the Uncorrectnefs of the Performance. But give me Leave to fay, it would not be doing You Juftice, to infift on thefe Motives for making this Addrefs, when fo many better may be urged: Such as your unfeigned Piety, your true Affection for the Church of England, your univerfal Benevolence, your well-regulated Charity, and hearty Zeal for your Country's Welfare, evidenced by very liberal Contributions in our late Dangers and Troubles. You, Sir, have attained to that happy State, which moft Men are Strangers to, That of knowing when you have enough. After acquiring a Competency with the moft untullied Reputation, you have retired A 2 from from the Noife and Hurry of the World, to have the more Leifure to think upon God, and to prepare for that Eternity towards which we are all haftening. And happy, Sir, fhall I think myself, could this thort Manual in any Degree affift your Devotion. This I can venture to fay without incurring the Imputation of Vanity, that the Materials I have made ufe of are generally good, fince for the most Part they are not my own. My only Concern is left they fhould have loft a Part of their Force and Energy, by the unfkilful Manner in which they may have been put together. This Tract, fuch as it is, waits upon you as a Pledge of my heartieft Efteem and moft fincere Affection. Be pleafed to accept of it as fuch, with my unfeigned Prayers to the Giver of all good Gifts, that You and your worthy Lady may continue to enjoy the choiceft of his Bleffings, and be as happy with each other, as an eafy Fortune, a good Name, and what crowns all, a good Confcience can make you. I heartily beg the Continuance of your Friendship, which is highly valued by, ! SIR, Your most affectionate, bumble Servant, The Author. THE PREFACE. T HIS Book is the Subftance: of an Effay I published in French fome Time ago on the Eucharift*. The Reason of its prefent Appearance in English is not out of any Diftrust that the Books we have are infufficient; neither is it out of any Defign to fet up for an Author; but only to comply with an unwary Promife I made to the Bookfeller, to give him the Copy, at a Time when I could do it without much Inconvenience. Afterwards indeed, reflecting on the many I received very confiderable Helps in the French Edis tion from the Rev. Mr Majendie (one of the Preachers of the Savoy, and Chaplain to the Earl of Grantham) who again kindly offered me his Affiftance in the English Part: But the Distance we live afunder, made it fo inconvenient for me to confult him often, that he read only two of the Sheets, before they were printed off. A 3 Treatifes |