Acts 20:38

REFLECTIONS

READER! let you and I behold with delight, what is here said, of the Apostle and his companions, celebrating the Lord's supper on the Lord's day. Let it encourage our hearts to delight in that sweet service, that we may be often found, in breaking of bread, and of prayer. And do thou, Lord Jesus, always preside over those assemblies of thy people. Oh! the blessedness, when by faith we receive the gracious emblems at thine own hand! Then will it always be a feast upon a sacrifice. Christ our New Testament Altar, our High Priest, and Passover sacrificed for us. A sweet commemorating, communicating, refreshing, strengthening Ordinance. Yea, we shall say the cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

Who that reads of the Eutychus in this Chapter, and beholds the Eutychus in the many instances of the present day, but must be ready to cry out; what meanest thou, 0 sleeper: arise, call upon thy God that thou perish not? What, if such sleepers in the house of God were to open their eyes no more, until awakening in eternity? - Is the sanctuary of the Lord, and the place where his honor dwelleth, a fit place to sleep in? Can it be possible, for men to snuff at Gob's ordinances, and say: Oh what a weariness is it! When will the Sabbath be gone'?

Let my soul be relieved, from such a contemplation as the weary and the sleepy in the house of God, to look once more at Paul, and the Elders of Miletus at this most refreshing meeting, described in this Chapter. Ye servants of the Lord, who are sent by Him to minister in his Name; and ye faithful among the congregation, who are ministered unto: let this interesting service between Paul and his beloved people, which God the Holy Ghost hath so graciously recorded the account of for his Church's edification, be your pattern, and the object of your imitation. Such indeed, should be every assembly of the faithful. lie that preached', should preach, as though it was his last. And they who hear, as though they should hear no more. Every separation, and the breaking up of assemblies, as it the final farewell. Lord Jesus! do thou be present at all, that in the close on earth, instantly thy redeemed may meet thee in heaven.