Monthly preparations for the Holy Communion by R.B

The Conclusion.

Oh! how unwillingly do I rise! methinks I could sit here and feast my heart and eyes for ever. What running-Banquets doth my Lord afford me here! surely he should not need to fear that I should surfeit on himself. But alas! I must be gone, what shall I do in yonder hungry soul-starving world again? I have been feeding on my Paschal Lamb, and now I must go and eat my sour herbs; but if it be his will, I must obey; if it be so, I must arise: I know thou hast prepared the endless feast above, where I shall ever sit and enjoy thy love, and glut my hungry eye and heart on the Banquet of thy everlasting self. As yet I am now on earth, my toil and work lies heavy on my hands, I have yet an afternoon to labour out, God knows my work is hard, too hard for me my self to perform. I scarcely should have lasted out so long, but that ometimes at such seasons as this is, he repaired my sinking spirits by pouring in the Cordials of his Blood. Now I must go ⟨p. 129⟩and perhaps find as sharp conflicts with my self as ever. I know the World and Hell have been laying their snares and gins to catch my new-fledged soul; and all conspire against my welfare. Now it is well if I escape a fall, a bruise, a breaking of my bones, in which sad plight I have so often lain, that my Lord might have took me for dead, but that my groanings told him loudly I lived. Lord! must I leave this feast? must I go? Take me then by the hand, and lead me; if I must walk, let me see thee by me, that I may know I walk with my God. Lead me away, and I will go with thee; and let me not go till thou bringest me hither again; I cannot, will not live without thee. And do thou Lord, say, I must not, shall not.

Oh! how unwillingly do I rise! methinks I could sit here and feast my heart and eyes for ever. What running-Banquets doth my Lord afford me here! surely he should not need to fear that I should surfeit on himself. But alas! I must be gone, what shall I do in yonder hungry soul-starving world again? I have been feeding on my Paschal Lamb, and now I must go and eat my sowre herbs; but if it be his will, I must obey; if it be so, I must arise: I know thou hast prepared the endless feast above, where I shall ever sit and enjoy thy love, and glut my hungry eye and heart on the Banquet of thy everlasting self. As yet I am now on earth, my toil and work lyes heavy on my hands, I have yet an afternoon to labour out, God knows my work is hard, too hard for me my self to perform. I scarcely should have lasted out so long, but that ometimes at such seasons as this is, he repaired my sinking spirits by pouring in the Cordials of his Blood. Now I must go