[4a] A seventh edition being now called for within about eight years from the first publication, the Author has the satisfaction of knowing that eighteen thousand copies of this Tract have been dispersed within that period, each edition having consisted of three thousand copies.[4b] See Gisborn’s Serm. vol. ii. p. 192.[6a] See the institution of the Sacrament, St. Matt. chap. xxvi. and St. Luke, chap. xxii.[6b] See Parkhurst’s Greek Lexicon on the verb ?a?a?aa??.[6c] 1 Corinth. chap. xi. ver. 26.[7a] St. John, chap. vi. ver. 54.[7b] St. John, chap. vi. ver. 53.[8] This divine prayer occupies the 17th chapter of St. John’s Gospel; but the Christian reader will do well to peruse the whole of the heavenly discourse which preceded it, and which is contained in the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th chapters of the Gospel of the beloved disciple, St. John.[10] I could wish that these invitations were given by some of our clergy, in a more solemn and earnest manner than at all times prevails, and that the whole Exhortation were read, as it is in many churches in the north of England. I should think, also, it would be attended with a very happy effect, which, indeed, I have known to be produced by it, if notice of the Sacrament were sometimes given by reading the second Exhortation, addressed “to those who are negligent to come to the Holy Communion;” the use of which, I am afraid, the state of most congregations in this country will fully warrant. And if, after using either of these Exhortations, the kind and affectionate Pastor would in the course of his sermon pathetically and earnestly entreat his congregation to attend the ensuing Sacrament, to which they have just been invited, as they value their soul’s health, occasionally explaining any difficulty or scruple that may be likely to affect ordinary or young minds upon a part of the first Exhortation, I am confident the happiest effects would frequently follow.[13a] Psalm ciii. ver. 13, 14.[13b] I cannot here deny myself the pleasure of inserting in a note, a passage I have lately met with in Mr. Archdeacon Daubeny’s Guide to the Church (a work which ought to be diligently perused by every affectionate and dutiful son of the venerable and apostolic church of England), and which peculiarly applies to our present subject: “It is a remark that has long since been made, that no man who prays can long continue a sinner; for either his praying will make him leave off sinning, or his sinning will make him leave off praying.” [13c] Apply this to that more solemn office or prayer and thanksgiving which is used in the administration of the Holy Sacrament, let a man pray the prayers of our Church, and devoutly attend her Sacraments, being in charity with all men, and we may venture to predict, that religion will soon get the mastery over such a man’s worldly and sinful dispositions, and that, through the merits and atonement of Christ, his salvation is secure.[13c] Guide to the Church, 2d edit. vol. i. p. 202.[14] St. Matth. chap. xi. ver. 28.[15] In a prayer of preparation, by the pious and excellent Bishop Kenn, in his Manual, which has fallen in my way, since I wrote the above, I find this passage: “If thou, Lord, shouldst be extreme to mark what I have done amiss, alas, alas, I am then unfit, not only to communicate, but to say even my daily prayers: I know, Lord, that if I should stay till I am worthy to come, I should then never come; and, therefore, though I am unworthy of so unspeakable a mercy, yet I come to beg thy grace to make me worthy, or, at least, such as thou wilt accept.”—Since the third edition of this tract was published, I have met with an excellent sermon of Dr. Benjamin Calamy on this subject, who draws a very sensible distinction between unworthy receivers, and receiving unworthily. Unworthy receivers the best of men ever must be, but it does not follow that the Holy Sacrament is therefore received unworthily.[19] Taylor’s Art of Holy Living, chap. iv. sect. 10.[20] The now worthy Dean of Canterbury and Rector of St. James’s Westminster, the Rev. Gerrard Andrewes, D.D.[21] The Magdalen Hospital.