[336] 1 Cor. xi. 28, 29, 31.
[337] 2 Cor. xiii. 5, 6.
Quest. XCVIII. Is it lawful or a duty to join oblations to the sacrament, and how?
Answ. 1. There is no question but a christian must give up himself, soul and body, with all that he hath, to God for his service; and this oblation is christianity itself.[338]
2. It is undoubted that the Lord's day is a fit time for our depositing what we have to spare for charitable and pious uses, and this is partly of divine appointment, 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2.
3. No doubt but what we give to the poor, should be for God's sake, and from our love to God; and therefore must first be devoted or given up to God, and but secondarily to the poor.[339]
4. It is certain that the Lord's supper is as fit a season as any part of that day, for such oblations and collections. The ancient christians did therefore call it the communion, because in it they showed their love and communion, and feasted in common to that end. There are two several sorts of oblations which may lawfully be made (and fitly) at the communion. 1. The creatures of bread and wine should be offered or presented before God, as acknowledging him to be the Creator and Giver of all, and to desire his acceptance and benediction of them for that holy use. 2. Our alms or charitable contribution may be then fitly offered to God, that he may first accept it, and so it may be communicated to the church and poor. When we receive from God the most obliging benefits, when we return our greatest thanks, when we resign ourselves and all to God, it is then sure a seasonable time, to express all by the oblation of our benevolence: that hypocrites may not pretend that they are charitable in secret, but the church may have due notice of it, and the pastors be duly intrusted with it.[340]
[338] Rom. xii. 1; 1 Pet. ii. 5, 9.
[339] Matt. x. 42; xxv. 40, &c.
[340] 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2.