my soul but thy body, no cordial can revive my drooping obedience, but thy blood;-O gracious Lord, grant that I and all that communicate with me may be fed, refreshed and nourished in our souls to life everlasting. Amen. DIRECTIONS. Now, laying aside all fears and despondencies, proceed to the communion service, and then to the sacrament, with as much joy and satisfaction, as a guilty criminal would go to plead his pardon at an earthly tribunal. At your approach to the chancel, drop all thoughts of things on earth, and give up yourself wholly to the remembrance of the sufferings of our Saviour, lifting up your soul to him in these words: I WILL wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, and so will I compass thy altar, that I may shew the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. RUBRICK. Then shall the priest return to the Lord's table and begin the Offertory, saying one or more of these sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient in his discretion. DIRECTIONS. When the Minister begins to read the Offertory [which chiefly relates to the duty of beneficence to all men by our alms and charitable contributions, which are to be disposed of to pious and charitable uses, at the discretion of the minister, and churchwardens] you must be very attentive, and with your eye, (not voice) read along with him: and be sure you make what short application you can to yourself of what is read, and wherein you perceive you have been wanting either in charity or justice to any one, and in particular of being just to those who are your spiritual guides, you will resolve to make up those defects for the time to come; for assure yourself, you will be highly unjust if you detain from them what is their due. When it comes to your turn to make your offering, do F not let the plate or bason pass by you without putting something into it: for this reason, amongst others, that you may join in that part of the prayers for the church militant, wherein you beseech God to accept your alms, and you may depend upon it, he will accept of them as given to himself, if they bear a proportion to your ability, and are done in obedience to his commands, and with an eye to his glory, as a grateful acknowledgement of his mercies to yourself, and as a testimony of your dependance upon him for the continuance of them. With such reflections your present offering, and all your other gifts to the services of religion, and the uses of charity ought to be accompanied. They that are poor and cannot give as they are disposed in their hearts, must remember that the alms, given on this occa sion, are not matter of necessity, but a free-gift; and that their small contributions will, like the poor widow's two mites, be preferred to the richest oblations of the wealthy. And even he that hath nothing at all to give, is invited freely to partake of these spiritual blessings without money and without price. THE MINISTER. THE OFFERTORY. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. v. 16. Lay not up for yourself treasures upon earth, where the rust and moth doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. St. Matt. vi. 19, 20. Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, even so do unto them; for this is the law and the prophets. St. Matt. vii. 12. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. vii. 21. Zaccheus stood forth and said unto the Lord, behold Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have done any wrong to any man, I restore fourfold. St. Luke xix. 8. Who goeth a warfare at any time of his own cost? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or, who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 1 Cor. ix. 7. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we should reap your worldly things. 1 Cor. ix. 11. Do you not know, that they who minister about holy things, live of the sacrifice? And they who wait at the altar, are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord also ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live of the gospel. 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14. He that soweth little, shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously, shall reap plenteously. Let every man do according as he is disposed in his own heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7. Let him that is taught in the word minister to him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap. Gal. vi. 6, 7. While we have time, let us do good unto all men, and especially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. vi. 10. Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry any thing out. 1 Tim. vi. 6, 7. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19. God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works, and labour that proceedeth of love; which love ye have shewed for his name's sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister. Heb. vi. 10. To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16. Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John iii. 17. Give alms of thy goods, and never turn thy face from any poor man, and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee. Tob. iv. 7. Be merciful after thy power. plenteously if thou hast little, If thou hast much, give do thy diligence gladly to give of that little: for so gathereth thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity. Tob. iv. 8, 9. He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and look what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again. Proverbs xix. 17. Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. Ps. xli. 1. RUBRICK. Whilst these sentences are in reading, the deacons, churchwardens, or other fit person appointed for that purpose, shall receive the alms for the poor, and other devotions of the people in a decent bason or plate, to be provided by the parish for that purpose; and reverently bring it to the priest, who shall humbly present and place it upon the holy table. A Prayer at offering our Alms. Thy prayers and thy alms are come up for a memorial before God. Acts x. 4. THY bounty, O Lord, is the fountain of all I possess; for it is from thee I have received all my worldly goods, and to thy holy name be the glory. Accept of this free-will offering of my hands, as an acknowledgement of thy right to all I enjoy, and as a testimony of that piety, love and charity to my necessitous brethren, which thou requirest, and art pleased to take as done to thyself. Therefore I will dedicate a part of those good things which thou hast bestowed upon me, to relieve the poor; because thou hast made it an evidence of my love to thee: And grant that all my alms-deeds may be performed with such purity of intention, and in such a proportion of what thou hast given me, that they may be acceptable in thy sight, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Amen. RUBRICK. And when there is a communion, the priest shall then place upon the table as much bread and wine as he shall think sufficient. After which done, the priest shall say:— DIRECTIONS. Here the priest beginning the prayer for the whole state of Christ's church militant here on earth, &c. you must join with him in heart and spirit in the same, and with the congregation in their attention, and say the amen with them, that you may reap the advantage of the common fervency with which those prayers fly up to God. THE MINISTER. Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's church militant here on earth. Almighty and ever living God, who by thy hely apostle hath taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; we humbly beseech thee most mercifully [to accept our alms and oblations,+ and] to receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine majesty, beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: and grant that all they that do confess thy holy name, may agree in the truth of thy holy word, and live in unity and godly love. We beseech thee also to save and defend all christian kings, princes, and governors: and especially thy servant George, our king, that under him we may be godly and quietly governed: and grant unto his whole council, and to all that are put in authority under him, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bishops and curates, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy sacraments. And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and especially to this congregation here present, that with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life. And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity: and + If there be no alms nor oblations, then shall the words [of accepting our alms and oblations] be omitted. : |