pre

ception. Forgive my want of a due paration, and accept of my sincere desire to perform an acceptable service unto thee. Clothe me with the wedding garment, even the graces of the Gospel, and then I am sure I shall be a welcome guest at thy table, when I shall come thither in the likeness of thy Son Jesus Christ in whom thou art well pleased. Possess my soul with a lively faith, profound humility, filial obedience, inflamed affection, and universal charity, that so I may become a worthy partaker of these holy mysteries, to my great and endless comfort. Grant this, O heavenly Father, if it be thy blessed will, through Jesus

Christ.

Amen.

Our Father, &c.

See Psalm xxiii. xxv. xxvi.

¶ During the administration of the Lord's Supper, the following Prayers will be proper to be read, as here directed in the different parts of it.

A short Prayer before the Minister begins the Communion Service.

IN

IN the multitude of thy tender mermercies, O Lord God, do I now approach thy altar. O pardon my sins, and look not upon my unworthiness, (for I am a sinful creature, O Lord) but upon the motives which drew me hither, even my own miseries, and thy tender mercies: therefore help me to supply in humility what I want in worthiness; and let my bended knees and contrite heart show that I durst not have adventured hither had not thy mercy held out the golden sceptre, and said, Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy-laden, and I will refresh you.

While the introductory sentences (see page 70 are reading, the Deacons, Churchwardens, or other fit Persons appointed for that purpose, shall receive the alms for the Poor in a decent Bason 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.

At giving your Alms.

O LORD, who didst not despise the widow's mite, accept of this free-will offering of my hands, as an acknowledgment of thy right to all I enjoy, and towards the relief of any of thy poor members.

A Prayer to be said going to the Altar, if Time will admit.

LORD, look down in mercy upon thy poor servant, who with great humility doth now approach thy holy table. O vouchsafe to grant me whatsoever thou seest wanting to fit me for thy divine acceptance, and for a worthy receiving of this blessed Sacrament. Give me repentance unto life, not to be repented of; endue me with a lively faith, a perfect love of thee, and an universal charity and good-will to all mankind; that thou, pitying my weakness and forgiving my infirmities, I may worthily receive these pledges of thy divine love, to my support and comfort in this life, and my eternal happiness in that which is to come. Amen.

I would advise my devout Communicant, by all means to read over these Prayers, after receiving the Bread and Cup, and after driking, if Time will admit; which will be the Case in a number of Communicants.

When you receive the Bread. LORD, I am not worthy of the crumbs which fall from thy table, and yet thou givest unto me the bread of life. O let this divine food instil into my weak and languishing soul new supplies of grace, new life, new love, new vigour, and new resolutions, that I may never again faint nor tire in my duty.

Before receiving the Cup. WHAT thanks shall I give unto the

Lord, for all the benefits that he hath conferred upon me! I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Grant, O merciful God, that this cup, which I am now about to receive, may be filled with thy mercy, and be unto me the cup of eternal blessing. Sprinkle me with the

blood of the ever blessed Jesus, that my soul; being cleansed from all its corruptions, may be ever precious in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer.

After Drinking.

BLESSED be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the redemption. which we have through his blood, even the forgiveness of Sins. Lord, I have done as thou hast commanded; O let me find the great benefit of this divine institution. Pour down'thy grace upon me, direct my paths, and enable me, by the Strength of this divine food, to persevere in the practice of a holy and religious life, to the last moment of my days. Amen.

The following is the Order for the Administration of the Lord's Supper.

After the Sermon, the Priest shall return to the Lord's Table, and begin the Offertory, saying one or more of these Sentences following, as he may think most convenient.