May the God of Grace so quicken, and prepare, and sanctify you by His Holy Spirit, that your Communion Sundays may prove to be seasons of much blessing and comfort to your soul. And may this Form of Preparation be found useful in bringing about such a happy result.

May God Himself be with you whilst you use it; leading you to a deeper knowledge of your own heart, and filling you with a more fervent love to your Saviour !

The Invitation.

When the Minister giveth warning for the Celebration of the Holy Communion, (which he shall always do upon the Sunday, or some Holy-day, immediately preceding,) he shall read this Exhortation following; or so much thereof as, in his discretion, he may think convenient.

DEARLY beloved, on

day next I purpose, through God's assistance, to administer to all such as shall be religiously and devoutly disposed the most comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; to be by them received in remembrance of his meritorious Cross and Passion; whereby alone we obtain remission of our sins, and are made partakers of the Kingdom of heaven. Wherefore it is our duty to render most humble and hearty thanks to Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that he hath given his Son our Saviour Jesus

Christ, not only to die for us, but also to be our spiritual food and sustenance in that holy Sacrament, etc.

Deditation.

St. Luke, xiv. 17.

"Come, for all things are now ready."

MY

Y ears have been gladdened this day by an invitation to the Lord's Table. Christ's minister, in his Mas ter's name, has called me to the Feast. It is no earthly banquet. It is a spiritual Supper. It is no ordinance of man. It is my Saviour's appointment. He ordained it for my special good; to remind me of His great atonement for sin; to strengthen my faith; and to feed and nourish my soul.

Now, that I am again so lovingly called, shall I refuse to come? As well

might a sick man refuse the healing medicine placed before him; or a lame man reject the staff that is offered him; or a prisoner turn away from the friend who would unloose his fetters. Dare I disobey the command of my Sovereign? Dare I put from me the blessing, which my Saviour so graciously holds out to me? Surely not; for I cannot afford to lose one drop of that heavenly shower, wherewith my God refreshes His thirsty people.

Shall I venture to approach carelessly and unprepared? Jesus seems to be saying to me at this time, "Come, for all things are now ready." All things are ready on His part. He has prepared His table. He stands ready to bless. He waiteth to be gracious. His arms are stretched out to welcome me. He has a pardon ready for me, and an abundance of grace to meet my wants. "If any man hear my voice (He says), and open the

door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." Rev. iii. 20.

Oh, that I may only be ready also! With God's help I will spend the next few days in solemn preparation for this Holy Sacrament. I will set my house in order. I will look into the inner chambers of my heart. I will endeavour to drive out everything that offends; and I will pray that my heart may become a fit dwellingplace for Christ.

I know that "the preparations of the heart are from the Lord" (Prov. xvi. 1); and that if He does not Himself influence me, all my efforts will be in vain. May He give me His Holy Spirit to help me in my endeavours, so that I may come holy and clean to such a heavenly feast, in the wedding-garment mercifully provided for me. Matt. xxii. 11. "And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is