forth scurrility and immodesty, which depresses the soul, and renders it unapt for spiritual enjoy

ments.

Make me so mindful of that strict account I must give of all my actions at the dreadful tribunal-seat, that it may mortify all inclinations and temptations to sinful pleasures;

And stir me up to zeal and diligence in performing all those things which are acceptable in Thy sight.

In order to attain these blessed ends, O Lord, I approach to Thy holy table, that I may grow in grace, and may be enabled to imitate the suffering virtues of the crucified Jesus.

Grant, therefore, most merciful God, that the receiving the symbols of His body and blood, which I am about to partake of, may, by the grace and efficacy of His Spirit, conform me to His divine image, and make me stedfast in serving Thee, till Thou takest me finally to enjoy Thee, through Jesus Christ, my blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

The foregoing prayers may be used in our pews before we go up to the communion-table. When the communicants are but few, and we have not time to enlarge our devotions, we may comprehend the devout affections of a worthy receiver in the following shorter prayer:

A Prayer

Before receiving the Consecrated Elements.

Most gracious God, who of Thy infinite mercy hast given Thy Son Jesus Christ to be our great High-Priest, and the Bishop of our souls; who did offer up Himself to Thee a pure and immaculate sacrifice upon the cross for us miserable sinners; who has given us His flesh to eat, and His blood to drink, in a mystical manner; and hast assured us by Thy Holy Spirit, that as often as we eat that bread, and drink that cup, we shew forth the Lord's death till His coming again :

I humbly beseech Thee, therefore, by the merits of His blood, the great price of our redemption;

I entreat Thee by His wonderful and ineffable charity, wherewith He has vouchsafed to love us unworthy creatures at so great a rate, that Thou wouldst be pleased to wash me in His blood from all my sins, which make me unworthy to partake of these holy mysteries:

Let my repentance be hearty and sincere, and express itself in all the circumstances of holy obedience for the time to come.

Thou alone out of an unclean thing canst

bring a clean; of a wretched sinner make me therefore holy and righteous.

Thou art the Fountain of mercy, shut not up Thy bowels of compassion towards me.

Thou art the great Physician of souls, display Thy power in my health and recovery.

Let me approach Thy holy table with reverence and devotion, that no vile affections may hinder me from receiving the benefits of this divine nourishment.

Let me celebrate this Christian sacrifice with purity of heart, and a right intention of ! mind, that I may obtain all those advantages! for which Thou wert graciously pleased to establish it.

Let me entirely resign my soul and body to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto Thee; for Thou hast the justest claim to me, since the blessed Jesus has purchased me at the price of His own blood.

Grant, O Lord, that I may constantly endeavour to make some proficiency in all the virtues of the Christian life, because the blessed Jesus has obtained for me, by the merits of His sufferings, the grace and assistance of Thy Holy Spirit, to work in me both to will and to do Thy good pleasure.

Make me ready to be reconciled to all those that have offended me, because when we were

enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.

Let me embrace all my poor brethren with sincere love and charity, and contribute all I can to the relief of Christ's distressed members, because He thought not His life too dear, nor His blood too precious, to redeem me from a state of bondage and slavery.

Strengthen me, O Lord, in such a manner by this spiritual food, that I may successfully encounter all the attacks of my spiritual enemies.

Suppress in me the spirit of pride and vainglory, of envy and detraction, of uncleanness and intemperance, or of any distrust and diffidence of Thy mercy.

May all temptations to these offences against Thy holy laws be overcome by that power which Thou shalt be pleased to communicate to me in this holy sacrament;

And may all those evils which the craft and subtilty of the devil or man worketh against me be brought to nought:

That, being outwardly and inwardly fortified by the assistance of Thy grace, I may press forward towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; when I shall enjoy Thee no longer in mystery, which is our lot and portion here below, but see Thee

M

face to face, and be eternally satisfied with the pleasures of Thy kingdom, in and through the merits of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

When the Priest approaches to deliver the consecrated Bread:

Come, O Lord, and make no long tarrying, O my God.

I am not worthy Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but, Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.

I long for Thy salvation; O satisfy me with Thy likeness!

I

open my

heart to Thee; O come unto me, and abide with me; and powerfully support me in all trials and temptations, when I most need Thy help. Amen.

Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, in like manner (if any be present); and after that to the People also in order, into their hands, all meekly kneeling. And when he delivereth the Bread to any one, he shall say:

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in re