mercy upon us.

Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The blessing that only remains, which is pronounced by the bishop, if present, as the priest of greatest dignity, must be received in an humble posture, and with silent devotion, begging of God that it may be effectual for our future conduct in all the circumstances of holy obedience.

Then the Priest (or Bishop, if he be present) shall let them depart with this Blessing:

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

A short Prayer

When the Communion-Service is ended.

PARDON, O God, all those imperfections that have accompanied me at this time in my attendance at Thy altar; forgive the deadness and dulness of my affections, the wanderings of my thoughts, and the distractions of mind.

Let the sincerity of my holy purposes and resolutions make some amends for my weakness

and frailty.

O let this commemoration of my crucified Saviour influence all my thoughts, words, and actions, that my conversation may be as becometh the Gospel of Christ!

Reward me not according to my deserts, but according to my great necessities, and Thy own rich mercy in Jesus Christ; to whom, with Thee, O God the Father, and God the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Where communions are large, we may want some exercises for the employing our devout affections; and the Office for the Administration of the Holy Communion contains such a variety of excellent matter for meditation, that it may not be improper to entertain our minds, while

others are receiving, with the consideration of some particular parts of it. This may possibly be sometimes more useful than either these or any other prayers, more especially to such as complain of coldness and dulness in their devotions; for meditation naturally tends to warm our affections, and raise in our minds a spirit of devotion.

For example; suppose I had determined to meditate on some part or parts of the confession, which begins thus, "Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men." Here I would stop, and consider well the import of these words; they contain four of God's most comprehensive titles. First, He is here said to be "Almighty;" secondly, "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;" thirdly, "the Maker and Creator of all things;" fourthly," the Judge of all men." The consideration of the first and last will provoke us to godly sorrow; and the second and third will excite our hope in His mercy. So that from hence we may take occasion to exercise acts of sorrow and humiliation, of hope and love, &c., thus: "I consider, O my God, that I have offended Thee, who art Almighty, and therefore able to punish; but I consider too that Thou art the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore I cannot doubt of Thy love to me,

and of Thy readiness to forgive me, who repent and turn to Thee." Such ejaculations might be formed from each of these particulars, or from any other branches of the communion-office; but because all people are not able to form such acts, I have taken the liberty of adding several acts of the most considerable virtues of a Christian life: for no moments of this holy season should be lost; all these precious minutes should be husbanded to the greatest advantage; for they will have a mighty influence upon our whole lives; and by being frequently repeated they will stock our minds with variety of good thoughts, which may prove admirable helps all the remaining part of our days. If we have not time for this spiritual improvement in the Church, it will be very proper to make use of them in our closets; for days set apart for the public worship of God should have a larger share of our private devotions, and then the sense of religion will stick closer to our minds when we mix again with the world, and return to our secular employments.

Acts of Faith.

I BELIEVE, O God, that Thou art an eternal incomprehensible Spirit, infinite in all perfections, who didst make all things out of nothing,

and dost govern them all by Thy wise providence.

Let me always adore Thee with profound humility as my Sovereign Lord; and help me to love and praise Thee with godlike affections and suitable devotion.

I believe, O God, that in the unity of Thy Godhead there is a trinity of Persons; that Thou art perfectly One, and perfectly Three; one essence, and three Persons. The depth of this mystery I cannot comprehend; but I firmly believe it, because Thou hast revealed it in Thy holy word, who art infinite truth; and I will praise and adore the holy Trinity, to whose service I was religiously dedicated in baptism, as the joint Authors of my salvation.

I believe, O blessed Jesus, that Thou art of one substance with the Father, the very and eternal God; that Thou didst take upon Thee our frail nature; that Thou didst truly suffer, and wert crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile us to Thy Father, and to be a sacrifice for sin.

I believe, O Almighty Love, that according to the types and prophecies which went before of Thee, and according to Thy own infallible prediction, Thou didst by Thy own power rise from the dead the third day; that Thou didst ascend into heaven; that there Thou sittest on