of the fruit thereof or They that are poor and canwho feedeth a flock, and not give as they are disposed eateth not of the milk of in their hearts, must rememthe flock? ber that the alms given on this 1 Cor. ix. 7. occasion, are not matter of If we have fown unto necessity, but a free gift; and you fpiritual things, is it that their small contributions a great matter if we will, like the poor widow's fhould reap your worldly two mites, be preferred to the things? Cor. ix. 11. richest oblations of the weal

Do you not know, that thy. And even he that hath they who minifter about vited freely to partake of these nothing at all to give, is inholy things, live of the spiritual blessings without mo facrifice? and they whoney and without price. wait at the altar, are par

takers with the altar? even fo hath the Lord also ordained, that they who preach the gospel, fhould live of the gospel. 2 Cor. ix. 13, 14.

He that foweth little fhall reap little; and he that foweth plenteou fly fhall reap plenteoufly. Let every man do according as he is difpofed in his own heart, not grudgingly, or of neceffity; for God. loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.

Let him that is taught in the word minifter to him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatfoever a man foweth, 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. to.

Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with what he hath for we brought nothing into. the world, neither may we carry any thing out. i Tim. vi. 6, 7.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to diftribute, laying up in ftore for themfelves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19.

God

God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works and labour that proceedeth of love; which love ye have showed for his name's fake, who have miniftered unto the faints, and yet do minifter. Heb. vi. 10.

To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with fuch facrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16.

Whofo hath this world's good, and feeth his brother have need, and fhutteth up his compaffion 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 fhall not be turned away from thee. Tob. iv. 7. Be merciful after thy power. If thou haft much, give plenteoufly; if thou haft little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little; for fo gathereft thou thyfelf a good reward in the day of neceffity. Tab. iv. 8, 9.

He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and look what he layeth out, it fhall be paid him again. Prov. xix. 17.

Bleffed be the man that provideth for the fick and needy: the Lord fhall deliver him in the time of trouble. Pfal. xli. 1.

Rubrick.

Whilst these sentences are in reading, the deacons churchwardens, or other fit persons appointed for that purpose, shall receive the alms for the poor, and other devotions of the people, in a decent basin 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.

TH

HY bounty, O Lord, is the fountain of all I poffefs; 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 teftimony of that piety, love, and charity to my neceffitous brethren, which thou requireft, and art pleased to take as done to thyfelf.

Therefore I will dedicate a part of thofe good things which thou haft beftowed upon me, to relieve the poor; becaufe thou haft made it an evidence of my love to thee: And grant that all my alms'deeds may be performed with fuch purity of intention, and in fuch a proportion to what thou haft given me, that they may be acceptable in thy fight, through the merits of Jefus Chrift, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Rubrick.

累

¶ 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.

The Minister.

Here the priest beginLet us pray for the whole ftate of Chrift's ning the prayer for the whole state of Christ's church militant church militant here on here on earth, &c. you must earth. join with him in heart and spi

Lmighty and

A living God, who by congregation in their attenthy holy apoftle hath tion, and say the Amen with them, that taught us to make prayers advantage of that common you may reap with and fupplications, and fervency with which those to give thanks for all prayers fly up to God. men; we humbly be-l feec hthee most mercifully [to accedt our alms and oblations+ and to

+ If there be no alnis nor ob

lations,

then receive these our prayers, which shall the words we offer unto thy Divine Majefty, accepting our alms and obla befeeching thee to infpire continutions] be left out ally the univerfal church with the fpirit of truth, unity, and concord:

unsaid.

:

and grant that all they that do confels thy holy name, may agree in the truth of thy holy word, and live in unity and godly love. We befeech thee alfo to fave and defend all Chriftian kings, princes, and governors; and especially thy fervant 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 reli gion 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 adminifter thy holy facraments. And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and efpecially to this congregation here prefent, that with meek heart and due reverence they may hear and receive the holy word, truly ferving thee in holiness and righteoufnefs all the days of their lives. And we moít humbly beseech thee, of thy goodnefs, O Lord, to comfort and fuccour all them who in this tranfitory life are in trouble, forrow, need, ficknefs, or any other adverfity; and we alfo blefs thy holy name for all thy fervants departed this life in thy faith and fear, befeeching thee to give us grace, fo to follow their, good examples, that with them we may be partakers of hy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jefus Chrift's fake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Rubrick.

At the time of the celebration of the communion, the communicants being conveniently placed for the receiving of the holy sacrament, the priest shall say this EXHORTA

TION.

The Minister.

4

Directions. You must seriously atDear beloved in the tend to this exhortation, for it Lord, ye that mind to is full of excellent information come to the holy com-and instruction; it shows you munion of the body and the great benefit of coming blood of our Saviour worthily, that is, with a true Chrift, muft confider how penitent heart and lively faith St. Paul exhorteth all per-great danger of coming un tothis holysacrament, and the fons diligently to try and worthily, that is, without reexamine themselves be-penting of your sins, and withfore they prefume to eat out trusting in God's mercy of that bread and drink through Christ.

of that cup. For as the benefit is great if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy facrament, (for then we fpiritually eat the flesh of Chrift, and drink his blood; then we dwell in Christ, and Chrift in us; we are one with Christ, and Chrift with us,) fo is the danger great if we receive the fame unworthily for then we are guilty of the body and blood of Chrift our Saviour; we eat and drink our own damnation, not confidering the Lord's body; we kindle God's wrath against us; we provoke him to plague us with divers difeafes, and fundry kinds of death; judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent ye truly for your fins paft; have a lively and steadfast faith in Chrift our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men, fo fhall ye be meet partakers of those holy myfteries; and above all things, ye muft give moft humble and hearty thanks to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghoft, for the redemption of the world by the death and paffion of our Saviour Chrift, both God and man, who did humble himself even unto death upon the crofs for us miferable finners, who lay in darkness and the fhadow of death, that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlafting life. And to the end that we fhould always remember the exceeding

L