The COMPANION for the ALTAR. Directions. I would advise thee, my devout communicant, by all means to read over the following Companion for the Altar, with the directions and prayers, some time before you go to the sacra ment,that you may with more readiness and devotion go along with, and bear your part in the communion service; which, with very little pains, you will be able to do, especially after your first communicating: when, if you should be at a loss, and under some disorder and confusion, do not be disturbed or troubled, but resolve to endeavour to amend what you have observed to be done amiss, as soon as you have another opportunity of receiving again. And though after your best endeavours, you should always find occasion to lament your defects and frailties, in the performance of this, as well as other duties of religion; yet never fear that any involuntary failings or infirmities, will ever rise up in judgment against you. Do your duty as well as you can, and though it may not be done so exactly as you could wish, my soul for yours, you are certainly safe; beginning your devotions on this occasion with these following ejaculations: OST gracious God, I come to thy altar to renew my baptifmal covenant, of which this facrament is a feal. O heavenly Father, I come to testify my fense of thy love, in fo loving the world, as to give up thy only Son to die for me. O bleffed Saviour, I come to testify my faith in thee, and my love towards thee, and thankfully to commemorate thy wonderful love in dying for me.-O Lord, I come to testify my steadfastnefs in the communion of thy church, and my charity to all the world.-O Lord, I come to to this thy table, out of the sense I have of the want of that fpiritual food, to which thou inviteft me in this holy facrament. I know there is no food can strengthen my foul but thy body, no cordial can revive my drooping obedience, but thy blood;-O gracious Lord, grant that I, and all that communicate with me, may be fed, refreshed, and nourished in our fouls to life everlasting. Amen. N Directions. OW, laying aside all fears and despondencies, proceed to the communion service, and then to the sacrament; with as much joy and satisfaction, as a guilty criminal would go to plead his pardon at an earthly tribunal. **At your approach to the chancel drop all thoughts of things on earth, and give up yourself wholly to the remembrance of the sufferings of our Saviour, lifting up your soul to him in these words:" I Will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, and fo will I compafs thy altar, that I may fhow the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Rubrick. Then shall the priest return to the Lord's table, and begin the OFFERTORY, saying one or more of these sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient in his discretion. The Minister. The OFFERTORY. Directions. When the Minister begins to read the Offertory, Let your light fo fhine [which chiefly relates to the before men, that they duty of beneficence to all men may fee your good work, by our alms and charitable and glorify your Father contributions, which are to be which is in heaven. St. table uses, at the discretion of disposed of to pious and chariMatt. v. 16. Lay the The Minister. Directions. the Minister and Churchward. wherein Lay not up for your-ens,] you must be very atten felves treasures upon tive, and with your eye [not earth, where the ruft and voice] read along with him : moth doth corrupt, and and be sure you make what where thieves break thro' short application you can to and steal: but lay up for yourself of what is read, and yourselves treasures in been wanting either in charity you perceive to have heaven, where neither for justice to any one, and in ruft nor moth doth cor- particularof being just to those rupt, and where thieves who are your spiritual guides, do not break through nor you will resolve to make up fteal. St. Matt. vi. 19, 20.those defects for the time to Whatsoever you would come; for assure yourself, you that men fhould do to detain from them what is their will be highly unjust if you you, even fo do unto due. them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matt. vii. 12 * * *When it comes to your St. turn to make your offering, do not let the plate or basin pass Not every one that by you without putting somefaith thing into it: for this reason, unto me, Lord, amongst others, that you may Lord, fhall enter into the join in that part of the prayer kingdom of heaven: but for the Church militant, wherehe that doth the will ofjin you beseech God to accept my Father which is in your alms, and you may deheaven. St Matt. vii. 21. pend upon it, he will accept Zaccheus tood forth them as if given to himself, if and faid unto the Lord, ability, and are done in obethey bear a proportion to your Behold, Lord, the half of dience to his commands, and my goods I give to the with an eye to his glory, as a poor; and if I have done grateful acknowledgement of any wrong to any man, his mercies to yourself, and as I reftore fourfold. Sta testimony of your dependence upon him for the continuance of them. With such Luke, xix. 8. Who goeth a warfare reflections your present offerat any time of his owning, and all your other gifts, coft? who planteth a to the services of religion, and vineyard, and eateth not the uses of charity, ought to be of accompanied. They 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 wealDo 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 mofacrifice? and they wheney and without price. wait at the altar, are par takers with the altar? even fo hath the Lord alfo ordained, that they who preach the gofpel, 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 whatsoever a man foweth, that shall he reap. Gal. vi. 6, 7. While we have time let us do good unto all men, and efpecially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. vi. to. Godinefs 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 againft 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 fhowed for his name's fake, who have miniftered unto the faints, and yet do minister. Heb. vi. 10. To do good, and to diftribute, 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 plenteously; 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 |