Imatges de pàgina
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Let us pray for the Whole State of Christ's

Observation.

ne me now going to ex→ ercise another and most extensive Branch of Christian Charity towards the whole Church of Christ; which you should seriously attend

Church militant here to, that you may add [se

on Earth.

cretly] Amen to every Petition.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make Prayers and Supplications, and to give Thanks for all Men; we humbly beseech thee most mercifully [to accept our Alms and Oblations, and] to receive these our Prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching Thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the Spirit of Truth, Unity, and Concord; and grant that all they that do confess thy holy Name, may agree in the Truth of thy holy Word, and live in Unity and godly Love. We beseech Thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors; and especially thy Servant GEORGE, Our King, that under him we may be godly and quietly governed: And grant

grant unto his whole Coun

that are put in authority under him, that they may truly and indifferently administer Justice, to the Punishment of Wickedness and Vice, and to the Maintenance of thy true Religion and Virtue. Give Grace, Ŏ 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 administer thy holy Sacraments. And to all thy People give thy heavenly Grace, and especially to this Congregation here present, that with meek Heart, and due Reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word, truly serv ing Thee in Holiness and Righteousness all the Days of their Life. And we most humbly beseech Thee, of thy Goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, who in this transitory Life are in Trouble, Sorrow, Need, Sickness, or any other Adversity. And we also bless thy holy Name, for all thy Servants departed this Life in thy Faith and Fear; beseeching Thee to give us Grace, so to follow their good Examples, that with them we may be Partakers of thy heavenly Kingdon. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's Sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Com

Rubrick.

Observation.

If you seriously attend to the following Exhortations

When the Minister or Warnings, you will learn

what you ought to do, in order to be a worthy Communicant.

giveth Warning for the Celebration of the holy Communion (which he shall always do upon the And you would do well Sunday, or some Holi to read them over again, day immediately preced- when you return Home, that ing) after the Sermon you may fix them in your Memory, and that they may or Homily ended, he be a standing Rule to go by shall read this Exhor-through your whole Life. tation following.

DEARLY* Belov

ed, on

Day

Believe it for a certain Truth, that such as are not religiously disposed to go to next, I purpose through this Ordinance, are unquali

God's

fied

When it is considered how many poor Christians there are, who have little or no other Means of coming to the Knowledge of this Ordinance, and the Manner of preparing themselves for it, but by what they learn from hearing these Exhortations; every Pastor will think himself obliged in Conscience, and as he values the Edification of his Flock, to read these Exhortations with the greatest De. liberation, and with an Affection that shall even force the Attention of his Hearers. Communion

Communion.

Observations.

God's Assistance, to ad- fied to ask or receive any minister to all such as Blessing or Favour from shall be religiously and

God.

devoutly disposed, the That therefore you may most comfortable Sa- lay hold on every Occasion offered you consider seri.

crament of the Body ously what you are called to. and Blood of Christ, to

be by them received in First, to obey the express Remembrance of his Command of Jesus Christ, meritorious Cross and by whom alone you can Passion; whereby alone hope for Salvation.

we obtain Remission of 2dly, To testify to the our Sins, and are made World, that you belong to Partakers of the King-him; and to join with his Fadom of Heaven: where-mily, in order to recount and fore it is our Duty to render most humble and hearty Thanks to Al

acknowledge the most inestimable Blessing, which he hath purchased for his Church.

And 3dly, To devote your

mighty God, our Hea-self to him, and to his Ser

venly Father, for that he hath given his Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, not only to die

vice, who is continually interceding for all such as go unto God by him.

And very many will be for us, but also to be our the Benefits of embracing spiritual Food and Sus-every Occasion that is offered tenance in that holy Sa-you. crament. Which being

You will not easily fall so divine and comfort-into a State of Sin and Secu able thing to them whority, being so often put in receive it worthily, and Mind of the Danger of going so dangerous to them carelessly and unprepared.

that

Obser

Communion.

that will presume to re ceive it unworthily; my Duty is to exhort you, in the mean Season, to consider the Dignity of

Observations.

You hear in what a good fessing your Sins to Almighty Preparation consits-In conGod, with full Purpose of Amendment of Life:exercising the Duties of

-In

that holy Mystery, Charity: In giving and forand the great Peril of giving, &c. the unworthy receiving All which being done in thereof; and so to Obedience to the Command search and examine of Christ, must needs be aeyour own Consciences ceptable to the Divine Majesty, and in Time gain you (and that not lightly, all those Graces which you and after the Manner can desire or stand in Need of dissemblers with of.

God but so) that ye And, for your Comfort, may come holy and remember that if you are clean to such a heaven-prepared, as you ought to be, ly Feast, in the Marri-for this Sacrament, you are age-garment required a blessed Eternity. prepared for Death, and for by God in holy Scrip

ture, and be received Consider how many there as worthy Partakers of that holy Table.

The Way and Means thereto is; First; To examine your Lives and

are, who, to their Sorrow, are deprived of this Means of Grace and Salvation:

-

And how many, thro' a most stupid Ignorance and Negligence, deprive themselves of it:-And you cannot but Conversations by the give God Thanks, both for Rule of God's Com-the Opportunities which he mandments, and where-affords you, and for the Graces he gives you by your insoever ye shall per-resolving to close with them. ceive yourselves to have offended,

Obser

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