The Minifter. Directions. Dear beloved in the tend to this exhortation, for it' You must seriously at-' Lord, ye that mind to is full of excellent information come to the holy com-jand 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, must confider how penitent heart and lively faith St. Paul exhortetly all per-great danger of coming unto this holysacrament, and the" fons diligently to try and worthily, that is, without re-' examine 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 Chrift, and Christ 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 fas paft; have a lively and fteadfaft 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 Christ, both God and man, who did humble himfelf even unto death upon the cross for us miferable finners, who lay in darknefs and the fhadow of death, that he might make us the chil-dren of God, and exalt us to everlafting life. And to the end that we should always remember the L exceeding -exceeding great love of our Mafter, and only Sa viour Jefus Chrift thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood fhedding he had obtained to us; he hath instituted and ordained holy myfteries as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death to our great and endless comfort. To him, therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghoft, let us give (as we are most bounden) continual thanks, fubmitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasure, and ftudying to ferve him in true holiness and righteoufnefs all the days of our life. Amen. Rubrick. Then shall the priest say to them that cometh to receive the holy communion: The Minifter. Directions. Ye that do truly and Being thus called upon to earneftly repent you of make your humble confession to Almighty God, be sure to let your fins, and are in love your whole heart be lift up to and charity with your the throneof divine grace, and neighours, and intend humbly pray, that you may to lead a new life, fol- have a share in that pardon, lowing the command-which is soon after to be proments of God, and walk-ounced by the minister. ing from henceforth in his holy ways: draw near with faith, and take this holy facrament to your com fort, and make your humble confeffion to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees. Rubrick. Then shall this general CONFESSION be made in the name of all those that are minded to receive the holy communion, by one of the ministers, both he and all the people kneeling humbly upon their knees, and saying, The Minister. Directions. Almighty God, Father In this confession of sins, of our Lord Jefus Chrift, join with the minister both in maker of all things, judge heart and voice with the greatof all men; we acknow-est humility, foryou are equally ledge and bewail our ma- therein concerned with him. nifold fins and wickednefs, which we from time to time moft grieviously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy Divine Majefty, provoking moft justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily forry for thefe our misdoings: the remembrance of them is grievous unto us; the burden of them is intole rable; have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, moft merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jefus Chrift's fake, forgive us all that is paft, and grant that we may ever hereafter ferve and please thee in newness of life, to the honour and glory of thy name, through Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen. Rubrick. Then shall the priest, (or bishop being present) stand up, and turning himself to the people, pronounce this absolution. The Minister. Directions. attend to the minister with all Almighty God, our When the absolution beheavenly Father, who of gins, then hold your peace and his great mercy hath pro your heart, and placed in an mifed forgivenefs of fins humble posture, beg earnestly to all them that with of God that he will please to hearty repentance, and confirm in heaven the absolutrue faith, turn unto him,tion of your sins, pronounced at this time by his minister. have mercy upon you, But for any one to repeat the pardon and deliver you absolution word for word with from all your fins, con- the minister, is very absurd, firm and ftrengthen you and shows much ignorance: in all goodness, and bring for the people's part here is to you to everlafting life, be silent and to attend, and to through Jefus Christ our say nothing but a most earnest Lord. Amen. Amen, with a firm resolution to lead a new life. And therefore let me warn you in all the public prayers, that you join with the minister where you are bid, and all other times be silent, attend and make it yourown, by saying a hearty Amén. Theobserving order and decency in prayer, tends much to edification; whereas the contrary begets distraction, ands disturbs both yourself and your neighbour; it offends devout and understanding people mightily, to hear men and women saytheir prayers abfurdlyand indecently, holding their tongues where they should speak, and joining with the minister aloud, where they should only hearken and say Amen. But what can be more improper than to hear them promiscuously absolve themselves and one another, and taking the priestly office on them, in a part of it which is one of the most distinguishing he has. When the absolution is over, attend diligently to the sentences of scripture, which the minister is to read and when he bids you lift up your hearts to God, you must be sure not only to do it in word but in deed, and with great earnestness. Then shall the Priest say; Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Chrift faith unto all that truly turn unto him : Come unto me, all ye that travel and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Mat. xi. 28. So God loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in Him fhould not perifh, but have everlafting life. John iii. 16. Hear also what Saint Paul faith. This is a true faying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Chrift Jefus came into the world to fave finners. 1 Tim. i. 15. Hear alfo what Saint John faith If any man fin we have an advocate with the Father, Jefus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our fins. 1. John ii. 1. 1 After which the priest shall proceed, saying; Lift up your hearts. Answ, We lift them up unto the Lord. Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. Then shall the Priest turn to the Lord's table and say, It is very meet, + These words [Holy Father must be omit ted on Trinity Sunday. ¶ilere Here shall follow the proper preface, according to the time, if there be any especially appointed; or else immediately shall follow, Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name; evermore praifing thee, and faying, Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Hofts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen. Proper Prefaces. Upon Christmas-day, and seven days after." Because thou didst give Jefus Chrift, thine only Son, to be born, as at this time, for us; who by the operation of the Holy Ghoft was made very man, of the subftance of the Virgin Mary his mother, and that without fpot of fin, to make us clean from all fin. Therefore, with angels, &c. Upon Easter-day, and seven days after. But, chiefly we are bound to praife thee for the glorious refurrection of thy Son Jefus Chrift our Lord : for he is the very Pafchal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the fin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rifing to life again hath reftored us to everlafting life. Therefore, with angels, &c. Upon Ascension-day, and seven days after. Through thy most dearly beloved Son Jefus Chrift our Lord, who after his moft glorious refurrection manifeftly appeared to all his apoftles, and in their fight afcended into heaven to prepare a place for us, that where he is, thither we might also afcend, and reign with him in glory. Therefore, with angels, &. Upon Whitsunday, and six days after. Thro' Jefus Christ our Lord, according to whofe moft true promife the Holy Ghoft came down as at this time from heaven with a fudden great found, as if it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the apostles, to teach L 3 them |