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 specially Thy Servant Victoria our Queen; that under her we may be godly and quietly governed. And grant unto her whole Council, and to all that are put in authority under her, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of Thy true re Thine and by that eternal love, by which Thou hast so greatly loved us; by the infinite merits of the same, only-begotten Son; by His Incarnation, Advent, Nativity, Circumcision, tears, labours, Passion, and Death, and by the infinite charity wherewith he did, spake, and suffered so much for me; have mercy upon Thy Church, its rulers and bishops; on all Christian princes; especially Victoria, Our Queen ; on all the can most greatly proclergy, as those who mote or hinder Thy glory and the salvation of men. Have mercy also, on my (parents, relations,) benefactors, friends, and all who have injured me, or whom I have injured, scandalized, negwhom Thou willest, lected to assist, and all through me, to lead into the way of salva or ligion, and 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 God, world without rightly and duly ad- end. Amen. minister Thy holy virtue. tion. Have mercy also, on the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them rest and Hear us, O peace. Son and Holy Ghost, Father, Who with the livest and reignest One 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 serving 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 kingdom: Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. At the time of the celebration of the Communion, the Communicants being con Then follows an Exhortation, addressed to the Communicants, and a general Confession and Absolution for them. Those veniently placed for the receiving of the Holy Sacrament, the Priest shall say this Exhortation. DEARLY beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament; (for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink His Blood; then we dwell in Christ and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us ;) so is the danger great, I who are not going to communicate might here make acts of faith, hope, and charity, and, during the Confession, and Absolution, an act of contrition. Those who intend to communicate must join humbly in the Confession, and receive the Absolution pronounced by God's Priest from the Altar. (An act of Faith.) BELIEVE firmly, O good Jesus, and that Thou, equal to the with true faith profess, Father in glory and power, true God, and true Man, art verily and indeed present in this Sacrament; Thou, Who, sent from Heaven, hast come upon earth, to save that seek and which was lost. Therefore wast Thou truly born of the Virgin, didst truly suffer, wast crucified and dead: and for a memorial of Thy love hast left us Thy Body and Blood in this Sacrament. WHY (An Act of Hope.) [HY should I not hope in Thee, O Thou One Hope and Salvation of my soul? or whither can I fly, but to Thee, O Jesus, my only refuge? Who hast Thyself said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy you rest." Therefore, O Lord, do I come with confidence to Thine altar. your "The Lord is my Shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing; if we receive the same unworthily. For then we are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ our Saviour; we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lord's Body; we kindle God's wrath against us; we provoke Himladen, and I will give to plague us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death. Judge therefore selves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men; so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries. And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God, the Father, the Son, and He will lead me in a green pasture, the Good Shepherd, Who giveth His life for the sheep, and feedeth us with His own Body and Blood. O good Jesus, what wilt Thou not give me, Who so often givest me Thyself? (An Act of Love.) TRULY, Thou art my Saviour, and art good above all earthly goodness. Therefore do I love Thee, O the Holy Ghost, for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ, both God and man; Who did humble Himself, even to the death upon the Cross, for us, miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death; that He might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life. And to the end that we should always remember the exceeding great love Christ Jesus, Who from Thy great love for me hast taken my flesh, and hast loved me even unto death: and, in token of love, in this Sacrament. I hast given me Thyself love, and desire to love Thee above all things, and ever to cling to Thee only. O that such an union of love may grow between Thee and me by virtue of this Sacrament, that nothing may be able to separate me from the love of Christ my Saviour. of our Master, and only Saviour, Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by His precious blood-shedding He hath obtained to us; He hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, 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 Ghost, let us give (as we are most bounden) continual thanks; submitting ourselves wholly to His Holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve Him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen. |