PREPARATION AND THANKSGIVING

BEFORE AND AFTER

THE HOLY EUCHARIST.

It cannot be borne too strongly in mind, that the reception of the Holy Eucharist is the great mode of our Lord's own appointment for witnessing that we are members of his Body by becoming partakers of that one Bread, which is his Body; of shewing forth his death until his coming again, and our own Union and Communion with his Saints in Heaven and earth. Being, besides this, a most effectual bond between the Communicants themselves, if they realize to the full that holy mystery, it becomes the duty and privilege of every Master of a family, not only to take care that his household are all baptized members of Christ's Church, and to instruct them in the doctrines of his Holy Word, according to her teaching, but especially to prepare them for, and urge and encourage them to be partakers of that Holy Sacrament. The want of a more frequent celebration of it has been, probably, one great cause of disunion among Christians; and when it shall become no longer an occasional epoch, but a constant source of spiritual sustenance and thanksgiving ; and when whole families and whole Churches shall kneel week by week around the Table and at the Altar of their Lord, we may hope for unity and peace once more.

Hence, in this Book of Devotions, it is, on its proper day, made one of the subjects uppermost in the thoughts and prayers of a Christian family.

BEFORE THE COMMUNION.

The following Prayers may either be incorporated into the Evening Prayers of one of the days of the week preceding the Communion, or a separate or additional Service may be made by the insertion of the Lord's Prayer and Creed in their proper places, and the adults of the family with those preparing for Communion, alone be present at it. The thanksgivings could be taken from the Prayers to be used after Communion.

¶ On Thursday or Friday, or some other evening during the week before its Administration, let the Master read one or more of the following Sentences and Exhortations. (See p. 269.)

AM the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever. S. John vi. He shall not die. Ib. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day for my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Ib.

:

We being many are one bread and one body, for we are all partakers of that one bread. 1 Cor. x.

As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 1 Cor. xi.

Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Ib.

WE

THE EXHORTATION.

E have been admonished by our Pastor, that on day next it is his purpose, through God's assistance, to administer to all such as shall be religiously and devoutly disposed the most comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; to be by them received in remembrance of his meritorious Cross and Passion; whereby alone we obtain remission of our sins, and are made partakers of the Kingdom of Heaven. Wherefore it is our duty to render most humble and hearty thanks to Almighty God our heavenly Father, for that he hath given his Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, not only to die for us, but also to be our spiritual food and sustenance in that holy sacrament; and in the mean season to consider the dignity of that holy mystery, and the great peril of the unworthy receiving thereof; and so to search and examine our own consciences (and that not lightly, and after the manner of dissemblers with God; but so) that we may come holy and clean to such a heavenly Feast in the marriagegarment required by God in holy Scripture, and be received as worthy partakers of that holy Table.

It is required of them who come to the Lord's Supper

To examine themselves whether they repent them truly of their former sins, stedfastly purposing to lead a new life; have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death; and be in charity with all men.

¶ Or, if he finds his family slow to come to that Holy Communion, then instead of the foregoing, use the following. VERILY, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. S. John vi.

The cup of blessing which (they) bless, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ? the bread which (they) break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Cor. x.

They all with one consent began to make excuse. I say unto you that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. S. Luke xiv.

THE EXHORTATION.

IT is intended on day next, by God's grace, to celebrate the Lord's Supper: unto which, in God's behalf, we all have been bidden and besought for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, that we will not refuse to come thereto, being so lovingly called and bidden by God himself. As we love our own salvation, let us be partakers of this holy Communion. And as the Son of God did vouchsafe to yield up his soul by death upon the Cross for our salvation; so it is our duty to receive the Communion in remembrance of the sacrifice of his death, as he himself hath commanded : which if we neglect to do, let us consider with ourselves how great injury we do unto God, and how sore punishment hangeth over our heads for the same, when, we wilfully abstain from the Lord's Table, and separate from our brethren, who come to feed on the banquet of that most heavenly food.

Α

THE CONFESSION.

LMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

COLLECT FOR PARDON.

Grant we beseech thee merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace; that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here would be added the Lord's Prayer,

Our Father, &c.,

when the service is a separate one; after which a Psalm.

APPROPRIATE PSALMS.

23, 42, 43, 116, 147.

Or when the second Exhortation is read, Psalms 81, 111. Psalm 84 for the morning of the Communion.