COMMUNION. Rubrick. OBSERVATIONS. After the example of our Then shall be said or sung, all blessed Lord, who, when he standing, Gloria in excelsis, or had ordained and institutsome proper hymn from the selection. ed this sacrament, sung a hymn; so do we praise God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for our redemption, in this most excellent hymn. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good-will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have merThou that takest away the cy upon us. sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. COMMUNION. Rubrick. DIRECTIONS. Receive this blessing as coming from God himself, Then the priest (the bishop, with all imaginable devo if he be present) shall let them depart with this blessing. tion. The reason and manner of receiving this blessling, see below. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen. * The solemn blessing with which the priest dismissed the people after the daily sacrifice, by God's especial order, (Numb. vi. 24.) was this: The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. The And with what devotion they received this blessing, we are told (Ecclus. 1. 20, 21.) The priest lifted up his hands over the congregation, to give the blessing of the Lord with his lips; and they bowed themselves down, that they might receive a blessing from the Most High. And lest any one should think too lightly of this blessing, because pronounced by a poor mortal like himself, it is added (Numb. vi. 27.) I (the Lord) will bless him: showing, that the effect of the blessing does not depend upon man, but upon the ordinance of God, from the mouth of his own minister, whom God hath chosen to bless in the name of the Lord. Deut. xxi. 5. COLLECTS That may be said after the collects of morning or evening prayer, or communion, at the discretion of the minister. Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers; and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may, through thy grace, be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living; to the honour and praise of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name; and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. < 122 ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking; we beseech thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in thy Son's name; we beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us, who have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant, that those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Rubrick. Upon the Sundays and other holy-days (if there be no sermon or communion) shall be said all that is appointed at the communion, unto the end of the gospel, concluding with the blessing. And if any of the consecrated bread and wine remain after the communion, it shall not be carried out of the church; but the minister and other communicants shall, immediately after the blessing, reverently eat and drink the same. PRIVATE DEVOTIONS AFTER THE HOLY SACRAMENT, EITHER IN THE CHURCH, OR AT HOME. AFTER you have received, and are returned to your seat, you may (as you have time) continue your devotions. And remember that now is the proper sea son to beg of God the graces and blessings you most desire; whether for yourself, for your friends, or for your enemies, who should always have a place in your prayers. And be not under any concern for suitable words to make known the desires of your heart. God is our Father, and will understand his children's meaning, however imperfectly expressed. You know how the humble publican was heard, though he said no more than God, be merciful unto me a sinner! The following scriptures, and the meditations upon them, may help your devotions, |