While the Priest, the Clergy, and others, are receiving the consecrated elements, the communicant should be engaged in devoutly reading the following meditations 3. St. Luke xv. 2.-The Pharisees murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them. I bless Thee, O my Saviour, that Thou didst not proudly contemn the company of sinners. I confess that I am indeed an unworthy sinner. O receive me, as a guest at thy table, and make me partaker of the blessings of thy love. St. John vi. 58.—He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. O Jesus, who hast made the life of our souls to depend on the consecrated bread, the symbol of thy life-giving body, may I never render myself unworthy of so great a blessing, or deprive myself of it through my own wilfu negligence. May this sacred bread be a principle of immortal life to me, uniting me to Thee for ever, my Saviour and my Lord. Exodus xii. 23.-When he seeth the blood of the Paschal Lamb on the door, he will not suffer the destroyer to come in to smite you. O Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb, who by thy precious blood hast paid the debt due to Divine justice, and hast delivered us from the power of the destroyer, sprinkle me with thy precious blood, that I may be rescued from the condemning sentence of thy justice. Galatians iii. 13.-Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; that is—he was treated as one under the curse of the law. Deut. xxi. 23. 3 Several of the following Meditations are taken from Bishop Wilson. Blessed God! how great was our misery! How great was thy mercy? The death of thy Son only could save us from ruin, and Him Thou didst willingly give. May I never deceive myself with the vain hope, that, while I continue in sin, thy mercy will spare me; when Thou didst not spare thine own Son, who put Himself in the place of sinners! May I never provoke, by transgression, thy justice ! May I never forget thy mercies, and the infinite condescension of thy blessed Son, who, for my redemption, humbled Himself even to the death upon the cross. 1 John ii. 25.-This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. How infinitely gracious is our God, to excite and encourage us in his service by the promise of immortal glory and bliss! Give me a firm faith in thy gracious promises that no pleasures may corrupt my heart, no difficulties discourage me from serving Thee. 1 Cor. xi. 28.-Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. That I am invited to thy holy table, is not because I am worthy, but because Thou, O God, art infinitely gracious and merciful.-Have compassion on my infirmities ; accept of my sincere but imperfect resolutions. I acknowledge my unworthiness-I place all my hopes of acceptance in thy mercy and love, through Jesus my Redeemer—sincerely do I resolve to lead a new life-to use all diligence to secure the glorious privileges of my Christian vocation. With these sacred purposes, I presume to advance, O Lord, to thy altar; trusting to thy mercy for the pardon of all my defects, and to thy powerful grace to quicken in me those holy dispositions which will make me an acceptable guest at thy holy table. Immediately before going up to the altar, use the following prayer: O gracious and merciful God! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! look down from heaven, the throne of thy eternal glory, upon me thy unworthy servant, with the eyes of mercy and compassion. O Lord my God, I disclaim all merit; I renounce all righteousness of my own; and I fly for refuge, for pardon, and sanctification, to the righteousness of Jesus, thy anointed. For thy tender mercies' sake, for the sake of the blessed Jesus, the Son of thy love, in whom Thou art ever well pleased, have mercy upon me; receive my prayers; pardon my infirmities; strengthen my weak resolutions; guide my steps to thy holy altar, and there feed me with the meat that perisheth not, but endureth to everlasting life. Amen. Then advancing to the altar, and humbly kneeling down, use the following ejaculatory prayer before receiving the consecrated bread. O my Lord and my God! may I receive this sacred symbol of thy crucified body in remembrance of the sacrifice of thy cross, trusting alone in thy infinite merits. By the power of thy grace may I be delivered from condemnation and death. When the Minister repeats the words, The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life-seal this affecting petition by saying, secretly and fervently, Amen; and then reverently receive the consecrated bread with the right hand 4. 4 The receiving of the consecrated bread with the glove on the hand should be avoided as familiar and irreverent. Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, in like manner, (if any be present,) and after that to the people also in order, into their hands, all meekly kneeling. And when he delivereth the Bread to any one, he shall say, THE body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving. Use the following ejaculation after receiving the consecrated bread : Almighty is thy power; infinite thy mercy, blessed Jesus. Be it unto thy servant according unto thy word. O let thy body nourish and strengthen me unto everlast. ing life. Glory evermore be unto Thee, Holy Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my salvation. Use the following ejaculation before receiving the consecrated cup: I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will ratify my vows with this blood of the everlasting covenant; and devote myself for ever to thy service, O my God. Saviour of the world, evermore help and deliver me. When the Minister repeats the words, The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life--seal this affecting petition by saying, secretly and fervently, Amen. And the Minister that delivereth the Cup to any one shall say, THE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful. Use the following ejaculation after receiving the cup: All-powerful is the efficacy of thy precious blood, O my Saviour. May it purify my soul from sin, and be a fountain of pardon, peace, life eternal. Glory be unto Thee O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world. Blessed is he who receiveth by faith the symbols of thy love in thy church on earth. He shall celebrate the everlasting festival of love in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen and Amen. Then returning to your seat, use the following prayer: Blessed Jesus, relying on thy mercy, I have bowed myself at thy table, to receive the precious pledges of thy dying love. O may thy presence go with me from thy holy altar, that when I return to the necessary labours and duties of the world, I may be enabled, by thy grace, to obey thy commandments, and to rejoice in the smiles of thy love. Guided by thy mercy through all the dangers and trials of my pilgrimage, may I at length depart out of this world in peace, in a stedfast reliance on thy merits, in the joyful hope of the fruition of the glories of thy kingdom, O blessed Jesus; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, I render all the praise of my redemption. Amen. At this most solemn and affecting ordinance, the communicant should be constantly engaged in acts of devotion. After he has received the elements, let him read the following meditations until the Minister is ready to go on with the concluding portion of the service. Rom. viii. 32.-He that spared not his own Son, but de |