Or, in case he shall see the people negli gent to come to the holy Communion, instead of the former, he shall use this Exhortation.

DEARLY beloved brethren, on

I intend, by GoD's grace, to celebrate the LORD's Supper : unto which, in GOD's behalf, I bid you all that are here present; and beseech you, for the LORD JESUS CHRIST's sake, that ye will not refuse to come thereto, being so lovingly called and bidden by GOD Himself. Ye know how grievous and unkind a thing it is, when a man hath prepared a rich feast, decked his table with all kinds of provision, so that there lacketh nothing but the guests to sit down; and yet they who are called (without any cause) most unthankfully refuse to come. Which of you in such a case would not be moved? Who would not think a great injury and wrong done unto him? Wherefore, most dearly beloved in CHRIST, take ye good heed, lest ye, withdraw

ing yourselves from this holy Supper, provoke GOD's indignation against you. It is an easy matter for a man to say, I will not communicate, because I am otherwise hindered with worldly business. But such excuses are not so easily accepted and allowed before GOD. If any man say, I am a grievous sinner, and therefore am afraid to come: wherefore then do ye not repent and amend? When GOD calleth you, are ye not ashamed to say ye will not come? When ye should return to GOD, will ye excuse yourselves, and say ye are not ready? Consider earnestly with yourselves how little such feigned excuses will avail before GOD. They that refused the feast in the Gospel, because they had bought a farm, or would try their yokes of oxen, or because they were married, were not so excused, but counted unworthy of the heavenly feast. I, for my part, shall be ready; and, according to mine Office, I bid you in the Name of GOD, I call you

in CHRIST's behalf, I exhort you, as ye love your own salvation, that ye will 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 your salvation; so it is your duty to receive the Communion in remembrance of the sacrifice of His death, as He Himself hath commanded: which if ye shall neglect to do, consider with yourselves how great injury ye do unto GOD, and how sore punishment hangeth over your heads for the same; when ye wilfully abstain from the LORD'S Table, and separate from your brethren, who come to feed on the banquet of that most heavenly food. These things if ye earnestly consider, ye will by God's grace return to a better mind: for the obtaining whereof we shall not cease to make our humble petitions unto Almighty GOD our heavenly FATHER.

At the time of the celebration of the Communion, the Communicants being conveniently 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 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 Him to plague us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the LORD; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and stedfast 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 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 alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master, and only SAVIOUR,