way to keep your mind intent upon your devotions. If any person, who is ordained to administer this Sacrament, shall think fit to cast his eye upon this book, I would beseech him to consider seriously, how many Communicants there are, who have no ordinary way of coming to the knowledge of this great duty, or other help to their devotion, besides what the Church has provided for them in this Office: that therefore, in compassion to such, this Service ought to be performed with the greatest deliberation, as well as devotion, that the unlearned, who are generally the greatest number, may be edified as well as instructed. FIRST RUBRIC. So many as intend to be partakers of the Holy Com munion shall signify their names to the Curate, at least some time the day before. OBSERVATIONS. It is with great reason that the Church has given this order; therefore do not neglect it. You will have the comfort of knowing, either that your Pastor hath nothing to say against you; or, if he has, you will have the benefit of his advice: and a good blessing will attend your obedience to the Church's orders. SECOND RUBRIC. And if any of those be an open and notorious evil liver, or have done any wrong to his neighbours by word or deed, so that the Congregation be thereby offended; the Curate, having knowledge thereof, shall call him and advertise him, that in any wise he presume not to come to the Lord's Table, until he hath openly declared himself to have truly repented and amended his former naughty life, that the Congregation may thereby be satisfied, which before were offended; and that he hath recompensed the parties, to whom he hath done wrong; or at least declare himself to be in full purpose so to do, as soon as he conveniently may. OBSERVATIONS. If you are conscious to yourself (though your Pastor should not know it) that your life has been such as hath given offence or scandal to your Christian profession, do not go to the Sacrament, until you have given some plain proof of your repentance, and purpose of leading a new life. But then, as you hope for God's grace and mercy, do not put off the doing of this one moment, lest you provoke God to leave you to yourself; for then you never will repent. THIRD RUBRIC. The same order shall the Curate use with those betwixt whom he perceiveth malice and hatred to reign; not suffering them to be partakers of the Lord's Table, until he know them to be reconciled. And if one of the parties so at variance be content to forgive from the bottom of his F The Lord's Supper being a Sacrament, and token of reconciliation and friendship with God and man; such as will not forgive the injuries they have received, nor make satisfaction for the injuries they have done to others, must not presume to go to the Lord's Table, lest they RUBRIC. OBSERVATIONS. blessing. heart all that the other hath receive a curse instead of a trespassed against him, and to make amends for that he himBut then such would do self hath offended; and the well to consider, that while other party will not be per- they are under these bad suaded to a godly unity, but dispositions, they are at enremain still in his froward. mity with God, as well as ness and malice: the Minister with their neighbour; and in that case ought to admit the therefore are not qualified penitent person to the Holy even to ask, much less to Communion, and not him that hope for, any favour from is obstinate. Provided that Him; there being no mercy Every Minister so repelling for him, who will not show any, as is specified in this, or mercy to his neighbour: this the next precedent Paragraph being an express condition of this Rubric, shall be obliged of our peace with God.1 to give an account of the same to the Ordinary within fourteen days after at the farthest. And the Ordinary shall proceed against the offending person according to the Canon. And we should always remember, that "he that loveth not his brother abideth in death."2 It is God who saith this: And dare we delay to be at peace with our neighbour even one day, if we can help it? FOURTH RUBRIC. The Table at the Commu It may so happen, that nion time having a fair white you did not know that the linen cloth upon it, shall stand Sacrament was to be adin the Body of the Church, or ministered, until you saw in the Chancel, where Morn- the Communion-Table Coing and Evening Prayer are vered. However, if you have appointed to be said. And been a constant communi(1) Matt. vi. 14, 15. (2) 1 John iii. 14. RUBRIC. OBSERVATIONS. the Priest standing at the cant before, do not turn North-side of the Table, shall your back upon the holy say the Lord's Prayer, with ordinance; but say in your the Collect following, the people knedling. heart-I will most gladly close with this blessed occasion of remembering the death of my Redeemer. THE Communion Service. When the Minister begins, lay aside all other books, and attend to the Service of the Church, than which there never was provided a better help to devotion. OUR UR Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. THE COLLECT. ALMIGHTY GOD, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no OBSERVATIONS. BECAUSE the love of God will make all His commands and to be obeyed with easy, cheerfulness; we therefore beg of Him to purify our (1) The Lord's Prayer should always be said with the greatest deliberation and devotion; and especially at this time, when we beg of God the Bread which must nourish us unto life eternal, and all the graces necessary to obtain that invaluable blessing. |