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Think what blessing you want to beg for yourself or others, when you will be pleading the merits of your Lord and Saviour and uniting with Him in His intercession.

Think what great mercy you have received which calls for your thanksgiving.

So when the time of Communion comes you will be prepared to use it.

Sunday Thoughts.

Wake up, if you can, with the thought, "This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps. cxviii. 24). And encourage feelings of rejoicing in God's bountiful mercy and of quiet confidence in Him.

22

THE ORDER OF THE

ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER,

OR

HOLY COMMUNION.

So many as intend to be partakers of the Holy Communion shal signify their names to the Curate, at least some time the da before.

And if any of those be an open and notorious evil liver, or have don any wrong to his neighbours by word or deed, so that the Congre gation 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.

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 heart all that the other hath trespassed against him, and to make amends for that he himself hath offended; and the other party will not be persuaded to a godly unity, but remain still in his frowardness and malice: the Minister in that case ought to admit the penitent person to the Holy Communion, and not him that is obstinate. Provided that every Minister so repelling any, as is specified in this, or the next precedent Paragraph of this Rubrick, shall be obliged 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.

The Table, at the Communion-time having a fair white linen cloth upon it, shall stand in the body of the Church, or in the Chancel, where Morning and Evening Prayer are appointed to be said. And the Priest standing at the North-side of the Table shall say the Lord's Prayer, with the Collect following, the people kneeling.

UR Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be

OUR

Thy Name. Thy kingdom come.

be done in earth, As it is in heaven.

Thy will

Give us

This Rubric encourages friendly intercourse between clergy and people, giving opportunity for such instruction as may be needed.

This is a plain warning that none should presume to come to Holy Communion, who are allowing themselves in any wilful sin. They must first repent and put away their sin.

This declares the absolute necessity of being in charity with all men.

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.

A

THE COLLECT.

LMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Priest, turning to the people, rehearse distinctly all the TEN COMMANDMENTS; and the people still kneeling shall, after every Commandment, ask God mercy for their transgression thereof for the time past, and grace to keep the same for the time to come, as followeth.

Minister.

OD spake these words, and said: I am the

gods but Me.

none

People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Minister. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the

The Priest is now directed to turn to the people, because no longer speaking for them to God, but to them from God's Holy Word.

The people, still on their knees, are directed, after every Commandment, to pray God to forgive them for breaking it in the past, and to help them by His grace to keep it for the future. If previous self-examination has been real these petitions will come from the heart.

I. My duty is to believe in God, to fear Him, and to love Him with all my heart.

II. My duty is to worship God from my heart; to thank Him for every blessing; to trust simply and wholly to Him in all things; to pray in simple faith and with earnest struggling for His help in trouble, for His blessing on my work, and for His gifts according to my needs.

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