DEARLY beloved in custom, to this holy Sacra the Lord, ye that mind to come to the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how St. 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 ment. Here say secretly, May it be according to this word COMMUNION. 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 steadfast 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 DEVOTIONS. to me, and to every soul here present! Suffer us not, O God, to draw these judgments upon ourselves, by going presumptuously to Thy holy Table. Discover to me, O Searcher of hearts, the charge that is against me, that I may know, and confess, and abhor, all the errors and offences of my life past. O God, give me such a true sorrow for all my sins, as shall, by Thy grace, enable me to use all the means, how bitter soever, to root them out of my soul; that I may serve Thee with a quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. I am, indeed, a miserable sinner! God be merciful to me! I believe: Lord, increase my faith. Blessed be the glorious Trinity for our redemption. In these Thy sufferings, COMMUNION. 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, Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumer able benefits which by His precious blood - shedding He hath obtained to us; He hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of His love, and for a continual remembrance of His death, to our great and endless comfort. To Him, therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, let us give (as we are most bounden) continual thanks; submitting ourselves wholly to His holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve Him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen. DEVOTIONS. O Jesus, I see the punishment due to sinners. Blessed be Thy holy name for this instance of Thy love and concern for sinners, lest they should forget themselves and Thee! May I never forget this valuable blessing! May I never neglect this way of preserving the remembrance of it! RUBRIC. Then shall the Priest say to them that come to receive the holy Communion: YE COMMUNION. your E that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in His holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees. RUBRIC. Then shall this general Confession be made, in the name of all those that are minded to receive the holy Communion, by one of the Ministers; both he and all the people kneeling humbly upon their knees, and saying, DIRECTIONS AND DEVOTIONS. I do sincerely repent, and I am sorry for my sins. I forgive, as I hope to be forgiven. This I purpose by the grace of God to do. May it be to mine, and to the comfort of every soul here present! This most excellent Form of Confession may be made use of in private, by every one who is preparing him self for the Sacrament. COMMUNION. ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time have most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed, against Thy Divine Majesty, provoking most justly Thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us; the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please Thee in newness of life, To the honour and glory of Thy Name, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |