art well pleased. Possess my soul with a lively faith, profound humility, filial obedience, inflamed affection, and universal charity, that so I may become a worthy partaker of these holy mysteries, to my great and endless comfort Grant this O heavenly father, if it be thy blessed will, through JESUS CHRIST. Amen. OUR FATHER, &c. See Ps. xxiii. xxv. xxvi. SHORT PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS BEFORE THE MINISTER BEGINS THE COMMUNION SERVICE. ON GOING UP TO THE ALTAR. In the multitude of thy tender mercies, O LORD GOD, do I now approach thine altar: O pardon my sins, and look not upon my unworthiness, (for I am a sinful creature, O LORD) but upon those motives which drew me hither, even my own miseries, and thy tender mercies; therefore help me to supply in humility what I want in worthiness, and let my bended knees and contrite heart shew that I durst not have adventured hither, had not thy mercy held out the golden sceptre, and said, Come unto me, all ye that labour, heavy laden, and I will refresh you. and are AT GIVING YOUR ALMS. O LORD, who didst not despise the widow's mite, accept of this little which I freely offer towards the relief of any of thy poor members. Mark. xii. 42. WHEN THE PRIEST IS SETTING IN ORDER THE ELEMENTS TO BE CONSECRATED. Look down, O LORD GOD, from thy holy habitation, and from the glorious throne of thy kingdom, and sanctify us. WHEN RECEIVING THE BREAD. LORD, I am not worthy of the crumbs which fall from thy table, and yet thou give st unto me the bread of life. Evermore give me this bread, that I may eat thereof and not die eternally. Job, vi. 34, 50. AFTER EATING THE BREAD. Not unto us O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give the praise, for thy loving mercy, and for thy truth's sake. BEFORE RECEIVING THE CUP. What reward shall I give unto the LORD for all the benefits that he hath done unto me? I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. AFTER TAKING THE WINE. Blessed be GOD the Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, for his unspeakable gift, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins. ON RETIRING FROM THE ALTAR. "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name; bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies." O let that heavenly food, which thou hast so lately fed me with, transfuse new life, and new vigour into my soul, and into the souls of all those who have been partakers with me of this holy communion, that our faith, hope, and charity may daily increase, and that we may all grow in grace, and in the kuowledge of our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST. Amen and Amen. See Psal. viii. xxiii. lxvi. ciii. |