THE ORDER

FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE

LORD'S SUPPER.

INTRODUCTION.

THAT you may profit by the following assistances, be advised to read the Communion Service, with the directions and meditations, some time before you go to the sacrament, that you may attend to every part of the publick service without distraction.

Whenever you have time for your private devotions, let them be so secret that nobody may be disturbed by you.

And if, instead of repeating the prayers, and other parts of the service, after the minister, as the manner of too many is, to the disturbance of such as are near them; if, instead of doing so, you would secretly

say, amen, at the end of every petition, you would find this the very best 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.

IF among those who come to IF you are conscious to be partakers of the holy com-yourself, (though your pas munion, the minister shall know tor should not know it,) that any to be an open and notorious" evil liver, or to have done any your life has been such as wrong to his neighbours, by word hath given offence or scanor deed, so that the congrega- dal to your Christian protion be thereby offended, he fession, do not go to the shall advertise him, that he pre- sacrament, until you have

sume not to come to the Lord's

table, until he have openly de-given some plain proofs of clared himself to have truly re- your repentance, and purpented, and amended his former pose of leading a new life.

It is advisable, that all, who intend to be partakers of this holy sacrament, should signify their intention to the minister some time previous to their first reception of it. On this subject, bishop Wilson observes, "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 application to him." AMERICAN Editor.

RUBRICK.

OBSERVATIONS.

evil life, that the congregation But then, as you hope for may thereby be satisfied; and God's grace and mercy, do that he hath recompensed the

parties to whom he hath done not put off the doing of this wrong; or, at least, declare one moment, lest you prohimself to be in full purpose so voke God to leave you to to do, as soon as he conveniently yourself; for then you never will repent.

may.

The same order shall the The Lord's supper being

minister use with those, betwixt whom he perceiveth malice and hatred to reign; not suffering them to be partakers of the ship with God and man, such Lord's table, until he know as will not forgive the injuthem to be reconciled. And if juries they have received, one of the parties, so at vari- nor make satisfaction for the ance, be content to forgive, from the bottom of his heart, all that' injuries they have done to the other hath trespassed against others, must not presume to him, and to make amends for go to the Lord's table, lest that wherein he himself hath they receive a curse instead offended; and the other party of a blessing.

a sacrament and token of reconciliation and friend

will not be persuaded to a godly

unity, but remain still in his

But then such would do

frowardness and malice; the well to consider, that, while minister, in that case, ought to they are under these bad admit the penitent person to the dispositions, they are at enholy communion, and not him mity withGod as well as with that is obstinate: provided, that every minister so repelling any, their neighbour; and, thereas is herein specified, shall before, are not qualified to obliged to give an account of ask, much less to hope for, the same to the ordinary, as any favour from him :soon as conveniently may be.

There being no mercy for him, who will not show mercy to his neighbour :-This being an express condition of our peace with God. Matt, vi. 15.

Rubrick.

The table, at the communion

It may so happen, that time, having a fair white linen you did not know that the cloth upon it, shall stand in the body of the church, or in the sacrament was to be admichancel; and the minister, stand-nistered, until you saw the ing at the north side of the table, communion table covered: or where morning and evening however, if you have been prayer are appointed to be said, a constant communicant beshall say the Lord's prayer, and fore, do not turn your back the collect following, the people kneeling; but the Lord's prayer upon the holy ordinance ; may be omitted, if morning but say in your heart-I will prayer hath been said immedi-most gladly close with this ately before. 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 Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy