A26957:100
Monthly preparations for the Holy Communion by R.B
Monthly preparations for the Holy Communion by R.B. ; to which is added suitable meditations before, in, and after receiving ; with divine hymns in common tunes, fitted for public congregations or private families.Monthly preparations for the Holy Communion by R.B. ; to which is added suitable meditations before, in, and after receiving ; with divine hymns in common tunes, fitted for publick congregations or private families.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1696
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. When you are called up and going to the Table of the Lord, exercise your Humility, Desire and Thankfulness, and say in your hearts, What Lord, dost thou call such a wretch as I? What! me that have so oft despised thy mercy? and wilfully offended thee, and preferred the filth of this world and the pleasures of the flesh before thee? Alas, it is thy wrath in Hell that is my due: But if love will choose such an unworthy guest, and Mercy will be honoured upon such sin and misery, I come Lord at thy call: I gladly come: Let thy will be done; and let that mercy which inviteth me, make me acceptable, and graciously entertain me; and let me not come without the wedding Garment, nor ⟨p. 44⟩unreverently rush on holy things, nor turn thy mercies to my bane!
2. When the Minister is confessing sin, prostrate your very souls in the sense of your unworthiness, and let your particular sins be in your eye, with their heinous aggravations; The whole need not the Physician, but the sick. But here I need not put words into your mouths or minds, because the Minister goeth before you, and your hearts must concur with his Confessions, and put in also the secret sins which he omitteth.
2. When the Minister is confessing sin, prostrate your very souls in the sense of your unworthiness, and let your particular sins be in your eye, with their hainous aggravations; The whole need not the Physician, but the sick. But here I need not put words into your mouths or minds, because the Minister goeth before you, and your hearts must concurr with his Confessions, and put in also the secret sins which he omitteth.
3. When you look on the Bread and Wine which is provided and offered for this holy use, remember that it is the Creator of all things, on whom you live, whose Laws you did offend; and say in your hearts, O Lord, how great is my offence? who have broken the Laws of him that made me, and on whom the whole Creation doth depend? I had my Being from thee, and my daily Bread; and should I have requited thee with disobedience? Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son.