Communion. Observations. Do ye not know, Since Thou, O Jesus, hast that they who minister about holy Things, live of the Sacrifice? And they who wait at the Altar, are Partakers with the Altar? Even so hath the Lord also ordained, that they who preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel. 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14. ordained this, far be it from Servants of the Right which me to envy, or to deprive thy thou hast given them. It will be our own Fault, if we reap not a plentiful Crop. He that soweth little, shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously, shall reap plenteously. Let every Man do according as he is disposed in his Heart; not" grudgingly, or of Ne-" cessity; for God loveth a cheerful Giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7. 6. "Let us proportion our "Alms to our Ability, lest we provoke God to proportion his Blessings to our Alms." Bishop Beveridge. Let him that is taught There is nothing, O God, in the Word, minister which we can give to thy unto him that teach-sings which we receive from Ministers, equal to the bleseth, in all good Things, them, who minister unto us Be not deceived, God the Means of Grace and Salis not mocked; for vation. whatsoever a man sow eth Obser L Communion. eth, that shall be reap. Gal vi. 6. Le Observations. While we have Time, let us do good unto all Men and especially unto them that are of no Man can work. the Houshold of Faith. Blessed be God, that I have yet Time! Lord give before the Night cometh when me an Heart to do Good, Gal. vi. 10. Godliness is great! Give me, O God, a pious Riches, if a Man befand a contented Mind; and content with that he for the rest, Thy Will be done. hath, for we brought nothing into the World, neither may we carry any Thing out. 1 Tim. vi. 6, 7. Charge them who are rich in this World, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute, laying up in Store for themselves asion of certain Ruin. good Foundation a Bless God, ye that have Riches, if he has given you Grace and Power to give them with a liberal Hand, and cheerful Heart, without which they will be the Occa Communion. Observations. your Works and La-to us, for what we give to bour that proceedeth of thy Poor, and to thy Minis Love, which Love we have shewed for his Name's Sake, who have ministered unto the Saints, and yet do minister. Heb. vi. 10. To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16. Whoso hath this World's Good, and seeth his Brother have Need, and shutteth up his Compassion from him, how dwelleth the Love of God in him? 1 John iii. 17. Give Alms of thy Goods, and never turn thy Face from any poor Man; and then the Face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee. Tob. iv. 7. Com ters-How great is his Goodness! May our Prayers and our Alms go up before Thee, O them for Jesus Christ's Sake, God! And graciously accept Thou, O God, canst support all thy Poor without our Assistance; but it is by them that thou triest our Faith, and our Love for Compassion for the Miseries Give me, O Lord, a true of others, that thou mayest have Compassion on me, at the great Day. Obser Communion. Observations. Be merciful after thy I thank Thee, O God, Power. If thou hast that thou judgest not by the much, give plenteously: If thou hast little, do thy Diligence glad ly to give of that little ; for so gatherest thou thyself a good Reward in the Day of Necessity. Tob. iv. 8, 9. He that hath Pity the Heart, and the Ability of greatness of the Gift, but by the Giver: and wilt reward accordingly. To thy Account, O God, upon the Poor, lendeth I place my Charity to the unto the Lord: And look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again. Prov. xix. 17. Blessed is the Man that provideth for the Sick and Needy: The Lord shall deliver him in the Time of Trouble. Psalms xli. 1. Poor thou sendest unto me; and I know that I shall be no loser. Keep me, O God, from all idle and vain Expences, that I may always have to At the Hour of Death, and in give to him that needeth. the Day of Judgment, good Lord deliver us. Rubrick, Rubrick. Observation. Whilst the semences J vu WIII ΠΟΥ nave the are in Reading, the Dea-Comfort of seeing your Alms cons, Churchwardens, or Minister, in order to bring presented unto God by his other fit Persons ap-down his Blessing upon yourpointed for that Pur-self, and upon the rest of pose, shall receive the your Substance and Labours, according as you have been Alms for the Poor, and a niggardly, or a cheerful other Devotions of the Giver. People, in a decent Bason, to be provided by the Parish for that Pur pose; and reverently bring it to the Priest, who shall humbly present and place it upon the holy Table. Rubrick. And when there is a Communion, the Priest shall then place upon the Observation. The Priest now, and not till this Time, placeth the Bread and Wine upon the Lord's Table, in the Sight of lick Acknowledgment, that our · Table so much Bread the Communicants, as a puband IVine as he shall think sufficient: after Lives, and whatever is neces which sary for their Preservation, are owing to the Gift of God. We If this Rubrick is not strictly observed, as in many Places it is not, the Intent of the Church is defeated, and a very instructive Circumstance is omitted.. Obser |