thoughts, words, and works he may ever seek thy honour and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, aud godliness. Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall be said the Collect of the Day. And immediately after the Collect, the Elder shall read the Epistle, saying, The Epistle, [or, The Portion of Scripture appointed for the Epistle,] is written in the — chapter of beginning at the -verse. And the Epistle ended, he shall say, Here endeth the Epistle, Then shall be read the Gospel, (the People all standing up,) saying, The holy Gospel is written in the chapter of ning at the - verse. Then shall follow the Sermon. -, begin Then shall the Elder say one or more of these Sen L tences. ET your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matth. v. 16. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. Matth. vi. 19, 20. 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 necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7. Be merciful after thy power: If thou hast much, give plenteously: If thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little for so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity. Tob. iv. 8, 9. God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works and labour that proceedeth of love; which love ye have shewed for his Name's sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister. Heb. vi. 10. Zaccheus stood forth, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have done any wrong to any man, I restore him four-fold. Luke xix. 8. Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matth. vii. 12. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matth. vii. 21. Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own cost? who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock. 1 Cor. ix. 7. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your worldly things? 1 Cor. ix. 11. Do ye not know, 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. Let him that is taught in the Word minister unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap. Gal. iv. 6, 7. As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, and especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Gal. vi. 10. Godliness with contentment is great gain; for we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing 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 a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life. 1 Tim. iv. 17, 18, 19. 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. He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth 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. Psalm xli. 1. While these Sentences are in reading, some fit person appointed for that purpose, shall receive the alms for the poor, and other devotions of the people, in a decent basin, to be provided for that purpose; and then bring it to the Elder, who shall place it upon the table. After which done, the Elder shall say, Let us pray A for the whole estate of Christ's Church militant here on earth. *If there be no alms or obla tions, then shall the words [of ac cepting our alms and oblations] be left unsaid. LMIGHTY and ever-living God, who, by thy holy Apostle, hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks for all men ; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully [*to accept our alms and oblations, and] to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord and grant that all they that do confess thy holy Name, may agree in the truth of thy holy word, and live in unity and godly love. We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Governors; that under them we may be godly and quietly governed: and grant unto all that are put in authority under them, that they may truly and indifferently administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue. Give grace, Oheavenly Father, to all the ministers of thy Gospel, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively word, and rightly and truly administer thy holy Sacraments. And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace: and especially to this Congregation here present; that with meek heart and due reverence they may hear and receive thy holy word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life. And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. And we also bless thy holy Name, for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. Then shall the Elder say to them that come to receive the Holy Communion, YE E that do truly and earnestly repent 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. are your Then shall this general Confession be made by the Minister in the Name of those that are minded to reecive the Holy Communion, both he and all the People kneeling humbly upon their knees, and saying, LMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus A Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we from time to time most grievously have 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. 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. Then shall the Elder say, ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of thy great mercy hast promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith return unto thee; Have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then all standing, the Elder shall say, Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to him: are burdened and YOME unto all that me, Cheavy-laden, and I will refresh you. Matth. xi. 28. So God loved the world, that he gave his onlybegotten Son, to the end that all who believe in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John iii. 16. Hear also what St. Paul saith: This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. i. 15. |