SPECIAL SERVICES. THE ORDER OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER, OR HOLY COMMUNION. ¶ The Minister, standing by the Lord's Table, shall say one or more of the following sentences: BLESSED LESSED are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matt. v. 6. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John vi., 32, 33, 35. By one Spirit are we baptized into one body, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Being many we are one, being partakers of one bread. 1 Cor. xii. 13, and x. 17. Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, Rev. iii. 20. and he with me. Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. v. 7-8. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John xv. 4, 5. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you. John xv. 13-15. ' Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Matt. xi. 28. ¶ Then shall the Minister say the following Address, or any other he may think suitable. DEARLY beloved brethren, now that we have gathered around the table to which our Lord Jesus Christ has himself, in the most affecting words, invited us, let me remind you what are the dispositions suited to a participation in this holy and blessed service of love. Repent deeply of your sins: amend your lives: be in perfect charity with all men: and, above all, give most humble and hearty thanks to our Father in heaven for the word and work of his Son Jesus Christ; who did humble himself even to the death of the cross, that he might make us in spirit children of God; and who hath instituted this sacred ordinance, that we may remember his exceeding love, and by cherishing a holy fellowship with him be partakers of his joy, and bring forth the fruits of righteousness. Wherefore let us turn towards him with our hearts: then we shall dwell in Christ and Christ in us; we shall be one with Christ and with God; and all will be perfected in one. ¶ Then shall the Minister say the following Prayer; all kneeling. Let us pray. LMIGHTY and ever-blessed God, whose infinite grace and mercy have been revealed to mankind by thy Son Jesus Christ; we thine unworthy servants, deeply sensible of our manifold transgressions, but encouraged by thy goodness and loving-kindness, do most humbly beseech thee to accept us at this time, and to inspire our hearts with such earnest desires after heavenly food, as may be in some measure suitable to our great need of it: and thus, coming to this table with a true spiritual hunger and thirst, may our souls find the refreshing grace and strength which are necessary to support us and carry us forward in our Christian course. Grant this, O holy Father, for thy great love to us in Jesus Christ. Amen. I Then shall the Minister read the following words : HAVE received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. 1 Cor. xi. 23-26. ¶ Then shall the Minister, having first partaken himself, proceed to deliver the bread and wine to his fellow-communicants, saying, When he delivereth the bread: S a solemn testimony, in the presence of each other and before God, of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us take and eat of this bread in remembrance of him: When he delivereth the cup: AS S a solemn testimony in the presence of each other and before God, of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us take and drink of this cup in remembrance of him. N IN Then the Minister shall say: these words our Lord and Saviour prayed for all his faithful disciples: Father, I will that they also, whom thou |