glorify your Father which |tions, which are to be disposed is in heaven. St. Matt. of to pious and charitable uses, at the discretion of the minisV. 16. Lay not up for yourselves must be very attentive, and ter and churchwardens,] you treasures upon earth, where with your eye [not voice] read the rust and moth doth along with him: and be sure corrupt, and where thieves you make what short applicabreak through and steal: tion you can to yourself of but lay up for yourselves what is read, and wherein you treasures in heaven, where perceive to have been wanting neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. St. Matt. vi. 19, 20. Whatsoever you would that men should do to you, even so do unto them; for this is the law and the prophets. St. Matt. vii.

12.

either in charity or justice to any one, and in particular of being just to those who are your spiritual guides, you will resolve to make up those defects for the time to come; for assure yourself, you will be highly unjust if you detain from them what is their due.

When it comes to your turn to make your offering, do not Not every one that saith let the plate or basin pass by unto me, Lord, Lord, you without putting something shall enter into the king-into it: for this reason, dom of heaven: but he amongst others, that you may that doth the will of my join in that part of the prayer Father which is in heaven. for the church militant, whereSt. Matt. vii. 21. in you beseech God to accept Zaccheus stood forth, and your alms, and you may desaid unto the Lord, Be-pend upon it, he will accept hold, Lord, the half of my they bear a proportion to your them as if given to himself, if goods I give to the poor; ability, and are done in obeand if I have done any dience to his commands, and wrong to any man, I re- with an eye to his glory, as a store fourfold. St. Luke, grateful acknowledgment of xix. 8. his mercies to yourself, and as Who goeth a warfare at a testimony of your dependany time of his own cost? ance upon him for the continuance of them. With such who planteth a vineyard, reflections your present offerand eateth not of the fruiting, and all your other gifts, thereof? or who feedeth to the services of religion, and

a flock, and eateth not of the uses of charity, ought to the milk of the flock? be accompanied.

1 Cor. ix. 7.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we should reap your worldly things? 1 Cor. ix. 11.

They that are poor, and cannot give as they are disposed in their hearts, must remem

ber that the alms given on this occasion, are not matter of necessity, but a free gift; and

that their small contributions

Do you not know, that will, like the poor widow's two they who minister about mites, be preferred to the richholy things, live of the est oblations of the wealthy. And even he that hath nothing sacrifice; and they who at all to give, is invited freely wait at the altar, are par- to partake of these spiritual takers with the altar? even blessings without money and so hath the Lord also or- without price.

dained, that they who preach the gospel, should live of the gospel. 2 Cor. ix. 13, 14.

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 own heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.

Let him that is taught in the word minister to him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap. Gal. vi. 6, 7.

While we have time let us do good unto all men, and especially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. vi. 10.

Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with what he hath for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry any thing out. 1 Tim. vi. 6, 7.

Charge them that 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. vi. 17, 18, 19.

God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works and labour that proceedeth of love; which love

ye have showed 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.

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.

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 be the man that provideth for the sick and needy the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. Psal. xli. 1.

:

Rubrick.

Whilst these sentences are in reading, the deacons, churchwardens, or other fit persons appointed for that purpose, shall receive the alms for the poor, and other devotions of the people, in a decent basin or plate, to be provided by the parish for that purpose; and reverently bring it to the priest, who shall humbly present and place it upon the holy table.

A prayer at offering our alms.

Thy prayers and thy alms are come up for a memorial before God. Acts x. 4.

1

THY bounty, O Lord, is the fountain of all I possess; for it is from thee I have received all my worldly goods, and to thy holy

name be the glory. Accept of this free-will offering of my hands, as an acknowledgment of thy right to all I enjoy, and as a testimony of that piety, love, and charity, to my necessitous brethren, which thou requirest, and art pleased to take as done to thyself.

Therefore I will dedicate a part of those good things which thou hast bestowed upon me, to relieve the poor; because thou hast made it an evidence of my love to thee: and

grant that all my alms-deeds may be performed with such purity of intention, and in such a proportion to what thou hast given me, that they may be acceptable in thy sight, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour.

Amen.

Rubrick.

And when there is a communion, the priest shall then place upon the table as much bread and wine as he shall think sufficient. After which done, the priest shall say:

The Minister.

DIRECTIONS.

Here the priest beginning

Let us pray for the the prayer for the whole state whole state of Christ's of Christ's church militant church militant here on here on earth, &c. you must earth. join with him in heart and

A

LMIGHTY and ever-spirit in the same, and with living God, who by the congregation in their attention, and say the Amen thy holy apostle hath with them, that you may reap taught us to make prayers with advantage of that comand supplications, and to mon fervency with which give thanks for all men; those prayers fly up to God. we humbly beseech thee most mercifully [to accept

said.

+ If there be our alms and oblations†, and] to receive no alms nor obla- these our prayers, which we offer unto tions, then shall thy Divine Majesty, beseeching thee to the words [of ac- inspire continually the universal church cepting our alms with the spirit of truth, unity, and conand oblations] cord: and grant that all they that do be left out un- 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 kings, princes, and governors; and especially thy servant George, our king, that under him we may be godly and quietly governed; and grant unto his whole council, and to all that are put in authority under him, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bishops and curates, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively word, and rightly and duly 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 the holy word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their lives. 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.

Rubrick.

At the time of the celebration of the communion, the communicants being conveniently placed for the receiving of the Holy Sacrament, the priest shall say this Exhortation: