The Minister. Directions. the Minister and ChurchwardLay not up for your ens,] you must be very attenfelves treasures upon tive, and with your eye [not earth, where the ruft and voice] read along with him : moth doth corrupt, and and be sure you make what where thieves break thro'short application you can to and steal: but lay up for ourself of what is read, and yourselves treasures in wherein you perceive to have been wanting either in charity heaven, where neither for justice to any one, and in ruft nor moth doth cor- particularof being just to those rupt, and where thieves who are your spiritual guides, do not break through nor you will resolve to make up fteal. St. Matt. vi. 19, 20.those defects for the time to Whatfoever you would come; for assure yourself, you that men should do to detain from them what is their will be highly unjust if you you, even fo do unto due. them; for this is the law * When it comes to your and the prophets. St. turn to make your offering, do Matt. vii. 12. not let the plate or basin pass Not every one faith * that by you without putting something into it: for this reason, unto me, Lord, Lord, fhall enter into the join in that part of the prayer amongst others, that you may kingdom of heaven: but for the Church militant, wherehe that doth the will of in you beseech God to accept my Father which is in your alms, and you may deheaven. St. Matt. vii. 21.pend upon it, he will accept Zaccheus ftood forth then as if given to himself, if and said unto the Lord, ability, and are done in obethey bear a proportion to your Behold, Lord, the half of dience to his commands, and my goods I give to the with an eye to his glory, as a poor; and if I have done grateful acknowledgement of any wrong to any man, his mercies to yourself, and as I restore fourfold. Sa testimony of your depend Luke, xix. 8. ence upon him for the continuance of them. With such Who goeth a warfare reflections your present offerat any time of his owning, and all your other gifts, coft? who planteth a to the services of religion, and vineyard, and eateth not the uses of charity, ought to be of accompanied. They of the fruit thereof? or They that are poor and canwho feedeth a flock, and not give as they are disposed eateth not of the milk of in their hearts, must rememthe flock? 1 Cor. ix. 7. occasion, are not matter of ber that the alms given on this If we have fown unto necessity, but a free gift; and you fpiritual things, is it that their small contributions a great matter if we will, like the poor widow's fhould reap your worldly two mites, be preferred to the things? i Cor. ix. II. richest oblations of the real Do you not know, that thy. And even he that hath they who minifter about nothing at all to give, is invited freely to partake of these holy things, live of the spiritual blessings without mofacrifice? and they whoney and without price. wait at the altar, are par takers with the altar? even fo hath the Lord alfo ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live of the gofpel. 2 Cor. ix. 13, 14. He that foweth little fhall reap little; and he that foweth plenteoufly fhall reap plenteously. Let every man do according as he is difpofed in his own heart, not grudgingly, or of neceffity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7. Let him that is taught in the word minifter to him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatfoever a man foweth, 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. to. Godinefs 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 diftribute, laying up in ftore for themfelves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19. God 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 fake, who have ministered unto the faints, and yet do minifter. Heb. vi, 10. To do good, and to diftribute, forget not; for with fuch facrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16. Whofo hath this world's good, and feeth_his brother have need, and fhutteth up his compaffion 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 fhall not be turned away from thee. Tob. iv. 7. Be merciful after thy power. If thou haft much, give plenteously; if thou haft little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little; for fo gathereft thou thyfelf a good reward in the day of neceffity. Tob. iv. 8, 9. He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and look what he layeth out, it fhall be paid him again. Prov. xix. 17. Bleffed be the man that provideth for the fick and needy the Lord fhall deliver him in the time of trouble. Pfal. xli. 1. Rubrick. Whilst these sentences are in reading, the deacons church wardens, 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 aims are come up for a memorial before God. Acts x. 4. TH HY bounty, O Lord, is the fountain of all I poffefs; for it is from thee I have received all my worldly goods, and an to thy holy name be the glory. Accept of this free-will offering of my hands, as acknowledgement of thy right to all I enjoy, and as a teftimony of that piety, love, and charity to my neceffitous brethren, which thou requireft, and art pleased to take as done to thyfelf. A Therefore I will dedicate a part of thofe good things which thou haft beftowed upon me, to relieve the poor; becaufe thou haft made it an evidence of my love to thee: And grant that all my alms› deeds may be performed with fuch purity of intention, and in fuch a proportion to what thou haft given me, that they may be acceptable in thy fight, through the merits of Jefus Chrift, 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, Let us pray Directions. for the Here the priest beginwhole ftate of Chrift's state of Christ's church militant ning the prayer for the whole church militant here on here on earth, &c. you must earth. join with him in heart and spi Almighty and ever-it in the same, and with the living God, who by congregation in their attenthy holy apoftle hath tion, and say the Amen with taught us to make prayers advantage of that common. them, that you may reap with and fupplications, and fervency with which those men; prayers fly up to God. to give thanks for all- + If there be no alms nor ob lations, then receive thefe our prayers, which shall the words we offer unto thy Divine Majefty, Lof accepting our befeeching thee to infpire continu alms and oblations] be left out ally the univerfal church with the fpirit of truth, unity, and concord: unsaid. and grant that all they that do confels thy holy name, may agree in the truth of thy holy word, and live in unity and godly love. We befeech thee alfo to fave and defend all Christian kings, princes, and governors; and especially thy fervant 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 minifter juftice, to the punithment 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, fet forth thy true and lively word, and rightly and duly adminifter thy holy facraments. And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and especially to this congregation here prefent, that with meek heart and due reverence they may hear and receive the holy word, truly ferving thee in holinefs and righteoufnefs all the days of their lives. And we most humbly befeech thee, of thy goodnefs, O Lord, to comfort and fuccour all them who in this tranfitory life are in trouble, forrow, need, ficknefs, or any other adverfity; and we alfo blefs thy holy name for all thy fervants departed this life in thy faith and fear, befeeching thee to give us grace, fo to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jefus Chrift's fake, 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 ExHORTA ΤΙΟΝ, |
