Directions. The Miniler. Lay not up for yourselves terandChurchwardens} you must treasures upon earth, where be very attentive, and with your the ruft and moth doth cor-eye, (not voice) read along with rupt, and where thieves break him: and be sure you make what through and fteal: but lay bort application you can to yourself up for yourselves treasures in of what is read, and wherein you heaven, where neither ruft either in charity or justice to any perceive you have been wanting nor moth doth corrupt, and one, and in particular of being just where thieves do not break to those who are your spiritual thro' nor steal. St. Matt. vi.guides, you will refolve to make 19, 20. up these defects for the time to come; Whatfoever ye would that for affure yourself, you will be men fhould do to you, even highly unjust if you detain from fo do unto them; for this is them what is their due. the law and the prophets. St. Matt. vii. 12. When it comes to your turn to make your offering, do not let the : Not every one that faith plate or bafon pass by you without unto me, Lord, Lord, fhall Futting fomething into it: for this enter into the kingdom of reafon, amongst others, that you may join in that part of the prayer heaven; but he that doth the will of my father which is infin you beseech God to accept your for the Church militant, whereheaven. St. Matt. vii. 21. alms, and you may depend upon it, Zaccheus ftood forth and he will accept them as given to faid unto the Lord, Behold, bimself, if they bear a proportion to Lord, the half of my goods Ivour ability, and are done in obegive to the poor; and if I have dience to his commands, and with done any wrong to any man, an eye to his glory, as a grateful I reftore fourfold. St. Luke acknowledgment of his mercies to xix. 8. yourfelf, and as a teftimony of your Who goeth a warfare at a-dependance upon him for the continy time of his own coft? who tions your prefent offering, and nuance of them. With fuch reflecplanteth a vineyard, and eat-all your other gifts to the fervices eth not of the fruit thereoff religion, and the ufes of chaor who feedeth a flock, and rity ought to be accompanied. eateth not of the milk of the They that are poor and cannot flock? 1 Cor. ix. 7. give as they are difpofed in their If we have fown unto you hearts, must remember that the fpiritual things, is it a great alms, given on this occafion, are matter if we fhould reap your not matter of neceffity, but a freeworldly things? 1 Cor. ix. 11. gift; and that their small contributions will, like the poor wiDo you not know, that dow's two mites, be preferred to they who minifter about holy things, live of the facrifice? and they who wait at the richest oblations of the wealthy. And even he that hath nothing at all to give, is invited the altar, are partakers with freely to partake of these fpirituthe altar? even fo hath the al bleffings without money, and Lord alfo ordained, that they without price. who preach the gospel, fhould live of the gospel. 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14. He that foweth little, fhall reap little; and he that foweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. Letevery man do according as he is difpofed in his own heart, not grudgingly, or of neceffity; for God loveth a chearful 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 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 houshold of faith. Gal. Vi. 10. Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with tha 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 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 fhew'd for his name's fake, who have miniftered 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. Whe Whofo hath this worlds 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 plenteoufly; 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. Proverbs xix. 17. Bleffed be the man that provideth for the fick and needy: the Lord fhall deliver him in the time of trouble. Pf. xli. 1. Rubrick. Whilft thefe fentences are in reading, the deacons, churchwardens, or other fit perfon appointed for that purpofe, fhall receive the alms for the poor, and other devotions of the people in a decent bafon or plate, to be provided by the parish for that purpofe; and reve rently 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 &. 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 to thy holy name be the glory. Accept of this freewill 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 ne. neceffitous brethren, which thou requireft, and art pleased to take as done to thyself. Therefore I will dedicate a part of those good things which thou haft beftow'd upon me, to relieve the poor; because 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 fufficient. After which done, the priest shall say: The Minister. Let us pray for the whole Directions. Here the priest beginning ftate of Chrift's church, mi-the prayer for the whole flate of litant here on earth. Chrift's church militant here on earth, &c. you must join with him Lmighty and ever liv-in heart and spirit in the fame, A ing God, who by thy and with the congregation in their holy apoftle hath taught us attention, and fay the Amen with to make prayers and fuppli-them, that you may reap the adcations, and to give thanks vantage of that common fervency for all men; we humbly be- with which thofe prayers fly up to seech thee most mercifully God. + If there be no alms ner ablations, tben fhall the words [of accepting our alins and oblati ons] be left out un Laid [to accept our alms and oblations, and] to receive thefe our prayers, which we offer unto thy divine majefty, befeeching thee to infpire continually the univerfal church with the fpirit of truth, unity, and concord: and grant that all they that do confefs thy holy boly 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 chriftian 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 punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bifhops 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 thy holy word, truly ferving thee in holiness and righteoufnefs all the days of their life. And we most humbly befeech thee, of thy goodness, 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 facrament, the priest fhall fay this EXHORTATION. Directions. The Minister. Dearly beloved in the this exhortation, for it is full of You must seriously attend to Lord, ye that mind to come excellent information and inftructo the holy communion of tion; it fhews you the great benethe body and blood of our Sa-fit of coming worthily, that is, viour Chrift, muft confider with a true penitent heart, and how lively |