THE BEATITUDES.

This Order may be used as a separate Service: or it may be said at the opening of Evening Service, instead of the Order there appointed, down to the Reading of the Holy Scriptures; in which case it may be preceded by a suitable Hymn.

¶ Let all stand while the Minister reads the SENTENCES, the People answering him.

Minister. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.

Answer. Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, hear me : for I am poor and needy.

Minister. Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted that He may have mercy upon you. Answer. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.

Then the Minister shall say,

Let us pray.

Let the People reverently bow down while he leads them in
THE INVOCATION.

MERCIFUL God, we beseech Thee to cast Thy bright

beams of light into our hearts, that we may discern the spiritual laws of Thy kingdom, and graciously incline us to a true obedience that we may not only hear, but also receive, these heavenly blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

¶ Then the Minister shall read THE BEATITUDES of the Lord Jesus; and the People, still bowing down, shall, after every Beatitude, humbly ask God that it may be fulfilled in their hearts.

BLESSED are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom

of heaven.

Lord, be gracious unto us, and help us to obtain this blessing.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Lord, be gracious unto us, and help us to obtain this blessing.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Lord, be gracious unto us, and help us to obtain this blessing.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Lord, be gracious unto us, and help us to obtain this blessing.

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Lord, be gracious unto us, and help us to obtain this blessing.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Lord, be gracious unto us, and help us to obtain this blessing.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.

Lord, be gracious unto us, and help us to obtain this blessing.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Grant unto us Thy Holy Spirit, O God, and enable us to obtain all these blessings, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

¶ After a short pause, let the Minister continue in Prayer, using, if he will, the following, or other fitting words.

GL

LORY be to Thee, O Christ, who hast opened the kingdom of heaven unto the poor in spirit, and given power to them that believe in Thee to become the sons of God. Deliver us, O Lord, in Thy great mercy, from all the secret sins that hinder us from true blessedness. Strengthen us to keep Thy counsels of perfection, and to walk in the way of Thy commandments. And grant unto us that peace which the world can neither give nor take away, that at the last we may come unto Thee in glory, O Thou most blessed Lord Jesus, our only Saviour. Amen.

NOW unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us; unto Him be glory and dominion in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

THE ORDER FOR

THE CELEBRATION OF THE COMMUNION OR SACRAMENT OF THE

LORD'S SUPPER

The Communion, or Supper of the Lord, is to be celebrated frequently; but how often, may be determined by the Minister and Eldership of each congregation, as they may judge most for edification. — Directory for Worship, Chap. ix, § 1.

It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Lord's Day before the administration of the ordinance, and that, either then or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it; that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast. Directory for Worship, Chap. ix, § 3.

¶ When the time is come for administration, the Minister shall say,

DEARLY beloved, as we draw near to the Lord's Supper

to celebrate the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, we are gratefully to remember that our Lord instituted this Sacrament to be observed in His Church unto the end of the world: for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of Himself in His death, the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in Him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto Him; and to be a bond and pledge of their union with Him and with each other as members of His mystical body.

Let us consider earnestly our great need of having our comfort and strength so renewed in this our earthly pilgrimage and warfare; and especially how necessary it is that we come unto the Lord's Table with knowledge, faith, repentance, love, and with hearts hungering and thirsting after Christ. Not unto those who live willingly in transgression and offenses, holding fellowship with hatred, malice, or impurity; nor unto those who cherish pride and self-righteousness in their hearts, trusting secretly in their

own works and merits, are these benefits of Christ offered. But all that are truly sorry for their sins and would be delivered from the burden of them, all that humbly put their trust in Christ, and desire His grace that they may lead a holy life, are invited and encouraged in His Name to come to this Sacrament. Let us therefore so come that we may find refreshing and rest unto our souls.

Then let the People stand up and sing

A HYMN.

¶ If it be more convenient in any church, this Hymn may be omitted.

The Table, on which the elements are placed, being decently covered, the bread in convenient dishes, and the wine in cups, and the Communicants orderly and gravely sitting around the Table, (or in their seats before it) in the presence of the Minister, he shall say,

BELOVED in the Lord, attend to the Words of the Insti

tution of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they are delivered by the Apostle Paul: "I 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."

And now, in His Name, I take these elements

(¶ Here the Minister may lay his hand upon the plate and the cup)

to be set apart by prayer and thanksgiving to the holy use for which He has appointed them.

Then the Minister shall say,

Let us pray.