DIRECTIONS WITH PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS FOR The Worthy Receiving The Blessed Sacrament.  
By the Famous Mr. Charles Drelincourt.  
Minister of the Reformed Church at Charanton.  
Out of French.  
London, Printed for Abel Swalle at the Unicorn at the West End of St. Pauls, and Samuel Tidmarsh at the Kings Head in cornhill. 1680.   

 church interior with figures   

THE AUTHOR To the Christian READER.  
READER,  
THe Apostle St. Paul, writing to the Church of Corinth, declares to them that because of the Irreverence and want of Devotion, wherewith they approached the Lords Supper, many amongst them were sick and many dead.  
I cannot tell if we may not attribute to the same Defect, most part of the Evils and Calamities which exercise our Churches; for all of us almost partake of that Holy Sacrament without examining our Consciences, and our Hearts not being touched with Repentance, we pro●ane the most Holy Things.  
When we are to ap●ear before a great King, we put on our most suitable Apparel, we compose our Gestures, and consider long with ourselves what we are to say. But we present our ●elves before the King of Kings, without the Garment of Holiness, which alone is well●leasing in his sight. We speak unadvisedly and with uncomely Gestures: And when w● draw near to him with our Lips, our Heart many times is far from him.  
We will not sit down to an ordinary Table with unwashen hands but we approach th● Table of the onely begotten Son of God, an● have not washed our hands in Innocence.  
In short, The mos● part put no differenc● betwixt common Bread and Wine, and this Spiritual Feast which God prepares for his faithful Servants.  
As they come unto that Holy Table without convenient Preparation, so during the Celebration of that Ve●eral Sacrament, they meditate not upon the mystery of their Redemption, not having before their Eyes Christ Jesus Crucified.  
Hence it is that the Heart is not moved nor inflamed with th● Love of God; and tha● finding no relish in thos● sacred Dainties, the● ruminate not upo● them in their Spirits not considering that a God of old, would hav● no Sacrifice offered 〈◇〉 him of those Beast which chewed not th● Cud, so now in hi● Church he rejects thos● who meditate not upo● the greatness of hi● Mercies.  
But as God reserves to himself always a remnant according to the Election of Grace; so there are some that aclowledge the necessity of this Preparation, because of the apostles express command; That every one try himself: And the Example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who washed the Feet of his Disciples before he administered to them the Holy Supper: But they find themselves at 〈◇〉 great stand, when they would come to the exercise of it. And in effect there is nothing more difficult than to disengage our minds from worldly Affairs, and to clip the Wings of their Natural Levity, that we may captivated them to the Meditation of Heavenly Things. To rouse then some out of that profane Stupidity, and to help the Piety of others, many Learned Men have published their Prayers and Holy Meditations; but forasmuch as for most part they are bound up with other works, and that People stood in need of a Manual, which treated of nothing else, I have been often desired to publish a small Collection of my Studies and Meditation, which I composed some time ago for the particular use of myself and Famil●  
I have long resist that svit, no man knowing my Imperfection better than myself and besides that, th● continual Duties of ou● Calling suffered me no● to re-view that littl● Work, and give it it last stroke. But have at length yielde● considering that in thi● wretched Age, wher● in Zeal every where decays, and Charit● grows could, it is goo● to gather together even the smallest Sparks of that sacred Fire; and that God having of old forbidden to carve his Altar, hath taught us that in Matters which concern his Service, Simplicity is pleasing unto him; and that the Prayers whereby we mount up to God in the Name of Christ Jesus, ought not to be elaborated with affectation of much Art.  
God who was not displeased with th● poor Widows Mite will not despise thi● grain of Incense which I offer upon his Altar.  
I doubt not, Christian Reader, but that you will take pleasure in that sweet swell. Such Meditations are of no relish to worldly Man. A brutish Man knoweth not, neither doth a Fool understand this; but if thou hast thy Senses exercised to discern Spiritual Things, and takest pleasure in the Reading & Meditation of Hevenly Things, thou wilt certainly profit thereby; and like the Blessed Virgin, lay up in thnie Heart what ever is said of Jesus. Which that thou mayst do, is the hearty Wish and Prayer of  
Thine in the Lord.   

A PRAYER AND MEDITATION FOR A Believer that is preparing to receive the Holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper.  
O My Lord God! Thou invites me by thy Grace to the solemn Feast of thy onely begotten Son, my Saviour Jesus Christ. But when I consider who thou art, and what I am, how rich and excellent the Benefits are which thou preparest for me; and how little I am disposed to receive them, my Soul is in trouble, and I tremble to draw near to thy glorious Majesty.  
Righteousness belongeth to thee, O Lord! but to me shane ●nd Confusion of Face; ●or thou dwellest in Light inaccessible, and I am plunged in the pit of Darkness. Thou ●rt the Holy of Holies, and even Holiness itself, and I am nothing but uncleanness. From the Crown of the Head to the Sole of the Foot, there is no soundness in me. The World hath corrupted me, the Flesh misled me, and Satan hath covered me with Sores.  
Behold, thou putte● no trust in thy Saints yea the Heavens ar● not clean in thy sight how much more abominable and filthy shall I poor wretch be, wh● drink in iniquty like water? If the Seraphim who are inflamed wit● Zeal and Fervency i● thy Service, cover the● Faces before thee, ho● shall I dare to appea● in thy presence, who● Zeal is faint, and who● Prayers are could; wh● attends thy Service only out of custom, and who am more addicted to the things of this world, than to the advancement of thy Glory?  
The Apostle St. Peter thought not himself worthy to be in the same Boat with the Son of God, for having perceived the effects of his Divinity, he cried out, Depart from me O Lord! for I am a sinful man; and shall I, O Lord! who am th● greatest of sinners, venture to set at His Tabl● to feed upon His Dai●ties, and to become one Body with Him?  
St. John Baptist th● greatest of all that a● Born of a Woman, an● whom thou filled 〈◇〉 with the Holy Ghos● from his Mother Womb, thought no himself worthy t● stoop down and unloose the latchet of His shoes. And shall I who am the wretch●dest of all creatures; who am a sinner from ●he Womb, and whose ●ife hath been but a ●hain of iniquity; shall 〈◇〉 raise myself up to Heaven, there to touch that Glorious King, and bring Him down to ●odge in my Soul?  
Being covered with ●he filth of so many a●ominable Vices, shall 〈◇〉 present myself to that Holy Banquet, ●here Angels wait like ministering Spirits sen● out for the good o● those who are to receive the earnest o● Salvation: where Go● is Master of the Feast where the Meat an● Drink is the Flesh an● Blood of God? Wit● lascivious Eyes and fu● of wanton Looks, shal● I behold that Lam● without spot or blemish? With my pollute● Lips and lying Tongu● shall I touch the Brea● of Angels? Or shall lodge the King of Kings ●n a Hogstie, in a ●eart filled with foul ●oncupiscence?  
I remember, Lord, that when thou establi●hed the Jewish Feasts, thou gavest this Law, Let none appear before and empty. In this Feast ●f Christians, to which thou callest us by the ●rumpet of the Gospel, ●ot to commemorate ●ne Temporal Delive●nce out of Egypt, but 〈◇〉 celebrate the memory of the Spiritual deliverance from Si● Death, and Hell; n● to eat in thy present the First-fruits of th● Land of Canaan, b● to love-taste the delights of the heaven Jerusalem; not to appear as strangers, b● as fellow Citizens 〈◇〉 the Saints, Compan●ons of Angels, an● Menial Servants of Go● Wilt thou, O Lord, 〈◇〉 this solemn day, acce● of me, who am voided 〈◇〉 Piety; who have no ●eal or Charity, and ●m without good ●orks in this World?  
By the same Law of Moses, they who had ●ouched a dead Body, ●ere forbidden to ap●roach the Altar on ●hich were offered ●he Sacrifices, which ●ere but Types of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ offered to God ●n the across, for the ●emission of our Of●ences. And may I under the Gospel dra● near to the Tab● where Jesus Chri●● Crucified offers himself with all his Benefit● May I, I say, who a● continually imploy● in dead works, i● stead of serving t●● Living God? and wh● am dead in sins a● trespasses; having neiher sense nor motio● as to spiritual and heavenly things?  
Alas! My Lord Go● I am straitned on bo●● sides, for if I absent ●●y self from this Holy Table, I am disobedi●nt to my Saviour, who ●ommands me to set ●orth his Death until and shall come again; keep at a distance ●rom the Fountain of Life; I renounce the ●eals of the Covenant, ●nd the Pledges of thy Love: And if I come ●o it unworthily, I am ●fraid I may eat and ●rink my own Damna●ion, and draw upon myself fearful Judg●ments.  
For if a Fire coming out from befog God, consumed N●●dab and Abihu, because they approach the Lord with stran● Fire; will not G● who is a consumi● Fire, devour me, i● draw near to him wi● the Fire of my quarrels, and the Flames my Lust?  
If the Bethshemit● were punished wi●● Death for having ●ok'd into the Ark of and Covenant, shall ●ot I render myself ●uilty of Death and ●verlasting Maledicti●n, if with an evil ●ye and unclean Hand ●offer to look upon and ●uch Jesus Christ, the ●on of the Living God, 〈◇〉 whom dwell the ●easures of Wisdom ●nd Knowledge?  
If he that sate down ●o the Kings Feast without the Wedding Garment, was cast in outer Darkness, whe● there is weeping a● gnashing of Teeth, fear, least when I present myself to t● Feast of the King 〈◇〉 Kings, I be throw headlong into the eternal Torments 〈◇〉 Hell Fire. For I a● not clothed with th● Wedding Garment and am not onely without the Robes 〈◇〉 Righteousness and innocence, but which worse still, draw after and the Chains of Ini●uity, and the Rags of ●he Old Man: I carry ●he Image of the Devil ●nd the Livery of Hell.  
If thou, Lord, ●hould'st mark Iniqui●ies: O Lord, who ●hall stand? but there ●s forgiveness with thee that thou mayst be ●eared. Mercies and ●orgiveness are from ●he Lord our God; for we have rebelled against him. But where Sin hath abounded, th● Grace hath abound● much more.  
Being cast down i● myself, I raise my se● up in thee; I am wholly confounded when reflect on the horro● of my sins; but m comfort is, that th● tender Mercies fail no● and that Jesus Chri●● came into the Worl● not to call the Righteous, but Sinners to repentance. Thy mercy O Lord, is in th● Heavens, and thy ●aithfulness reacheth ●nto the Clouds. As ●y thy Goodness th●u ●ivest me thy Blessings, ●o by thy Wisdom thou wilt instruct me how ●o receive them to Sal●ation!  
It is true, that of my ●elf I am destitute of all good; but in thy Courts there is an Ocean of Riches. I will draw out of thy Treasures, and say with thy Servant David, when I make my O●fering, All things com● of thee, and of thine ow● have we given thee.  
I am dead in Tre●passes and Sins, bu● I am not dismayed, 〈◇〉 Lord, for the Brea● that thou preparest, no● onely strengtheners th● Living but raises th● Dead. Jesus Christ i● the Resurrection an● the Life; he make the Dead to live, an● calls the things tha● are not as if the● were.  
Nadab and Abihu offered strange Fire unto thee, and sported in its flamme; but Lord, I tremble at my sins, and repent in dust and ashes. I wish that my Eyes were a living Fountain of Tears to quench the flames of my Lusts; and I draw near to thee, that I may drown them in the river of thy mercy.  
The Bethshemites were not allowed to look into the Ark, but I am expressly commanded, O Lord, 〈◇〉 behold Jesus Chris● who is the Image o● the invisible God, th● brightness of the Glor● and express Image o● the Fathers Person And it is not onely th● pleasure that I should as in a Glass, openly behold his Glory, bu● also that I should touc● him, embrace him and lodge him in my Heart.  
I aclowledge my self to be miserable, and wretched, poor, blind and naked; but I will follow the Counsel which my Saviour gave to the Angel of the Church of Laodicea: I will buy of him Gold tried in the Fire, that I may be rich, and white raiment, that I may be clothed, and that the shane of my Nakedness do not appear; and I will anoint my Eyes with eye-pleasing, that I may see, though I be th● poorest Creature living, yet I can mak● that purchase. Fo● the Blessings of th● Spirit are bought with out Money and without a price.  
O Lord Jesus! thou who givest me the greater wilt not refuse me the lesser, since thou hast invited me to thy Feast, opened thy Heart, and declared unto me the secret of thy Love; thou wilt give me a new Garment, not taken from thine Enemies, like that which samson gave the Philistines, but taken off thyself, like that which Jonathan gave to David, whom he loved as his own Soul; for thou art the Lord our Righteousness, and art made to us of God, Wisdom and Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption.  
This Holy Feast which our Saviour prepares for us, is no● like that of Simon the Pharisee, where there was neither Water to wash his Feet, nor oil to anoint his Head; but as at his last Supper Jesus Christ washed his Disciples Feet, and dried them with the linen Cloth wherewith he was begird so as often as he celebrates that Holy Supper, he washeth our Feet, waters them with his Blood, and dries ●hem with that fine and shining Lawn which is the Justification of the Saints.  
As heretofore David shewed kindness to Mephibosheth, and tho he was deformed and cripple in both his feet, made him eat at his Table among the Kings Sons for the love he bore to Jonathan his faithful friend, so, Lord, though my sins have rendered me deformed, and that I ha● in the ways of th● commandements; halting on every side, sometime transported wit● idle fears, and sometime with foolish hopes, insolent in prosperities, and impatien● under adversity, ye● thou wilt receive me unto thy Table, & make me eat with the Children of the King o● Kings, seeing I am the Son of him whom thou lovest, and in whom from all Eternity thou takest thy good Pleasure. I know I am more deformed than ever Mephibosheth was, but thou also art more merciful than David; I am more straitly united to Jesus Christ than Mephibosheth was to Jonathan, for I am his Brother, his Son, his Spouse, and a Member of his Body; being Flesh of his Flesh and Bone of his Bones.  
I will not fly the● like Adam, though be naked; for God 〈◇〉 no less able than merciful to cover my nakedness: Of the wool of the Lamb without blemish, of the righteousness and innocenc● of my Saviour, he will make me a garmen● of Salvation and mantle of Righteousness.  
I will not be dismayed though I see myself polluted; for God is a well of Salvation and Blood and Water streams from the side of blessed Jesus: he that hath redeemed me will purify me: Nor though I see myself poor; for God is the Lord of the Universe: and it is to the poorest in this world that he opens the Cabinet of his Treasures. Nor though I find myself sick, for Jesus Christ healeth all maladies and diseases: and his precious Blood is not only drink to the Saints, but also physic to the Sick, Nay if I were without sickness the Blood of my Saviour would be unprofitable to me, for the whole have no need of a Physician, but they that are sick.  
But since thou usest me with so much favour, O Lord, suffer me not to be unthankful, nor to change thy Grace into Wantonness. Since thou callest me not as thou didst Moses out of the middle of a burning Bush, but from amidst the Flames of thy Love; and that thou speakest to me not only of the deliverance of Israel; but art willing to seal to my Soul my Eternal Redemption, and to give me the First-fruits of the Inheritance that hath been prepared for me before the Foundation of the World. Give me Grace that I may pull the shoes o● of my feet, by strippin● myself of my earthl● Affections and bruti● Lusts.  
Root out of m heart all envy, hatred malice, avarice, prid● and the desire of vai● glory. Banish from 〈◇〉 the love of the World the love of myself the pomp and vaniti● of the sinful age, an● all unlawful pleasure Grant that I may affli● my Soul before thee for so many sins as I have committed.  
Give me that Holy sorrow that bringeth forth Repentance unto Life, not to be repented of. Give me the nails of a serious Repentance, that I may fasten my Lusts and concucupiscences to the across of my Saviour, that a penitent sorrow may be as a Lance to pierce the Body and Heart of the Old Man.  
And forasmuch as judgement without Mercy shall be to thos● who have not shew● Mercy. Give me bowels of Compassion, Kindness, Humility▪ Mildness, and a Patien Mind. Cloath m with Charity, which i● the Bound of Perfection; and if any have offended me, as Jesu● Christ hath graciously pardonned all my Offences, grant that I may do the like; and if have in any thing offended my Neighbour, that I may willingly make him satisfaction in word and in dead. O, my God, I find myself still very could and faint in my Devotion; but sand thou from Heaven some Seraphim, who with a burning coal from thine Altar, may purify my Heart and Lips, and kindle in my Breast the fire of true Zeal and sincere Charity.  
O that I may draw near to thee with a Heart purified from an evil Conscience, and my Body washed with clean water, that I may wash my hands in innocence before I compass thine Altar; that 〈◇〉 may hasten to put o● the Wedding Garment, seeing the Feast is ready and at hand.  
O Lord! my Sou● faileth, and my Spiri● fainteth within me The more I drink th● Waters of this World, the greater is my Thirst. The more I enjoy of Honours, Riches, and Carnal Pleasures; the more is my Soul empty and dry. Nothing in this World can fill my Heart, nor satisfy my Desires; but thou Lord hast a Fountain of Living Water, of which whosoever drinks shall never thirst again; and thou art the Bread of Life, of which whosoever eateth shall live for ever; Grant the● that I may hunger an● thirst after Righteousness, so that I may b● satisfied: Give me o● that Living Water, tha● I may thirst no more I know the Wellis deep but give me, goo● Lord, the Bucket tha● may draw out of it, or grant that I may plunge and drown myself in that Grace: Tha● Bread of Life is far distant from me, for i● in Heaven, and I upo● Earth, but thou, O Lord, shalt give me the Wings of Faith, that in the company of Heavenly Eagles I may soar up towards crucified Christ, and feed my Soul with his precious Flesh and Blood, until that I be transformed into his Image, and be made Partaker of his Divine Nature. Amen.   

Another Meditation upon the same Subject.  
WIsdom hath covered her Table, prepared her Dishes, and mingled her Wine; sh● invites me to eat of her Bread, and drink o● the Wine that she hath mingled; but my Sou● is so dulled by the Pleasures of this Life, that it neither hungers nor thirsts after Righteousness. And though it were more hungry and thirsty after Goodness than it is, yet it is in a bad condition to appear at that Royal Feast, it is too much infected to receive so exquisite Food and so precious a liquour.  
Under the Ceremonies of the Mosaical law, the showbread was never put but in Holy Vessels; and under the purity of the Gospel can Jesus Christ, who is the Bread of Life, be received in a Soul polluted with sin, that sends out nothing but unclean Lusts?  
The Manna of the desert was kept in the Tabernacle, in a Vessel of Gold; and shall Jesus Christ, who is the true Manna that came down from Heaven, lodge in my Soul, which is a Vessel of Uncleanness and Corruption?  
The Ordinances of our God are the Pattern of his Holy Actions; he forbids us to cast Holy Things unto Dogs, or Pearls before Swine; and will he give his Son, who is the Holy of Holies, and the chosen and precious ston to me, a wretched sinner, who have so often promised to my God to live holily, and have still returned to the uncleanness of my Vices, as the Dog that returns to his Vomit, and the Sow to her wallowing in the Mire?  
Our Passover, to wit, Jesus Christ, hath been sacrificed; but how shall I come to the Feast, for I am uncircumcised in Heart and Ears? I want the Girdle of Sobriety and Chastity; I have not the Staff of Faith working by Charity, nor my Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace. I feel not, as I ought, the bitterness of my sins. I want the unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth. I am puffed up with Pride, and filled with the Old Leaven of Guile and Malice. The Centurion, who had so lively a Faith, that Jesus Christ from his sacred Mouth pronounced, That he had not seen such Faith, no not in Israel, said to our Saviour, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my Roof: And shall I, Lord, who am filled with diffidence and unbelief, think myself worthy that thou shouldst enter into my Heart?  
The poor Canaanitish Woman begged onely to gather the crumbs that fell from the Childrens Table, and shall I have the boldness, Lord, to sit down at thy Table, and to eat of thy Childrens Bread?  
I fear, Lord, least eating of that Bread and drinking of that Cup unworthily, I become guilty of thy Body and Blood; and that profaning the Waters of the Covenant of Grace, the Sacrament of my Redemption, I be severely punished, as if I trampled under foot the Blood of the Covenant, and did spite to the Lord of Glory.  
For if Uzza was punished with Death for stretching out his rash hand to the Ark of the Covenant, what punishment ought I to expect, if I draw near to Jesus Christ with rashness; in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily?  
Shall I then, like those who were invited to the Kings Feast, refuse to come? Shall I either excuse myself because of Business that o'rcharge my Spirits, or Pleasures that mollify my Courage, or Vices that corrupt my Soul? Shall I follow the Example of the Spouse, who instead of opening the door to her Beloved, who came to carry her to his Feast, said, I have put off my Coat, how shall I put it on, I have washed my Feet, how shall I defile them? But I am afraid that the offended King may declare me unworthy to taste of his Feast, and that he may swear in his wrath that I shall never enter into his rest. I am afraid that if I refuse my Lord, whilst he is near, and whilst he invites me with so much kindness, I may be chastised as the Spouse, and that my Beloved may withdraw from my Soul, and that when I shall seek him I shall not find him, and when I call upon him he will not answer me.  
O my God, free me then from this perplexity, and perfect thy strength in my weakness. Suffer me not by Ingratitude to keep back from a Table where thou preparest so great Delights. And to the end I may worthily approach it, give me, Lord, the Preparations which I want. I am not purified according to the Purification of the Sanctuary; but to the end I may celebrate the true Passoever, be thou, good God, a Propitiation for me; for with my whol● heart I call upon thee.  
I sleep with the Foolish Virgins, I have no oil in my Lamp, to go out to meet the Bridegroom, nevertheless I will not be discouraged; I shall not go to those that sell: I'll not have my recourse to the Merits of Saints, nor the Blood of Martyrs; but I will betake myself to him who freely bestows, to thee, Lord Jesus, who art the true Aaron, whose precious oil runs down, not only to thy Beard, but even to the Skirts of thy Garment. The fullness of thy Grace shall run down, even to me, who am the most abject of all thy Creatures. Thou wilt fill my Heart with the oil of Faith, Hope, and Charity: And my Lamp lighted at the Beams of the Sun of Righteousness, shall never be extinguished.  
When a great King intends to lodg● in 〈◇〉 poor House, he sends thither his Officers, and the Rooms are furnished with the Princes Furniture. There is no House so poor as my Soul, for it is altogether voided of Righteousness and Holiness; but seeing it is designed for the Lodging of the King of Kings, thou wilt sand into it thy Royal Equipage; thy Spirit will come and adorn that Upper Chamber, wherein thou intends to celebrate thy Supper, with thy Disciples.  
Thou shalt turn me, O Lord, and then shall I be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. Break my Heart and Spirit, that I may be a pleasing Sacrifice unto thee, and that I may receive the refreshing liquour of thy Grace. I am hardened in my Pollution and Iniquity, but as Moses heretofore striking the Rock with his Rod, made fresh Water spring forth; so if thou touch my Heart with the Rod of thy Word, thou shalt make me melt in Tears of Repentance: And then, Lord, with my Tears I shall wash the House into which thou intendst to come; for alas! it is all defiled with 'vice.  
At the Feast where thou wast present, Lord, in the House of the Pharisee, thou manifestedst great Charity, in pardoning that poor sinful Woman, who washed thy sacred Feet with her Tears: But at the Feast which thou celebratest in thy Church, there is occasion for the exercising of greater Charity, and of rendering thyself still more amiable; for there are more sins to be pardonned there, and fewe● tears to be found. There streams not from my Eyes Tears enough t● wash thy Feet, but thou Lord, hast  shed Bloo● enough to wash away the sins of all th● World; and it is properly thy Charit● which hides a multitude of sins.  
O Lord, enter not into judgement with thy Servant, for in thy sight no man living shall be justified. If I should contend with thee, I cannot answer thee one of a thousand.  
For my Lines are fallen to me in pleasant Places, thou, Lord, hast given me a goodly Inheritance, thou hast created me in thy likeness, redeemed me by the Blood of thy Son, and by thy Spirit taught me Wisdom in the inward parts. And when I reflect on the Course of my Life past, I find that thou hast crwoned all my years with thy Blessing. Thou hast done me a thousand times more good than I could either think or ask. So many admirable Blessings and special Favours, ought to inflame my Heart with the Love of thee, and make the Zeal of thy House to eat me up; but I have not only butted the Talent which thou gavest me, but also scattered and lavished away thy Blessings, with unparallelled Prodigality. I have abused all thy Favours, and the light of thy Knowledge has rendered me onely more sharp sighted in evil.  
I have been insolent in my Prosperities, and in Adversity impatient; there is no Wickedness whereof I am not capable, nor Sin whereof I am not culpable.  
I have confessed thee with the Mouth, but in Works denied thee. I draw near to thee with the Lips, but my Heart is far from thee, rooted fast in the World. If I adore not false Gods, if I prostrate not myself before Idols, the Workmanship of Mens Hands, I embrace the Honours▪ Pleasures, and Riches of the World, as if they were my chiefest Good. My Pride, Avarice, and Voluptuousness, are Idols of jealousy, by which I provoke thee to jealousy. I speak without reverence of thy Majesty and thy Works; and if I blaspheme not thy Name, I back-bite my Neighbour, whom thou hast made after thy Likeness. If I set not apart some time of my Life by unexcusable sacrilege, to the Service of the Creature, I dedicate to the Flesh an● the World, the greatest part of the days which thou hast set a-part for thy Service.  
I have not rendered to my Superiors that obedience and love which thou hast commanded us; and I have been careless in instructing in the ways of Godliness those whom thou hast committed to my Conduct. If my hands are not polluted with innocent Blood, my Heart hath been filled with envy, hatred, and revenge. I am quick to anger, and slow to forgiveness. If I have not defiled my Body with uncleanness, I have polluted my Soul with foul desires. My Eyes have not been free from wanton looks, and my Ears have been tickled with obscene words; or other ways by my vanity and worldly ornaments, I have kindled in the hearts of others a fire of unclean Lusts. If I have not robbed other Mens goods, I unjustly possess thine, in not relieving the wants of the poor and afflicted I have seen my brethren in necessity and shut up the bowels of compassio● from them. If I raise no false report against my Neighbour, I have no charity to cover his failings; and my malicious Tongue takes pleasure to speak of other Mens evil. I am envious at the good, and covetous of the goods which thy wise Providence hath dispensed to others. I am filled with idle thoughts and brutish affections.  
Besides the Offences that I have wilfully, and with deliberate malice committed, how many Faults am I guilty of, O Lord, which are unknown to me? My iniquities have caught hold on me, and I have not seen them. They are in number more than the hairs of my Head, and my Heart faileth me. O my God I am ashamed and confounded to lift up my Face to thee! for my iniquities are gone over my Head, and my sins reach up unto Heaven. Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son. Against thee, thee only have I sinned and done that which is evil in thy sight. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness, according to the multitude of thy tender Mercies blot out my Sins; for I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Turn away thy Face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Open unto me the bowels of thy Mercy. Cloath me with the Wedding Garment, and cover my nakedness with the righteousness and innocence of my saviour Jesus Christ; that I may come to the Banquet of the Lamb slain from the beginning of the World, and that I may glorify thee in the Assembly of thy Saints. Give me Faith, more precious than Gold, that I may gather of that Manna which falleth from Heaven.  
O, my God, I feel thy joy and comfort; thou strengtheners me, and givest me courage to come to thy feast; for it is a Banquet of Charity, to which thou invitest not the rich; but the poor, the lame, the cripple, and the blind, who have nothing to give thee again. When thou wast upon earth, thou called'st sinners unto thee and atest with them; and as thou hast increased thy Glory, thou hast not in the least diminished thy love and charity.  
And, O Lord, thou not only invitest us sick, blind, and naked, to thy Feast; but thou makest us come that we may be cured, receive sight, and be clothed. The Waters of thy Grace are not only for quenching the drought of thristy Souls, but also for curing of all sorts of Sickness and Diseases, as the Pool of Bethesda was. The Angel of the great Counsel is come down from Heaven, and hath rendered that Blessing Salutiferous in all Seasons. The Blood of Christ Jesus lives still and is efficacious. I will not say as the poor paralytic did, I have no man to put me into the Pool. For thou, O Lord, becamest sin for us, and thou bearest our infirmities. Thou thy Sel● art the Pool and ou● Laver, to that Lave● of Siloa will I go then and there wash min● Eyes, since thou commandest it: and then I may surely say, I was born blind and now I see. Before I gather the fruit of the three of Life, I will cover myself with its leaves; for they are appointed for the health of the Gentiles.  
Lord Jesus, who hast loved me with an Eternal love, who camest to visit me in my stinking grave, and who hast quickened me when I was dead in my sins and trespasses; gran● that I may be received at thy Table, as Lazarus was, who was raised from the dead.  
And since thou has● the right of next i● kin to me, being more nearly related to the● than Booz was to Rut● the Moabitish Woman let me, O Lord, find grace in thy sight. Speak to thy poo● Creature words according to my Heart, and comfort me, spread over me the skirts of thy Garments; and suffer me to eat with thy Servants, and drink in thy Vessels. Let me glean in thy Field, that I may bear in my Heart the Seed of Eternal Life; until I come to enjoy a full crop, and the Field itself be given me in Inheritance, when in the highest Heavens thou shalt fulfil the Marriage, whereof thou this day confirm'st the Promise in presence of thy People. Happy are al● they who are called t● the Marriage Feast o● the Lamb. Amen.   

A Prayer and Meditation for him who presents himself to the Communion.  
O God my Father! I aclowledge myself unworthy of the least of thy favours. But invited by thy command, and the sweetness of thy holy Promises, I take the boldness to approach the Table on which thou exhibits the greatness of thy Riches. Let it not, O Lord, prove to my damnation.  
Banish from my mind all those earthly and carnal thoughts which disturb my Devotion, affect my Senses with a religious veneration. Give unto me such Humility and Repentance, such Fear and Reverence, as so high a mystery does require.  
I come not, O Lord, trusting to my own righteousness, nor puffed up with the conceit of my merits, but as a poor wretched malefactor, I draw near unto the God of Mercy, as a miserable sinner to the Saviour of the Church, as one defiled with Vices to the Wellspring of Righteousness. I come as a poor Beggar to the Lord of all things, as blind to the light of the World, as naked to the Father of compassion, as hungering and thirsting after Righteousness to Him who is the Bread of Life, and the Fountain of Living Water, springing up unto Eternal Life.  
Thou, Lord, wh● hast accepted the repentance of David the sighs of Man●ssah the tears of Mar● Magdalene, the faith of the Thief, the bitter sorrow of St. Pete● and the Prayers of the Publican; accept now of my Humiliation. I am not worthy to lift my Eyes up unto Heaven, but be thou merciful unto me a sinner. Confirm my Pardon, seal my Redemption, cleanse me from all my pollutions, support my infirmities, enlighten my darkness, and cover my nakedness. sand me not away empty, else I shall faint by the way, but satisfy me with the fatness of thy House; and give me to drink of the River of thy Pleasures.  
And seeing Christ Jesus is the Salvation and Redemption, the Ornament and Treasure, the Light and the Life, the Meat and Drink of the Elect, give me Grace to receive that King of Kings, that Spring of Life and Happiness; that Lodging in my Heart, he may there Plant the Seed of Blessed Immortality, the First-fruits of thy Kingdom and the Fore-tastings of thy Glory.  
O Lord Jesus, who gavest thyself over unto Death for my Redemption, give thyself now unto my Soul for Food and Nourishment unto Eternal Life. Lord Jesus, who dwellest in the highest Heavens, come and make thy abode in this poor Soul which pineth away in the lowermost parts of the Earth.  
My sins and unbelief shut the door against thee; but, Lord let it be said even this day, that thou ent'rest when the doors are shut. Remove by thy Power the separation that is between thee and me. Open by the Spirit the Door of my Soul. Bruise my Heart, that the Streams of thy Grace may on all sides flow into it.  
Lord, I find that thou drawest near unto me in mercy! My Soul leapeth for joy, my Bowels are moved, and my Heart burns within me. O! that I may receive thee with pure Lips and a penitent Heart. And that thou dwelling in my Heart by faith, by that sweet and delightful Guest, I may find myself strengthened, comforted, and my Heart inflamed with the love of thee; until thou shalt sand thy Blessed Angels from Heaven, who will carry me on their Wings into thy Holy paradise, where I shall behold thee Face to Face; and be satisfied in thy Likeness. Amen.   

Another Meditation upon the same Subject.  
O My Lord God, though I be a poor wretched sinner, yet do I present myself at thy Feast, because it is a Banquet of Charity, to which thou invitest the poor, the lame, the cripple, and the blind; who have nothing to give thee again. I will take the boldness to feed on the Bread of Angels, forasmuch as thou hast appointed it to be the Food of Penitent sinners; I will stretch out my hand to the Holy Cup, for it is a Medicine prepared for Spiritual Maladies.  
But since I am to compass thine Altar, grant O Lord, that I may wash my hands in Innocence. Since thou hast made me free, and willest that I should sit at thy Table among thy Servants; grant that I may be clothed with the white rob, and with Garments of Light and Holiness.  
And forasmuch as all my Righteousness is but as a menstruous Rag, cloath me, O my God, with the Righteousness of my Saviour, with the sweet smelling Garment of my Elder Brother, to the end I may obtain thy best Blessing: and instead of presenting to thee, I may from thy Hands receive savoury Meat.  
Lord Jesus, who coverest a Table for me in the midst of mine Enemies, and fillest my Cup with thy most precious Drink, since thou thyself dost anoint and wash thy Guests, pour upon me, I beseech thee, thy most Fragrant oil. Wash not only my Feet but also my Hands and Head, that I may have part with thee.  
Make me not only a partaker of the Seals of thy Covenant, and of the Pledges of thy Love, but also that I may receive thyself with all thy benefits. whilst my Hand, directed by my Bodily Eye, shall receive the Bread and Wine distributed by thy Minister, may my Soul, guided by Faith, receive thy Body that was broken for me, and thy Blood that was  shed on the across for the Remission of my Sins.  
And whereas heretofore the Prophet Elias stretched himself upon a dead Body, that he might raise it to life again, grant at this time that I may Embrace Christ Jesus dead and crucified, that from him I may receive Life and Salvation. That I may not only with Thomas put my fingers into his Side, but that my Heart may dart itself into it. That I may not only behold the wounds of his Feet and Hands; but also drink the Blood that drops from them.  
O my true and onely Saviour, since I touch the Hem of thy Garment, being by faith, and the bond of thy Spirit united to thy human Nature, since thou confirmest in me thy great and precious Promises, whereby thou makest me partaker of thy Divine Nature; and since I am Bone of thy Bone, Flesh of thy Flesh, and one and the same Spirit with thee; O that thou mayest feel that secret Virtue going out of thee to deliver me from my Maladies, and to stop the course of my Corruption.  
Then, Lord, shall I prostrate myself before thee, and acknowledge in the Assembly of thy Saints, that it is thou alone who hast healed me, and that there is no Salvation in any besides thee.  
And I shall not onely praise thee whilst I live here upon Earth; but also when thou hast taken me from this Valley of Tears, I shall take a Golden Vial full of Incense, and glorify thee Eternally in the Heavenly Jerusalem amidd'st the Millions of thine Angels, in the Assemblies of the First-born, whose Names are written in the Book of Life. Amen.   

A Thanksgiving to be said after the Communion.  
BLess the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me, bless his Holy Name: Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his Benefits. Above all Things, O my Soul, forget not for ever to celebrate the Favour which God hath this day done to me.  
I was before a Den of Thieves, a Haunt of Evil Spirits, a Sink of Unclean Lusts; and now I am become the Host of the Deity, the Palace of the Living God, the Spouse of the onely begotten Son of the Almighty, and the Temple of the Holy Ghost. Salvation is this day come into my House, and I may assured believe that I am a true Son of Abraham.  
All the Persons of the most Holy and Glorious Trinity, assure me of Salvation. I cannot doubt of the Mercy of the Father, for he hath not spared his only Son, but hath delivered him to the shameful Death of the across, to redeem me from my sins; and now he gives him to me for Food and Nourishment unto Eternal Life. The Son binds me to him, by the straightest and most cordial Bonds of Love that can be found amongst Men. He makes me Bone of his Bone, Flesh of his Flesh, and one and the same Spirit with him: and by that means renders me partaker of his Merit, and all his Benefits. And the Holy Ghost makes me glad and comforts me, witnessing to my Spirit that I am the Child of God, and Heir of God, and coheir with Jesus Christ. He hath sealed me unto the day of a glorious Redemption.  
King Belshazzar, during his Feast, saw a Hand that wrote his Condemnation. But during the Feast of my Saviour, I have felt the Finger of God writing on my Heart my Eternal Absolution, assuring me that God will not enter into Judgement with me, and that he reserves for me in the Heavens, an Inheritance uncorruptible and undefiled, which fadeth not away.  
I will not be any more afraid of my past sins; for the Cup of Blessing which now I have been partaker of is the Communion of the Blood of Jesus Christ, which was  shed for the Remission of my sins. I will not be afraid of the Wrath of God, for now I have received the Pledge of my Peace and Reconciliation with God, by the Blood of the across. Being justified by Faith, I have Peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and shall rejoice in the Hope of the Glory of God. I am not now afraid of Death, for seeing I have eaten of the Fruit of the three of Life, I shall never Die. Christ Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life: he is the Bread of Life, of which whosoever ●ateth Liveth for ever. He that believeth in him, though he be dead, yet he shall live. I shall not fear the Dissolution of this Tabernacle; for though my Body be turned into Dust and Rottenness, yet God will raise it again at the last day. I have now received the Seed of Immortality, and the sure earnest that Christ Jesus will one day transform this vile Body, ●nd render it comform to his glorious Body. After that the Worms have destroyed this, I shall see God in my Flesh, and mine Eyes shall behold him and not another.  
O what Joy and Consolation do I now feel in my Soul? My Heart is glad, and my Glory rejoiceth; my Flesh also shall rest in Hope. I will sing with the Angelical Spirits, Glory be to God on High, Good-will upon Earth, and Peace towards M●n.  
Depart from me all Sadness, for I possess the Joy and Consolation of Israel. In my Jesus I find Sweetness and inexpressible Delights. My Heart from henceforward shall be a continual Feast, and the Peace of God that passeth all Understanding, shall keep my Body and Soul.  
What can thy poor Servant say more unto thee; for I am too mean, in respect of all thy Goodness and Truth, which thou hast shewed towards me. Thou, Lord, givest me above what I could ask or think. Thou givest me a foretaste of thy Heavenly Canaan, and the First-Fruits of thy glorious Communion. O when shall I be fully satisfied with the Bread of thy Kingdom, and the Fat of thy House? When wilt thou plunge me in that River of thy Pleasures?  
My Soul thirsteth for God, for the Living God, when shall I come and appear before God? It is enough, O Lord, return now into thy rest, O my Soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. Let me now depart in Peace, according to thy word, for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation.  
But whilst I wait for the Enjoyment of that Eternal Peace, what shall I render unto the Lord for all his Benefits towards me? I will take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. I will pay my Vows to the Lord in the midst of all his People, in the Courts of the Lords House, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.  
O great God, as thou hast given me thy Blessings, and a Hand to receive them, give me Grace likewise to aclowledge them by everlasting Thanksgiving. Lord Jesus, who ●ast given me Furniture to adorn the House which thou hast deigned to honour with thy Presence, give me likewise Incense to burn before thee. Let my Prayer come up before thee as Incense, and the lifting up of my Hands as the Evening Sacrifice.  
And in the same manner as thy Presence heretofore appeared graciously in the Temple of Solomon, by the Fire which came down from Heaven, and consumed the Sacrifice; sand down into my Heart, from Heaven, the Fire of thy Love, which may render my Prayers fervent; and elevate to thee the flamme of my Praises.  
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, having the Dead Body of our Saviour, put it in a clean linen Cloth, with a Composition of myrrh and aloes. And grant, good Lord, that I having received my Saviour, who was dead, and raised again into Glory, may lodge him in a pure Conscience, and in the sincerity of a mildred and peaceable Spirit, which in the sight of God is of greater value than all Spices and Perfumes.  
They who have a great Prince lodge in their House have their Eye still steadfastly fixed upon him. They are always employed either in Serving or Entertaining of him.  
Since then I have the honour to lodge in me the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, grant that all my Affections may fall down and kneel in his Presence.  
Let there be nothing in me that may displease so excellent a Guest. Grant that I may banish from his sight the Filthiness of my Vices, and the Pollution of my unclean Lusts, that my greatest fear may be not to displease him; and greatest care how to give him content: and that my Soul may be as a Sanctuary and sacred Closet, where I may entertain him in holy Prayers and devote Meditations.  
O great God, who hast this day sealed unto me Grace and Redemption; make me to feel thy Spirit of Sanctification. As Christ Crucified hath been represented to my Eyes, grant that I may crucify the Old Man, and destroy the body of sin. And as Christ Jesus died once unto sin, that he might live eternally to God; grant also that I may die unto sin, that through Christ Jesus I may be Eternally to God. That Sin may no longer reign in my Mortal Body, that I should obey it in the Lusts thereof; and that I may no longer yield my Members as Instruments of Righteousness to Sin; but that I may yield them to God as one alive from the dead. That I may offer unto the Body as a Living Sacrifice, Holy and Acceptable to God, which is my reasonable Service; to the end I may say with thy Apostle, I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; And the Life which I now live in the Flesh, I live by the Faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  
O Lord, since thou hast admitted me unto thy Table, and made me to lean on thy Bosom like thy well-beloved Disciple. Since thou hast satisfied me with such precious Dainties, and hast linked me unto thee by such powerful Chains of Love, grant that I may hearty renounce the Devil and all the sinful Pomps of the Worfd, that Pride, Avarice, and unclean concupiscence may have no more power over me.  
Since thou hast Embraced me, clothed with thy Righteousness, and fed with the Bread of Angels, Grant that I may not again return to the Food of Swine, the Filth of my Vices; but that my whole Life may be a Warfare against my Lusts, a Study and Exercise of Piety, and a Race towards thee, in the ways of good works which thou hast appointed for us to walk in.  
Jonathan's Eyes were enlightened by tasting of a Honey-Comb that dropped upon the Ground, and shall not I be enlightened, O Lord, who have in my Heart tasted the Honey that drops from the Rock of Ages? I was before Darkness, but henceforward I shall be Light in the Lord.  
The Prophet Elias having drank a cruse of Water, and ate a Cake baked on the Coals, which was brought him from Heaven by an Angel, found himself so much refreshed, that in the strength of that Meal he traveled Forty Days and Forty Nights, until he came to the Mountain of the Lord in Horeb; so grant, good Lord, that I, who being touched by thy Spirit, have now Drank of the Water of Life, and Ate of the Heavenly Bread, which bearing the Wrath of God upon the Altar of the across, was made unto us Food unto Eternal Life; by the strength of that Holy Bread may go on from Faith to Faith, and from Grace to Grace, until I come and prostrate myself before thee in Mount Sion; where I shall stand no more in need of S●craments; for the Curtain being drawn, and the Veil rent, I shall, without Shadow or Figure, behold thee Face to Face: Shall follow my Jesus whi●hersoever he goeth, and shall hunger and thirst no more; for the Lamb that is on the Throne shall feed me, and led me to the Fountain of Living Waters,: And God himself shall be all in all unto me. Amen.   

Another Meditation on the same Subject.  
COuld I speak the Language of Angels, and had I one of the Harps of those Blessed Saints who Triumph in Heaven, yet could I not sufficiently acknow●edge the Favour that God hath shewed me to day.  
The Happiness of Abraham is admired, in that he lodged Angels; but without comparison, greater is my Felicity; for I lodge him whom the Angels adore, and in whose Presence the Seraphims cover their Faces with their Wings. The Angels stayed but a short time in Abraham's House, but Christ Jesus will dwell in my Heart for ever.  
The Royal Prophet exalts the Goodness of God, in that he hath given to Man the Beasts of the Fields, and the Fowls of the Air for Food; but I have far greater reason to magnify that infinite Mercy of God, who feeds me with the Flesh and Blood of his only begotten Son.  
The same Prophet with Admiration beholded the Moon and Stars, which shine in the Firmament for the sake of Man: But I, Lord, contemplating the Bowels of Mercy, wherewith the day-spring from on high hath visited me; seeing the Sun of Justice spreading abroad his Beams in my Heart, have more cause to be ravished with Admiration, and to cry out: What is Man that thou thinkest of him, or the Son of Man that thou shouldst visit him?  
Elizabeth, the Mother of John the Baptist, being visited by the blessed Virgin, cried out, Whence is this to me that the Mother of the Lord should come to me? But with greater Astonishment I may say,  
Whence is this to me, that not the Mother of my Lord, but that my Lord himself hath vouchsafed to visit his poor Servant? That Heaven should stoop to the Earth? And that the Creator should honour his Creature with his Holy Presence?  
So soon as the Salutation of the Blessod Virgin came to the Ears of Elizabeth, the little Child leaped for Joy in her Womb. Seeing then that not only the Salutation of my Saviour is come to my Ears, but that himself is come to lodge in my Soul; let my Heart leap for joy, my Bowels yern, and my Affections be inflamed! This is the happy day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad therein.  
Many lodge Kings and their Court, who become not richer thereby, but by lodging him who hath written on his Garment and on his Thigh, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords: I shall for ever possess inexhaustible Treasures; for he that hath not spared to give his own Son for me, will not he also with him give me all things?  
If God blessed the House of ob Edom, because for sometime he lodged the Ark of the Covenant, have not I reason to hope that God will bless me with his most Holy Blessings, since I lodge him for ever, of whom the Ark of the Covenant was but a Figure, and the Foot-stool to his Feet.  
Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in him hath blessed us with all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places in the Church, and hath made us fit to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light. I will not be afraid of Famine, for I lodge with me that great Prophet, who not onely multiplies the oil and the Meal, but is himself the Bread of Life, and the Well of Water springing up into Everlasting Life. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want; he maketh me to lye down in green Pastures, and leadeth me beside the still Waters, &c. I will not be ashamed of the World, nor of its Storms; for Christ Jesus hath overcome the World; he commands the Winds and the Floods and they obey. Though the Sea roar and be troubled, though the Mountains shake with the swelling thereof; there is a River, the Streams whereof shall make glad the City of God, the Holy Place of the Tabernacles of the most High. I will not be afraid of the Sword of the destroying Angel for not onely the Lintel and Side-posts of the Door of my House, but the Inward Parts of my Soul are sprinkled with the Blood of the Immaculate Lamb.  
I will not be afraid of the Fury of the read Dragon, nor of the Subtle Accusations of that Old Serpent; for the Devil hath no power in Christ Jesus, nor in his Members: Now that Salvation is come, and the Kingdom of our God, and the Power of his Christ. For that malicious Accuser, who accused us before God, Night and Day, is cast down. We have overcome him by the Blood of the Lamb; and we we shall shortly see him bruised under our Feet.  
Nor will I be afraid of Death and Hell; for he holdeth in his Hands the Keys of Hell and Death. O Grave where is thy Sting? the Sting of Death is Sin, and the Power of Sin is the Law: But thanks be to God who hath given us Victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.  
I will not be afraid neither of the final Destruction of the World, when the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the Elements shall melt with Fervent Heat; the Earth also and the Works that are therein shall be Burnt up: God in his Mercy will preserve me, and I shall not be Rooted out like the Cursed People: for, not the ambassadors of Joshua, but Joshua himself, lodgeth with me; he will sand his Angels who plucking me out of the Fire, shall led me by the hand into Mount Sion, to the City of the Living God.  
In short, I will not be afraid of Everlasting judgement; for with the hidden Manna I have received the White ston, which is the Token of the Absolution of Criminals. My Judge will be my Advocate; and if God Justify, who shall Condemn me? O my God, let me not repay so many favours as I have received with ungratitude: Let me not do as the King of the Ammonites did, who abused the ambassadors whom David had sent to comfort him. Let me not offend that Faithful ambassador whom I have received to Contract with me an Everlasting Covenant: Let me not grieve that Comforter who seals me unto the Day of Redemption; but let him be Served and Adored with the most Holy and Fervent Affections of my Soul; and let my Meditations be upon his Favours both Day and Night.  
And as of old the most precious things in the Ark were the Tables of the Law; so, seeing thou hast chosen me for thy Sanctuary, and the pavilion of thy Glory, transform me into thine Image, that I may reckon nothing in the World more precious than Obedience to thy Holy Commandements.  
I know that of myself I am unfit for thy Service; for I am by Nature a Child of Wrath as well as others, all the Imaginations of my Heart are Evil and that continually; and I am dead in sins and Trespasses: but if the blood of Bulls and Goats, and the Ashes of an Heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the Purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit, offered himself without Spot to God, purge my Conscience from Dead Works to serve the Living God?  
And as Aarons Rod blossomed and bore Almonds when it was put into the Tabernacle; so Lord, since by thy Holy Presence thou Sanctifiest me this day to be the Tabernacle of God in Spirit, thou wilt cause me likewise to blossom and fructify in good Works: In a word, if a dead Man, who touched the Bones of the Prophet Elisha, was raised again, thou wilt raise me, O Lord, in newness of Life, because to day I Embrace Christ Jesus Crucified. For if my Soul be dead, and looks more ghastly, and lies deeper in the Grave, than heretofore that poor dead man did; the Touch of thy Spirit, O Lord, is of more Efficacy than the Touching of the Bones of thy Prophet.  
When Christ came into the World, the Evil Spirits fled, and those that were possessed with Devils, were eased. May the coming of Christ into my Soul banish from thence all Evil Spirits, and may I be delivered from those Hellish Lusts which cast me sometimes into the Fire of Anger and Hatred, and sometimes into the Mire of my unclean Pleasures.  
O My God, grant that I may have always before mine Eyes Jesus Christ Crucified. Engrave him so upon my Heart, that he may be the Pattern of my Life and the Comfort of my Death. Let me never Glory but in the across Christ Jesus my Saviour, whereby the World is Crucified unto me and I unto the World.  
Seeing thou hast put into me the Fountain of Light and Life, the Treasure of Wisdom and knowledge, the Spring of True and Heavenly Pleasures: grant that I may continually go to it to quench my Thirst; that I may Thirst after no other Pleasure, that I may covet no other Riches: that I may constantly delight in that Light, and that I may follow it until it have brought me into thy Heavenly Canaan. Let all my Actions, Words and Thoughts, be to the Glory of thy Holy Name, the Edification of my Neighbour, and the Salvation of my Soul.  
And forasmuch, Lord, as the passion whereof thou hast given me the Grace this day to Celebrate the Memory, hath only been represented to me as a Pattern how I may follow the Steps of my Saviour: So increase my Faith, confirm my Courage, and strengthen me in the Inward man, that I may be able with Simon the Cyrenean to follow Christ Jesus bearing his across.  
And in like manner, as my Saviour, having celebrated his Last Supper with his Disciples, went out into the Garden where his Soul was in anguish even unto Death, and swat drops of Blood; may I also when I go from this Table, having sung the Hymn with that Blessed Assembly, feel myself ready and disposed to suffer Death for his Name.  
May I be ready to  shed my Blood for his Glory, who spared not his own for the Washing away of my Sins. May I be in readiness to lay down my life for his Service, who hath given his Soul for the Price of my Redemption. May I not be ashamed, neither of Bonds, nor Prisons, nor even of Gibbets, prepared for me, for his Sake; since my Lord Jesus Christ was not ashamed to be Bound, whipped, and Nailed to the Cursed across between two Thieves.  
The soldier having taken his refreshment, finds himself more courageous and animated to the Battle: so grant, Lord, that after I have fed on so excellent Dainties, and drank of the new Wine of thy Kingdom, I may feel new Strength and Vigour in me, to F●ght the good Fight of Faith, Breathing after Everlasting Life.  
That I may endure labour as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. That I may be faithful unto him, even unto Death; being assured to receive the Crown of Life: for it is a sure saying, That if we suffer with him, we shall Reign with him. And if we bear in our Body the Death of our Lord Jesus, the Life of our Lord Jesus shall also manifest itself in our Mortal Flesh.  
Alas! Lord, I know that of myself I cannot resist the least temptation, but I can do all things in Christ Jesus, who strengtheners me. This poor Soul is seized with horror and tossed with vain fears: but as our Saviour, drawing near the Boat tossed by a Tempest, said to his Disciples, It is I, fear not. And so soon as he was come into the Boat the Tempest ceased. Even so since Christ has this day come unto my Soul, let it please him to quiet the troubles of my Conscience, and give me Grace amidst the greatest Evils to possess my Soul in Patience. I will securely pass through the Torrent of this World, because the Emperour of the Universe and the supreme Lord of all Creatures, is in my Vessel. We are like Sheep appointed for the Slaughter, but we shall be more than Conquerors through Jesus Christ that loved us.  
O Lord Jesus! abide with us, and let not thy Spirit forsake us; for the Sun beginneth to decline, and the Light to fail. There is no knowledge nor fear of God in the Land, and Faith and Charity are departed from the Earth. The Vices that reign even in thine own Jsrael, threaten us with an Age of Darkness. The day is far spent, and night beginneth to cover the Face of the Earth; yea and many nights also. A Night of Temptation and Solicitation to Evil, a Night of Terrors and anxious Cares, a Night of Anguish, Tribulation, and frightful Death; a Night that casts both the Foolish and Wise Virgins into a Sleep; a Night that involves both the Innocent and Guilty. But if thou, Lord Jesus, abidest with us, none of these Nights shall terrify us: being troubled on every side we shall not be distressed; being in perplexity we shall not despair; being persecuted we shall not be forsaken: and being cast down we shall not be destroyed.  
amidst the thickest darkness thou shalt be my Light, in the blackest Dungeons, the Sun of thy Grace shall shine about me. In time of War and the Rumours of War, thou shalt be my resting Place, my Peace and Tranquillity. In my flight, thou shall be my Refuge; in my Poverty, my Treasure; and in my Nakedness my Covering. In time of Famine, thou shalt be my Portion and my Drink for ever; in my Disgrace, thou shalt be my Diadem and Crown of Ornament; in my greatest Solitude thou shalt be my Company; in my Fears, thou shalt be my Confidence and the Work of my Assurance; in the Valley and Shadow of Death thy Rod and thy Staff shall comfort me. In thee have I hoped, O Lord, let me not be put to Confusion. Let thy Blessings and loving Kindness wait upon me all the days of my Life, and when I have finished my course, fought the good Fight, and kept the Faith, I shall be crwoned with the Crown of Righteousness; for he whom I have received to day, shall receive me at the hour of my Death.  
He to whom I have given a place in my Heart, shall give me a Place in his Kingdom; where Night and Darkness shall be no more: for God Himself is the Light, and the Lamb, the Candle which never goeth out; where there shall be no more Weeping nor Crying, nor Labour; for Sorrow and Lamentation shall fly away. Joy and Everlasting Gladness shall be upon our Heads; and God shall wipe away all Tears from our Eyes. There shall no want be there; for the three of Life shall bring us forth Fruit every Month in the Year, and we shall continually Drink of the River of the Water of Life which streams from the Throne of God and the Lamb. O God, in thy presence is fullness of Joy, and at thy Right Hand are Pleasures for Evermore. Amen.  
FINIS.