Ancilla pietatis: or, The hand-maid to priuate deuotion presenting a manuell to furnish her with necessary principles of faith. Forcible motiues to a holy life. Vsefull formes of hymnes and prayers. ... By Daniel Featly, D. in Diuinity.

Religious duties to be perfor∣med at the time of the recei∣uing the Communion. (Book 5)

• 1. Prepare thy body by a de∣cent gesture.
• 2. Recollect thy mind, and fixe thy thoughts wholly vpon this most sacred action stir vp in thee.
• 3. Stirre vp in thee.
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    1 An holy feare out of this con∣sideration, that God is there present in a speciall manner, and his Angels attending on him, and obseruing thee.

    Say to thy selfe in the words of Iacoh.

    O how fearefull is this place; it is no other then the house of God, and gate of heauen.

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    2 An holy astonishment or ad∣miration, out of this consi∣deration that the Lord thy Maker and Redeemer, and the high possessour of hea∣uen and earth, so farre hum∣bles himselfe as to bee thy guest.

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    Say to thy selfe in the words of Salomon.

    Is it true indeed that God will dwell on the earth? Behold the heauen, and heauen of hea∣uens cannot containe him; how much lesse the narrow roome of my soule? 1. King 8. 27.

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    3 An holy abashment or con∣fusion, out of this consi∣deration, that so vile a worme, and sinfull wretch as thou art should haue so infinite a Maiestie, and holy God to come and sup with thee.

    Say to thy selfe in the words of the Centurion.

    Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come vnder my roofe: or with S. Peter, De∣part from me, for I am a sinfull man.

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    4 An holy sorrow out of this consideration, y^• thy sins did put thy Sauiour to these tor∣ments, which are signified,

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    and liuely represented in this Sacrament.

    Say to thy selfe in the words of Ieremiah.

    O that mine eyes were a fountaine of teares to bewaile those sinnes which drew so much bloud from my Sa∣uiour.

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    5 An holy ioy, out of this con∣sideration, that the infinite debt of thy sins is dischar∣ged, and the acquittance de∣liuered into thy hands.

    Say to thy selfe in the words spoken of Zacheus.

    This day saluation is come into mine house.

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    6 An holy desire of expressing some kind of thankfulnesse to God, out of this conside∣ration, that together with the Sacramēt thou receiuest Christ himselfe, and all the benefits of his passion.

    Say to thy selfe in the words of Dauid.

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    What shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits that he hath done vnto me? I will take the cup of saluation, and call vpon the name of the Lord.

4 Ioyne the signes with the things signified. Take Feede on

• bodily
  • Bread
  • Wine
• ghostly
  • Bodie.
  • Bloud.

5 Obserue & meditate vpon the resemblances betweene them.

1 Bread and wine, true, and in substance, not in appearance onely.

Christs bodie a true bodie; his bloud true bloud, not in shew onely as some Hereticks haue imagined.

2 Bread one bodie or lumpe made of many graines: wine one liquor or drinke of many grapes.

Christ his body one of many mem∣bers vnited together.

3 Bread and wine an entire re∣past.

Christs body and bloud the perfect refection of the soule.

4 Bread and wine strengthen and comfort the heart.

Christs body and bloud est ablisheth the heart and comforteth the conscience.

5 Bread and wine the common foode of men, not children.

Christs bodie and bloud in the Sa∣crament no foode for children, but men in riper yeares that can examine themselues.

6 Bread and wine are designed and set apart for the holy Communion.

Christs body and bloud designed and appointed by God for man his redemption, and satisfaction.

7 Bread and wine layed vpon the Communion table.

Christs body and bloud layed vpon the Altar of the crosse.

8 Bread and wine consecrated by the Priest, and exhibited to the Communicants.

Christs body and bloud consecrated

by the eternall Spirit, and offered to his Father.

9 Bread broken, wine poured out.

Christs body bruised and torne, and his bloud poured out.

10 Bread and wine giuen by the Minister.

Christs body and bloud giuen by the Father.

11 Bread and wine taken into the hands of the faithfull Communicant.

Christs body and bloud receiued by faith, and applyed.

12 Bread and wine eaten and drunke with the mouth.

Christs body and bloud fed vpon in the heart.

13 Bread and wine vnited to the substance of our body, and made one with vs.

Christs body and bloud vnited to vs & made one with vs by an vnspeak∣able and inseparable coniunction.

14 Bread and wine sustaine and nourish the body to a tempo∣rall life.

Christs body and bloud nourish and preserue body and soule to eter∣nall life.

15 Bread and wine increase the substance of one body.

Christs body and bloud worthily re∣ceiued, increase faith and all spi∣rituall graces in the soule.