The Christian's manual in three parts ... / by L. Addison ...

The Young Persons Devoti∣ons upon his first Admissi∣on to the LORD'S TA∣BLE.

Expostulation.

WIlt thou then, O God, vouchsafe me to partake of that which my Soul has so long thirsted after! Shall I this day be admitted a Guest at that Divine Banquet, from which my own unworthiness ought for ever to exclude me! Wilt thou be so gracious to a miserable sinner, as to accept of a renew∣ing of the Covenant I made in Baptism, after that by nume∣rous

ways I have violated and broken it! Then, Lord, I will not absent my self, but draw near, hoping to be found in the number of those whom thou dost invite, even of those who truly and earnestly repent of their sins, who are in Love and Charity with their Neighbours; who intend to lead a New Life, to follow thy Commandments, and to walk from henceforth in thy Holy Ways. For upon these, and no Terms else, do I come to the Holy Sacrament; which yet I dare not receive, till with all Humility of Soul and Body, I have prostrated my self, and made Confession of my sins.

The Confession.

ALmighty God, Father o•• our Lord Jesus Christ, Ma¦ker of all things, Judge of al•• Men; I acknowledge and be∣wail my manifold Sins and Wic∣kedness, which I from time to time most grievously have com∣mitted by Thought, Word and Deed, against thy Divine Maje∣sty, provoking most justly thy Wrath and Indignation against me. I do earnestly repent, and am heartily sorry for these my Misdoings, the Remembrance of them is grievous to me; the burden of them is intole∣rable. Have mercy upon me, have mercy upon me, most mer∣ciful Father; for thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive me all that is past, and grant that I may ever hereafter serve and please thee in Newness of Life, to the Honour and Glory

of thy Name through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer for Pardon.

FOrgive me, O Lord, what∣soever I have transgrest a∣gainst thee, from the time of my Baptism, even to this very Moment, whether against Know∣ledge, or through Ignorance, at home or abroad, sleeping or wa∣king, in Thoughts, Words, or Deeds: Whether occasion'd through the fiery Darts of my Ghostly Enemy, or by the un∣clean Desires of my own Heart; Have Mercy upon me, and grant me pardon through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Remember not the sins of my Youth, nor my Transgressions: According to thy Mercy remem∣ber me, for thy goodness sake, O Lord.

Lord, the sins of these my Younger Days are many, the

Breaches innumerable, wherewi•••• I have ignorantly or foolishl•• for want of Knowledge or Co••¦sideration, offended against thee▪ Lay them not, I beseech thee, t•• my Charge, but of thy ow•• free Mercy and Compassion to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wretched sinner, be thou plea¦sed to be reconciled unto me, an•• seal the same to my Soul by thi•• blessed Sacrament.

For thy Name sake, O Lord pardon my iniquity, for it is great▪

I have many ways greatly sinn'd against thee, and have no ground of hope for Mercy, but only from thy free abundant Pardon, which I know exceedeth my Sins, and for which I am the more abun∣dantly qualified, by how much my state is more truly Miserable. On the account therefore of thy Free Pardon to the greatest sin∣ners, so they be truly penitent, I beseech thee be reconciled unto me, who this day unfeignedly re∣pent, and turn to thee.

For Purifying the Heart.

ALmighty God, unto whom all Hearts be open, all De∣sires known, and from whom no Secrets are hid; Cleanse the Thoughts of my Heart by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that I may sincerely love thee, and worthily magnifie thy Holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord, give me Grace this day to receive the blessed Body and Blood of thy Son, my most blessed Saviour, into a Clean, Charitable and Thankful Heart, that it may perfectly cleanse me from all Dregs of sin; that being made clean, it may nourish me in Faith, Hope, Charity, and O∣bedience, with all other Fruits of spiritual life and growth in thee: That in all the future Course of my Life, I may shew my self such an engrafted Member into the

Body of thy Son, that I may nev•••• be drawn to do any ••hing th•• may dishonour his Name Gran•• this, O Lord, I beseech the•• eve•• for his Merit and Mercy sake. Amen

For Self-Examination.

ALmighty God, and most mer∣ciful Father, give me, I be∣seech thee, that Grace, that I may duly examine the inmost of my heart, and my most secret thoughts that I may know how I stand be∣fore thee. Lord, I confess all my sins, and my unworthiness to pre∣sent my self at thine Altar. But thou, and thou only canst forgive sin, and give true Repentance; do both, gracious Father, and them behold I am clean to come unto thee. Lord, make me a worthy Receiver of that for which I come, even Christ, and Forgiveness of sin in Christ; and that for his own Mercy-sake and thine. Amen.

For belief of Christ's Presence with∣out disputing the manner.

O Lord God, hear my Prayers. And while others dispute, grant that I may stedfastly believe, behold I quarrel not the Words of thy Son my Saviour's blessed Insti∣tution: I know his Words are no gross unnatural Conceit, but they are Spirit and Life, and supernatu∣ral. He hath promised me, if I come worthily, that I shall receive his most precious Body and Blood, with all the benefits of his Passion, without amusing my self then a∣bout the manner of receiving Him. Lord, make me able, make me worthy to receive Him: For grant me this Favour, and I know I can no more die Eternally, then his Body and Blood can again die and be shed. Lord, so wash and cleanse my Soul, that I may now and at all times else come prepa∣red by hearty Prayers and Devoti∣on,

and be made worthy by th•• Grace of this blessed Sacramen•• the Pledge and Earnest of Etern•••• Life, in the Merits of the same Ho¦ly Jesus, who gave his Body an•• Blood for me. Amen.

Immediately before the sight of t•••• Bread.

O Lord God, how I receive th•• Body and Blood of my mo•• blessed Saviour, the price of m•• Redemption, is the very wonde•• of my Soul: Yet that I do receiv•• them, is my firm and constant be¦lief. At this time they are graci∣ously tender'd to me and my Faith Lord, make me a worthy Receive•• and be it unto me according to m•• Saviour's Word. Amen.

Looking upon the Bread and Win•• say,

O Thou that sittest on high with the Father, and art here invisi∣bly present with us; come and san∣ctifie

these thy Creatures of Bread ••nd Wine, and those by whom ••hey are to be received. Amen.

As the Bread is coming to you, say,

LEt thy Body, I beseech thee, O Lord Jesu Christ, which was given for me, preserve my Bo∣••y and Soul unto Everlasting Life; ••nd grant that I may take and eat ••n Remembrance that thou hast di∣ed for me, and feed on thee in my Heart by Faith with Thanksgiving. Amen.

As the Wine is brought, say,

LEt thy Blood, I beseech thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for me, preserve my Bo∣dy and Soul unto Everlasting life: And grant I may drink this in Re∣membrance thy Blood was shed for me, and be Thankful. Amen.

FINIS.