Preparation For Communion
by The Revd William Vickers (d. 1719)
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Prayers in preparation for receiving Holy Communion, from a book treasured by Jane Austen.
Mysteries And Pledges Of Love
ALL those blessings which we now enjoy, and hope hereafter to receive, from Almighty God, are purchased for us, and must be obtained, through the merits and intercession of the holy Jesus, who has "instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death and passion, to our great and endless comfort," Luke xxii. 19., 1 Cor. xi. 24.
But then we must remember, that these benefits and blessings, which the Son of God has purchased us, are no where promised, but upon condition that we ourselves are first duly qualified for them.
The sacrament of the Lord's Supper is a solemn ratification of our baptismal covenant, wherein God, for his part, hath faithfully promised "pardon and remission of sins to all true penitents;" and we, for our parts, are therein solemnly bound to be faithful and obedient unto him, 2 Tim. ii. 19.
Before then we can promise to ourselves any benefit or advantage from the participation of this solemn rite and covenant between God and us, we must endeavour (what in us lies) to possess our souls with all those divine qualifications which the sacrament of the Lord's Supper requires, to render us worthy partakers thereof.
And what those are, it is the design of this discourse to enquire; wherein I shall endeavour to shew what that preparation of heart and mind is, which must dispose us for a worthy participation of the blessed sacrament.
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Extracts from "A Companion To The Altar", by William Vickers. Includes some minor editorial changes, chiefly paragraphing.
You can find the full text of this book at Google Books.
