Be merciful after thy power. If thou hast much, give plenteously; if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little; for so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity. Tobit iv.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord: and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again. Prov. xix.
Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. Psal. xli.
| Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more | blessed to give than to receive. Acts xx.
Whilst these Sentences are in reading, the Deacons, Church-wardens, or other fit person appointed for that purpose, shall receive the Alms for the Poor, and other devotions of the people, in a decent bason to be provided by the Parish for that purpose; and reverently bring it to the Priest, who shall humbly present and place it upon the holy Table.
And when there is a Communion, the Priest shall then place upon the Table so much Bread and Wine as he shall think sufficient.
After offering the Elements.
| Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, | and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven | and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou | art exalted as head above all. All things come of thee and of | thine own have we given thee. 1 Chron. xxix. 11, 14.
After which done, the Priest shall say,
Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth.