Take ye, eat ye; This is the body of Christ which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of him.[261]
In like manner he shall deliver them the Cup, first drinking of it himself, when he hath said,
This cup is the new testament in Christ's blood, [or Christ's blood of the new testament,] which is shed for you for the remission of sins; drink ye all of it in remembrance of him.[262]
Let it be left to the Minister's choice, whether he will consecrate the bread and wine together, and break the bread and pour out the wine immediately; or whether he will consecrate and pour out the wine, when the Communicants have eaten the bread. If he do the latter, he must use the foregoing Prayers and expressions twice accordingly. And let it be left to his discretion, whether he will use any words at the breaking of the bread, and pouring out the wine, or not; and if the Minister choose to pray but once, at the consecration, commemoration, and delivery; let him pray as followeth, or to this sense:
Almighty God, thou art the Creator and the Lord of all. Thou art the Sovereign Majesty whom we have offended. Thou art our merciful Father, who hast given us thy Son to reconcile us to thyself; who hath ratified the new testament and covenant of grace with his most precious blood, and hath instituted this holy sacrament to be celebrated in memorial of him, till his coming. Sanctify these thy creatures of bread and wine, which, according to thy will, we set apart to this holy use, that they may be sacramentally the body and blood of thy Son Jesus Christ. And through his sacrifice and intercession, give us the pardon of all our sins, and be reconciled to us, and nourish us by the body and blood of Christ to everlasting life. And to that end, give us thy quickening Spirit to show Christ to our believing souls, that is here represented to our senses. Let him soften our hearts, and humble us for our sins, and cause us to feed on Christ by faith. Let him shed abroad thy love upon our hearts, and draw them on in love to thee, and fill us with holy joy and thankfulness, and fervent love to one another. Let him comfort us by witnessing that we are thy children, and confirm us for new obedience, and be the earnest of our inheritance, and seal us up to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Let it be left to the Minister's discretion, whether to deliver the bread and wine to the people (at the table) only in general, each one taking it, and applying it to themselves; or to deliver it in general to so many as are in each particular form; or to put it into every person's hand: as also at what season to take the contribution for the poor. And let none of the people be forced to sit, stand, or kneel, in the act of receiving, whose judgment is against it.
The Participation being ended, let the Minister pray thus, or to this sense.
Most glorious God, how wonderful is thy power and wisdom, thy holiness and justice, thy love and mercy in this work of our redemption, by the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, intercession, and dominion of thy Son! No power or wisdom in heaven or earth could have delivered us but thine. The angels desire to pry into this mystery, the heavenly host do celebrate it with praises, saying, Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace, good-will towards men. The whole creation shall proclaim thy praises. Blessing, honour, glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and honour, and glory; for he hath redeemed us to God by his blood, and made us kings and priests unto our God. Where sin abounded, grace hath abounded much more. And hast thou indeed forgiven us so great a debt, by so precious a ransom? Wilt thou indeed give us to reign with Christ in glory, and see my race, and love thee, and be beloved of thee for ever? Yea, Lord, thou hast forgiven us, and thou wilt glorify us, for thou art faithful that hast promised. With the blood of thy Son, with the sacrament, and with thy Spirit, thou hast sealed up to us these precious promises. And shall we not love thee, that hast thus loved us? Shall we not love thy servants, and forgive our neighbours their little debt? After all this shall we again forsake thee, and deal falsely in thy covenant? God forbid! O set our affections on the things above, where Christ sitteth at thy right hand. Let us no more mind earthly things, but let our conversation be in heaven, from whence we expect our Saviour to come and change us into the likeness of his glory. Teach us to do thy will, O God, and to follow him, who is the author of eternal salvation to all them that do obey him. Order our steps by thy word, and let not any iniquity have dominion over us. Let us not henceforth live unto ourselves, but unto him who died for us and rose again. Let us have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but reprove them. And let our light so shine before men, that they may glorify thee. In simplicity, and godly sincerity, and not in fleshly wisdom, let us have our conversation in the world. Oh that our ways were so directed that we might keep thy statutes! Though Satan will be desirous again to sift us, and seek as a roaring lion to devour, strengthen us to stand against his wiles, and shortly bruise him under our feet. Accept us, O Lord, who resign ourselves unto thee, as thine own; and with our thanks and praise, present ourselves a living sacrifice to be acceptable through Christ, useful for thine honour: being made free from sin, and become thy servants, let us have our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.[263] Amen.
Next add this, or some such Exhortation, if there be time.
Dear brethren, we have been here feasted with the Son of God at his table, upon his flesh and blood, in preparation for the feast of endless glory. You have seen here represented, what sin deserveth, what Christ suffered, what wonderful love the God of infinite goodness hath expressed to us. You have had communion with the saints; you have renewed your covenant of faith, and thankful obedience unto Christ; you have received his renewed covenant of pardon, grace, and glory unto you. O carry hence the lively sense of these great and excellent things upon your hearts: you came not only to receive the mercy of an hour, but that which may spring up to endless joy: you came not only to do the duty of an hour, but to promise that which you must perform while you live on earth. Remember daily, especially when temptations to unbelief and sinful heaviness assault you, what pledges of love you here received; remember daily, especially when the flesh, the devil, or the world, would draw your hearts again from God, and temptations to sin are laid before you, what bonds God and your own consent have laid upon you. If you are penitent believers, you are now forgiven, and washed in the blood of Christ. O go your way, and sin no more: no more through wilfulness; and strive against your sins of weakness. Wallow no more in the mire, and return not to your vomit. Let the exceeding love of Christ constrain you, having such promises, to cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God; and as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, to be zealous of good works, and show forth the praises of him that hath called you.