The Practice of Christian Graces, Part 7
PRAYERS BEFORE the receiving of the blessed SACRAMENT.
O Most merciful God, who hast in thy great goodness prepared this spiritual feast for sick and famished Souls, make my desires and gaspings after it, answerable to my needs of it. I have with the prodigal wasted that portion of grace thou bestowedst upon me, and therefore do infinitely want a supply out of this treasury: But O Lord, how shall such a wretch as I dare to approach this holy table: I am a dog, how shall I presume to take the childrens bread, or how shall this spiritual Manna, this food of Angels be given to one, who hath chosen to feed on husks with swine, nay to one who hath already so often trampled these precious things under foot, either carelesly neglecting, or unworthily receiving these holy mysteries? O Lord, my horrible guiltiness makes me tremble to come, and yet makes me not dare to keep away, for where, O Lord, shall my polluted Soul be washed, if not in this fountain which thou hast opened for sin and for uncleanness? Hither therefore I come, and thou hast promised that him that cometh to thee thou wilt in no wise cast out: This is, O Lord, the blood of the New Testament, grant me so to receive it, that it may be to me for remission of sins. And though I have so often and so wretchedly broken my part of that Covenant, whereof this Sacrament is a seal, yet be thou graciously pleased to make good thine, to be merciful to my unrighteousness, and to remember my sins and mine iniquities no more, and not onelyonly so, but to put thy lawes into my heart, and write them in my mind, and by the power of thy grace dispose my soul to such a sincere and constant obedience, that I may never again provoke thee; Lord grant that in these holy mysteries, I may not only commemorate, but effectually receive my blessed Saviour, and all the benefits of his passion: And to that end give me such a preparation of soul, as may qualify me for it, give me a deep sense of my sins, and unworthiness, that being weary and heavy laden. I may be capable of his refreshings, and by being suppled in my own tears, I may be the fitter to be washed in his blood, raise up my dull and earthly mind from groveling here below, and inspire it with a holy zeal, that I may with spiritual affection approach this spiritual feast: and let O Lord, that infinite love of Christ, in dying for so wretched a sinner, inflame my frozen benummed soul, and kindle in me that sacred fire of love to him, and that so vehement that no waters may quench, no floods drown it, such as may burn up all my dross, not leave one unmortified lust in my soul, and such as may also extend it self to all whom thou hast given me command and example to love, even enemies as well as friends. Finally, O Lord, I beseech thee to cloth me in the wedding garment, and make me though of my self a most unworthy, yet by thy mercy an acceptable guest at this holy tab…e, that I may not eat and drink my own condemnation, but may have my pardon sealed, my weaknesses repaired, my corruptions subdued, and my soul so inseparably united to thee, that no temptations may ever be able to dissolve the union, but that being begun here in grace, it may be consummated in glory; Grant this, O Lord, for thy dear Sons sake, Jesus Christ.
ANOTHER.
O BLESSED Jesus, who once offeredst up thy self for me upon the Cross, and now offerest thy self to me in the Sacrament, let not, I beseech thee, my impenitence and unworthiness frustrate these so inestimable mercies to me, but qualifie me by thy grace to receive the full benefit of them. O Lord, I have abundant need of thee, but am so clog'd with guilt, so holden with the cords of my sins, that I am not able to move towards thee, O lose me from this band, wherewith Satan and my own lusts have bound me, and draw me that I may run after thee. Lord, thou seest daily how eagerly I pursue the paths that lead to death, but when thou invitest me to life and glory, I turn my back and forsake my own mercy. How often hath this feast been prepared, and I have with frivilous excuses absented my self, or if I have come, it hath been rather to defie then to adore thee, I have brought such troops of thy professed enemies, unrepented sins along with me, as if I …ame not to commemorate, but renew thy passion, crucifying thee afresh, and putting thee to open shame: and now of what punishment shall I be thought worthy, who have thus trampled under foot the Son of God, and counted the blood of the Covenant an unholy thing! yet O merciful Jesu, this blood is my onelyonly r…ge, O let this make my atonement or I perish eternally, wherefore didst thou shed it, but to save sinners, neither can the merit of it be overwhelmed either by the greatness or number of sins. I am a sinner, a great one, O let me find its saving efficacy. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful to me for my soul trusteth in thee, and in the clefts of thy wound, shall be my refuge until thy fathers indignation be overpast. O thou, who hast as my high Priest sacrificed for me, intercede for me also, and plead thy meritorious sufferings on my behalfe, and suffer not, O my Redeemer, the price of thy blood to be utterly lost: And grant, O Lord, that as the sins I have to be forgiven are many, so I may love much: Lord thou seest what faint, what cold affections I have towards thee, O warm and enliven them; and as in this Sacrament, that transcendent love of thine in dying for me is shewed forth; so I beseech thee, let it convey such grace into me, as may enable me to make some returns of love: O let this divine fire descend from heaven into my soul, and let my sins be the burnt offering for it to consume, that there may not any corrupt affection, any accursed thing be shelterd in my heart, that I may never again defile that place, which thou hast chosen for thy temple. Thou dyedst, O dear Jesu to redeem me from all iniquity, O let me not again sell my self to work wickedness, but grant that I may approach thee at this time with most sincere and fixed resolutions of an entire reformation, and let me receive such grace, and strength from thee, as may enable me faithfully to perform them: Lord, there are many old habituated diseases, my soul groanes under. [Her mention thy most prevailing corruptions.] And though I lye never so long at the pool of Bethesda, come never so often to thy table, yet unless thou be pleased to put forth thy healing vertue, they will still remain uncured. O thou blessed Physician of souls, heal me, and grant I may now so touch thee, that every one of these loath some issues may immediately stanch▪ that these sicknesses may not be unto death but unto the glory of thy mercy in pardoning, to the glory of thy grace in purifying so polluted a wretch. O Christ, hear me, and grant I may now approach thee with such humility and contrition, love and devotion, that thou maist vouchsafe to come unto me, and abide with me, communicating to me thy self, and all the merits of thy passion. And then, O Lord, let no accusations of Satan, o… my own conscience amaze or distract me, bu… having peace with thee, let me also have peace in my self, that this wine may make glad, this bread of life may strengthen my heart, and enable me cheerfully to run the way of thy Commandments. Grant this merciful Saviour▪ I beseech thee, for thine own bowels and compassions sake.