"To honour God in his Saints": Hallowtide approaches

As Hallowtide draws near, words on the solemnity from Robert Nelson's A Companion to the Feasts and Fasts of the Church of England (1703), a reminder of the rich piety that could surround the Communion of Saints and All Saints' Day in 18th century Anglicanism.  Nelson's work reached its 36th edition by 1827, an indication of the popularity of the work throughout the long 18th century.

Q. What seems to be the Design of the Church in instituting this Festival? 

A. To honour God in his Saints. It being through the Assistance of his Grace that they were made conformable to his Will in this Life, and through the Bounty of the same gracious Lord, that his free Gifts are crowned with Happiness in the other ...

Q. What Communion have the Saints here below with the Saints above? 

A. Those upon Earth are called Fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the Household of God, of the same Family with those in Heaven. We bless God for them, rejoice at their Bliss, give Thanks for their Labours of Love, and pray that with them we may be Partakers of the Heavenly Kingdom. They pray for us, for our Consummation and Bliss, rejoice at our Conversion ...

Most gracious God, the Author of Sanctity, and Lover of Unity, whose Wisdom hath established an Admirable Communion between the Members of the same mystical Body, whereof thy Son Jesus Christ is the Head; I bless and praise thy Holy Name for all thy Servants departed this Life in thy Faith and Fear ... I rejoice in the Glory and Happiness they are now advanced to, the Greatness of which the Heart of Man cannot conceive. Beseeching thee to give me Grace so to follow their good Examples, in the wise bestowing of my Time here below, that I may follow them in their happy Passage out of this World, and with them be made Partaker of thy Heavenly Kingdom.