The Order for the BURIAL of the Dead.
 

¶ Here is to be noted, that the Office ensuing is not to be used for any that die unbaptized, or excommunicate, or have been found to lay violent hands upon themselves; unless such of them as were capable had received absolution according to the former Office in the Visitation of the Sick.

¶ The Minister and Clerks meeting the Corpse at the entrance of the Churchyard, and going before it, either into the Church, or towards the grave, shall say, or sing,

I AM the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. S. John 11. 25, 26.

I KNOW that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at thee latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. Job 19. 25, 26, 27.

WE brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 1 Tim. 6. 7. Job 1. 21.

¶ After they are come into the Church, shall be read one or both of these Psalms following.

Dixi, Custodiam. Psalm 39

I SAID, I will take heed to my ways : that I offend not in my tongue.
    I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle: while the ungodly is in my sight.
    I held my tongue, and spake nothing : I kept silence, yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.
    My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled : and at the last I spake with my tongue;
    Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days : that I may be certified how long I have to live.
   Behold, thou bast made my days as it were a span long : and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
    For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain : he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
    And now, Lord, what is my hope : truly my hope is even In thee.
    Deliver me from all mine offences : and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
    I became dumb, and opened not my mouth : for it was thy doing.
    Take thy plague away from me : I am even consumed by means of thy heavy hand.
    When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment : every man therefore is but vanity.
    Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling : hold not thy peace at my tears.
    For I am a stranger with thee : and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
    O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength : before I go hence, and be no more seen.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

Domine, refigium. Psalm 90

LORD, thou hast been our refuge : from one generation to another.
    Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made : thou art God from everlasting, and world without end.
    Thou turnest man to destruction : again thou sayest, Come again, ye children of men.
    For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday : seeing that is past as a watch in the night.
    As soon as thou scatterest them, they are even as a sleep : and fade away suddenly like the grass.
    In the morning it is green, and groweth up : but in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered.
    For we consume away in thy displeasure : and are afraid at thy wrathful indignation.
    Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee : and our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
    For when thou art angry, all our days are gone : we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.
    The days of our age are threescore years and ten; and though men be so strong, that they come to fourscore years : yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow; so soon passeth it away, and we are gone.
    But who regardeth the power of thy wrath : for even thereafter as a man feareth, so is thy displeasure.
    O teach us to number our days : that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
    Turn thee again, O Lord, at the last : and be gracious unto thy servants.
    O satisfy us with thy mercy, and that soon : so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
    Comfort us again now after the time that thou hast plagued us : and for the years wherein we have suffered adversity.
    Shew thy servants thy work : and their children thy glory.
    And the glorious majesty of the Lord our God be upon us : prosper thou the work of our hands upon us, 0 prosper thou our handy-work.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
 

¶ Then shall follow the Lesson taken out of the fifteenth chapter of the former Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.

1 Corinth. 15. 20

NOW is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's, at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not: for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: but God giveth it a body, as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit, that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality; then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
 

¶ Or this, in colder or later seasons, taken out of the 1 Thess. iv., from verse 13 to the end.

I WOULD not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive, and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

¶ When they come to the Grave, while the Corpse is made ready to be laid into the earth. the Minister shall say, or the Minister and Clerks shall sing,

MAN that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.
    In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord., who for our sins art justly displeased?
    Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.
    Thou knowest, Lord the secrets of our hearts ; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most righteous Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, through any temptations, to fall from thee.

¶ Then, while the earth shall be cast upon the Body by some standing by, the Priest shall say,

FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take out of this world the soul of our brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in a firm belief of the Resurrection of the dead at the last day, in which they who die in the Lord shall rise again to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.

¶ Then shall be said or sung,

I HEARD a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: Even so, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours.

    Lord, have mercy upon us.
        Christ, have mercy upon us.
    Lord, have mercy upon us.

OUR Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Minister.

ALMIGHTY God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; We give thee hearty thanks, for that it bath pleased thee to instruct us in this heavenly knowledge, beseeching thee so to affect our hearts therewith that seeing we believe such a happy estate hereafter, we may live here in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God: that being then found of thee in peace without spot and blameless, we may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Collect.

O MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in him, shall not the eternally; who also hath taught us (by his holy Apostle Saint Paul) not to be sorry, as men without hope, for them that sleep in him: We meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him; and that at the general Resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight; and receive that blessing, which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world : Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

The Thanksgiving of Women after Child-birth, commonly called,
the CHURCHING of Women.
 

¶ The Woman, at the usual time after her delivery, shall come into the Church decently apparelled, and there shall kneel down in some convenient place, as hath been accustomed, or as the Ordinary shall direct: And then the Minister shall say unto her.

FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God of his goodness to give you safe deliverance, and hath preserved you in the great danger of child-birth: You shall therefore give hearty thanks unto God, and say,

(¶ Then shall the Minister say this Psalm or Hymn.)

BLESSED be the Lord who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
    I was in pain, and I called on the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous : yea, our God is merciful.
    I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplication ;
    Because he hath inclined his ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
    I will pay my vows also unto the Lord, and walls before him with an upright heart.
    Shew me thy ways, O Lord: teach me thy paths.
    Lead me in thy truth, and learn me; for thou art the God of my salvation.
    Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
    Make me to go in the path of thy commandments, for therein is my delight.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

Or Psalm 127. Nisi Dominus.

EXCEPT the Lord build the house : their labour is but lost that build it.
    Except the Lord keep the city : the watchman waketh but in vain.
    It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness : for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
    Lo, children and the fruit of the womb : are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.
    Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant : even so are the young children.
    Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them : they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
 

    Lord have mercy upon us.
        Christ, have mercy upon us.
    Lord, have mercy upon us.

OUR Father which art in heaven, Hallowed O be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

    Minister. O Lord, save thy servant;
    Answer. Who now returns her thanks to thee.
    Minister. Be thou her help and her defence;
    Answer. That she may serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of her life.
    Minister. Lord, hear our prayer.
    Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

Minister.

O ALMIGHTY God, we give thee humble thanks for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliver this thy servant from the great pain and peril of Childbirth: Make her ever mindful of thy great mercy to her, and of her vows unto thee; and grant, we beseech thee, most merciful Father, that she, through thy help, may both faithfully live, and walk according to thy will, in this life present; and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.