The Order for
EVENING PRAYER

Daily throughout the year.

¶ At the beginning of Evening Prayer the Minister shall read with a loud voice one or more of these Sentences of the Scriptures that follow. And he shall say that which is written after the said Sentences.

WHEN the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Ezek. xviii. 27.
    I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Psalm li. 3.
    Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Psalm li. 9.
    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm li. 17.
    Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel ii. 13.
    To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him; neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us. Dan. ix. 9, 10.
    O Lord, correct me, but with judgement; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. Jer. x. 24. Psalm vi.1.
    Repent ye; for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. St. Matt. iii.2.
    I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. St. Luke xv. 18, 19.
    Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Psalm cxliii. 2.
    If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 St. John i. 8, 9.

DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places, to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought, at all times, humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we most chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things that are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me, with a pure heart and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me:

¶ A general Confession, to be said of the whole Congregation after the Minister, all kneeling.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; we have erred and strayed from thy ways, like lost sheep, We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, We have offended against thy holy laws, We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, And we have done those things which we ought not to have done, And there is no health in us: But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders; Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults, Restore thou them that are penitent, According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord: And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

¶ The Absolution, to be pronounced by the Minister alone, standing; the people still kneeling.

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live; and hath given power and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins: He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance, and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do at this present, and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then, the Minister shall kneel, and say the Lord's Prayer: the people also kneeling, and repeating it with him.

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.

¶ Then likewise he shall say,

    O Lord, open thou our lips;
    Minister. Enlighten our minds, O Lord.
    Answer. That we may understand the great things of thy law.
    Minister. O God, make speed to save us.
    Answer. O Lord, make haste to help us.

¶ Here all standing up, the Minister shall say,

    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
    Minister. Praise ye the Lord.
    Answer. The Lord's Name be praised.
 

¶ Then shall be said or sung the Psalms in order as they are appointed. Then a Lesson of the Old Testament, as is appointed. And after that the 8th Psalm, Magnificat (or the Song of the blessed Virgin Mary) in English.

Domine, Dominus noster. Psalm viii.

O LORD our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world : thou that hast set thy glory above the heavens!
    Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength_, because of thine enemies: that thou mightest still the enemy, and the avenger.
    For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers : the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained.
    What is man, that thou art mindful of him and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
    Thou madest him lower than the angels : to crown him with glory and worship.
    Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy hands : and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet;
    All sheep and oxen : yeas and the beasts of the field:
    The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
    O Lord our Governor : how excellent is thy Name in all the world!
    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.

Magnificat S. Luke i. 46.

MY soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
    For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
    For, behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.
    For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his name.
    And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.
    He hath showed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
    He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.
    He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.
    He remembering of his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
    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 else this Psalm; except it be on the Nineteenth Day of the Month, when it is read in the ordinary Course of the Psalms.

Cantate Domino. Psalm xcviii.

O SING unto the Lord a new song : for he hath done marvellous things.
    With his own right hand, and with his holy arm : hath he gotten himself the victory.
    The Lord declared his salvation : his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the nations.
    He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel : and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God.
    Shew yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands : sing, rejoice, and give thanks.
    Praise the Lord upon the harp : sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.
    With trumpets also and shawms : O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord, the King.
    Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is : the round world, and they that dwell therein.
    Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord : for he cometh to judge the earth.
    With righteousness shall he judge the world : and the peoples with equity.
    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 a Lesson of the New Testament, as it is appointed.
And after that Psalm 134.

Ecce nunt. Psalm cxxxiv.

BEHOLD now, praise the Lord : all ye servants of the Lord.
    Ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord : even in the courts of the house of our God.
    Lift up your hands in the sanctuary : and praise the Lord.
    The Lord that made heaven and earth : give thee blessing out of Sion.
    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

Deus misereatur Psalm lxvii.

GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us : and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us;
    That thy way may be known upon earth : thy saving health among all nations.
    Let the peoples praise thee, O God : yea, let all the peoples praise thee.
    O let the nations rejoice and be glad : for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
    Let the peoples praise thee, O God : yea, let all the peoples praise thee.
    Then shall the earth bring forth her increase : and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
    God shall bless us : and all the ends of the world shall fear him.
    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 be said the Creed, commonly called the Apostles’ Creed, by the Minister and the people, standing.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

¶ And after that, these Prayers following, all devoutly kneeling: the Minister first pronouncing with a loud voice,

The Lord be with you;
Answer. And with thy spirit.
    Minister. Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us;
    Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us;

¶ Then the Minister, Clerks, and people, shall say the Lord's Prayer with a loud voice.

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. Amen.

¶ Then the Minister standing up shall say,

    O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us;
    Answer. And grant us thy salvation.
    Minister. O Lord, save the Queen.
    Answer. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
    Minister. Endue thy Ministers with righteousness.
    Answer. And make thy chosen people joyful.
    Minister. O Lord, save thy people.
    Answer. And bless thine inheritance.
    Minister. Give peace in our time, O Lord;
    Answer. Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God.
    Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us.
    Answer. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
 

¶ Then shall follow three Collects: The first of the day: The second for Peace: The third for Aid against all Perils, as hereafter followeth: which two last Collects shall be said at Evening Prayer without alteration.

 
¶ The Second Collect at Evening Prayer

O GOD, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

 
¶ The Third Collect, for Aid against all Perils

ALMIGHTY God, who hast hitherto preserved us in safety this day, by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; [pardon whatsoever we have done amiss; and settle our holy purposes to do better for the time to come; that laying ourselves down to sleep with these godly resolutions in our hearts, they may awaken with us in the morning, and we may daily grow more watchfull in all our waies]*, for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

¶ In Quires and Places where they sing here followeth the Anthem.

¶ Prayer for the King and Queens Majesties.

O LORD our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our Sovereign Lord and Lady, King William and Queen Mary; and so replenish them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that they may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way; Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; direct all their counsels to thy honour and glory; bless all their righteous undertakings; grant them in health and wealth long to live; and that after this life, they may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
¶ A Prayer for the Royal Family

ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all goodness, we humbly beseech thee to bless Catherine the Queene Dowager, The Princess Anne of Denmark, and all the Royal Family; Endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
¶ Prayer for the Clergy and People.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the giver of all spiritual gifts; Send down upon our Bishops, Pastors, and Curates, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 
¶ A Prayer commonly called St. Chrysostom's.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

2 Cor. xiii. 14..

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.

Here endeth the Order of Evening Prayer throughout the Year.

THE CREED, COMMONLY CALLED THE CREED OF ST. ATHANASIUS.

AT MORNING PRAYER.

¶ Upon these Feasts; Christmas Day, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, Trinity Sunday, and upon All Saints, shall be said at Morning Prayer, by the Minister and People standing, instead of the Creed commonly called the Apostles’ Creed, this Confession of our Christian Faith, commonly called The Creed of Saint Athanasius ;—the Articles of which ought to be received and believed as being agreeable to the Holy Scriptures, and the CONDEMNING CLAUSES are to be understood as relating only to those who obstinately deny the substance of the Christian Faith.

Quicunque vult.

WHosoever will be saved : before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholique faith.
    Which Faith except everyone doe keep whole and undefiled : without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
    And the Catholique faith is this : that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity.
    Neither confounding the persons : nor dividing the substance.
    For there is one person of the Father, another of the Sonne : and another of the holy Ghost.
    But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one : the glory equall, the majesty coeternall.
    Such as the Father is, such is the Sonne : and such is the holy Ghost.
    The Father uncreate, the Sonne uncreate : and the holy Ghost uncreate.
    The Father incomprehensible, the Sonne incomprehensibl e: and the holy Ghost incomprehensible.
    The Father eternall, the Sonne eternal l: and the holy Ghost eternall.
    And yet they are not three eternals : but one eternall.
    As also there be not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated : but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.
    So likewise the Father is almighty, the Sonne almighty : and the holy Ghost almighty.
    And yet they are not three Almighties : but one Almighty.
    So the Father is God, the Sonne is God : and the holy Ghost is God.
    And yet are they not three Gods : but one God.
    So likewise the Father is Lord, the Sonne Lord : and the holy Ghost Lord.
    And yet not three Lords : but one Lord.
    For like as wee be compelled by the Christian veritie : to acknowledge every person by himselfe to be God and Lord;
    So are we forbidden by the Catholique Religion : to say, there be three Gods or three Lords.
    The Father is made of none : neither created nor begotten.
    The Sonne is of the Father alone : not made, nor created, but begotten.
    The holy Ghost is of the Father, and of the Son : neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
    So there is one Father, not three Fathers, one Sonne, not three Sonnes : one holy Ghost, not three holy Ghosts.
    And in this Trinity, none is afore or after other : none is greater, nor lesse then another.
    But the whole three persons : bee coeternall together : and coequall.
   So that in all things, as is aforesaid : the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped.
    He therefore that would be saved : let him thus think of the Trinity.
    Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation : that he also believe rightly in the incarnation of our Lord Jesu Christ.
    For the right faith is, that we beleeve and confesse : that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sonne of God, is God and man.
    God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds : and man of the substance of his mother, born in the world.
    Perfect God, and perfect man : of a reasonable soul, and human flesh subsisting.
    Equall to the Father, as touching his Godhead : and inferior to the Father, touching his manhood.
    Who although he be God and man : yet he is not two, but one Christ.
    One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh : but by taking of the manhood into God.
    One altogether, not by confusion of substance : but by unity of person.
    For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man : so is he who is God and man is one Christ.
    Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell : rose again the third day from the dead.
    He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty : from whence hee shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies : and shall give account for their own works.
    And they that have done good, shall go into life everlasting : and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire.
    This is the Catholike faith : which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

    Glory be to the Father, and to the Sonne : and to the holy Ghost.
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.