The Book of Common Prayer
United States England Scotland Ireland Wales Canada World

    1786 Proposed U. S. Book of Common Prayer

 

 

The ORDER for the Administration of the

Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion.
 

When the Minister giveth warning for the Celebration of the holy Communion, (which he shall always do upon the Sunday, or some Holy-day immediately preceding) he shall read this Exhortation following; or such thereof as in his discretion he may think convenient.

DEarly beloved, on — day next, I purpose, through God’s assistance, to administer to all such as shall be religiously and devoutly disposed, the most comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; to be by them received, in remembrance of his meritorious Cross and Passion; whereby alone we obtain remission of our sins, and are made partakers of the kingdom of Heaven. Wherefore it is our duty to render most humble and hearty thanks to Almighty God our heavenly Father, for that he hath given his Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, not only to die for us, but also to be our spiritual food and sustenance in that holy Sacrament. Which being so divine and comfortable a thing to them who receive it worthily, and so dangerous to those who will presume to receive it unworthily; my duty, is to exhort you in the mean season to consider the dignity of that holy Mystery and the great peril of the unworthy receiving thereof; and so to search and examine your own consciences, (and that not lightly, and after the manner of dissemblers with God, but so) that ye may come holy and clean to such a heavenly feast, in the marriage-garment required by God in holy Scripture, and be received as worthy partakers of that holy Table.
    The way and means thereto is; First; to examine your lives and conversations by the rule of God’s commandments and wherein soever ye shall perceive your selves to have offended, either by will, word, or deed; there to bewail your own sinfulness, and to confess your selves to Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life. And if ye shall perceive your offences to be such, as are not only again it but also against your neighbours; then ye shall reconcile yourselves unto them; being ready to make restitution and satisfaction, according to the uttermost of your powers, for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other; and being likewise ready to forgive others who have offended you, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences at God’s hand: for otherwise the receiving of the holy Communion doth nothing else but encrease your condemnation. Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God, an hinderer or slanderer of his Word, an adulterer, or be in malice or envy, or in any other grievous crime; Repent ye of your sins, or else come not to that holy Table.
    And because it is requisite, that no man should come to the holy Communion; but with a full trust in God’s mercy, and with a quiet conscience; therefore if there be any of you who by this means cannot quiet his own conscience herein, but requireth further comfort or counsel let him come to me, or to some other Minister of God’s word, and open his grief; that he may receive such godly counsel and advice, as may tend to the quieting of his conscience, and the removing of all scruple and doubtfulness.

Or, in case he shall see the People negligent to come to the holy Communion, instead of the former, he shall use this exhortation.

DEarly beloved brethren, on — I intend by God’s grace, to celebrate the Lord’s Supper; unto which, in God’s behalf, I bid you all who are here present; and beseech you for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, that ye will not refuse to come thereto, being so lovingly called and bidden by God himself. Ye know how grievous and unkind a thing it is, when a man hath prepared a rich feast, decked his table with all kind of provision, so that there lacketh nothing but the guests to sit down; and yet they who are called (without my cause) most unthankfully refuse to come. Which of you in such a case would not be moved? Who would not think a great injury and wrong done unto him? Wherefore, most dearly beloved in Christ, take ye good heed, lest ye withdrawing yourselves from this holy Supper, provoke God’s indignation against you. It is an easy matter for a man to say, I will communicate, because I am otherwise hindered with worldly business. But such excuses are not so easily accepted, and allowed before God. If any man say, I am a grievous sinner, and therefore am afraid to come: wherefore then do ye not repent and amend? When God calleth you, are ye not ashamed to say ye will not come? When ye should return to God, will ye excuse yourselves, and say, ye are not ready? Consider earnestly with yourselves, how little such feigned excuses will avail before God. They who refused the feast in the Gospel, because they had bought a farm, or would try their yokes of oxen, or because they were married, were not so excused, but counted unworthy of the heavenly feast. Wherefore, according to mine Office, I bid you in the Name of God, I call you in Christ’s behalf, I exhort you, as ye love your own salvation, that ye will be partakers of this holy Communion. And as the Son of God did vouchsafe to yield up his soul by death upon the cross for your salvation; so it is your duty to receive the Communion in remembrance of the sacrifice of his death, as he himself hath commanded: Which if ye shall neglect to do, consider with ourselves how great injury ye do unto God, and how sore punishment hangeth over your heads for the same; when ye wilfully abstain from the Lords Table, and separate from your brethren, who come to feed on the banquet of that most heavenly food. These things if ye earnestly consider, ye will by Gods grace return to a better mind: for the obtaining whereof we shall not cease to make our humble petitions unto Almighty God our heavenly Father.
 

   

IF among those who come to be partakers of the holy Communion, the Minster shall know any to be an open and notorious evil liver, or to have done any wrong to his neighbours by word or deed, so that the Congregation be thereby offended; he shall advertise him, that he presume not to come to the Lord’s Table, until he have openly declared himself to have truly repented and amended his former evil life, that the Congregation may thereby be satisfied; and that he hath recompensed the parties to whom he hath done wrong; or at least declare himself to be in full purpose to do, as soon as he conveniently may.

The same order shall the Minister use with those, betwixt whom he perceiveth malice and hatred to reign; not suffering them to be partakers of the Lord’s Table, until he know them to be reconciled. And if one of the parties so at variance, be content to forgive, from the bottom of his heart all that the other hath trespassed against him, and to make amends for that wherein he himself hath offended; and the other party will not be perswaded to a godly unity, but remain still in his forwardness and malice: the Minister in that case ought to admit the penitent person to the holy Communion, and not him that is obstinate. Provided that every Minister so repelling any, as is herein specified, shall be obliged to give an account of the same to the Ordinary as soon as conveniently may be.

The Table at the Communion time having a fair white linen cloth upon it, shall stand in the body of the Church, or in the Chancel, where Morning and Evening Prayer are appointed to be said. And the Minister standing at the north side of the Table, shall say the Collect following; the People kneeling.

Collect.

ALmighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy holy Spirit; that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

 

Then shall the Minister; turning to the People, rehearse distinctly all the Ten Commandments; and the People, still kneeling, shall after every Commandment, ask God mercy for their transgression thereof for the time past, and grace to keep the same for the time to come, as followeth.

Minister.

GOD spake these words, and said, I am the Lord thy God: Thou shalt have none other Gods but me.
   People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
   Minister. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me, and keep my commandments.
   People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
   Minister. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that takest his Name in vain.
   People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
   Minister. Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath-day. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant; and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.
   People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
   Minister, Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
   People. Lord, have mercy upon us and incline our hearts to keep this law.
   Minister. Thou shalt do no murder.
   People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
   Minister. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
   People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
   Minister. Thou shalt not steal.
   People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
   Minster. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
   People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
   Minister. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his.
   People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.
 

 

Then shall be said the Collect of the Day. And immediately after the Collect, the Minister shall read the Epistle, saying, The Epistle [or, The portion of Scripture appointed for the Epistle ], is written in the --- Chapter of --- beginning at the --- Verse. And the Epistle ended, he shall say, Here endeth, the Epistle. Then shall be read the Gospel (the People all standing up) saying, The Holy Gospel is written in the --- Chapter of --- beginning at the --- Verse.

Then the Minister shall declare unto the People what Holy-days, or Fasting-days, are in the Week following to be observed. And (if occasion be) shall notice be given of the Communion.

Then shall follow the Sermon; after which, the Minister, when there is a Communion, shall return to the Lord’s Table, and begin the Offertory; saying one or more of these Sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient.

LEt your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. St. Matth. 5. 16.
    Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth; where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. St. Matth. 6. 19, 20.
    Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,. even so do to them; for this is the law and the prophets. St. Matth. 7. 12.
    Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. St. Matth. 7. 21.
    Zaccheus stood forth and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have done any wrong to any man, I restore four-fold. St. Luke 19. 8.
    Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own cost? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 1 Cor. 9.7.
    If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your worldly things? 1 Cor. 9.11.
    Do ye not know, that they who minister about holy things, live of the sacrifice; and they who wait at the altar, are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord also ordained, that they who preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel. 1 Cor. 9. 13, 14.
    He that soweth little, shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously, shall reap plenteously. Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9.6, 7.
    Let him that is. taught in the word, minister unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he reap. Gal. 6. 6, 7.
    While we have time, let us do good unto all men; and specially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. 6. 10.
    Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath: for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry anything out. 1 Tim. 6.6, 7.
    Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life. 1 Tim. 6. 17, 18, 19.
    God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works, and labour that proceedeth of love; which love ye have shewed for his names sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister. Heb. 6. 10.
    To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. 13. 16.
    Whoso hath this worlds good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him; how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 St. John 3. 17.
    Give alms of thy goods, and never turn thy face from any poor man; and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee. Tob. 4. 7.
    Be merciful after thy power. If thou hast much, give plenteously. If thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little: for so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity. Tob. 4.8, 9.
    He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord. and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again. Prov. 19. 17.
    Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. Psal. 41.1.
 

 

Whilst these Sentences are in reading, the Deacons, Church-wardens, or other fit Persons appointed for that Purpose, shall receive the Alms for the Poor, and other Devotions of the People, in a decent Bason to be provided by the Parish for that purpose; and reverently bring it to the Minister, who shall humbly present and place it upon the holy Table.

And the Minister shall then place upon the Table so much Bread and Wine, as he shall think sufficient. After which done, he shall say,

    Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church militant here in earth.
ALlmighty and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hath taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most If there be no alms or oblations, then ... be left unsaid.mercifully [to accept our alms and oblations, and] to receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord, and grant that all they who do confess thy holy Name, may agree in the truth of thy holy word, and live in unity, and godly love. We beseech thee also to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, and. especially the Rulers and Governors of these states, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and other Pastors; that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively word, and rightly administer thy holy Sacraments. And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace and especially to this Congregation here present; that with meek heart, and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life. And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. And we also bless thy holy Name, for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom: Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
 

 

Then, the Communicants being conveniently placed for the receiving of the holy Sacrament, the Minister shall say this Exhortation.

DEarly beloved in the Lord, ye who mind to come to the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great; if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament; (for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood) so is the danger great, if we receive the fame unworthily. For then we are guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Saviour. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent ye truly for your sins past; have a lively and stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men; so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy Mysteries. And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ, both God and man; who did humble himself, even to the death upon the cross, for us, miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death; that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life. And to the end that we would alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master and only Saviour Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious bloodshedding he hath obtained to us; he hath instituted and ordained holy Mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death to our great and endless comfort. To him therefore, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, let us give (as we are most bounden) continual thanks submitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say to those who come to receive the holy Communion;

YE who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy way; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble Confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.
 

 

Then shall this general Confession be made, by the Minster and all those who are minded to receive the holy Communion, humbly kneeling.

ALmighty God Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we from time to time most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy name, Through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.

Then shall the Minister (the Bishop, if he be present) stand up, and turning to the People, say,

ALmighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with, hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say,

    Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly turn to him.
COme unto me, all ye that travel and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. St. Mat. 11. 28.
    So God loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St. John 3. 16.
    Hear also what St. Paul saith. This is a true saying, and worthy, of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. 1. 15.
    Hear also what St. John saith.
    If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. 1 St. John 2. 1, 2.

After which, the Minister shall proceed, saying,

    Lift up your hearts.
    Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
    Minister. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
    Answer. It is meet and right so to do.
 

 

Then shall the Minister turn to the Lord’s Table, and say,

"Holy Father" omitted on Trinity Sunday.IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, * [Holy Father,] Almighty Everlasting God.

 

Here shall follow the proper Preface, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed, or else immediately shall follow.

THerefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee; and saying, Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord most, High. Amen.
 

¶ PROPER PREFACES.

Upon Christmas-day, and seven Days after.

BEcause thou didst give Jesus Christ thine only Son to be born at this time for us; who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost was made very man of the substance of the Virgin Mary his mother; and without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. Therefore with Angels, &c.
 

Upon Easter-day, and seven Days after.

BUt chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us; and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with Angels, &c.
 

Upon Ascension-day, and seven Days after.

THrough thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who after his most glorious Resurrection manifestly appeared to all his Apostles, and in their sight ascended up into heaven to prepare a place for us; that where he is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with him in. glory. Therefore, with Angels, &c.
 

Upon Whitsunday, and six Days after.

THrough Jesus Christ our Lord; according to whose most true promise, the Holy Ghost came down as at this time from heaven with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the Apostles, to teach them, and to lead them to all truth; giving them both the gift of divers languages, and also boldness with fervent zeal, constantly to preach the gospel unto all nations; whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error, into the clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son Jesus Christ. Therefore with Angels, &c.
 

Upon the Feast of Trinity only.

WHo art one God, one Lord; not one only person, but three persons in one substance. For that which we believe of the glory of the Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference or inequality. Therefore with Angels, &c.
 

 

Then shall the Minister, kneeling down at the Lords Table say in the name of all those who shall receive the Communion this Prayer following:

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

When the Minister, standing before the Table, hath so ordered the Bread and Wine, that he may with the more readiness and decency break the Bread before the People, and take the Cup into his Hands; he shall say the Prayer of Consecration as followeth:

ALmighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Communion directionsSon Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue a perpetual memory of that his precious death, until his coming again; Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee, and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution; in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood: Who in the same night that he was betrayed, (a) took bread, and when he had given thanks, (b) he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, (c) this is my Body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper (d) he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this (e) is my Blood of the New - Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons, in like manner, (if any be present) and after that to the People also in order into their Hands, all meekly kneeling. And when he delivereth the Bread to any one he shall say,

THe Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.

And the Minister that delivereth the Cup to any one shall say,

THe Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.
 

 

If the consecrated Bread or Wine be all spent before all have communicated, the Minister is to consecrate more according to the Form before prescribed; beginning at [Our Saviour Christ in the same night, &c.] for the blessing of the Bread; and at [Likewise after supper, &c.] for the blessing of the Cup.

When all have communicated, the Minister shall return to the Lords Table, and reverently place upon it what remaineth of the consecrated Elements, covering the same, with a fair Linen Cloth.

Then shall the Minister, say the Lords Prayer, the People repeating after him every Petition.

OUR Father, who 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 those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

After shall be said as followeth.

O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we, who are partakers of this holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom and with whom in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

Or this.

ALmighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us, who have duly received these holy Mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear Son. And we most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
 

 

Then shall be said or sung.

GLory be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will, towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
    O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, who hast taken away the sins of the world, and now sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
    For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Then the Minister (the Bishop, if he be present) shall let them depart with this Blessing.

THe peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

Upon the Sundays and other Holy-days (if there be no Communion) shall be said all that is appointed at the Communion, until the end of the Gospel; concluding with the Blessing: And if any of the consecrated Bread and Wine remain after the Communion, it shall not be carried out of the Church; but the Minister and other Communicants shall, immediately after the Blessing, reverently eat and drink the same.

The Bread and Wine for the Communion shall be provided by the Church-Wardens, at the charges of the Parish.

And note, That it is the Duty of every Parishioner to communicate at the least three times in the year, of which Easter to be one.

 

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