THE MINISTRY TO THE SICK
I. ON VISITING A SICK PERSON
¶ The Minister may begin by saying:
Peace be to this house and to all who dwell in it.
¶ Then may the Minister say :
Let us pray.
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.
O LORD of all grace and blessing, behold, visit and relieve this thy servant. Look upon him in thy love, give him comfort and sure confidence in thee, and keep him in perpetual peace and safety; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Minister. O Saviour of the world, who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us ;
Answer. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord. Amen.
¶ Psalms and Passages of Scripture suitable for Reading.
Confidence in God. Psalms 23, 27, 46, 91,139. St. Matt. 6. 24 to end. Rom. 8. 31 to end.
Answer to Prayer. Psalms 30 to 34.
For Divine Aid. Psalms 43, 86.
Penitence. Psalms 51, 130.
Praise and Thanksgiving. Psalms 103 and 146 .
Christ our Example. Isa. 53. St. Matt. 26. 36-46, Heb. 2. 9-18.
The Love of God. 1 John 3. 1-7; 4. 9 to end. Also St. John, chapters 14-17.
¶ Then may be said one or more of the following Prayers as may be suitable :
For Healing.
O GOD, who by the might of thy command canst drive away from men's bodies all sickness and infirmity; be present in thy goodness with this thy servant, that his weakness being banished, and his health restored, he may live to glorify thy Holy Name; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
For a Sick Child.
O LORD Jesus Christ, who didst with joy receive and bless the children brought to thee, give thy blessing to this thy child; in thine own time deliver him from his bodily pain, that he may live to serve thee all his days. Amen.
For a Convalescent.
O LORD, whose compassions fail not, and whose mercies are new every morning; we give thee hearty thanks that it hath pleased thee to give to this our brother both relief from pain and hope of renewed health. Continue, we beseech thee, in him the good work that thou hast begun; that, daily increasing in bodily strength, and humbly rejoicing in thy goodness, he may so order his life and conversation as always to think and do such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For One Troubled in Conscience.
O BLESSED Lord, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; we beseech thee, look down in pity and compassion on thy servant, whose soul is full of trouble; give him a right understanding of himself, and also of thy will for him, that he may neither cast away his confidence in thee, nor place it anywhere but in thee; deliver him from the fear of evil; lift up the light of thy countenance upon him, and give him thine everlasting peace; through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ The sick Person should be advised to make a special confession of his sins, if he feel his conscience to be troubled with any weighty matter, as is set forth in the Order for the Confession and Absolution of Sins.
¶ The Minister ought also to advise him, if he think it be necessary, as to the making of amends to any he may have injured, and move him to forgive from his heart any who may have injured him. The Minister should show himself ready to give advice, if it be needed, as to the making of a will and the settling of the sick person's temporal affairs.
¶ And before he take leave of the sick Person the Minister shall say:
UNTO God's gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.
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II. THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK
The Collects.
ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servant towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, he may be defended by thy most gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, giver of life and health; we beseech thee to hear our prayers for thy servant, that by thy blessing upon him and upon those who minister to him of thy healing gifts he may be restored to health of body and mind, and give thanks to thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. 2 Cor. 1. 3-5.
BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus , Christ the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, our comfort also aboundeth through Christ.
The Gospel. St. John 5. 24.
VERILY, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgement; but hath passed out of death into life.
Or St. John 10. 14-16, 27-30.
I AM the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, even as the Father knoweth me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, and one shepherd.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, which hath given them unto me, is greater than all ; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.
I. If any sick person be not able to come to the Church and yet is desirous to receive the Communion in his home then he must give timely notice to the Priest of his desire.
II. And in case of contagious sickness and wherever there is fear of infection the Priest ought always to administer the Communion both to the sick person and to those (if any) that be present to communicate with him, by intinction of the Bread in the Wine, as is set forth in the eighth paragraph of the directions appended to the order of the Administration of the Lord's Supper.
III. (i). And when the Holy Communion cannot reverently or without grave difficulty be celebrated in private, and also when there are several sick persons in the Parish desirous of receiving the Communion on the same day, it shall be lawful for the Priest, with the consent of the sick person (or persons), to administer to them the Consecrated Bread and Wine reserved for that purpose at the celebration of the Holy Communion in the Church, as is hereinafter provided. The same order may also be used if any sick person desire it rather than that a private celebration be held in his house : as also in hospitals and other places where there be many sick or infirm persons who cannot come together for the celebration of the Holy Communion.
(ii). If for any of the reasons set forth above the priest shall think it necessary, he shall, on any day which there is a celebration of the Holy Communion in the Church, set apart at the open Communion so much of the Consecrated Bread and Wine as shall serve for the sick person (or persons), and so many as shall communicate with him (if there be any) whom he shall know to be desirous to receive the Communion. And the open Communion ended, he shall on the same day, and with as little delay as may be, go and minister to the same. If the Consecrated Bread and Wine be not immediately taken to the sick person, they shall be kept in such place and in such manner as the Ordinary shall direct.
(iii). The Ordinary shall require that in any Church where the Consecrated Bread and Wine are to be reserved an ambry be provided in such place and of such sort that the Consecrated Elements placed therein be used for no other purpose whatsoever than for the Communion of those who cannot come to Church to receive the same: and they shall be kept there and in no other place. For Scripture declareth unto us no other purpose for which the Holy Sacrament was instituted by Christ but that we should reverently and faithfully partake of the same.
(iv). The Consecrated Bread and Wine shall be taken to the sick person in such simple and reverent manner as the Ordinary shall direct, and without any open ceremony or exposing of the same.
(v) Except when extreme sickness shall otherwise require, before the Holy Sacrament be administered, at least the parts of the Order of the Holy Communion here named shall be used, namely, one or other of the General Confessions, ,the Absolution, the Prayer of Humble Access, and the Lord's Prayer and after the delivery of the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood with the appointed words, the Thanksgiving and the Blessing,
(vi) And immediately after the Priest hath pronounced the Blessing over the last of those, to whom he intends on, that day to administer the Communion, any of the Consecrated Elements that remain shall be reverently consumed.
If any question arise as to the manner of doing anything that is here enjoined or allowed, it shall be referred to the Ordinary for his decision.
When the aforesaid provision is not sufficient to ensure that any communicant at his last hour should be able to receive the Holy Communion, it is hereby declared, for the avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness, to be lawful and right that the Priest should in such case, at any hour, celebrate the Holy Communion privately for his benefit according to the form provided.
IV. If the Lord's Supper be celebrated privately, a table shall be set in a convenient place in the sick person's house, with all things necessary so prepared that the Priest may reverently minister. And the Priest standing thereat shall celebrate the Holy Communion according to the order prescribed for the Holy Communion, using at least the parts hereafter named :
The Confession, Absolution, Collects, Epistle, Gospel, the Prayer of Humble Access, the Sursum Corda, and Prayer of Consecration, The Epistle and Gospel for the Day may always be read in place of the Epistle and Gospel appointed for the Communion of the sick.
At the time of the distribution of the Sacrament the Priest shall first receive the Communion himself, and after minister to any that be present to communicate with the sick person, and last of all to the sick person. And when all have communicated he shall proceed with the remainder of the service according to his discretion, concluding always with the Blessing.
And if the sick person so desire, the Priest may say the whole Liturgy as it is appointed to be said in the Church. But in cases where the need for expedition is great, the Priest may begin at the words, Lift up your hearts, and immediately after the delivery of the Sacrament to the sick person, say the Blessing.
The Priest shall from time to time exhort the people to the oft receiving of the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, when it shall be publicly administered in the Church; and he shall also instruct them concerning the Communion of the Sick as occasion shall require, that they may not be in ignorance that men can receive the Holy Sacrament in their homes, if they be unable, for any just cause, to come to the Church.
Furthermore he shall teach them that if any man by reason of great sickness or any other just impediment be not able at any time to receive the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood, yet if he truly repent him of his sins and steadfastly believe in Jesus Christ, remembering the exceeding great love of our Master and our Saviour thus dying for us, and giving him hearty thanks therefor, he doth partake of the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ profitably to his soul's health although he do not receive the Sacrament with his mouth.
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III. THE LAYING ON OF HANDS
¶ This form may be used as an act of Blessing for a person suffering from bodily sickness or pain or from the strain of great anxiety and fear.
¶ One of the Psalms following shall be said, at the Minister"s discretion, with this Antiphon before and after.
Antiphon. O Saviour or the world, who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us, Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Psalm 91. Qui habitat.
WHOSO dwelleth under the defence of the most High : shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my strong hold : my God, in him will I trust.
For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunter : and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall defend thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his feathers : his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night : nor for the arrow that flieth by day.
There shall no evil happen unto thee : neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee : to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee in their hands : that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
Or Psalm 71.
¶ If the sick Person have not already made private confession of sins and received Absolution, then shall one of the General Confessions and Absolutions be said at the discretion of the Minister. Then shall the Minister say,
Do you believe in the Power of God to relieve your sickness of mind and body?
¶ The sick person shall say:
O Lord, I believe. Help thou mine unbelief.
¶ Then shall the Minister say:
Let us pray.
SILENT PRAYER.
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.
V. O Lord, save thy servant:
R. Who putteth his trust in thee.
V. Send him help from thy holy place:
R. And evermore mightily defend him.
V. Help us, O God of our salvation:
R. And be merciful to us sinners, for thy Name's sake.
V. Lord, hear our prayer:
R. And let our cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O ALMIGHTY God, who art the giver of all health, and the aid of them that seek to thee for succour, we call upon thee for thy help and goodness mercifully to be shewed upon this thy servant, that being healed of his infirmities, he may give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then the Clerk or one of the friends present shall say,
God give a blessing to this work; Aud grant that this sick Person, on whom you lay your hands, may recover; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SILENT PRAYER.
¶ Then the Minister, standing by the sick Person, shall lay both his hands upon the head of the same, saying these words:
IN the Name of God most High, may release from thy pain be given thee, and thy health be restored according to his holy will. In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of life, may new life quicken thy mind and body. In the Name of the Holy Spirit, may thou receive inward health, and the peace which passeth all understanding.
And the God of all peace himself sanctify you wholly: and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us pray.
SILENT PRAYER.
V. The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the righteous.
R. The right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass.
O ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
UNTO God's gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.
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IV. THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK
¶ This form may be used as an act of Healing for a person in dangerous or chronic sickness after consultation with the physician or other responsible persons, and with the permission of the Bishop and the full understanding and desire of the patient.
¶ One of the Psalms following shall be said at the Minister's discretion, with this Antiphon before and after.
Antiphon. O Saviour of the world, who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us, Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Psalm 23. Dominus regit me.
THE Lord is my shepherd : therefore can I lack nothing.
He shall feed me in a green pasture : and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
He shall convert my soul : and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me : thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
Or Psalm 20. 1-5, 9.
A Lesson. St. James 4. 14, 15.
Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick and the Lord shall raise him up.
¶ If the sick Person have not already made private Confession of sins, and received Absolution then shall one of the General Confessions and Absolutions be said at the discretion of the Minister. Then shall he say, Do you give yourself up entirely into God's hands that his Will maybe done in you ?
¶ The sick person shall reply,
Into thy Hands, O Lord.
¶ The Minister shall then say,
All things are possible to him that believes.
Do you believe in God's power to help you ?
¶ The sick person shall reply,
Lord, I believe.
Let us pray.
SILENT PRAYER.
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.
V. O Lord, save thy servant:
R. Who putteth his trust in thee.
V. Send him help from thy holy place:
R. And evermore mightily defend him.
V. Help us, O God of our salvation:
R. And be merciful to us sinners, for thy Name's sake.
V. Lord, hear our prayer:
R. And let our cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
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O ALMIGHTY God,1 who art the giver of all health, and the aid of them that seek to thee for succour, we call upon thee for thy help and goodness mercifully to be shewed upon this thy servant, that he being healed of his infirmities, may give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SILENT PRAYER.
¶ Then, if the Oil be not already blessed by the Bishop the following Prayer may be used by the Priest.
O ALMIGHTY Lord God, who hast taught us by thy holy Apostle James to anoint the sick with oil, that they may regain their bodily health, and render thanks unto thee for the same; Look down, we beseech thee, and bless and sanctify this thy gift of oil; and grant that those who shall be anointed therewith may be delivered from all sickness; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who, with thee and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, God, world without end. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Priest anoint the sick person upon the forehead, making the sign of the Cross, saying thus:
AS with this visible oil thy body outwardly is anointed : so our heavenly Father, Almighty God, grant of his infinite goodness, that thy soul inwardly may be anointed with the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of all strength, comfort, relief, and gladness: and vouchsafe for his great mercy (if it be his blessed will) to restore unto thee thy bodily health and strength, to serve him, and send thee release of all thy pains, troubles and diseases, both in body and mind; through Christ our Lord, who by his death hath overcome death, and with the Father and the Holy Spirit evermore liveth and reigneth, God, world without end. Amen.
Let us pray.
SILENT PRAYER.
V. The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the righteous :
R. The right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass.
O HOLY Father, physician of souls and bodies, who didst send thine only-begotten Son to heal the sicknesses of men and to save them from death; Deliver thy servant from all bodily and spiritual weakness, and quicken him by the grace of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
UNTO God's gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.
Public Thanksgiving should be made in Church after recovery.
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1. A moment's pause of recollection may be made here, and after the invocation of God in the other prayers. |
V. A COMMENDATION
¶ When the sick person is near death, short sentences and ejaculations, uttered slowly and solemnly and sometimes only at intervals, will be found helpful. Any of the portions of Scripture and Prayers which follow may be said either by the Minister, or if he be not present, by the relatives and friends of the dying person.
From the Psalms.
BE not thou far from me, O Lord : thou art my succour, haste thou to help me.
O keep my soul and deliver me.
Forsake me not, O Lord my God : be not thou far from me. Haste thou to help me, O Lord God of my salvation,
Forsake mc not, when my strength faileth me.
Comfort the soul of thy servant : for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Into thy hands do I commit my spirit : for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
The Lord is my light, and my salvation : whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid ?
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
With thee is the well of life : and in thy light shall we see light.
Thou shalt show me the path of life; and in thy presence is the fulness of joy : and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.
When I awaken up after thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it.
Whither shall I go from thy Spirit : or whither shall I flee from thy Presence?
Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee; but the night is as clear as the day : the darkness and light to thee are both alike.
The Lord is my shepherd : I shall not want.
From St. John's Gospel.
GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I am the light of the world.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions.
Because I live ye shall live also.
From the Epistles.
I RECKON that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed.
I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor night, nor death, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There remaineth a rest for the people of God.
From the Book of the Revelation.
AND God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.
And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, nor light of sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
¶ The Nunc Dimittis, which may be repeated by all who are present.
LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen: thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people.
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
¶ And after the Reader may say:
The Eternal God is thy refuge:
Answer. And underneath are the everlasting arms.
For a Dying Child.
O LORD Jesu Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who for our sakes didst become a babe in Bethlehem: We commit this child unto thy loving care. Send thy holy angel to lead him gently to those heavenly habitations where the souls of them that fall asleep in thee have perpetual peace and joy, and fold him in the everlasting arms of thine unfailing love; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Commendatory Prayer.
UNTO thee, O Lord, we commend the soul of thy servant N., that, dying to the world, he may live to thee, and whatsoever sins he has committed through the frailty of earthly life, we beseech thee to do away by thy most loving and merciful forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
GO forth upon thy journey from this world, Christian soul in the name of God the almighty Father who created thee, and of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee, and of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee. Amen.
MAY thy portion this day be with all who rest in Christ, in a place of green pastures, and by waters of comfort, where grief and misery are banished, and refreshment, light and peace for evermore abide. Amen.
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THE ORDER FOR THE BURIAL
OF THE DEAD
¶ The Minister and Choir shall meet the Body at the entrance of the Church-yard, and going before it, either into the Church, (or towards the Grave) shall say one or more of the sentences following, or else shall sing a Hymn. If a Hymn be sung, then one or more of the sentences shall be said as soon as the Clergy and People have taken their places in the Church (or beside the Grave).
I AM the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and he that liveth and believeth in me shall never die. St. John 11. 25, 26.
Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there ye maybe also. St. John 14. 1, 2.
Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. St. Matt. 5. 4.
Whether we live or die, we arc the Lord's. For to this end Christ died, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Rom. 14. 8, 9.
Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8. 38, 39.
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. 33. 27.
Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips.
People. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
¶ Then may be said Psalms 23, 84, 130, or 139.1-12.
¶ The Lesson: Rev. 21.1-7, or Wisdom 3.1-9; or else the following shall be read from 1 Cor. 15.
BUT now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come? Thou foolish one, that which thou thyself sowest is not quickened, except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain. It may chance of wheat, or of some other kind; but God giveth it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is thy victory? O Death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, 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.
¶ Hymn (or Benedictus may be said or sung).
Minister. Let us pray.
Minister and People:
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.
O MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom who· soever believeth shall live though he die; who also hath taught us by his Apostle Saint Paul not to be sorry as men without hope for them that sleep in him; We meekly beseech thee 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 as our hope is this our brother doth; and that at the last 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 the same thy Son, Jesus Christ, our mediator und Redeemer. Amen.
Or this prayer :
O GOD, before whose face the generations rise and pass away, who art the strength of those who labour and suffer, and the repose of the holy and blessed dead, enable us to rejoice in the fellowship of thy saints. We remember all who have faithfully lived and died, especially those most dear to us. Raise us into light and love; give us at last our portion with those who have trusted in thee and striven in all things to do thy holy will. And unto thy Name, with the Church on earth and the Church in heaven we ascribe all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
¶ Then may be said:
O LORD, we pray thee, give us of thy strength that we may live more bravely and faithfully for the sake of those who are no longer with us here upon earth; and grant us so to serve thee day by day that we may find eternal fellowship with them, through him who died and rose again for us all, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ When they come lo the Grave the Minister shall say or the Choir shall sing:
LIKE as a father pitieth his own children : even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him. For he knoweth whereof we are made : he remembereth that we are but dust. The days of man are but as grass : for he flourisheth as a flower of the field. For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone : and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth for ever and ever. Ps. 103. 13-17.
¶ Then, while the earth is cast upon the Body, the Minister shall say:
FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother, N., here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground [or to the fire, or to the deep]; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who was dead and behold he is alive for evermore, and hath the keys of the grave and of death.
¶ Then shall be said or sung :
I HEARD a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed arc the dead which die in the Lord: even so, saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours.
Minister. Let us pray.
¶ Then may be said one or more of the following Prayers.
ALMIGHTY God, with whom. do live the spirits of just men made perfect; we humbly commend the soul of this thy servant, our dear brother, into thy hands. as into the hands of a faithful Creator and most merciful Saviour; humbly beseeching thee, that he may be precious in thy sight; cleanse him, we pray thee, from every stain of sin that he may be presented pure and without spot before thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O FATHER of all, we pray to thee for those whom we love but see no longer. Grant them thy peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in thy loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ And before the Grace the Minister may say:
O HEAVENLY Father, who hast given us a true faith and a sure hope: help us, we pray thee, to live as those who believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection to life everlasting and strengthen this faith and hope in us all the days of our life; through the love of thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
¶ At the discretion of the Minister, the whole of the foregoing Prayers may be said in the Church, and the words of the Committal only at the Graveside.
¶ When there is a celebration of Holy Communion at the Burial of the Dead, the following Collect, Epistle, and Gospel shall be used .
Collect.
O ETERNAL Lord God, who holdest all souls in life: We beseech thee to shed forth upon thy whole Church in Paradise and on earth the bright beams of thy light and heavenly comfort; that we, following the good example of those who have loved and served thee here and are now at rest, may with them at length enter into the fulness of thine unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Epistle. 1 John 2. 15-17.
Gospel. St. John 6. 37-40.
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AT THE BURIAL OF A CHILD
(The opening sentences, &c., as before.)
Psalm 23.
Lesson. Matt. 18. 1-6 and 10-14, or Rev. 21 . 23-7.
¶ Here a Hymn may be sung.
Let us pray.
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.
O LORD Jesu Christ, who didst take little children into thine arms and bless them; Open thou our eyes, we beseech thee, to perceive that of thy goodness thou hast taken this thy child into the everlasting arms of thine infinite love; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
O GOD, who makest nothing in vain and lovest all that thou hast made; Comfort thou thy servants whose hearts are now made sorrowful; and grant that they may so love and serve thee in this life, that together with this child they may obtain the fulness of thy promises in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ When they come to the Grave the Minister shall say:
FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God to take unto himself the soul of this dear child, N., here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
¶ Then shall the Minister say:
REMEMBER the words of our Saviour Christ, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let us pray.
O ALMIGHTY Father, who by thy Son Jesus Christ hast declared unto us thy love and care for little children, we humbly commend to thy gracious keeping the soul of this child here departed, trusting that thou hast embraced him with the arms of thy mercy, and hast given unto him the blessing of eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Or this:
HEAVENLY Father, who by thy Son Jesus Christ hast taught us that those who would enter into thy Kingdom must become as little children; we commend unto thy faithful keeping the soul of this little child; beseeching thee that thou wilt accept his innocence, and cleanse him from all stain of earthly life; that he may dwell for ever in thy presence, and find a home in the heavenly Kingdom, where thou livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
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AN ORDER WHICH MAY BE USED WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MOURNERS WHEN NEITHER OF THE FOREGOING ORDERS IS SUITABLE.
¶ On the way to the Grave shall be said:
The Lord is loving unto every man; and his mercy is over all his works. Ps. 145. 9.
To this end Christ died, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Rom. 14. 8, 9.
There is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all. 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6.
¶ At the Grave shall be said :
Psalm 139. 1-12.
A Lesson: John 5. 25-29, or Mark 9. 83-41.
¶ As the Body is being laid in the Grave shall be said :
WE commit our brother, here departed, into the keeping of Almighty God, our heavenly Father, that of his infinite love and goodness he may grant him a part in the resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray.
The Lord's Prayer.
O GOD our Saviour, who wilIest that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth: Grant unto us, we beseech thee, that in seeking to do thy will we may find a sure and steadfast hope in thy righteousness and mercy, which thou hast declared unto all the world through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God. and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. be with us all evermore. Amen.
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