THE ORDER FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION OF

THE LORD'S SUPPER

OR

HOLY COMMUNION

So many as intend to be partakers of the Holy Communion shall signify their names to the Curate, at least some time the day before.

And if any of those be living in open and unrepented sin, or in open contravention of the canonical regulations of the Church, the Curate, having knowledge thereof, shall call him and advertise him, that in any wise he presume not to come to the Lord's Table, until he have openly declared himself to have truly repented and amended his former naughty life, that the Congregation may thereby be satisfied, which before were offended; and that he have recompensed the parties, to whom he hath done wrong; or at least declare himself to be in full purpose so to do, as soon as he conveniently may.

The same order shall the Curate 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 he himself hath offended; and the other party will not be persuaded 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 specified in this, or the next precedent Paragraph of this Rubrick, shall be obliged to give an account of the same to the Bishop within fourteen days after at the farthest. And, if occasion require, the Bishop shall proceed against the offending person according to the Canon.

The Table at the Communion-time shall have a fair white linen, cloth upon it. And the Priest, standing at the Table, shall say in a distinct and audible voice, the people devoutly kneeling.

INTRODUCTION

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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Collect

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be 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 Priest, 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 of every duty therein (either according to the letter or according to the spiritual import thereof) for the time past: and grace to keep the same for the time to come, as followeth.

Minister

    I. God spake these words, and said: I am the Lord thy God; Thou shalt have none other gods but me.
    II. 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.
    III. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.
    IV. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day. Six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.
    V. Honour thy father and thy mother.
    VI. Thou shalt do no murder.
    VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
    VIII. Thou shalt not steal.
    IX. Thou shalt not hear false witness.
    X. Thou shalt not covet.

And the people shall say after each commandment,

    Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Provided that the Ten Commandments be rehearsed at least once on each Lord's Day in Advent and Lent, they may be omitted at other times. When they are so omitted, then shall follow:

Jesus said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind: This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and write these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.

After this summary, or instead of it, may be said:

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

Then shall be said:

    Priest. The Lord be with you;
    People. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Then shall be said the Collect of the Day. Other Collects, as appointed or authorised, may follow, and the last of these shall have the full ending.

INSTRUCTION

And immediately after the Collect the Priest shall read the Epistle, saying, The Epistle [or, The Lesson] is written in the —— Chapter of beginning at the——- Verse. Which ended, he shall say, Here endeth the Epistle [or, the Lesson]. Then shall he read the Gospel (the people all standing up), saying, The Holy Gospel is Written in the —— Chapter of —— beginning at the —— Verse.

    People. Glory be to thee, O Lord.

And after the Gospel the people shall say, Thanks be to thee, o Lord.

And he that readeth the Epistle or Gospel shall so turn to the people that all may hear.

If unbaptised or penitents be present the Sermon may here follow, after which they shall be dismissed with prayer and blessing. And then shall be said the Creed following, the people all standing.

I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
    And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one sub stance with the Father, By whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end.
    And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe One, Holy, Catholick and Apostolick Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.

Then the Curate shall declare unto the people what Feasts, or Fasting-days, are in the Week following to be observed. And then also (if occasion be) shall notice be given of the Communion, and Banns of Matrimony published; and Briefs, Citations and Excommunications read. And nothing shall be proclaimed or published in the Church, during the time of Divine Service, but by the Minister: nor by him any thing, but what is prescribed in the Rules of this Book, or enjoined by the Bishop.

Then may follow the Sermon, unless it shall have been already preached before the Creed.

OFFERTORY

Then shall the Priest return to the Lord's Table, and begin the Offertory, saying one or more of these Sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient in his discretion.

    Advent. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. Zech. 9.

    Nativity of our Lord. Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Is. 9.

    Epiphany. All Kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall do him service. Ps. 72.

    Lent. Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful. Joel 2.

    Passiontide. Thy rebuke hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness: I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man, neither found I any to comfort me. Ps. 69.

    Easter. Christ is risen from the dead, and be come the first-fruits of them that slept. Alleluia.  1 Cor. 15.

    Ascension. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Alleluia. Ps. 24.

    Whitsunday. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Alleluia. Joel 2.

    Trinity. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy. Rev. 15.

    Saints' Days. All thy works praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints give thanks unto thee. Ps. 145.

    At Memorials of the Departed. None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. Rom. 14.

    General. 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.

    Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth; where the rust and moth doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven; where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. St. Matth. 6.

    Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them; for this is the Law and the Prophets. St. Matth. 7.

    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.

    Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20.

    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.

    While we have time, let us do good unto all men; and specially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. 6.

    Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. Ps. 41.

    Walk in love, as Christ also bath loved us, and bath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling savour. Eph. 5.

    I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom. 12.

    Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was the priest of the most high God. Gen. 14.

    I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of the Lord; I will pay my vows unto the Lord in the sight of all his people. Ps. 116.

    All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 1 Chron. 29.

Whilst these Sentences are in reading, the Deacons, Churchwardens, or other fit person appointed for that purpose, shall receive the Alms and other offerings of the people, in a decent bason to be provided by the Parish for that purpose; and reverently bring it to the Priest, who shall humbly present and place it upon the holy Table.

And the Priest shall place upon the Table so much Bread and Wine, as he shall think sufficient, saying:
 

BLESS, O Lord, we beseech thee, these thy gifts and sanctify them unto this holy use, that by them we may be fed unto everlasting life of soul and body; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

When Intercession or Thanksgiving is to be offered for any special object, it shall be provided for by a Form of Bidding either here or before the Offertory.

After which done, the Priest shall say,

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men: We humbly beseech thee most 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 that 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 lead all nations into the way of righteousness and peace, and to direct all Kings, Presidents and Rulers that under them the world may be godly and quietly governed. And grant unto thy Servant ELIZABETH our Queen, her ministers and parliaments, and all that are set in authority throughout her Dominions, that they may truly and impartially minister justice to the removing of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of order and right living.
    Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops, Priests and Deacons, and especially to thy Servant N. our Bishop, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and living Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments: And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace; and specially to this congregation here pre sent; 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. [Guide and prosper, we pray thee, all those who are labouring for the spread of thy Gospel among the nations.]
    [And to all Schools and Universities grant the light of thy Spirit, that the world may be filled with the knowledge of thy Truth.] [And grant to all men in their several callings that they may seek the common welfare, and promote good will and brotherhood on earth.]
    And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
    And we commend to thy gracious keeping, O Lord, all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, beseeching thee to grant them mercy, light and peace both now and at the day of resurrection.
    And here we do give unto thee, O Lord, most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all thy Saints, and chiefly in the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord and God, and in the holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs; beseeching thee to give us grace that we, rejoicing in the Communion of the Saints, and following the good examples of those who have served thee here, may be partakers with them of thy heavenly kingdom:
    Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

 
PREPARATION

Then shall the Priest say to them that come to receive the Holy Communion,

YE that 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 ways: 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 the Priest say,

Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to him:
    Come unto me all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.    St. Matth. 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 Saint 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 Saint 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

CONSECRATION

When the Priest, 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:

Priest. The Lord be with you;
    R. And with thy spirit.
    V. Lift up your hearts;
    R. We lift them up unto the Lord.
    V. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
    R. It is meet and right so to do.

Then shall the Priest turn to the Lord's Table, and say,

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 (see pages 246 to 248) according so the time, if there be any specially appointed, or else shall follow on Sundays:

WHO, with thine only-begotten Son and the Holy Ghost art one God, one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Substance, who hast created all things through thy eternal Word. Therefore with Angels, &c.

On other days shall follow immediately:

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.

ALL Glory and Thanksgiving be to thee, Almighty God our heavenly Father, for that thou of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who (by his one oblation of himself once offered) made 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, ^atook bread; and, when he had given thanks, ^bhe brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take eat, ^cthis is my Body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he ^dtook the Cup; and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this ^eis 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.
    Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, we thy humble servants, having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, do render unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same; and, looking for his coming again with power and great glory, we offer here unto thy divine majesty this holy Bread of eternal life and this Cup of everlasting salvation; and we humbly beseech thee to pour thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these thy gifts, that all we who are partakers of this holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son, and be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction.
    And we 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 living sacrifice unto thee.
    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.

Here let all the people say, Amen.

Then shall the Priest and People say together the Lord's Prayer.

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 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.

COMMUNION

Then shall silence be kept for a space, after which shall follow this prayer, sold by the Priest, kneeling, in the name of all then: that shall receive the Communion,

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.

Then shall the Priest break the Bread, and first receive the Communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Priests 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.

Or else the Priest shall, before he delivereth the Bread to the people,

say to the whole Congregation,

Draw near and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which were given for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanks giving.

And if he have so said, when he delivereth the Bread to any one, he shall say,

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

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

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

When all have communicated, the Priest shall return to the Lord's Table, and reverently place upon it what remaineth of the consecrated Elements, covering the same with a fair linen cloth; or else, at his discretion, reverently consume the same.

THANKSGIVING

Then shall he say this Thanksgiving for Communion.

    Priest. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious;
    R. And his mercy endureth for ever.

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,

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

THE peace of God, which passeth all under standing, 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 Al mighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

Collects which may be said after the Collect of the Day, or before the Blessing. Other Collects may also be sanctioned by the Bishop as need require.

LOOK with favour, most Holy Trinity, on this our act of worship and service; and may this sacrifice set forth before thine eyes be acceptable to thy Divine Majesty, and avail for us and all for whom we have offered it; who lived and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

O LORD Jesus Christ, who didst say to thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: Regard not our sins but the faith of thy Church, and grant it that peace and unity which is agreeable to thy will; who lived and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

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; and grant 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.

ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of ever lasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be de fended by thy most gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the words, which we have heard this day with tour outward ears, may through thy grace be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honour and praise of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PREVENT [Lead] us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain ever lasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking: We beseech thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of them that ask in thy Son's Name: We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us that have made now our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant, that those things, which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PROPER PREFACES

Upon Christmas Day and until the Epiphany, and (the words as at this time being omitted) on the Feasts of the Purification and the Annunciation.

BECAUSE thou didst give Jesus Christ thine only Son to be born as 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 that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon the Epiphany and seven days after.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who, in substance of our mortal flesh, manifested forth his glory, that he might bring all men everywhere out of darkness into his own marvellous light. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon Thursday before Easter.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who, having loved his own which were in the world, loved them unto the end, and on the night before he suffered did institute these holy mysteries, that we receiving the benefits of his Passion, and being quickened by his Resurrection, might be made partakers of his divine nature, and be filled with all the fulness of God. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon Easter Day and until Ascension Day.

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 until Whitsunday.

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; who, after that he had ascended up far above all the heavens and was set down at the right hand of thy Majesty, did as at this time pour forth upon the children of adoption thy holy and life-giving Spirit, that through his glorious power the joy of the everlasting gospel might go forth into all the world; whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon Trinity Sunday.

WHO with thine only-begotten Son and the Holy Ghost art one God, one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Substance; for that which we believe of thy glory, O Father, the same we believe of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference or inequality. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon the Transfiguration.

BECAUSE the glory of thine Incarnate Word did shine forth upon the holy mount unto eyewitnesses of his Majesty, and did manifest the power and coming of his Kingdom with his Saints in light. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon All Saints' Day, and (except when the Proper Preface of any of the Great Festivals is appointed to be said) upon the Festivals of Apostles and Evangelists, and the Nativity of St. John Baptist.

WHO in thy Saints hast given us an example of godly life and a glorious pledge of the hope of our calling; that, compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, we may run with patience the race that is set before us, and receive with them the crown of glory that fadeth not away. Therefore with Angels, &c.

At Memorials of the Departed.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who hath brought life and immortality to light, that we, who are burdened by the weight of sin and death, may grieve not as those who have no hope; because we know that when our earthly tabernacle is dissolved we have a better habitation. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon the Dedication of a Church, or Anniversary of the Dedication.

WHO, though the Heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, and thy glory is in all the world, yet dost accept the earthly habitations dedicated to thy name, and in them dost pour forth gifts of grace upon thy faithful people. Therefore with Angels, &c.
 

When the Minister giveth warning for the celebration of the Holy Communion, he shall, at the least before the Great Festivals, and at other times according to his discretion, read this Exhortation following.

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 life and sustenance in that holy Sacrament; unto which, in God's behalf, I bid you all that are here present, who are so lovingly called and bidden by God himself; and I exhort you, as ye love your own salvation, that ye will be partakers of this holy Communion.
    It is an easy matter for a man to say, I will not communicate, because I am otherwise hindered with worldly business. But such excuses are not so easily accepted and allowed before God. And if any man say, I am a grievous sinner, and therefore am afraid to come: wherefore then do ye not repent and amend? I beseech you, therefore, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, that ye will not refuse to come to this holy Sacrament, in which we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his Blood; in which we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us.
    And, because we must receive these holy mysteries with a penitent heart and living faith, it is my duty in the meantime to exhort you to re member the dignity of that holy mystery, and to consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; examine yourselves by the rule of God's commandments; have a living 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 if ye shall perceive your offences to be such as are not only against God, 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 that have offended you, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences at God's hand.
    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; there fore if there be any of you, who by this means can not 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 by the ministry of God's holy Word, he may receive the benefit of absolution, together with spiritual counsel and advice, to the quieting of his conscience, and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness.

And there shall be no celebration of the Lord's Supper, except there be at least one to communicate with the Priest.

And in Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, and Colleges, where there are many Priests and Deacons, they shall all receive the Communion with the Priest every Sunday at least, except they have a reasonable cause to the contrary.

And to take away all occasions of dissension, and superstition, which any person hath or might have concerning the Bread and Wine, it shall suffice that the Bread be such as is usual to be eaten; but the best and purest Wheat Bread that conveniently may be gotten.

If the Consecrated Bread or Wine be spent before all have communicated, the Priest is to consecrate more, either (a) in both kinds, repeating the Words of the Consecration Prayer beginning 'Hear us, O merciful Father' and ending at 'heavenly benediction'; or (b) in either kind, according to the Form given for thus purpose in the Book of Common Prayer,

And if any remain of the Bread and Wine which was consecrated, it shall not be carried out of the Church, but the Priest and such other of the Communicants as he shall then call unto him shall, immediately after the Blessing, reverently eat and drink the same: except so far as is otherwise provided in the Order for the Communion of the Sick.

The Bread and Wine for the Communion shall be provided by the Curate and the Churchwardens at the charges of the Parish.

It is the duty of every Communicant to receive the holy Sacrament frequently, and especially at all the Great Festivals of the Church, of which Easter to be one. The canonical obligation of a Communicant of the Church of this Province is to receive the Holy Communion three times at least during the year.

And yearly at Easter every Parishioner shall reckon with the Parson. Vicar, or Curate, or his or their Deputy or Deputies; and pay to them or h/in all Ecclesiastical Duties, accustomably due, then and at that time to be paid.

After the Divine Service ended, the money given at the Offertory shall be disposed of to such pious and charitable uses, as the Minister and Churchwardens shall think fit. Wherein if they disagree, it shall be disposed of as the Ordinary shall appoint.

On working days, not being Feasts, with the permission of the Bishop, the Creed and Gloria in Excelsis may be omitted, and the short forms of Confession and Absolution (pages 235 and 236) may be used in the PREPARATION.