THE OFFICE FOR

THE 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, that he may ascertain that they believe all the Articles of the Catholick Faith, and are free from deadly sin, or, if not, that they are truly penitent for it; and, in the case of strangers, that they have been baptized and confirmed, and are regular communicants of the Church.

¶ And if any of those who thus present themselves be an open and notorious evil liver, or have done any wrong to his neighbours by word or deed, so that the Church be thereby offended; 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 hath openly declared himself to have truly repented and amended his former naughty life, and received Absolution, that the Church may thereby be satisfied, which before was offended ; and that he hath recompensed the parties, to whom he hath done wrong, or at least declared 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 frowardness and malice: the Minister in that case ought to admit the penitent person to the Holy Communion, and not him that is obstinate. Any person thus excommunicated by the Minister, may, if he judge himself aggrieved, appeal to the Bishop.

¶ The Altar, when the Holy Eucharist is to be Celebrated, shall have a fair white linen cloth upon it, and the Priest, standing at the north·side thereof, shall say the Lord's Prayer, with the Collect following, the people kneeling.

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.

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 tile 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 Mc, 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 takcth 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 labour, 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.
    Minister. 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 anything that is his.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these Thy laws in our hearts, we beseech Thee.

¶ Or, in place of rehearsing the Ten Commandments, he may, at his discretion, use the Summary of the law as followeth.

Minister.

AND Jesus answered, and said unto him, Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one God, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength: this is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, namely, this: thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these, 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.

¶ Then shall be said the Collect for grace and strength to keep the Commandments, the Priest standing as before, and saying.

Let us pray.

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.

¶ Or he may use one of these two Collects for the Queen.

ALMIGHTY God, Whose kingdom is everlasting, and power infinite; Have mercy upon the whole Church; and so rule the heart of thy chosen servant Victoria, our Queen and Governour, that she (knowing Whose minister she is) may above all things seek Thy honour and glory: and that we, and all her subjects, (duly considering Whose authority she hath) may faithfully serve, honour, and humbly obey her in Thee and for Thee, according to Thy blessed word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Or,

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we are taught ly Thy holy word, that the hearts of Kings are in Thy rule and governance, and that Thou dost dispose and turn them as it seemeth best to Thy godly wisdom: We humbly beseech Thee so to dispose and govern the heart of Victoria Thy Servant, our Queen and Governour, that, in all her thoughts, words, and works, she may ever seek Thy honour and glory, and study to preserve Thy people committed to her charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness: Grant this, O merciful Father, for Thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then shall be said the Collect of the Day, And immediately after the Collect the Priest 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; and the people shall devoutly sing or say, Glory be to Thee, O God. And when the Gospel is ended, he shall say, Here endeth the Holy Gospel; when the people shall sing or say, Thanks be to Thee, O Lord, for this Thy glorious Gospel.

¶ Then shall be sung or said the Creed following, the people still standing, as before.

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 substance 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 and 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 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 Holy-days, 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 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 by the Ordinary of the place.

¶ And 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.

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 them that 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 whereinsoever ye shall perceive yourselves to have offended, either by will, word, or deed, there to bewail your own sinfulness, and to confess yourselves to Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life. 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 yon, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences at God's hand: for otherwise the receiving of the Holy Communion doth nothing else but increase your damnation. 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 you of your sins, or else come not to that Holy Table; lest, after the taking of That Holy Sacrament, the devil enter into you, as he entered into Judas, and fill you full of all iniquities, and bring you to destruction both of body and soul.
    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 discreet and learned 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 ghostly. counsel and advice, to the quieting of his conscience, and avoiding 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 that 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 any 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 your-selves from This Holy Supper, provoke God's indignation against you. 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. 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 that 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. I, for my part, shall be ready; and, 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 yourselves how great injury ye do unto God, and how sore punishment hangeth over your heads for the same; when ye wilfully abstain from the Lord's 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 God's 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.

¶ Then shall follow the Sermon; and when the Holy Euchst is to be Celebrated, the Mister shall dismiss the non-Communicants in these or like words. Let those who are not to Communicate now depart.

¶ At the time of the Celebration of tlte Holy Communion, the Priest shall proceed with

The Exhortation.

DEARLY beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ must consider what St. Paul writeth to the Corinthians, how he 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 then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us); so is the danger great, if we receive the Same unworthily; for then we are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ our Saviour; we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lord's Body; we kindle God's wrath against us; we provoke Him to plague us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you 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 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 should always 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 Blood-shedding, 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 the Presbyter, or Deacon, shall say,

Let us present our offerings to the Lord with reverence and godly fear.

¶ Then the Presbyter shall begin the Offertorv, saying one or more of these sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient by his discretion, according to the length or shortness of the time that the people are offering.

IN process of time, it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground, an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering; but unto Cain, and to his offering, He had not respect.   Gen. iv. 3,4, 5.
    Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering; of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart, ye shall take My offering.   Exod. xxv. 2.
    Ye shall not appear before the Lord empty. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He hath given you.   Deut. xvi. 16, 17.
    Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His Name; bring an offering, and come into His courts.   Psalm xcvi. 8.
    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.   Matt. vi. 19, 20.
    Not everyone 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.   Matt. vii. 21.
    Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into it: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites which make a farthing. And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance, but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.   Mark xii. 41, 42, 43, 44.
    Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? 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. ix. 7.
    If we have sown unto you Spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?   1 Cor. ix. 11.
    Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel.   1 Cor. ix, 13,14.
    He who soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly: and he who soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. Every man, according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.   2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.
    Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.   Gal. vi. 6, 7.
    Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.   1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19.
    God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Heb. vi. 10.
    To do good, and to communicate, forget not. for with such sacrifices God is well pleased:   Heb. xiii. 16.

¶ While the Presbyter distinctly pronounceth some or all of these sentences for the Offertory, the Deacon, or (if no such be present) some other fit person, shall receive the devotions of the people there present, in a bason provided for that purpose. And when all have offered, he shall reverently bring the said bason, with the oblations therein, and deliver it to the Presbyter, who shall humbly present it before the Lord, and set it upon the Holy Table, saying,

BLESSED be Thou, O Lord God, for ever and ever: Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine: Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as Head above all; all riches and honour come of Thee, and so of thine own do we give unto Thee. Amen.

¶ And the Presbyter shall then offer up and place the bread and wine prepared for the Sacrament upon the Lord's Table and shall say,

    Presbyter. 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.
 

* These words Holy Father must be omitted on Trinity Sunday.

¶ Here shall follow the proper preface, according to the time, if there be any especially appointed; or else immediately shall follow,

    Therefore with angels and archangels, &c.

PROPER PREFACES.
 

Upon Christmas-day, and seven days after.

BECAUSE Thou didst give Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, to be born (*as on this day) for us, Who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, was made very man of the substance of the blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother, and that 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 might we also ascend, and reign with Him in glory. Therefore with an-gels, &e.

Upon Whitsunday, and six days after.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; according to Whose most true promise, the Holy Ghost came down (*as on this day) 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 are 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.

¶ After which preface shall follow immediately this doxology,

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.

¶ Then the Presbyter, standing at such a part of the Holy Table as he may with the most ease and decency use both his hands, shall say the Prayer of Consecration, as followeth.

ALL glory be to Thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that Thou, of Thy tender mercy, didst give Thy only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; Who (by His own 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 Memorial of that His precious death and Sacrifice until His coming again; for in the night that He was betrayed, (a) He 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 (e) THIS 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.
 

WHEREFORE, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the Institution of Thy dearly-beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we Thy humble servants do Celebrate and Make here before Thy Divine Majesty, with These Thy Holy Gifts, WHICH WE NOW OFFER UNTO THEE, the Memorial Thy Son hath commanded us to Make: Having in Remembrance His blessed Passion and precious death, His mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto Thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

    AND we earnestly 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 humbly offer and present unto Thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto Thee, beseeching Thee that whosoever shall be partakers of This Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ, and be filled with Thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with Him, that He may dwell in them and they in Him. And although we are 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.

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

ALMIGHTY and ever-living 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 save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governours, and especially Thy servant Victoria our Queen, that under her we may be godly and quietly governed: and grant unto her whole Council, and to all who are put in authority under her, that they may truly and indifferently minister 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, Priests, and Deacons, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth Thy true and lively word, and rightly and duly administer Thy holy Sacraments; and to all Thy people give Thy heavenly grace, 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 commend especially to Thy merciful goodness the congregation which is here assembled in Thy Name, to Celebrate the Commemoration of the most precious death and Sacrifice of Thy Son and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 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, who, having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labours. And we yield unto Thee most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all Thy Saints, who have been the choice vessels of Thy grace, and the lights of the world in their several generations: most humbly beseeching Thee to give us grace to follow the example of their stedfastness in Thy faith, and obedience to Thy holy commandments, that, at the day of the general resurrection, we, and all they who are of the mystical body of Thy Son, may be set on His right Hand, and hear that His most joyful Voice, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Presbyter say,

As our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught us, we are bold to say,

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

¶ Then the Presbyter shall say to them that come to receive the Holy Communion, this invitation.

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, and take This Holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God.

¶ Then shall this general confession be made by the people along with the Presbyter, he first kneeling down.

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 Presbyter or the Bishop (being present) stand up, and, turning himself to the people, pronounce the Absolution, as followeth.

ALMIGHTY God, our Heavenly Father, Who, of His great mercy, hath. promised forgiveness of sins to all !hem 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 ever-lasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Presbyter also say,

Hear what comfortable words our Savious Christ saith unto all that truly turn to Him.

COME unto Me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   Matt. xi. 28.
    God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.   John iii. 16.

¶ Then shall the Presbyter, turning him to the Altar, kneel down and say, in the name of all them that shall communicate, this Collect of humble access to the Holy Communion as followeth.

WE do not presume to come to this Thy Holy 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 most sacred 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 Bishop, if he be present, or else the Presbyter that Celebrateth, first receive the Communion in both Kinds himself, and next deliver It to other Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons, (if there be any present,) and after to the people, in due order, all humbly kneeling. And when he receiveth himself or delivereth the Sacrament of the Body of Christ to others, he shall say,

THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, Which was Given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

¶ Here the person receiving shall say

Amen.

¶ And the Presbyter or Minister that receiveth the Cup himself, or delivereth It to others, shall say this benediction.

THE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, Which was Shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

¶ Here the person receiving shall say

Amen.

¶ If the Consecrated Brood or Wine be all spent before all have communicated, the Presbyter is to Consecrate more, according to the form before prescribed, beginning at the words, All glory be to Thee, &c, and ending with the words, that They may become the Body and Blood of Thy most dearly beloved Son.

¶ When all have communicated, he that Celebrates shall go to the Lord's Table, and cover with a fair linen cloth That Which remaineth of the Consecrated Elements, and then say,

HAVING now received the precious Body and Blood of Christ, let us give thanks to our Lord God, Who hath graciously vouchsafed to admit us to the participation of His Holy Mysteries; and let us beg of Him grace to perform our vows, and to persevere in our good resolutions; and that being made holy, we may obtain everlasting life, through the merits of the all-sufficient Sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

¶ Then the Presbyter shall say this Collect of thanksgiving as followeth.

ALMIGHTY and ever-living 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 o through hope of Thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of His most precious death and Passion. We now most humbly beseech Thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with Thy grace and Holy Spirit, that we may continue in that holy communion and fellowship, and do all such good works as Thou hast commanded us to walk in, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to Whom, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory world without end. Amen.

¶ Then shall be said or sung, Gloria in excelsis, as followeth.

GLORY be to God in the highest, 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; and to Thee, O God the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; and to Thee, O God the Holy Ghost.
    O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, That takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou That takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou That 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, are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

¶ Then the Presbyter (or 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.

¶ Collects to be said after the Sermon, when there is no Communion, every such day one or more; and the same may be said also, as often as occasion shall serve, after the Collects either of Morning or Evening Prayer, or Litany, by the discretion of the Minister.

ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended 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 our 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 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 everlasting 1ife; 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.

¶ In every Congregation of the Church of Scotland, the Holy Communion shall be Celebrated, so often and at such times, as that every member thereof, come to a proper time of life, may communicate at least three times in the year, whereof the Feast of Easter, or of Pentecost, or of Christmas, shall be one.

¶ The best and purest Wheaten Bread that conveniently may be gotten, shall be used for the Holy Communion.

¶ It is customary to mix a little pure and clean Water with the Wine in the Eucharistic Cup, when the same is taken from the Prothesis or Credence to be Presented upon the Altar.

¶ In cases of necessity, (not otherwise) the Priest may Celebrate the Holy Communion though there be but one person to communicate with him but it is desirable that there should not be fewer than two besides himself, according to the promise of our Blessed Lord, "Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them. "

¶ The Priest shall reserve so much of the Consecrated Gifts as may be required for the Communion of the Sick and others who could not be present at the Celebration in Church; and when he administers to them, he shall proceed as directed in the Office for the Communion of the Sick.

¶ All That remaineth of the Holy Sacrament, and is not so required, the Priest and such other of the Communicants as he shall then call unto him, shall, after the Blessing, reverently eat and drink.

¶ It is customary for the Communicants in this Church, to receive the Sacrament of our Lord's Body upon the palm of the right hand crossed over the left, and then reverently raise It to the mouth, so as not to let the smallest Particle fall to the ground.

¶ Should there be a general Offertory on any day upon which the Holy Eucharist is not Celebrated in the Church in which the Offertory takes place, the Exhortation commencing with the words "Dearly beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ," shall be omitted.
 

A CATECHISM
 

¶ The Christian Church having ever maintained the necessity of early and sound instruction in the first principles of her holy Faith, all the Clergy of this Church shall give constant attention to this important duty, and diligently upon Sundays and Holy-days, after the second Lesson at Evening Prayer, or other convenient times, openly in the Church instruct and examine the young members of their Congregations in some part of this Catechism.

¶ No Catechism shall be used in the further instruction of the young, but such as is approved and sanctioned by the Bishop of the Diocese.

¶ The Clergy shall earnestly exhort and admonish their people respecting the great usefulness of this mode of instruction, and point out to parents, and others who mat have the charge of young persons, the necessity of bringing them regularly to be Catechised.

¶ It has been a sacred and solemn Appointment in the Christian Church, continued from the times of the Apostles, that all Bishops should in their several Dioceses regularly administer the Holy Ordinance of Confirmation by imposition of hands upon persons who have been baptized and duly instructed in the principles of Christ's religion; therefore every Bishop of this Church shall visit his Diocese, if he be able to do it once in three years, and administer this sacred Ordinance; every congregation within the same; and if unable to visit his Diocese personally, he shall obtain one of his colleagues to do so in his stead.

¶ Every Curate, on receiving information from the Bishop of the time of his visitation, shalt use his best endeavours to prepare for Confirmation those whom he is to present to the Bishop to be confirmed; and shall give him a list of their names, and be ready to answer any questions he may put respecting their age and qualifications.
 

THE ORDER OF CONFIRMATION,

OR LAYING ON OF HANDS UPON THOSE THAT ARE BAPTIZED AND COME TO YEARS OF DISCRETION.

¶ Upon the day appointed, all that are to be then confirmed, being placed, and standing in order, before the Bishop; he (or some other Minister appointed by him) shall read this Preface following.

TO the end that Confirmation may bo ministered to the more edifying of such as shall receive it, the Church hath thought good to order, That none hereafter shall be Confirmed, but such as can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments; and can also answer to such other Questions as in the short Catechism are contained; which order is very convenient to be observed; to the end, that children, being now come to the years of discretion and having learned what their Godfathers and Godmothers promised for them in Baptism, they may themselves, with their own mouth and consent, openly before the Church, ratify and confirm the same; and also promise, that by the grace of God they will evermore endeavour themselves faithfully to observe such things, as they, by their own confession, have assented unto.

¶ Then shall the Bishop say,

DO ye here, in the presence of God, and of this congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that was made in your name at your Baptism; ratifying and confirming the same in your own persons, and acknowledging yourselves bound to believe and to do all those things, which your Godfathers and Godmothers then undertook for you?

¶ And every one shall audibly answer,
I do.

The Bishop.

OUR help is in the Name of the Lord;
  Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth.
    Bishop. Blessed be the Name of the Lord;
    Answer. Henceforth, world without end.
    Bishop. Lord, hear our prayers.
    Answer. And let our cry come unto Thee.

The Bishop.   Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these Thy servants by Water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins; Strengthen them, we beseech thee, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost the Comforter, and daily increase in them Thy manifold gifts of grace; the spirit of wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength; the spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of Thy holy fear, now and for ever. Amen.

¶ Then all of them, in order kneeling before the Bishop, he shall make a Cross on the forehead, and lay his hands upon the head of every one severally, saying,

I SIGN thee with the sign of the Cross; and I lay mine hands upon thee, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Defend, O Lord, this Thy Child [or this Thy Servant] with 'I'hy heavenly grace, that he may continue Thine for ever; and daily increase in 'I'hy Holy Spirit more aud more, until he come unto thy everlasting kingdom. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Bishop say,

The Lord be with you.
Ans. And with thy spirit.

¶ And (all kneeling down) the Bishop shall add,

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. Amen.

¶ And this Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, Who makest us both to will and to do those things that be good and acceptable unto Thy divine Majesty; We make our humble supplications unto Thee for these Thy servants, upon whom (after the example of Thy holy Apostles) we have now laid our hands, to certify them (by this sign) of Thy favour and gracious goodness towards them. Let Thy fatherly hand, we beseech Thee, ever be over them; let Thy Holy Spirit ever be with them and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of Thy word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

O ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting God, vouch-safe, we beseech Thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts aud 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.

¶ Then the Bishop shall Bless them, saying thus,

THE Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with yon for ever. Amen.

¶ And there shall none be admitted to the Holy Communion, until such time as he be confirmed, or be ready and desirous to be confirmed.
 

THE VISITATION OF THE SICK.

¶ In all the days of their Spiritual warfare, from their Baptism to their Burial, Christians have provided for them the benefit of assistance from the Ministry of the Clergy. When therefore any Minister of this Church is called to visit any sick Member of his Congregation, he shall not neglect to perform this duty; but repairing to the sick person's house, shall be there ready to administer all suitable comfort and instruction, either according to the Order for the Visitation of the Sick as here appointed, or in any other way as he shall think most needful and convenient, taking the discretion or advice of his own Bishop in any case which may particularly call for it.

¶ When the Prayers of the Congregation are desired in behalf of any sick member of it, the Clergyman may use the Collect appointed for the Communion of the Sick, inserting after the words, "Visited with Thine Hand," the words, "for whom our prayers are desired;" or any other of the Prayers in this Office for the Visitation of the Sick, as the cause may require.

¶ When any person is sick, and notice has been given to the Minister, he, coming into the sick person's house, shall say,

The remainder of the service is identical to that in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, and so is not given here.
 

THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK.

¶ Forasmuch as all mortal men be subject to many sudden perils, diseases, and sicknesses, and ever uncertain what time they shall depart out of this life; therefore, to the intent they may be always in a readiness to die, whensoever it shall please Almighty God to call them, the Curates shall diligently from lime to time (but especially in the time of pestilence, or other infectious sickness) exhort their Parishioners to the often receiving of the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Savior Christ, when It shall be publickly Administered in the Church; that so doing, they may, in case of sudden visitation, have the less cause to be disquieted for lack of the same. But if the sick person be not able to come to the Church, and yet is desirous to receive the Communion, he must give timely notice to the Curate, who shall thereupon carry the same unto him if he have It reserved. But if there be a necessity for the sick person to receive the Blessed Eucharist before the time of the neat public Celebration, and It hath not been reserved, then upon timely warning given, the Priest .hall come and visit the sick person, and having a convenient place, with all things necessary so prepared that he may reverently Minister, shall there Celebrate the Holy Communion, beginning with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, here following.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY, everliving God, Maker of mankind, Who dost correct those whom Thou dost love, and chastise everyone whom Thou dost receive ; We beseech Thee to have mercy upon this Thy servant visited with Thine hand, and to grant that he may take his sickness patiently, and recover his bodily health (if it be Thy gracious will;) and whensoever his soul shall depart from the body, it may be without spot presented unto Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Heb. xii. 5.

MY son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth; and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.

The Gospel. St. John v. 24.

VERILY, verily I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him That sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

¶ After which the Priest shall proceed according to the form before prescribed for the Holy Communion, beginning at the Exhortation; or, in case of great debility, at the Sursum Corda.

¶ When the Holy Eucharist is Consecrated in a private house, it is desirable that at Least one person should communicate with the Priest and the sick person, where this may conveniently be; and at the time of the distribution of the Holy Sacrament, the Priest shall first receive the Communion himself and after minister unto them that are appointed to communicate with the sick person, if there be any, and last of all to the sick person.

¶ When the Curate ministers to a sick person of the reserved Gifts, he shall begin with the words, "As our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught us," with the Lord's Prayer, and then shall say the Exhortation, "Ye that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins," with the Confession following; and, if he be a Priest, may add the Absolution, and he shall then proceed to say the comfortable words of Holy Scripture, will, the prayer of humble access, changing, if necessary, its beginning into "These Thy humble servants do not presume," or " This thy humble servant doth not presume," with other similar changes; and at the distribution of the Holy Sacrament, he shall first receive the Communion himself, unless he hath done so that day already, and after minister unto them that are appointed to communicate with the sick, if there be any, and last of all to the sick person.
 

¶ The welfare of the Church, being most intimately connected with the Ordination and Function of the Clergy, the Ancient Fathers, led by the example of the Holy Apostles, appointed Prayers and Fasts to be used for imploring the Divine blessing and direction in setting apart for their solemn Office, those who were "Ordained for men in things pertaining to God". The Church of Scotland, therefore, sincerely venerating the appointment of the Ember Weeks, requires that all her Ordinations shall be performed at those seasons; unless, for reasons of necessity, the Bishop shall appoint another time.

¶ All Ordinations shall be performed with public prayer and imposition of hands, according to the appointed Ordinal.

¶ Every person at his Ordination shall promise to render due obedience to the Canons of this Church, and to show in all things an earnest desire to promote the peace, unity, and order of that part of the Flock of Christ into which he shall be authorised to exercise his ministry.

¶ Religion, implying the obligation to which we lie under to the service of God, must be of Divine Institution; because God Alone can tell how He will be worshipped and served by His Creatures. Having revealed His will for this purpose, He has also from the beginning constituted and set apart certain persons to act as His more immediate Servants or Officers, and in that official relation to assist mankind in the performance of their religious duties. That this was the case under the Patriarchal and Mosaic Institutions, is evident from the history of both contained in the Old Testament; and that the case is the same under the Dispensation of the Gospel, is no less manifest from the account to which the New Testament gives of the Establishment of the Christian Church. It is there recorded for our instruction, that our Blessed Saviour, the Author and Finisher of our Faith, and the Head over all things to His Church, when He had "called His Disciples unto Him, chose twelve of them;" whom He was pleased to distinguish by the title of "Apostles," or persons sent with a particular Commission to preach the Gospel; and with power to work miracles for evincing the authority with which they were vested. The appointment afterwards of other seventy Disciples appears to have been of a temporary nature, to prepare for their Lord's reception in "every city or place," which He was to Bless with His presence. After His resurrection from the dead, He enlarged the Commission given to His Apostles, extending the object of it to the conversion of "all nations," making them His Disciples, and bringing them under His tuition and discipline, by baptizing them after the form and order of His appointment. Hence it is evident, that as long as there are nations or people upon earth, to be thus converted, disciplined, and baptized, so long must there be persons duly authorized for that purpose; and whose authority can flow down in no other channel than that which leads up to the only Source from which it can be derived — the Command issued by Him, to whom all power was given, both in heaven and on earth; and Who, after declaring himself invested with this universal sovereignty, immediately added, as a consequence of it, this extensive Commission to His Apostles — "Go ye therefore, make Disciples to Me of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo! I am with you always" — in the act of handing down this Commission — "even unto tile end of the world." — This is the Fundamental Charter, by which the Church of Christ holds its continuance in the world, and will do so as long as the world itself continues. The preservation of its spiritual powers, in the way of Episcopal succession, has ever marked the "continuance" of Christians after the example of the early converts, "in the Apostles' Doctrine and Fellowship;" and from the constant attention shewn to this ecclesiastical arrangement in the Apostolic age, we may justly infer, that it was then considered as one of those things which our Lord's Apostles were commanded to teach the nations to "observe," to watch, over and preserve, in its pure and original form. Such is the form, in which has been regularly handed down the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Church of Scotland; a Church in itself completely constituted and organised, in respect of spiritual power and sacred ministrations, by its own Bishops Priests and Deacons. In this character, she claims the authority which belongs to "every particular or national church, to ordain, change, or abolish ceremonies or rites of the Church ordained only by man's authority, so that all things be done to edifyirng."

¶ The Doctrine of the Church, as founded on the authority of the Scripture, being fixed and immutable, ought to be uniformly received and adhered to, at all times and in all places. The same is to be said of its Government, in all those essential parts of its constitution, which were prescribed by its adorable HEAD. But in the Discipline, which may be adopted for furthering the purposes of Ecclesiastical Government, regulating the solemnities of public worship as to time, place, and form, and restraining and rectifying the evils, occasioned by human depravity, this character of immutability is not to be looked for. The Discipline of the Church is to be determined by Christian wisdom, prudence, and charity, regard being always had to its peculiar situation at the time when its discipline is thus regulated.