The order of the Administration of
the Lords Supper, or holy Communion

SO many as intend to bee partakers of the holy Communion, shall signifie their names to the Presbyter or curate over night, or else in the morning afore the beginning of Morning prayer, or immediatly after.
    And if any of those bee an open and notorious evil liver, so that the Church by him is offended, or have done any wrong to his neighbours by word or deed: the Presbyter or Curate having knowledge thereof, shall call him, and advertise him, in any wise not to presume to come to the Lords Table, untill he have openly declared himself to have truely repented and amended his former naughty life, that the Church may thereby bee satisfied, which afore was offended, and that he have recompensed the parties whom he hath done wrong unto, or at the least declare himself to be in full purpose so to do, assoone as he conveniently may.
    The same order shall the Presbyter or Curate use with those betwixt whom he preceiveth malice and hatred to reigne, not suffering them to be partakers of the Lords Table untill he know them to be reconciled. And if one of the parties so at variance, be content to forgive from the bottome 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 perswaded to a godly unity, but remaine still in his frowardnesse and malice : the Presbyter or Minister in that case ought to admit the penitent person to the holy Communion, and not him that is obstinate.
    The holy Table having at the Communion time a Carpet, and a fair white linen cloth upon it, with other decent furniture, meet for the high mysteries there to be celebrated, shall stand in uppermost part of the Chancell or Church, where the Presbyter standing at the north-side or end thereof, shall say the Lords prayer with this Collect following for due preparation.

The initial rubrics of the Communion Service, as printed above

Second page of the Communion Service, as printed below.

(clicking on the images will bring up a larger, readable version)

OUR Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdome 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 wee forgive them that trespasse against us. And leade us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desi:res known, and from whom no secrets are hid : cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy holy Spirit, that wee may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnifie thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶  Then shall the Presbyter, turning to the people, rehearse distinctly all the TEN COMMANDEMENTS : The people all the while kneeling, and asking God mercy for the transgression of every duty therein; either according to the letter, or to the mysticall importance of the said Commandement.

G OD spake these words and said, I am the Lord thy God : Thou shalt have none other gods but me.

¶  Then shall follow one of these two Collects for the King, and the Collect of the day, the Presbyter standing up, and saying,

¶  Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, whose kingdome is everlasting, and power infinite, have mercy upon thy holy Catholike Church, and in this particular Church in which wee live so rule the heart of thy chosen servant CHARLES, our King and Governour, that he (knowing whose minister he is) may above all things seek thy honour and glory; and that wee his subjects (duly considering whose authority hee hath) may faithfully serve, honour, and humbly obey him, 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.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we be taught by thy holy Word, that the hearts of Kings are in thy rule and governance, and that thou doest dispose and turn them as it seemeth best to thy godly wisdome : we humbly beseech thee, so to dispose and govern the heart of CHARLES, thy servant, our King and Governour, that in all his thoughts, words, and works, he may ever seeke thy honour and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, and godlinesse : Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear Sonnes sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Immediately after the Collects, the Presbyter shall read the Epistle, saying thus : The Epistle written in the          Chapter of            at the             verse. And when he hath done, he shall say : Here endeth the Epistle. And the Epistle ended, the Gospel shall bee read, the Presbyter saying :     The holy Gospel is written in the          Chapter of          at the          verse. And then the people all standing up shall say : Glory be to thee, O Lord. At the end of the Gospel, the Presbyter shall say : So endeth the holy Gospel. And the people shall answer : Thanks be to thee, O Lord. And the Epistle and Gospel being ended, shall be said or sung the Creed, all still reverently standing up.

I Beleeve 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 onely begotten Sonne 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 hee 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 Kingdome shall have no end. And I beleeve in the holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne, who with the Father and the Sonne together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And I beleeve one Catholike and Apostolique Church. I acknowledge one Baptisme for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

¶   After the Creede, if there be no Sermon, shall follow one of the Homilies which shall hereafter be set forth by common authority.

After such Sermon, Homily, or exhortation, the Presbyter or Curate shall declare unto the people whether there bee any Holy-dayes or Fasting-dayes the week following, and earnestly exhort them to remember the poore, saying (for the offertory) one or moe of these sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient by his discretion, according to the length, or shortnesse of the time that the people are offering.
 

    And in processe of time it came to passe, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offring 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 offring: but unto Cain and to his offring he had not respect.

¶ While the Presbyter distinctly pronounceth some or all of these sentences for the offertory, the Deacon, or (if no such be present) one of the Church-wardens shall receive the devotions of the people there present in a bason provided for that purpose. And when all have offered, hee 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. And the Presbyter shall then offer up and place the bread and wine prepared for the Sacrument upon the Lords Table, that it may be ready for that service. And then he shall say,   

¶ Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth.
 

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, which by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thankes for all men : we humbly beseech thee most mercifully (to accept our almes, and) to receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine Majestie, beseeching thee to inspire continually, the universall Church with the spirit of truth, unitie, and concord : and grant that all they that do confesse 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 specially thy servant Charles our King, that under him we may be godly and quietly governed : and grant unto his whole counsell, and to all that be put in authoritie under him, that they may truely and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickednesse and vice, and to the maintenance of Gods true religion and vertue. Give grace (O heavenly Father) to all Bishops, Presbyters, and Curates, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively word, and rightly and duely administer thy holy sacraments : and to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, that with meek heart and due reverence, they may heare and receive thy holy word, truly serving thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of their life. [And we commend especially unto thy mercifull goodnesse 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 goodnesse, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them which in this transitory life be in trouble, sorrow, need, sicknesse, or any other adversitie. And we also blesse thy holy name for all those thy servants, who having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labours. And wee yeeld unto thee most high praise and hearty thankes for the wonderfull grace and vertue declared in all thy saints, who have been the choice vessels of thy grace, and the lights of the world in their severall generations : most humbly beseeching thee, that we may have grace to follow the example of their stedfastnesse in thy faith, and obedience to thy holy commandments, that at the day of the generall resurrection, wee, and all they which are of the mysticall body of thy Son, may be set on his right hand, and hear that his most joyfull voice, Come yee blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christs sake our only Mediatour and Advocate. Amen.

¶ Then shall follow this exhortation at certain times when the Presbyter or Curate shall see the people negligent to come to the holy communion.
 

If there be no alms given to the poore, then shall the words (of accepting our almes) be left out unsaid.

When there is no communion, these words thus inclosed [....] are to be left out.

¶   And sometime this be said also, at the discretion of the Presbyter or Curate.
 

DEarly beloved, forasmuch as our duty is to render to almighty God our heavenly Father most hearty thanks, for that he hath given his Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, not only to die for us, but also to be our spirituall food and sustenance, as it is declared unto us, as well by Gods word, as by the holy sacrament of his blessed body and bloud, the which being so comfortable a thing to them which receive it worthily, and so dangerous to them that will presume to receive it unworthily : my duty is to exhort you to consider the dignitie of the holy mysterie, and the great peril of the unworthy receiving thereof, and so to search and examine your owne consciences, as you should come holy and clean to a most godly and heavenly feast, so that in no wise you come but in the marriage garment, required of God in holy Scripture, and so come and be received as worthy partakers of such a heavenly Table. The way and the means thereto is : First to examine your lives and conversation by the rule of Gods commandments, and wherein soever ye shall perceive your selves to have offended, either by will, word, or deed, there bewaile your own sinfull lives, confesse your selves to Almighty God with full purpose of amendment of life. And if yee shall perceive your offenses to be such as be not only against God but also against your neighbours : then ye shall reconcile your selves unto them, 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 likewise being ready to forgive other that have offended you, as you would have forgivenesse of your offenses at Gods hand : for otherwise the receiving of the holy Communion doth nothing else but increase your damnation. And because it is requisite that no man should come to the holy Communion but with a full trust in Gods mercy, and with a quiet conscience : therefore if there be any of you which by the means aforesaid, cannot quiet his own conscience, but requireth further comfort or counsell, then let him come to mee, or some other discreet and learned Presbyter or Minister of Gods Word, and open his griefe that he may receive such ghostly counsel, advice, and comfort as his conscience may be relieved, and that by the ministry of Gods word he may receive comfort and the benefit of absolution, to the quieting of his conscience, and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulnesse.

¶ Then shall thePresbyter say this exhortation.
 

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

YOu that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sinnes, and be in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the Commandements of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy wayes : Draw neere, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort, make your humble confession to Almighty God, before this Congregation here gathered together in his holy Name, meekely kneeling upon your knees.

¶  Then shall this generall confession be made in the name of all those that are minded to receive the holy Communion, either by the Presbyter himself, or the Deacon, both he and all the people kneeling humbly upon their knees.

ALmighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men, we acknowledge and bewaile our manifold sins and wickednesse, 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 be heartily sorry for these our misdoings, the remembrance of them is grievous unto us, the burthen of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us most mercifull Father, for thy Sonne our Lord Jesus Christs sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant  that wee may ever hereafter serve and please thee, in newnesse 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 forgivenesse of sinnes to all them which with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him : have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirme and strengthen you in all goodnesse, and bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Presbyter also say.

¶ Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith, to all that truly turn to him.   

    If any man sinne, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous : and hee is the propitiation for our sinnes.

    ¶ After the which the Presbyter shall proceede, saying,

    Lift up your hearts.

¶ Here shall follow the proper Preface, according to the time, if there bee any especially appointed : or else immediately shall follow,

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, &c.

1 John 2. 1, 2.

Proper prefaces.

¶ Upon Christmas day, and seven dayes after.

BEcause thou diddest 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, and archangels, &c.

¶ Upon Easter day, and seven dayes 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 Paschall lambe, 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 the Ascension day, and seven dayes after.

THrough thy most dearely beloved Sonne 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 reigne with him in glorie. Therefore, with angels, and archangels, &c.

¶ Upon Whitsunday, and six dayes after.

THrough Jesus Christ our Lord, according to whose most true promise, the holy Ghost came down this day from heaven, with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty winde in the likenesse of fierie 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 boldnesse with fervent zeal constantly to preach the Gospel unto all nations, whereby we are brought out of darknesse and errour, into the clear light, and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son Jesus Christ. Therefore with angels, &c.

¶ Upon the Feast of Trinity onely.

IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to thee, O Lord Almighty, and everlasting God, which art one God, one Lord, not one onely person, but three persons in one substance. For that which we believe of the glory of the Father, the same wee beleeve of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost, without any difference or inequality. Therefore with Angels, &c.

¶ After which Prefaces, shall follow immediatly this doxologie.

THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnifie 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.

¶  Then the Presbyter standing up, shall say the prayer of consecration, as followeth, but then during the time of consecration, he shall stand at such a part of the holy Table, where he may with the more ease and decency use both his hands.

Pages covering the Prayer of Consecration through the Prayer of Humble Access

(clicking on the images will bring up a larger, readable version)

At these words (took bread) the Presbyter that officiates is to take the Paten in his hand.

At these words (took the cup) he is to take the chalice in his hand, and lay his hand upon so much, be it in chalice or flagons, as he intends to consecrate.

¶ Immediatly after shall be said this memoriall or prayer of oblation, as followeth.

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 Majestie, with these thy holy gifts, the memoriall which thy Son hath willed us to make, having in remembrance his blessed passion, mightie resurrection, and glorious assension, rendring unto thee most heartie thankes for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same. And we entirely desire thy Fatherly goodnesse, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Sonne Jesus Christ, and through faith in his bloud, we (and all thy whole church) may obtain remission of our sinnes, and all other benefits of his passion. And here wee offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee, humbly beseeching thee, that whosoever shall be partakers of this holy communion, may worthily receive the most precious bodie and bloud of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one bodie with him, that he may dwell in them, and they in him. And although wee be unworthie, through our manifold sinnes, to offer unto thee any sacrifice: yet wee beseech thee to accept this our bounden dutie and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord ; by whom, and with whom, in the unitie of the holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father almightie, world without end. 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 kingdome come. Thy will bee done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as wee forgive them that trespasse against us. And lead us not into temptation : but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdome, the power, and the glorie, for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Presbyter kneeling down at Gods board, say in the name of all them that shall communicate, this collect of humble accesse to the holy communion, as followeth.

WE do not presume to come to this thy table (O mercifull Lord) trusting in our own righteousnesse, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We be not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbes under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose propertie is alwayes to have mercie : grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his bloud, that our sinfull bodies may bee made cleane by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that wee may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
 

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

GLorie be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will toward men. We praise thee, we blesse thee, wee worship thee, wee glorify thee, wee give thanks to thee for thy great glorie, O Lord God heavenly king, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only begotten Sonne Jesu Christ: O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sinnes of the world, have mercie upon us. Thou that takest away the sinnes of the world, have mercie upon us. Thou that takest away the sinnes of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercie upon us : for thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord, thou only O Christ, with the holy Ghost, art most high in the glorie 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 mindes in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord : and the blessing of God Almightie, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you alwayes. Amen.

¶ After the divine service ended, that which was offered shall be divided in the presence of the Presbyter, and the Churchwardens, whereof one half shall be to the use of the Presbyter to provide him books of holy divinity: the other half shall be faithfully kept and employed on some pious or charitable use, for the decent furnishing of that Church, or the public relief of the poore, at the discretion of the Presbyter and Churchwardens.

Collects to be said after the offertory

when there is no Communion ; every such day one or more. And the same may bee said also as often as occasion shall serve, after the Collects either of Morning and Evening prayer, Communion, or Letany, by the discretion of the Presbyter or 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 mortall life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready helpe, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Almighty LORD, and everlasting God, vouchsafe we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and governe both our hearts and bodies, in the wayes of thy Laws, and in the works of thy Commandements; that through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, wee 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 wee have heard this day with our outward eares 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 continuall help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorifie thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALmighty GOD the fountain of all wisedome, which 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 unworthinesse wee dare not, and for our blindnesse wee cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us for the worthinesse of thy Sonne Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALmighty GOD which hast promised to heare the petitions of them that ask in thy Sons Name, we beseech thee mercifully to encline 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 bee obtained, to the relief of our necessitie, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

UPON the Holy dayes (if there be no Communion) shall be said all that is appointed at the Communion, untill the end of the Homily, concluding with the generall prayer (For the whole estate of Christs Church militant here in earth) and one or mo of these Collects before rehearsed, as occasion shall serve.
    ¶ And there shall be no public celebration of the Lords Supper except there be a sufficient number to communicate with the priest, according to his discretion.
    ¶ And if there be not above twenty persons in the parish, of discretion to receive the communion; yet there shall be no Communion, except foure or three at the least communicate with the priest.
    ¶ And in Cathedrall and Collegiat Churches, where be many Presbyters, and Deacons, they shall all receive the communion with the Presbyter that celebrates every Sunday at the least, except they have a reasonable cause to the contrary.
    ¶ And to take away the superstition, which any person hath or might have in the Bread and Wine (though it be lawfull to have wafer bread) it shall suffice that the Bread be such as is usuall : yet the best and purest Wheat Bread that conveniently may be gotten. And if any of the Bread and Wine remaine, which is consecrated, it shall be reverently eaten and drunk by such of the communicants only as the Presbyter which celebrates shall take unto him, but it shall not be carried out of the Church. And to the end that there be little left, he that officiates is required to consecrate with the least, and then if there be want, the words of consecration may be repeated again, over more, either bread or wine : the Presbyter beginning at the words in the prayer of consecration (our Saviour in the night that he was betrayed, took, &c.)
    ¶ The Bread and Wine for the Communion shall be provided by the Curate and the Churchwardens, at the charges of the Parish.
    ¶ And note, that every parishioner shall communicate at the least three times in the year, of which Pasch or Easter to be one, and shall also receive the Sacraments and observe other Rites, according to the order in this book appointed.

Final Rubrics, 1637 Communion Service

(clicking on the image will bring up a larger, readable version)