The Book of Common Prayer | |||||||
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¶ 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 bumble
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 in
numerable 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. |
Description of this text from Fragmenta Liturgica, Vol. 1: Forbes (Bishop of Ross, 1762 to 1776) and Falconar (Bishop of the Orkneys, 1741 to 1784) have next the credit of two editions, one in 8vo. the other in 12mo. both printed at Edinburgh, for Drummond, of the Ossian's Head, 1764. The type differs: but the language is the same throughout, even to the punctuation; following the edition of 1755, but not without variations. This (that is, either of the two) may be considered as the second standard edition; and is therefore reprinted here. Other editions — one printed by Robertson, of Leith, 1765; another by Robertson, of Edinburgh, 1767; another by Chalmers, of Aberdeen, 1771; another by Robertson, of Edinburgh, 1774; another by Chalmers, of Aberdeen, 1780; another at Edinburgh, 1781; and another at Aberdeen, 1795 all pursue the same track, with little or no deviation. This "Wee Bookie" is also available from Google Books as PDF graphics. This edition is generally recognized as the "Standard". An edition from 1792, reprinted in 1866, which includes the parts before the Exhortation, is online from Google Books. |
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¶ 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 offertory, 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. |
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¶ 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: both riches and honour come of thee, and 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, The Lord be with you. |
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Presbyter. It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all tunes, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, *[holy Father], Almighty, everlasting God. ¶ Here shall follow the proper preface, according to the time, if there be any especially appointed; or else immediately shall follow, Therefore with angels and archangels, &c. ¶ Proper Prefaces. ¶ Upon Christmas-day, and seven days after.
¶ 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 angels and archangels, &c. ¶ Upon Whitsunday, and six days after.
¶ 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 prefaces 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 coining again. For
in (a) 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. |
(a) Here the Presbyter is to take the paten into his hands: |
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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 most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us, and
of thy almighty goodness vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy
word and holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine,
that they may become the body and blood of thy most dearly beloved
Son. And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to
accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanks giving, 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 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. |
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¶ 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 save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors, and especially thy servant our King, that under him we may be godly and quietly governed: and grant unto his whole council and to all who arc put in authority under him, 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 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. ¶ 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. |
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¶ 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 them who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ¶ Then shall the Presbyter also say, Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn unto him. COme unto me, all ye that labour, and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matth.
xi. 28. ¶ 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. |
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¶ 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 soul and body 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 soul and body unto everlasting life. ¶ Here the person receiving shall say, Amen. ¶ If the consecrated bread 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 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 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 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. ¶ 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.
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