N T H E ORDER for the

Administration of the Lord's Supper,

Holy Communion.

So1 many as do intende to be partakers of the holy Commnnion, sliall signify their nanles to the Curate over nigllt, or else in the morning, afore the beginning of morning prayer or immediately after.

And if any of those be an open and notorious evil liver, so that the con- gcgation by him is offended, or have done any wrong to his neigh- hours by word or deed : The Curate having l i n ~ ~ l e d g e thereof, shall call him, and actvertise him, in any wise not to presume to the Lord's Table, unt,il he have openly declared himself to have truly repented and anlended Itis former naughty life, tllat the congregation may thereby be satisfied, which afore were offended 5 and that he have recompensed the parties, whom he hat11 done wrong unto, or at the least declare himself to be in full purpose so to do, as soon as he con- veniently may.

TI The same order shall the Curate use with those, betwist he pcrceiveth malice and hatred to reign, not suffering them to be par- takers of the Lord's Table, until hc know them to be rcconciied. And if one of the partics so at variance bc content to forgivc froin the bottom of his heart all that the other hath trespassed against him, and to make anlends for that 110 himself hat11 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 casc ought to admit the penitent person to tho holy Communion, and not him that is obstinate.

f Tlie Table having at the Conmunion time a fair white linen cloth upon it, shall stand in the body of the Church, or in the Chancel, where Morning prayer and Evening prayer bc appointed to be said. And thc Priest, standing at the northside of the Table, shall say the Lord's prayer with this collect following.

ALXIGIITY God, unto whom 811 hearts be open, d l de- sires known, and from whom no sccrets arc hid : cleanse the

1578, So many as intend to be partakers of the holy Communion, &kc. Bnd so forth, ns in the great boolc of Common p r q e y .

Our Father, which art in heaven, kc. Then follows tho Collect f& purity in full.] Ls Grafton, as entend.]

thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that wc may pcrfcctly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name : through Christ our Lord. Amcn.

O Then cihnll the Vricst rehearse distinctly all the .x. Co~nmandments : and tllc pcoplc kneeling, shall after evcry Commandment ask God's m s c y for their tianspe~ion of tho rutme, after this sort.

Mi&ters God spah these words, and said : I am tile Lord tlly God, T~IOU shalt havc none othcr Gods but me.

People* Lord hsvo mcrcy upon us, and inclinc our hcarts to keep this law.

Ministor. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likencss of any thing that is in liesven above, or in the earth beneath, nor4 in tho water undcr the earth. Thou shalt not nowqow down to them, nor worship them: for I thc Lord thy God am r jealous God, and visit the sin of the fathcrs upon the clddrsn, unto tho third and .iiii. generation of them that hate me, and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me, and keep my commandmen ts.

People. Lord havc mcrcy upon us, and inclino our hcarts to keep this Iaw.

Minister. Thou shalt not take the nsmc of the Lord t l ~ y God in vain : for the Lord wilI not hold him guiltless that talicth his na,me in vain.

People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our har t s to keep this law.

Minister. Rcmember that thou Imp holy the Sabboth day : sir days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do, but the .vii. day is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou and tlly son and thy daughter, thy man servant, and thy maid aervsnt, thy cattle, and the stranger that is rvitl~in thy gates: For in .vi. days thc Lord madc lieavon and earth, the sen, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : rhorefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and lml- lowed it-.

Pqle. Lord have mcrcy upon us, and i n c h our. &c. Minister. IJonour thy Fstlicr and thy BIothcr, that thy

182 THE CO~YUPI'IOS. [1559.

days may be long in the land which tho Lord thy God giveth thee.

People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our. kc. Minister? Thou shalt do2 no murthel*. People. Lord have mcrcy upon us, and incline om. &c. Minister. Thou shalt not commit adultery. People. Lord have mercy upon us, and inclinc our. &c. Minister. Thou .shalt not steal. People. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our. &c. 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 my thing that is his.

People. Lord have mercy upon us, and mite all these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.

7l Then shall follow the Collect of the day with one of these two Collects following for the Queen: the PriestY standing up and saying.

B Lct us pray. Priest3. ALMIGIITY God, whose kingdom is everlasting, and power

infinite: have mercy upon the whole congregation, and so rule the heart of thy choscn servant Elizabeth, our Queen and Governour, that she (knowing whose minister she is) may above all things seek thy honour and glory: and that we her subjects, (duly considering whose authority she hath) may faithfully serve, honour, and humbly obey her, in thee, and for thee, according to thy Messed word and ordinance : Through Jesus Christ our Lord : who with thee and the EIoly Ghost liveth and reignctlz ever one God, world with- out end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we be taught by thy holy word, that the hearts of kings4 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

L1 Grafton, The Minister.] L9 Grefton, not do. J [' '1678, Minister.] C4 Grafton, l'rinces.]

1559.1 THE COMMUNION, 183

thee, so to dispose and govern the heart of Elizabeth, thy' servant, our Quecn and Governam, tlmt in a11 her thoughts, words, and works, shc may ever seek tl?y honour and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to hcr charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness. Grant this, 0 merciful Father, for thy dear Son's sake Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.

f Immediately after the Collects, the Priest 5 shall read the Epistle be- ginning thus :

lT The Epistle written in the. Chapter of.

And the Epistle ended, he shall say the Gospel, beginning thus. The Gospel, written in the. Chapter of.

, And the Epistle and Gospel being ended, shall be said the Creed. I BELIEVE in one God, the Father almighty, maker of

heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible, And in one Lord Jesu Christ, thc only begotten Son of GOD, begotten of his Father before all worlds : God of God, light of light, very God of very God : bcgottenG, not made, bcing of one substance with the Father, by whom all things mere made: who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and mas incarnatc by the Holy Ghost of the virgin Mary, and was made man: and was crucified also for us, under Poncius Pilate. He suffered and mas buried. And the third day he rose again according to the scrip- tures : and ascended into heaven, and sittcth at the right hand of the Father. And hc shall come again 6 t h gloyy, to judge both thc quick and the dead : Whose kingdom shall have none end.

And I bclicve in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and giver of life, who proceedetli from the Father and the Son, who wit11 the Father and tho Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spala by thc Prophets. And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic church. I aclcnomledge one Bnp- tism, for the rcmission of sins. And I look for the resur- 'rection of the dead, and thc life of the world to come. Amen.

T Aftey the Creed, if there bc no scrmon, shall follow one of the hon7ilies already set forth, or lmeafter to he set forth by common authority.

Math. r.

Math. ri.

Math. vii.

Math. vii.

Luke xix.

i. Cor. ix.

i. Cor. ix.

i . Cor. ix.

i.5 Cor. ix.

Gala. vi.

7 After such scmon, homily, or exliortrttion, the Cumte shall deolarc unto the people whether therc be any holy days or fasting days the week following : nnd eariiestly exhort them to remember the poor, saying one or mo of thcsc sentences follow in^ as he thinketh most convenient by his discretion.

your light SO shine before men, that they may see your good worh, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Lay not up for1 yourselves treasure upon the earth, where the rust and moth doth corrupt, and ;hero tlricves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, whcrc neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.

Whatsocvcr you2 would that men should do unto you, oven so do unto them : for this is thc law and the Prophets.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall cnter into the kingdom of heaven : but 11e that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Zachc stood forth, and said unto the Lord : Bchold Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I havo donc any wrong to any man, I restore four fold.

Who goeth a warfare at any timc of his own cost? who plantctll a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof 3 or* who fecdcth a flock, and cateth not of the milk of the flock?

If we have sown mto you spiritual things, is it a great matter, if we shall rcap your worldly things ?

Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things, live of the sacrifice? They3 which wait of the altar, are partakers with the altar. Even so hath thc Lord also ordained, that they which preach the gospcl, should live of the gospel.

He which soweth little, shall reap little : and he that soweth plenteously, shall reap plentrously. Lct every man do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudging4¶ or of necessity : for God lovcth s chccrful giver.

Let him that is taught in the word, minister unto him that teacheth, in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked : for whatsocvcr a man soweth, that shall he reap.

C1 Grafton omits, fir.] ["58G, ye.] 1596, and they.] Grafton, grudgyng1ye.l Misprint fol; ii.)

While we have time, lct us do good unto all men, and G&. vi.

specially unto them, which are of the household of faith. Godrinc~s is grmt riclws, if a man be contcntod6 with i. Tim. vi.

that hc bath : for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry any thing out.

Charge tlwn which arc rich in this world, that they be i. Tim. vi.

ready to give, and glad to distribute : laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against tho time to comc, that they may attain cternal life.

God is not unrighteous, that lie will forget your works H C ~ . V ~ .

and labour that proceedetli of love: which love ye have shewed for his name's =kc, which have ministered unto saints, and yet do minister.

TO do good, and to distribute, forget not : for with such Heb. xiii.

sacrifices God is pleased. Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brotlier have i. Johniii.

need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Give almose of thy goods, and turn never thy face from T O ~ Y ir.

any poor man, and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thcc.

Be merciful after thy power. If thou ilwt much, give T O ~ Y iv.

plenteously : If thou hnst little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little: for so gatherest thou thyself a good re- ward in the day of necessity.

He that hath pity upon the poor, lendcth unto the Lord : P ~ O V . xix.

and look what hc Iayeth out, it shall be paid hirn again. Blesscd be the man that provideth for the sick and needy, PSA xli. 7

thc Lord shall deliver him in the time of troublc. 'II Then slid1 the Cliurch~vardci~s, or so~ne other by them appointed,

gather the devotion of the peoplc, and put the smlo into the poor men's box : and upon the oflFeringVays appointed, every man and woman slldl pay to the Curate the due and accustomed offerings9: after which done, the Priestlo sliall say.

Grafton and 1506, content.] L7 Grafton and 1596, lsi. A misprint.] [Thesc had originilly been Chxistmas, Easter, Whitsuntide, and

thc feast of the dedication of the parish church : but in 1536 Henry VIII. commanded the feast of thc nativity of Saint John the Baptist, and that .of Saint M i h e l , to be substituted for the last two. 'CVillcins Coilcilia, .m. 111. p. 824. Gibson's Coilcx, 1). 730.1

C See the Latin Prayer Book.] I:'o XliT8, thc ,'!litzister.]

If there be

words of ac- cepting our alms be !eft out unsaid.

Let us pray for the wholo state1 of Cbr i~ t '~ Church mili- tant here in earth.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, wllich by thy holy Apos- tie hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to

' give thanks for all men : wc humbly beseech thee most mer- cifully to accept our dmose 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 thcy that do confess thy holy name, may agrcc in thc t.ruth of thy holy word, and live in unity and godly love. We bcsceeh thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Go- vernours, and specially thy servant Elizabeth our Queen, that undcr her we may bc godly and quietly governed : and grant unto her whole council, arid to all that be put in authority under her, that they may truly and indifferently minister jus- tice, to the punishment of wicliedness and vice, and to the maintenance of God's true religion and virtue. Give grace (0 heavenly Father) to all Bishops, pastors and Curates, that they may both by their lifc and doctrine set forth thy trueR and livcly word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments : and t o all thy pcople give thy hea~mdy grace, and especially to this congregation here prcscnt, that mith meek heart and due reverence they may bear and receive thy holy word, truly serving thec in holiness and righteous- ness all the days of their lifc. And wc most humbly beseech thec of thy goodness (0 Lord) to comfort and succour all thcm which in this transitory life be in trouble, sorrow, need, sick- ness, or any other adversity : Grant this, 0 Fatlther, for Jesus Christ's sake our only mediator and advocate. Amen.

7 Then shall follow this exhortation, at certain times when the Curate shall see the people negligent to conlo to the holy Communion.

WE^ be comc together at this time, dearly beloved hre- thren, to feed at the Lord's supper, unto the which in God's behalf I bid you all that be hcre prcscnt, and bcscech you for I

, [l Grafton, estate.] C Grafton md 169% no.] [8 Grafton, true liuely.3

This exhorhtion appears to be translated from Peter Martyr's Adlwtatio ad Cenum %mini Mjpticnrn. See his Communes, kc. p. 1067. Lond. 1583.1

1559.1 THE COMMUNION. 187

tllc Lord Jesus Christ's salcc, that ye d l not refuse to come thereto, being so lovingly called and bidden of God himself. Ye h o ~ how grievous and unkind a thing it is, when a man bath prepared a rich feast, dcclced his hble with all kind of provision, so that there laclicth nothing but the guests to sit down : and yet they which be called without any cause most unthankfully refuse to come. Which of you in such a case would not bc movcd ? Who would not think a geat injury and llrrong done unto him ? Wherefore, most dcarly beloved in Christ, take ye good heed lest ye, withdrawing yourselves from this holy supper, provoke God's indignation against you. I t is an easy matter for a man to say, I will not Communicate, because I am otherwise lettcd with worldly business : but such cxcuses be not so casily accepted and dlowed before God. If any man say, I am a grievous sinner, and therefore am afraid to come: wherefore then do you5 not repent and amend? When God calleth you, be you not ashamed to say you5 will not come? When you should return to God, will you excuse yourself and say that you be not ready ? Consider earnestly with yourselves how little such feigned excuses shall avail before God. They that refused the feast in tlle Gospel, be- cause 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 am here present, and according unto6 mine office, I bid you in the name of God, I call you in Christ's behalf, I exhort you, as you love your own salvation, that yo will bc partalmrs of this holy Communion. And as the Son of God did vouchsafc to yield up his soul by death upon the Cross for your health : even so it is your duty to rcceivc the Communion together in the remembrance of his death, as he himself commanded. Now, if you will in no wise thus do, consider with yourselves how great injury you5 do unto God, and how sore punishment hangeth over your hcads for thc same. And whereas you5 &end God so sore in refusing this holy banquct, I admonish, exhort, and bescech you, that unto this unkindness ye will not add any more. Which thing ye shall do, if ye stand by as gazcrs and lookers on' them that do Communicate, and be no

LG Grafton, ye.] [6 G rafton, to.] L7 Grafton, of.]

l S 5 THE CO3131USIOK. C1559.

1)artakers of the same you~.aelvcs. &'or what thing osn this be accounted else, than a further contempt and unto God ? Truly it is a great untii&nlrfulncss to say nay ahcn yo be cdcd : but the fault is much greater when men stand by, and yet will neither oat nor drink this holy Com- munion with other. I pray you what can this be else, but even to have the Mysteries of Christ in derision ? It is said unto all : Take ye and eat. Take and drink ye all of this : do this in remembrance of me. With w h t face then, or with what countenance shall ye hear these words? What will this be else but a neglecting, s despising, and mocking of the Tes- tament of Christ? Wherefore rather than you should SO do, depart you hence, and give place to them that be godly dis- posed. But when you depart, I beseech you ponder with yourselves from whom you depart : ye depart from the Lord's Table, ye depart from your brethren, and from the banquet of most heavenly food. These things if ye earnestly consider, ye shall Ly God's grace rcturn to a better mind; for the obtaining whoreof we shall malie our humble petitions, while we s l d rcccive the holy Communion.

7 And some time slid1 bo said this also at the discretion of the Curatc.

DEARLY beloved, forasmuch as our duty is to render to Almighty God our l~eavenly 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 spiritual food and sustenance, as it is declared unto us, as well by God's word, as by thc holy Sacraments1 of his blessed body and Mood ; the which being so comfortable s thing to them which receive it worthily, and so dangerous to them that will presume to receive it un- wortl~ily : My duty is to exhort you to consider the dignity of the holy mystery, and the great peril of tho unworthy receiv- ing thereof, and so to search and examine your own con- sciences, as you should como holy and clean to a most godly and heavenly feast : so that in no wise you como but in the marriage garment, required of God in holy scripture ; and so come and be received as worthy partakers of such a hcavcnly table. The way and means thereto is : First to examine your lives and conversation by the rulo of God's commandments,

[' Sacraments : sacra~nentd s i p s or representrttions. See Crahmer's Answer to Gardinel*, Preface, p. 3. Parker Society.]

and ahereinsoever ye shall perceive yourselves to have offended, either by will, word, or deed, there bewail your own sinful lives, confess yourselves to Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life. And if yc shall perceive your offences to be such, as be not only against God, but also against your neighbours : then ye shall reconcile yourselves unto them, ready to make restitution and satisfsction according to the uttermost of your powers, for all injurics and wrongs done by you to any other : and likewise being ready to forgive other that have offended you, as you would have forgiveness of your offences at God's hand : for otherwise the receiving of thc holy Communion cloth 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 God's mercy, and with a quiet conscience : therefore if there be any of you which by the means aforesaid can not quiet his own conscience, but requireth further comfort, or counsel ; then let him come to me, or some other discreet and learned Dlinister of God's word, and open his grief, that he may rcceive such ghostly counsel, advice, and comfo~t, as his conscience may be relieved, and that by tho ministry of God's word he may receive comfort and the benefit of ab- solution, to the quicting of his conscience, and avoiding2 of dl scruple and doubtfulness.

B Then sliall the Priest"y tlih exhortation.

DEARLY beloved in the Lord: ye 'that mind to comc to the holy Communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider what S, Paul mriteth to4 tho Corinthians, how he exhortetli 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 grcat, if with a truly penitent heart and lively faith we rcccive that holy sacra- ment (for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood, then we dwell in Christ and Christ in us, we bc one with Christ, and Christ with us :) so is the danger great, if wc rcccive the same unworthily. For then wc be guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Saviour. We eat and drink our own damnation, not considering tho Lord's body. MTe

kindle God's wrath against us, r c provoko him to r~lngue us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of dcath. The~cfbre, if any of you bc a, blasphemer of God, an hinderer or slanderer of his word, an adulterer, or be in malice or cnvy, or in any other grievous crime, bewail your sins, and come not to this holy Table, lost, after the taking of that holy Sacrament-, the devil enter into you, as he entered into Judils, 2nd fill you full of all iniquities, and bring you to destruction, both of body and soul. Judgo therefore yourselves (brethren) that ye bc not judged of the Lord. ltepent 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 mystcrics. And above all things ye must give most llumble and hearty thanks to God the Fatller, the Son, and tho Iioly Ghost, for the redemption of the world by tho 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, which lay iio da;rlmess and shadow of death, that he might make us thc children of God, and oralt us to everlasting life. And to tlic end that we should nlway remember the exceeding great love of our Master and onIy Saviour Jesu Christ, thus dying for us, and the innurncrablo benefits (which by his prc- cious bl~odshcddin~) he hat11 obtaincd to us, he hntli instituted and ordaincd holy mysteries, as pIcdges of his love, and continual remembr~nce of his death, to our great and end- less comfort. To him therefore, with the Father and tho XMy Ghost, let us give (as wc are most boundcn) continual thanks: submitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasurc, and studying to serve him in true bolincss and rightcousncss all the days of our lifc. Amen.

?I Then sliall the Priest1 say to tlzem that comc to receive the holy Communion.

You that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and be in love and charity with your nejghbours, and ,intend to lcnd a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways : Draw near, and take this holy Samament to your comfort: make your humble confession to Almighty God, before this congrc-

nation hcre gathcrcd together in his holy mmc, mcekly b

knccling upon your knees.

T 'l'hen s h d this genesc21 confession bc made, in the naine of all those that are minded to receive the a holy Com~mnion, either by one of them, or else l $ ~ n e of the ministers, or by tho Priest himself; dl kneeling humbly upon their knees.

ALXIGHTY God, Fatlm of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men : we knowledgc4 and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word nod 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 remem- brance of thcm is grievous unto us, the burthcn 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 here- after serve and please the, in newness of lifc, to the honoul* and glory of thy name : through Jcsus Christ our Lord. Amcn.

T Then sl~ull the Priest5 or the bishop, bcing present, stand up, and turning himself to the people, sayqhus.

ALMIGHTY God our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hsth promised forgiveness of sins to all them, which with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto7 him : have mercy upon you, pardon and deli~cr you from all your sins, confirm and strengthx you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

T Then shall the priest also say.

Bear what colnfortablc words our Saviour Christ saith to all9 that truly turn to him.

COME unto me all that travail and bc heavy laden, and I shall10 rcfresh you. So God loved the world, that lie gave

[2 Gsafton, this.] L3 1518, bg thc -Minister hinzsc@, all.] [4 Grafton, ac1cnowlcdgc.J l6 1578, the Minister. And so in the next four cases.] [6 Gsafton, sl~nll say.] C7 Grafton, to.]

Gsafton, strengthen.] C9 Gmfton, all tlmn;j pU 1596, will.]

his only begotten Son, to tho end that all that believe in him, should not perish but have life everlasting.

Hcar also what saint Paul saith. This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be

received, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

Hear also what Saint John saith. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is tllc propitiation for our sins.

B After the wl~ich, the priest shall procecd, saying.

Lift up your hearts. Answer. Wo lift them up unto the Lord, Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. Answer. It is meet and right so to do. Priest. It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that

we should at a11 times, and in all phces, give thanks unto1 thee, 0 Lord holy Father, almighty everlasting God.

@23 Here shall follow the propey Prefaces, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed, or else immediately shrill follow : Therefore with Angels. Stc.

7I Proper prefaces.

?i Upon Christnlas day and seven days after. BECAUSE thou didst give Jesus Christ, thine only Son, to

be born as this day for us, who by the operation of thc Holy Ghost, pras made very man of the substance of the virgin Mary his mother, and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. Therefore. &c3

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 a m y the sin of the world, who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to lifc again hat11 restored t*o us everlasting life. Therefore with. &c.

[I Grafton, to.] p Gmfton, prefaces.] r Qrnfton, with Aungels. &c. And so in ewry other caw hut thelast.]

Upon the Ascension day, and seven days a<fter. THROUGH thy most dear beloved Son, Jesus Christ our

Lord: who after his most glorious resurrection manifestlv appeared to all his Apostles, and in their sight ascended U; into heaven, to prepare s place for us, that where he is, thither might we also ascend, and reign with him in glory. Therefore with. &c.

Upon Whitsunday, and sir days after. l k n o u o ~ Jesus4 Christ our Lord, aceordino to ~ v l ~ o ~ ~

? host tme promise, the Holy Ghost camo down thls day fro111 heaven, with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of ficry tongues, lighting upon the Apos- tles, 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 thc clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son Jesus Christ. Therefore with. &c.

1Jpon the Feast of Trinity only. IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that wo

should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to thee, 0 Lord, almighty and everlasting God, which art one God, one Lord, not one only person, but three persons in one sub- stance : for that which we believe of the glory of the Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with- out any difference or inequality. Therefore with. &c.

After which preface, shall follow immediately.

THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with a11 the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thec, and saying : Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts: heaven and earth are full of thy glory; glory be to thee, 0 Lord most high.

Then a b l l the Priest Icneclinp down at God's hoard, say in the name of all them that shall receive the Communion, this prayer following :

Wn do not presume to6 this thy Table (0 merciful Lord) trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and

194 THE COMMUNION. [1559.

great mercies : we bo not worthy so much as to gather the crumbs under thy table : but thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy : grant us thereforc (gra- cious Lord) so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood; and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen2.

Then the Priests standing up, shdl say as followetl~ :

ALMIGHTY God our heavenly Father, which of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption, who made there (by his one"b1ation of himself once offcred) a full, perfect and suffi- cient Sacrifice, Oblation, and Satisfaction for the sins of the whole world : and did5 institute, and in his holy Gospel corn- mand us to continue, e perpetual memory of that his precious death, until his coming again. Hear us, 0 merciful Father, we beseech thee: and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesu Christ's holy Institution, in remembrance of his death and Passion, may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood: who, in the same night t l~at he was betrayed, took bread, and, when he had given thanks, 1m brake it, and gave it to his Disciples, saying : Takc, cat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying : Drink ye all of this, for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many, for remission of sins: do this as oft as ye shall drink it in remembrance of me,

T Then shall the ministe~ first receive thc Comn~union in both kinds hixr~self, and next deliver it to other ministers, if' any be there present (that they may help the chief ministel;) and after to tho

C Grafton and 15'36, gather vp.) L' Grafton omits, Amen.] [ 1578, the Minister.] [4 In 1597 we find 'own,' which reading existed, though by no m e w

uniformly, for many years. Whether tKi5 was really an error, cannot easily be determined, since even in the earliest ~dition of the Prayer Book (Grafton, March, 1549) the passage runs 'his awne oblacion.']

L5 Grafton, diddest.]

1559.1 AT THE COMMUNION,

peopIc ill their hands kneeling. And when he shall say,

195

he delivereth the bread,

THE body of our Lord Jesus6 Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul into everlasting life: and take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and' feed on him in thine heart by faith, with thanksgiving.

And the minister that dclivereth the cup, shall say,

THE blood of our Lord Jesus6 Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul into everlasting life: and drink this in remembrmcc that Christ's blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

Then ~haU the Priest8 say the Lord's prayer, tho peopIc repeating Bfter I h every petition.

T After shall be said as followeth. 0 LORD and Peavenly Father, we thy humble servants

entirely desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving: most humbly be- seeching 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 aU other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, 0 Lord, our selves, our souls, and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively Sacrifice unto thee, humbly be- seeching thee, that all we which be partakers of this holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace, and heavenly benediction. And although mc bc unworthy, through our manifold sins,,o offer unto thee any sacrifice : yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weigh- ing 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, 0 Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

Or this,

ALMIGHTY and everliving9 God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us, which have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of thy Son our Saviour

p Grafton, Jesu.] r Grafton omits, and.] Ip 1578, the 1Minister.J P Grafton, euerlartinge.]

13-2

196 AT THE COMMUNION. [1659.

Jesus Christ: and dost aasuro us thereby of thy favour and goodness toward us, and that we be very members incorpo- .rate in thy mystical body, which is the blessed company of all faithful people, and be also heirs through h o p of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious doath and passion o f thy dear Son : we now most humbly beseech thee, 0 heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good 'works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in, through Jesus Christ our Lord : to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be 'dl honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Then s ld l be said or sung.

GLORY be to God on high. And in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thse, we bless thee, we wor- ship thee, me glorify thee, we give thanks to thee, for thy great glory. 0 Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. 0 Lord, the only begotten Son Jesu Christ : 0 Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away tho sins of the world, have mercy upon us : thou 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 ak the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy : thou only art the Lord: thou only, (0 Christ,) with the 13oly Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Then the Priest' or tlm Bishop, if he be present, shall let them depart with this blessing.

THE peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts md minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesu Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst2 you, and remain with you always. Amen.

7 Collects to bc said after the Offertory, when there is no Communion : every such day one. And the same may be said also as often as occasion shall servo after the Collects, either of Morning md Even- ing Prayer, Communion, or Litany, by the discretion of the minister.

ASSIST us mercifully, 0 Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants toward

[l 1518, tile Minister.] C' Gmfton, ttmong.]

tlic attainment of everlasting salvation: that among all t l ~ c changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help: through Ch~ist our Lord. Amen.

0 ALXIGHTY Lord and everliving 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 sbui : through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the words which me have heard this day with our outward ears, may through thy grace be so grafted3 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, 0 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 way glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy mcrcy obtain everlasting life : through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all wisdom, which knowcst 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 unaortltiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsaf'e to give us for tho worthiness of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, which hast promised to hear the pcti- tions 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 askcd according to thy will, may effectunlly be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory, through Jcsus Christ our Lord. Amcn.

Grafton and 1596, graffcd.]

198 AT THE COMi7ZUNION. [1559.

T Upon the holy days, if there be no Communion, sliall be said all that is appointed at the Commuilion, until the end of the Homily, con- cluding with the gencid prayer, for thc whole state' of Christ's cl~urch militant hcre in earth : and one or mo of these Collects before reliearsed, as occasion shall serve.

11 And thorc shall be no celebration of the Lord's Supper except thcrc be as good number to communicate with tlie priest; according to his diicrction.

B And if there be not above twenty persons in the Parish of discretion to receive the communion : yet there slid1 be no Communion, except four, or thrce at the least communicate with the priest? And in Cathedral and4 Collegiate cllurchcs, where bc many Priests"aud Deacons, they shall dl receive tho Comnlunion with the Minister every Sunday at the least, except they have a, reasonable cause to tho contrary.

T And to take away the superstition wl&h any person hath, or might have, in the brcad and mine, it shall suffice that the bread he swh, as is usual to be eaten at the Tahle with other meats, but the hcst and purest wheat bread, that conveniently may be gottcn. And if any of the bread or wine remain, the Curate shall have it to his own use.

The bread and wine for the Communion shall bc provided by the Curate, and thc Churchwardens, a t the charges of the parish, and the parish shall be discharged of such sums of moncy, or other duticg wl~ich hitherto thcy havc paid for thc mmc, by ordcr of thcir houscs every Sunday?

Yl And note, that every Piwisliioner shall communicate at the least three timcs in the year : of which Easter to be one : and shall also receive the Sacraments, and other rites, according to 'the order in7 this boolr appointed. And yearly, at Easter, every Parishioner shall reckon with his Parson, Vicar or Curate, or his, or their deputy or deputies, and pay to thorn or hiin all Ecclesiastical duties, accustomably due, then and at that time to be paid.

Grafton, estate.] [¶ 1578, a great nunzbw. This alteration first appears in a quarto

Prayer Book of 1.576 by Jugge, prefixed to a copy of the Bishops' Bible. Afterwards, as in 1617, it crept also into some of the autho- rised folios.]

c3 1.578, the Minister.] c4 1578, or. ] L6 1678, Jfinis.te)'s.] CU Scc ' Liturgies of K. Edward-VI.', Parker Society, p. 98.3 C7 Grafton, of.]