The Book of Common Prayer Part 37

_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, &c.

_Upon_ PENTECOST _or_ 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 tongues, and also boldness with fervent zeal constantly to preach the Gospel unto all nations; whereby we have been 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.

[Margin Note:] * _During the six days after Whitsunday say_, as at this time.

_Upon the Feast of_ TRINITY _only_.

Who art one G.o.d, 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.

| _The following may be used at the discretion of the Minister_.

| | ADDITIONAL PROPER PREFACES.

| | _Upon_ THE EPIPHANY, _and seven days after_.

| | Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, in substance of our mortal | flesh, manifested forth his glory, that he might bring us out of | darkness into his own marvellous light. Therefore with Angels, &c.

| | _Upon_ THE PURIFICATION.

| | Because thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, born of a woman, | born under the Law, was, as on this day, presented in the Temple, | and revealed to thy servants as a light to lighten the Gentiles | and the glory of thy people Israel. Therefore with Angels, &c.

| | _Upon_ THE ANNUNCIATION.

| | Because thou didst give Jesus Christ, thine only Son, to be born | 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_ FEASTS OF APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS, _except when the_ | _proper preface for any of the Great Festivals is appointed to_ | _be said_.

| | Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who did vouchsafe to choose thy | servant, Saint _N_. [_or_ thy servants Saint _N_. and Saint _N_.], | to be of the company of the Apostles [_or_ to be an Evangelist], | by whose ministry thine elect might be gathered in from every | nation, and thy Church instructed in the way that leadeth unto | everlasting life. Therefore with Angels, &c.

| | _Upon_ ALL SAINTS DAY.

| | Who in the mult.i.tude of thy Saints hast compa.s.sed us about with | so great a cloud of witnesses, to the end that we, rejoicing in | their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set | before us, and together with them receive the crown of glory | that fadeth not away. Therefore with Angels, &c.

| | _At the_ CONSECRATION OF BISHOPS, _and_ ORDINATION OF PRIESTS AND | DEACONS.

| | Through Jesus Christ our Lord, the great Shepherd of the sheep, | who, for the feeding and guidance of his flock, did appoint divers | orders of ministers in his Church. Therefore with Angels, &c.

| | _At the_ DEDICATION OF A CHURCH, _and_ ANNIVERSARY OF THE | DEDICATION.

| | Who in temples made with hands buildest up for thyself a | spiritual temple made without hands. 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 G.o.d of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen.

[Margin Note:] _Presbyter and People_.

_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 G.o.d, our heavenly Father, for that thou of thy tender mercy didst give thine 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 inst.i.tute, 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, 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.

[Margin Notes:] a. _Here the Presbyter is to take the paten in his hands_:

b. _And here to break the bread_:

c. _And here to lay his hands upon all the bread_.

d. _Here he is to take the cup into his hand_:

e. _And here to lay his hand upon every vessel (be it chalice or flagon) in which there is any wine to be consecrated_.

Wherefore, O Lord, and heavenly Father, according to the inst.i.tution 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 pa.s.sion, 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 looking for his coming again with power and great glory.

[Margin Note:] * The Oblation.

And, humbly praying that it may be unto us according to his word, * we thine unworthy servants beseech thee, most merciful Father, to hear us, and to send thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine, that, being blessed and hallowed by his life-giving power, they may become the body and blood of thy most dearly beloved Son, to the end that all who shall receive the same may be sanctified both in body and soul, and preserved unto everlasting life.

[Margin Note:] * The Invocation.

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 pa.s.sion.

And here we humbly offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee, beseeching thee that all we who shall be partakers of this holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious body and blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us and we in him.

And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord: by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. _Amen_.

_Then shall the Presbyter or Deacon say_,

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

_The Presbyter_.

Almighty and everliving G.o.d, 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 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 G.o.dly love. We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors, and especially thy servant _GEORGE_ our King, that under him we may be G.o.dly and quietly governed: and grant unto his whole council, and to all who are put in authority under him, that they may truly and impartially 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 living 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 a.s.sembled in thy Name, to celebrate the commemoration of the most precious death and sacrifice of thy Son 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 steadfastness 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 trespa.s.ses, As we forgive them that trespa.s.s against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, Forever and ever. Amen.

[Margin Note:] * _Presbyter and People_.

_Then the Presbyter or Deacon shall say this invitation to them that come to receive the Holy Communion_,

Ye that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of G.o.d, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty G.o.d, meekly kneeling upon your knees.

_Then shall this general confession be made by the people, along with the Presbyter; he first kneeling down_.

Almighty G.o.d, 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, if he be present, stand up, and, turning himself to the people, p.r.o.nounce the Absolution as followeth_:

Almighty G.o.d, 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 to him.