The Book of Common Prayer Part 38

Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. _St Matth_. xi. 28.

G.o.d so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. _St John_ iii. 16.

Hear also what Saint Paul saith.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 _Tim_. i. 15.

Hear also what Saint John saith.

If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins. 1 _St John_ ii. 1, 2.

_Then shall the Presbyter, turning him to the Altar, kneel down, and say, in the name of all them that shall communicate, this collect of humble access to the Holy Communion, as followeth_:

We do not presume to come to this thy holy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table: but thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his most sacred body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. _Amen_.

_Then shall he that celebrateth first receive the Communion in both kinds himself, and next deliver the same to the Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons_ (_if there be any present_), _and after to the people in due order, into their hands, all humbly kneeling.

And when he receiveth himself or delivereth the Sacrament of the body of Christ to any other, he shall say_,

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

_Here the person receiving shall say_, Amen.

_And the Presbyter that receiveth the Cup himself, as likewise the Presbyter or Deacon that delivereth it to any other, shall say_,

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

_Here the person receiving shall say_, Amen.

_If the consecrated bread or wine be all spent before all have communicated, the Presbyter is to consecrate more in both kinds, according to the form before prescribed, beginning at the words_, All glory be to thee, &c., _and ending with the words_, preserved unto everlasting life. _And the people shall say_, Amen.

_When all have communicated, he that celebrateth shall go to the Lord's Table, and cover with a fair linen cloth that which remaineth of the consecrated elements_.

_Then the Presbyter or Deacon, turning to the people, shall say_,

Having now received the precious body and blood of Christ, let us give thanks to our Lord G.o.d, who hath graciously vouchsafed to admit us to the partic.i.p.ation 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.

_This exhortation may be omitted except on Sundays and the Great Festivals_.

_Then the Presbyter shall say this collect of thanksgiving as followeth_:

Almighty and everliving G.o.d, 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 a.s.sure 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 pa.s.sion. We now most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to a.s.sist us with thy Holy Spirit, that we may continue in that holy communion and 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 all honour and glory, world without end. _Amen_.

_Then shall be said or sung_ Gloria in excelsis _as followeth_:

Glory be to G.o.d 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 G.o.d, heavenly King, G.o.d the Father Almighty; and to thee, O G.o.d, the only begotten Son Jesu Christ; and to thee, O G.o.d, the Holy Ghost.

O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord G.o.d, Lamb of G.o.d, Son of the Father, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of G.o.d the Father, have mercy 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 glory of G.o.d the Father. Amen.

_Then the Presbyter, or Bishop, if he be present, shall let them depart, with this Blessing_.

The peace of G.o.d which pa.s.seth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of G.o.d, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of G.o.d Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always.

_Amen_.

_It is customary to mix a little pure water with the wine in the eucharistic Cup_.

_According to long existing custom in the Scottish Church, the Presbyter may reserve so much of the Consecrated Gifts as may be required for the communion of the sick, and others who could not be present at the celebration in church. All that remaineth of the Holy Sacrament, and is not required, the Presbyter and such other of the communicants as he shall then call unto him, shall, after the Blessing, reverently eat and drink_.

APPENDIX

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

_Collects which may be said after the Collect of the day, or before the Blessing_.

O almighty Lord, and everlasting G.o.d, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. _Amen_.

O almighty Father, well-spring of life to all things that have being, from amid the unwearied praises of Cherubim and Seraphim who stand about thy throne of light which no man can approach unto, give ear, we humbly beseech thee, to the supplications of thy people who put their sure trust in thy mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

O Lord Jesus Christ, before whose judgement-seat we must all appear and give account of the things done in the body: Grant, we beseech thee, that when the books are opened in that day, the faces of thy servants may not be ashamed; through thy merits, O Blessed Saviour, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one G.o.d, world without end. _Amen_.

a.s.sist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

Almighty G.o.d, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking; We beseech thee to have compa.s.sion upon our infirmities; and those things, which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_The two following collects may be said before the Blessing_.

O Lord, our G.o.d, thou Saviour of the world, through whom we have celebrated these sacred mysteries: Receive our humble thanksgiving, and of thy great mercy vouchsafe to sanctify us evermore in body and soul, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one G.o.d, world without end. _Amen_.

Almighty G.o.d, who hast promised to hear the pet.i.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 asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_For the King, on national anniversaries and on other occasions_.

Almighty G.o.d, whose kingdom is everlasting, and power infinite; Have mercy upon the whole Church; and so rule the heart of thy chosen servant _GEORGE_, our King and Governor, that he (knowing whose minister he is) may above all things seek thy honour and glory: and that we, and all his subjects (duly considering whose authority he 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 G.o.d, world without end.

_Amen_.

_Or_,

Almighty and everlasting G.o.d, we are taught by thy holy Word, that the hearts of Kings are in thy rule and governance, and that thou dost dispose and turn them as it seemeth best to thy G.o.dly wisdom: We humbly beseech thee so to dispose and govern the heart of _GEORGE_, thy servant, our King and Governor, that in all his thoughts, words, and works, he may ever seek thy honour and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, and G.o.dliness: Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

PRAYERS FOR CERTAIN FESTIVALS AND SEASONS,