[When the Exhortation is read attend to it very carefully, for it is full of instruction. You will find it in your Prayer-book.]
Then shall the Priest say 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 God, 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 God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.
Then shall this general Confession be made, in the name of all those that are minded to receive the holy Communion, by one of the Ministers; both he and all the people kneeling humbly upon their knees, and saying:—
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 Priest (or the Bishop, being present) stand up, and turning himself to the people, pronounce this Absolution.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of His great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that 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 Priest say,
Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to Him.
Come unto Me, all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.St. Matt.xi. 28.
So God loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.St. Johniii. 16.
Hear also what St. Paul saith.
This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1Tim.i. 15.
Hear also what St. 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. 1St. Johnii. 1, 2.
After which the Priest shall proceed, saying,
Lift up your hearts.
Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
Answer. It is meet and right so to do.
Then shall the Priest turn to the Lord's Table, and say,
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, *Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.
*These words[Holy Father]must be omitted on Trinity Sunday.
Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed: or else immediately shall follow,
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.
[These are used only at the Seasons named.]
Upon CHRISTMAS DAY, and seven days after.
Because Thou didst give Jesus Christ Thine only Son to be born as at this time for us; who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, was made very man of thesubstance of the Virgin Mary his mother; and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. Therefore with Angels, &c.
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.
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 we might also ascend, and reign with Him in glory. Therefore with angels, &c.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; according to whose most true promise, the Holy Ghost came down as at this time from heaven with a sudden great sound, as it hadbeen 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 divers languages, 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.
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 each of which Prefaces shall immediately be sung or said,
Therefor 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 shall the Priest, kneeling down at the Lord's Table, say in the name of all them that shall receive the Communion this Prayer following,
We do not presume to come to this Thy 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 Body, and our souls washed through His most precious Blood, and that we may evermore dwell in Him, and He in us.Amen.
[Now you are coming to the most solemn part of the whole Service—the Prayer of Consecration. The Priest is speaking for you to God, and is consecrating, or making sacred and holy, the Bread and the Wine you are going to receive. Try to follow every word most reverently, and join heartily in the "Amen" at the close.]
When the Priest, standing before the Table, hath so ordered the Bread and Wine that he may with the more readiness and decency break the Bread beforethe people, and take the Cup into his hands, he shall say the Prayer of Consecration, as followeth:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who 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 oblation of Himself once offered) 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 memory of that His precious death, until His coming again; Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech Thee; and grant that we receiving these Thy creatures of bread and wine, according to Thy Son our Saviour Jesus 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 that He was betrayed, [Here the Priest is to take the Paten into his hands:] took bread; and when He had given thanks, [And here to break the Bread:] He brake it, and gave it to His Disciples, saying, Take, eat, [And here to lay his hand upon all the bread.] this is My Body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of Me. Likewise after supper He [Here he is to take to Cup into his hand:] took the Cup; and when He had given thanks. He gave it tothem, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this [And here to lay his hand upon every vessel(be it Chalice or Flagon)in which there is any Wine to be consecrated.] 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.Amen.
[You will have some time for private prayer, either before you go up to receive, or after you return to your place. Spend this time on your knees, speaking to God. Tell Him all about your difficulties—about the sin you find it so hard to conquer. Ask God to help you. When it is time for you to receive, go up quietly, and, as you kneel, think of Jesus Himself saying, "Whoso eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." Say secretly: "Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.]
The Minister, when he gives you the Bread, will say,
"The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on Him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.
[After the words "everlasting life" you can say "Amen" softly. And at the end you can say in your heart:—
"Lord, I believe: help Thou mine unbelief."]
The Minister, when he gives you the Cup, will say,
"The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.
[SayAmendevoutly, as before, after the words "ever-lasting life," and at the end you may say in your heart:—
"Thanks and Praise be to Thee, O Lord!"
Wait until the one next to you has received, and then return to your place and kneel, thanking God again for His mercies to you. Pray that you may not fall back into sin. Say:—
O God of all mercy, may this most blessed Sacrament which I have received convey to my soul grace and peace, that being made clean, I may sin no more. I ask this for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
[If you still have time, you may use now the Hymns given at the end of this book.]
When all have communicated, the Minister shall return to the Lord's Table, and reverently place upon it what remaineth of the consecrated elements, covering the same with a fair linen cloth.
Then shall the Priest say the Lord's Prayer, the people repeating after him every Petition.
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 ourdaily 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.
After shall be said as followeth,
O Lord and heavenly Father, we Thy humble servants entirely 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 passion. And here we offer and present unto Thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls, and bodies to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto Thee; humbly beseeching Thee, that all we who are partakers of this holy Communion, may be fulfilled with Thy grace and heavenly benediction. 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 HolyGhost, all honour and glory be unto Thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.Amen.
Or this,
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 the most precious death and passion of Thy dear Son. And we most humbly beseech Thee, O 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 all honour and glory, world without end.Amen.
Then shall be said or sung,
Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise Thee, we blessThee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the 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 at the right hand of God 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 God the Father. Amen.
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.
[Do not be in a hurry to rise from your knees. Thank God once more for all He has done for you. Pray again for help to persevere. Say one or more of the following thanksgivings and prayers:—]
I give Thee thanks, O Lord, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, who hast refreshed me with the most holy Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and I pray that this Sacrament which I have received may be to the strengthening of my body and soul unto life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who hast in Thy great mercy permitted me to draw near this day to the blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Thy dear Son; I give Thee hearty thanks and praise for this Thy goodness. Lord, I thank Thee: help Thou my unthankfulness. Teach me more and more to feel and know the richness and freedom of Thy love. Teach me more and more to prize and to long for this holy feast of heavenly Food. Give me an ever-thankful heart, that so I may live ever a life of thankfulness, serving Thee, not as a slave, but as a loving child, in the spirit of adoption, and as sharing in the glorious liberty of Thy children. Oh, keep me from falling back; lead me onward by Thy grace; and bring me at last to the unveiled presence of my Saviour in heaven, through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise His holy Name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all Hisbenefits; who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities; who saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindness.
"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!" Amen.
May God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep me, now and for evermore. Amen.
1 Bread of heaven, on Thee we feed,For Thy Flesh is meat indeed;Ever may our souls be fedWith this true and living Bread;Day by day with strength suppliedThrough the life of Him who died.
2 Vine of heaven, Thy Blood suppliesThis blest cup of sacrifice;Lord, Thy wounds our healing give,To Thy Cross we look and live:Jesus, may we ever beGrafted, rooted, built on Thee. Amen.
1 According to Thy gracious word,In meek humility,This will I do, my dying Lord,I will remember Thee.
2 Thy Body, broken for my sake,My Bread from heaven shall be:Thy cup of blessing I will take,And thus remember Thee.
3 Can I Gethsemane forget?Or there Thy conflict see,Thine agony and bloody sweat,And not remember Thee?
4 When to the Cross I turn mine eyes,And rest on Calvary,O Lamb of God, my sacrifice,I must remember Thee.
5 Remember Thee, and all Thy pains,And all Thy love to me;Yea, while a breath, a pulse remains,Will I remember Thee.
6 And when these failing lips grow dumb,And mind and memory flee,When Thou shalt in Thy kingdom come,Jesu, remember me. Amen.
1 O God, unseen, yet ever near,Thy presence may we feel;And thus, inspired with holy fear,Before Thine altar kneel.
2 Here may Thy faithful people knowThe blessings of Thy love;The streams that through the desert flow,The Manna from above.
3 We come, obedient to Thy word,To feast on heavenly Food;Our meat the Body of the Lord,Our drink, His precious Blood.
4 Thus may we all Thy word obey,For we, O God, are Thine;And go rejoicing on our way,Renewed with strength divine. Amen.
1 I am not worthy, Holy Lord,That Thou shouldst come to me,Speak but the word, one gracious wordCan set the sinner free.
2 I am not worthy: cold and bareThe lodging of my soul;How canst Thou deign to enter there?Lord, speak, and make me whole.
3 I am not worthy; yet, my God,How can I say Thee nay;Thee, who didst give Thy Flesh and BloodMy ransom-price to pay?
4 O come! in this sweet morning hourFeed me with Food divine;And fill with all Thy love and powerThis worthless heart of mine. Amen.
1 And now, O Father, mindful of the loveThat bought us, once for all, on Calvary's Tree,And having with us Him that pleads above,We here present, we here spread forth to TheeThat only Offering perfect in Thine eyes,The one true, pure, immortal sacrifice.
2 Look, Father, look on His anointed face,And only look on us as found in Him;Look not on our misusings of Thy grace,Our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim:For lo! between our sins and their rewardWe set the Passion of Thy Son our Lord.
3 And then for those, our dearest and our best,By this prevailing presence we appeal;O fold them closer to Thy mercy's breast,O do Thine utmost for their souls' true weal;From tainting mischief keep them white and clear,And crown Thy gifts with strength to persevere.
4 And so we come; O draw us to Thy feet,Most patient Saviour, Who canst love us still;And by this Food, so awful and so sweet,Deliver us from every touch of ill:In Thine own service make us glad and free,And grant us never more to part with Thee.Amen.
1 Sweet feast of love divine;'Tis grace that makes us freeTo feed upon this Bread and Wine,In memory, Lord, of Thee.
2 Here every welcome guestWaits, Lord, from Thee to learnThe secrets of Thy Father's breast,And all Thy grace discern.
3 Here conscience ends its strife,And faith delights to proveThe sweetness of the Bread of life,The fulness of Thy love.
4 The Blood that flowed for sinIn symbol here we see,And feel the blessed pledge within,That we are loved of Thee.
5 O if this glimpse of loveIs so divinely sweet,What will it be, O Lord, above,Thy gladdening smile to meet;
6 To see Thee face to face,Thy perfect likeness wear,And all Thy ways of wondrous graceThrough endless years declare. Amen.
1 In full and glad surrenderI give myself to Thee,Thine utterly and onlyAnd evermore to be.
2 O Son of God, who lovest me,I will be Thine alone;And all I have and am, Lord,Shall henceforth be Thine own!
3 Reign over me, Lord Jesus;O make my heart Thy throne:It shall be Thine, dear Saviour,It shall be Thine alone.
4 O come and reign, Lord Jesus;Rule over everything!And keep me always loyal,And true to Thee, my King. Amen.
1 Jesu, gentlest Saviour,God of might and power,Thou Thyself art dwellingIn us at this hour.
2 Nature cannot hold Thee,Heaven is all too straitFor Thine endless gloryAnd Thy royal state.
3 Out beyond the shiningOf the furthest starThou art ever stretchingInfinitely far.
4 Yet the hearts of childrenHold what words cannot,And the God of wondersLoves the lowly spot.
5 Jesu, gentlest Saviour,Dwelling in us now,Fill us full of goodnessTill our hearts o'erflow.
6 Multiply our graces,Chiefly love and fear,And, dear Lord, the chiefest,Grace to persevere. Amen.
1 My Father, for another nightOf quiet sleep and rest,For all the joy of morning light,Thy holy Name be blest.
2 Now with the new-born day I giveMyself anew to Thee,That as thou willest I may live,And what Thou willest be.
3 Whate'er I do, things great or small,Whate'er I speak or frame,Thy glory may I seek in all,Do all in Jesus' Name.
4 My Father, for His sake, I pray,Thy child accept and bless;And lead me by Thy grace to-dayIn paths of righteousness. Amen.
1 Lord, for to-morrow and its needsI do not pray;Keep me, my God, from stain of sin,Just for to-day.
2 Let me both diligently workAnd duly pray;Let me be kind in word and deed,Just for to-day.
3 Let me be slow to do my will,Prompt to obey;Help me to sacrifice myself,Just for to-day.
4 Let me no wrong or idle wordUnthinking say;Set Thou a seal upon my lips,Just for to-day.
5 Let me in season, Lord, be grave,In season gay;Let me be faithful to Thy grace,Just for to-day.
6 Lord, for to-morrow and its needs,I do not pray;But keep me, guide me, love me, Lord,Just for to-day. Amen.
1 Glory to Thee, my God, this nightFor all the blessings of the light;Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,Beneath Thine own almighty wings.
2 Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,The ill that I this day have done,That with the world, myself, and Thee,I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
3 Teach me to live, that I may dreadThe grave as little as my bed;Teach me to die, that so I mayRise glorious at the awful day.
4 O may my soul on Thee repose,And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close,Sleep that shall me more vigorous makeTo serve my God when I awake.
5 When in the night I sleepless lie,My soul with heavenly thoughts supply;Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,No powers of darkness me molest.
6 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;Praise Him, all creatures here below;Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Lord, keep us safe this night,"Secure from all our fears;May angels guard us while we sleep,Till morning light appears.