This is part of the web site of Shakespeare's Sonnets.
So many as do intend to be partakers of the
Holy Communion, shall signify their names to the curate overnight, or else
in the morning, afore the beginning of Morning Prayer, or immediately after.
ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desi:res known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the priest rehearse distinctly all the Ten Commandments, and the people, kneeling, shall after every commandment ask God's mercy for their transgression of the same, after this sort. Minister. God spake these words and said, I am
the Lord thy God, Thou shalt have none other gods but me.
Then shall follow the Collect of the day, with one of these two Collects following for the Queen, the priest standing up and saying. Let us pray. Priest
ALMIGHTY God, whose kingdom is everlasting, and power infinite: Have mercy upon the whole congregation, and so rule the heart of thy chosen servant Elizabeth, our queen and governor, that she (knowing whose minister she is) may above all things seek thy honor and glory; and that we her subjects (duly considering whose authority she hath) may faithfully serve, honor, and humbly obey her, in thee, and for thee, accord ing to thy blessed Word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever one God, world without end. Amen.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we be 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 godly wisdom: We humbly beseech thee, so to dispose and govern the heart of Elizabeth, thy servant, our queen and governor, that in all her thoughts, words, and works, she may ever seek thy honor and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to her charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness. Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Immediately after the Collects, the priest shall
read the Epistle beginning thus. 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, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds: God of God, light of light, very God of very God: begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made: who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost, of the Virgin Mary, and was made man: and was crucified also for us, under Poncius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have none end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And I believe one catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism, for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. After the Creed, if there be no sermon, shall follow
one of the homilies already set forth or hereafter to be set forth by common
authority. Matt. 6 Then shall the churchwardens, or some other by them appointed, gather the devotion of the people, and put the same into the poor men's box. And upon the offering days appointed, every man and woman shall pay to the curate the due and accustomed offerings. After which done, the priest shall say. Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, which 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 almose, 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 specially thy servant Elizabeth our queen, that under her we may be godly and quietly governed: And grant unto her whole Council, and to all that be put in authority under her, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of God's true religion and virtue. Give grace (O heavenly Father) to all bishops, pastors, and curates, 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, and especially to this congregation here present, 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 most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness (O Lord) to comfort and succor all them which in this transitory life be in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only mediator and advocate. Amen. |
Then shall follow this exhortation at certain times when the curate shall see the people negligent to come to the Holy Communion.
WE be come together at this time, dearly beloved
brethren, to feed at the Lord's Supper, unto the which in God's behalf I
bid you all that be here present, and beseech you for the Lord Jesus Christ's
sake, that ye will not refuse to come thereto, being so lovingly called
and bidden of God himself. Ye know how grievous and unkind a thing it is,
when a man hath prepared a rich feast, decked his table with all kind of
provision, so that there lacketh 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 be moved? Who would not think a great
injury and wrong done unto him? Wherefore most dearly beloved in Christ,
take ye good heed lest ye, withdrawing yourselves from this holy supper,
provoke God's indignation against you. It is an easy matter for a man to
say, I will not communicate, because I am otherwise letted with worldly
business, but such excuses be not so easily accepted and allowed before
God. If any man say, I am a grievous sinner, and therefore am afraid to
come: wherefore then do you not repent and amend? When God calleth you,
be you not ashamed to say you 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 fained excuses shall avail before God. They
that refused the feast in the Gospel, because 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 unto 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 ye will be partakers of this Holy Communion. And as the Son of God
did vouchsafe to yield up his soul by death upon the cross for your health;
even so it is your duty to receive 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 you do unto God, and how sore
punishment hangeth over your heads for the same. And whereas you offend
God so sore in refusing this holy banquet, I admonish, exhort, and beseech
you that unto this unkindness ye will not add any more. Which thing ye shall
do, if ye stand by as gazers and lookers on them that do communicate, and
be no partakers of the same yourselves. For what thing can this be accounted
else, than a further contempt and unkindness unto God? Truly it is a great
unthankfulness to say nay when ye be called; but the fault is much greater
when men stand by, and yet will neither eat nor drink this Holy Communion
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 what face then, or with
what countenance shall ye hear these words? What will this be else but a
neglecting, a despising, and mocking of the testament of Christ? Wherefore,
rather than you should so do, depart you hence, and give place to them that
be godly disposed. 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 by God's grace return to a better mind, for
the obtaining whereof we shall make our humble petitions, while we shall
receive the Holy Communion. And some time shall be said this also at the discretion
of the curate.
Then shall the priest say this exhortation.
DEARLY beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Savior Christ, must consider what Saint 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 truly 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 be one with Christ, and Christ with us), so is the danger great if we receive the same unworthily. For then we be guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Savior. 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. Therefore, if any of you be a blasphemer of God, an hinderer or slanderer of his Word, an adulterer, or be in malice or envy, or in any other grievous crime, bewail your sins, and come not to this holy table, lest after the taking of that holy Sacrament, the devil enter into you, as he entered into Judas, and fill you full of all iniquities, and bring you to destruction, both of body and soul. Judge therefore yourselves (brethren) that ye be not judged of the Lord. Repent you truly for your sins past, have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our Savior. 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 most 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 Savior Christ both God and man; who did humble himself, even to the death upon the cross for us miserable sinners, which lay in darkness and 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 alway remember the exceeding great love of our master and only Savior Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious bloodshedding he hath obtained to us, he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and 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.
Then shall the priest say to them that come to receive the Holy Communion. YOU that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and be 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; make your humble confession to Almighty God before this congregation here gathered together in his holy name, 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, either by one of them, or else by one of the ministers, or by the priest himself, all kneeling humbly upon their knees. ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men, we knowledge 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 be 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 honor 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, say thus.
ALMIGHTY God our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them which with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him: Have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strength you in all goodness, and bring you to ever lasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the priest also say.
Hear what comfortable words our Savior Christ saith, to all that truly turn to him. COME unto me all that travail and be heavy laden
and I shall refresh you. 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
life everlasting. After the which the priest shall proceed, saying. Lift up your hearts. Here shall follow the proper preface, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed, or else immediately shall follow: Therefore with angels, &c. |
Proper Prefaces Upon Christmas 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 the Holy Ghost, was 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, &c.
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, &c.
Upon the Ascension Day, and Seven Days After THROUGH thy most dear 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, &c.
Upon Whitsunday, and Six Days After THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord, according to whose most true promise, the Holy Ghost came down 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 diverse 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 the clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son Jesus Christ. Therefore with, &c.
Upon the Feast of Trinity Only T is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to thee, O Lord, almighty and everlasting God, which 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 in equality. Therefore with, &c.
After which preface, shall follow immediately. 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.
Then shall the priest kneeling down at God's board, 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 mani fold and great mercies. We be 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 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. Then the priest standing up shall say as followeth. 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 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 beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Savior 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 that he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, 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. Then shall the minister first receive the communion in both kinds himself, and next deliver it to other ministers, if any be there present (that they may help the chief minister) and after to the people in their hands kneeling. And when he delivereth the bread, he shall say. THE body of our Lord Jesus 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 thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving. And the minister that delivereth the cup, shall say. THE blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul into everlasting life: and drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for thee, and be thankful. Then shall the priest say the Lord's Prayer, the people repeating after him every petition. After shall be said as followeth.
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 which be 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 offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor 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, which have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness toward us, and that we be very members incorporate in thy mystical body, which is the blessed company of all faithful people, and be also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear Son. We now 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 honor and glory, world without end. Amen. Then shall be said or sung. GLORY be to God on high. And in earth peace, good will toward 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. 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. Then the priest or the 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 Jesu 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.
Collects to be 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 serve after the Collects, either of Morning and Evening Prayer, Communion, or Litany, by the discretion of the minister. ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications, and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants toward 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 Christ our Lord. Amen. ALMIGHTY 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 soul; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. GRANT we beseech thee Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may through thy grace be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honor and praise of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PREVENT us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, 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 God, the fountain of all wisdom, which knowest 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 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. ALMIGHTY God, which hast promised to hear the petitions 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.
Upon the holy days, if there be no Communion, shall
be said all that is appointed at the Communion, until the end of the homily,
concluding with the general prayer for the whole estate of Christ's Church
militant here in earth, and one or mo of these Collects before rehearsed,
as occasion shall serve. |