The Holy Communion

with

The Collects, Epistles, and Gospels

 The Order for
The Administration of the Lord’s Supper
or
Holy Communion
& At the Communion-time the Holy Table shall have upon it a fair
white linen cloth. And the Priest, standing reverently before the Holy
Table, shall say the Lord’s Prayer and the Collect following, the
People kneeling; but the Lord’s Prayer may be omitted at the dis-
cretion of the Priest.

O UR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive
us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against
us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from
evil. Amen.
The Collect.

A
LMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all
desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid;
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspira-
tion 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, turning to the People, rehearse distinctly The
Ten Commandments; and the People, still kneeling, shall, after every
Commandment, ask God mercy for their transgressions for the time
past, and grace to keep the law for the time to come.
& And Note, That in rehearsing The Ten Commandments, the Priest
may omit that part of the Commandment which is inset.
& The Decalogue may be omitted, provided it be said at least one
Sunday in each month. But NOTE, That whenever it is omitted, the
Priest shall say the Summary of the Law, beginning, Hear what our
Lord Jesus Christ saith.
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The Decalogue.

G OD spake these words, and said:

I am the Lord thy God; Thou shalt have none
other gods but me.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this
law.
Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor
the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the
earth beneath, or in the water under the earth; thou shalt
not bow down to them, nor worship them;
for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins
of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth
generation of them that hate me; and show mercy unto thou-
sands in them that love me and keep my commandments.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this
law.
Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in
vain;
for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his Name
in vain.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this
law.
Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day.
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do; but
the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God. In it
thou shalt do no manner of work; thou, and thy son, and thy
daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle,
and the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the
LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is,
and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the
seventh day, and hallowed it.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this
law.
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Honour thy father and thy mother;
that thy days may be long in the land which the LORD thy
God giveth thee.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this
law.
Thou shalt do no murder.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this
law.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this
law.
Thou shalt not steal.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this
law.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this
law.
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
any thing that is his.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws in our
hearts, we beseech thee.
¶ Then may the Priest say,
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith.

T HOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the
first and great commandment. And the second is like unto
it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two
commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
¶ Here, if the Decalogue hath been omitted, shall be said,
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Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
¶ Then the Priest may say,

O ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting 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 Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
¶ Here shall be said,
The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.
¶ Then shall the Priest say the Collect of the Day. And after the Collect
the Minister appointed shall read the Epistle, first saying, The Epistle
is written in the — Chapter of —, beginning at the — Verse. The
Epistle ended, he shall say, Here endeth the Epistle.
¶ Here may be sung a Hymn or an Anthem.
¶ Then, all the People standing, the Minister appointed shall read the
Gospel, first saying, The Holy Gospel is written in the — Chapter of —,
beginning at the — Verse.
¶ Here shall be said,
Glory be to thee, O Lord.
¶ And after the Gospel may be said,
Praise be to thee, O Christ.
& Then shall be said the Creed commonly called the Nicene, or else the
Apostles’ Creed but the Creed may be omitted, if it hath been said
immediately before in Morning Prayer; Provided, That the Nicene
Creed shall be said on Christmas Day, Easter Day, Ascension Day,
Whitsunday, and Trinity Sunday.
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I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
And in one Lord Jesus 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 Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried:
And the third day he rose again according to the Scrip-
tures: And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on 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 no 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 worshipped
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 Resur-
rection of the dead: And the Life of the world to come.
Amen.

& Then shall be declared unto the People what Holy Days, or Fasting
Days, are in the week following to be observed; and (if occasion be)
shall Notice be given of the Communion, and of the Banns of Matri-
mony, and of other matters to be published.
& Here, or immediately after the Creed, may be said the Bidding Prayer,
or other authorized prayers and intercessions.
& Then followeth the Sermon. After which, the Priest, when there is a
Communion, shall return to the Holy Table, and begin the Offer-
tory, saying one or more of these Sentences following, as he thinketh
most convenient.

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R EMEMBER the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said,
It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts xx. 35.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven. St. Matt. v. 16.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where
moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break
through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves do not break through nor steal. St. Matt. vi. 19, 20.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of
my Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. vii. 21.
He that soweth little shall reap little; and he that soweth
plenteously shall reap plenteously. Let every man do ac-
cording as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of
necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.
While we have time, let us do good unto all men; and
especially unto them that are of the household of faith.
Gal. vi. 10.
God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works,
and labour that proceedeth of love; which love ye have
showed for his Name’s sake, who have ministered unto the
saints, and yet do minister. Heb. vi. 10.
To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16.
Whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have
need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwell-
eth the love of God in him? 1 St. John iii. 17.
Be merciful after thy power. If thou hast much, give
plenteously; if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to
give of that little: for so gatherest thou thyself a good re-
ward in the day of necessity. Tobit iv. 8, 9.
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And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I
say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. St.
Matt. xxv. 40.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they
have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
and how shall they preach, except they be sent? Rom. x. 14, 15.
Jesus said unto them, The harvest truly is plenteous, but
the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the
harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.
St. Luke x. 2.
Ye shall not appear before the LORD empty; every man
shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord
thy God which he hath given thee. Deut. xvi. 16, 17.
Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the
glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in
the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom,
O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. 1 Chron.
xxix. 11.
All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have
we given thee. 1 Chron. xxix. 14.
& And Note, That these Sentences may be used on any other occasion
of Public Worship when the Offerings of the People are to be received.
& The Deacons, Church-wardens, or other fit persons appointed for
that purpose, shall receive the Alms for the Poor, and other Offerings
of the People, in a decent Basin to be provided by the Parish; and
reverently bring it to the Priest, who shall humbly present and place
it upon the Holy Table.
& And the Priest shall then offer, and shall place upon the Holy Table,
the Bread and the Wine.
& And when the Alms and Oblations are being received and presented,
there may be sung a Hymn, or an Offertory Anthem in the words of
Holy Scripture or of the Book of Common Prayer, under the direction
of the Priest.
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& Here the Priest may ask the secret intercessions of the Congregation
for any who have desired the prayers of the Church.
¶ Then shall the Priest say,
Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church.

A LMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy

Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplica-
tions, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech
thee most mercifully to accept our [alms and] oblations, and
to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Di-
vine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the
Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and con-
cord: And grant that all those who 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, so to direct and dispose the hearts
of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and impartially
administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and
vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and vir-
tue.
Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and other
Ministers, that they may, both by their life and doctrine,
set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly ad-
minister thy holy Sacraments.
And to all thy People give thy heavenly grace; and espe-
cially 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 righteous-
ness all the days of their life.
And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O
Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transi-
tory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other
adversity.
And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants de-
parted this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to
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grant them continual growth in thy love and service, and
to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with
them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant
this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and
Advocate. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Priest say to those who come to receive the Holy Com-
munion,

Y E who 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 com-
fort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God,
devoutly kneeling.
& Then shall this General Confession be made, by the Priest and all
those who are minded to receive the Holy Communion, humbly
kneeling.

A LMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknow-
ledge 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, Pro-
voking 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 (the Bishop if he be present) stand up, and turn-
ing to the People, say,
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A LMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great
mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those
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 Priest say,
Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith
unto all who truly turn to him.

C OME unto me, all ye 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 per-
ish, but have everlasting life. St. John iii. 16.
Hear also what Saint Paul saith.
This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be re-
ceived, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sin-
ners. 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.
¶ 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 Holy Table, and say,

I T 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.
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¶ Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the time, if there
be any specially appointed; or else immediately shall be said or sung
by the Priest,

T HEREFORE 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 ¶ Priest and People.
hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy
glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen.

PROPER PREFACES.
CHRISTMAS.
¶ Upon Christmas Day, and seven days after.

B ECAUSE 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 the substance of the Virgin Mary his mother; and
that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin.
Therefore with Angels, etc.

EPIPHANY.
¶ Upon the Epiphany, and seven days after.

T HROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who, in sub-

stance of our mortal flesh, manifested forth his
glory; that he might bring us out of darkness into his
own glorious light.
Therefore with Angels, etc.

PURIFICATION, ANNUNCIATION, AND TRANSFIGURATION.

¶ Upon the Feasts of the Purification, Annunciation, and Transfigura-
tion.

B ECAUSE in the Mystery of the Word made flesh,

thou hast caused a new light to shine in our hearts,
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to give the knowledge of thy glory in the face of thy Son
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Therefore with Angels, etc.

EASTER.
¶ Upon Easter Day, and seven days after.

B UT 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 of-
fered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world;
who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his ris-
ing to life again hath restored to us everlasting life.
Therefore with Angels, etc.

ASCENSION.
¶ Upon Ascension Day, and seven days after.

T HROUGH thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus

Christ our Lord; who, after his most glorious Res-
urrection, 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, etc.

WHITSUNTIDE.
¶ Upon Whitsunday, and six days after.

T HROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; according to

whose most true promise, the Holy Ghost came
down as at this time from heaven, lighting upon the
disciples, to teach them, and to lead them into all truth;
giving them 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
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light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son Jesus
Christ.
Therefore with Angels, etc.
TRINITY SUNDAY.
¶ Upon the Feast of Trinity only.

W HO, with thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy

Ghost, art one God, one Lord, in Trinity of
Persons and in Unity of Substance. For that which we
believe of thy glory, O Father, the same we believe of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any differ-
ence of inequality.
Therefore with Angels, etc.
¶ Or this.

F OR the precious death and merits of thy Son Jesus

Christ our Lord, and for the sending to us of the
Holy Ghost, the Comforter; who are one with thee in
thy Eternal Godhead.
Therefore with Angels, etc.
ALL SAINTS.
¶ Upon All Saints’ Day, and seven days after.

W HO, in the multitude of thy Saints, hast com-

passed us about with so great a cloud of wit-
nesses that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run
with patience the race that is set before us, and, to-
gether with them, may receive the crown of glory
that fadeth not away.
Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all
the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glo-
rious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God ¶ Priest and People.
of hosts, Heaven and earth are full of
thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen.
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¶ When the Priest, standing before the Holy Table, hath so ordered the
Bread and Wine, that he may with the more readiness and decency
break the Bread before the People, and take the Cup into his hands, he
shall say the Prayer of Consecration, as followeth.

A
LL glory be to thee, Almighty God, 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 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, (a) Here the
and in his holy Gospel command us to con- Priest is to take
tinue, a perpetual memory of that his pre- the Paten into
cious death and sacrifice, until his coming his hands.
(b) And here to
again: For in the night in which he was be- break the Bread.
trayed, (a) he took Bread; and when he had (c) And here to
given thanks, (b) he brake it, and gave it to lay his hand up-
his disciples, saying, Take, eat, (c) this is my on all the Bread.
Body, which is given for you; Do this in re- (d) Here he is
membrance of me. Likewise, after supper, (d) to take the Cup
he took the Cup; and when he had given into his hands.
(e) And here
thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink he is to lay
ye all of this; for (e) this is my Blood of the his hand upon
New Testament, which is shed for you, and every vessel in
for many, for the remission of sins; Do this, which there is
as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance any Wine to
be consecrated.
of me.

W HEREFORE, O Lord and heavenly

Father, according to the institution of thy
dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
The Oblation.

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
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us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and
precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascen-
sion; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the in-
numerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

A ND we most humbly beseech thee, O The Invocation.

merciful Father, to hear us; and, of
thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with
thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of
bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy
Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remem-
brance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his
most blessed Body and Blood.

A ND we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness, merc-

ifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanks-
giving; 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 re-
mission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion.
And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our
selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and
living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that we,
and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Com-
munion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and
Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled 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 are un-
worthy, 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.
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And now, as our Saviour Christ hath taught us, we are
bold to say,

O UR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive
us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against
us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from
evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
& Then shall the Priest, kneeling down at the Lord’s Table, say, in the
name of all those who shall receive the Communion, this Prayer
following.

W E do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merci-

ful 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.
¶ Here may be sung a Hymn.
& Then shall the Priest First receive the Holy Communion in both kinds
him self, and proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Priests, and
Deacons, in like manner, (if any be present,) and, after that, to the
People also in order, into their hands, all devoutly kneeling. And suf-
ficient opportunity shall be given to those present to communicate.
And when he delivereth the Bread, he shall say,

T HE 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 thanksgiv-
ing.
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¶ And the Minister who delivereth the Cup shall say,

T HE 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.

& If the consecrated Bread or Wine be spent before all have communi-
cated, the Priest is to consecrate more, according to the Form before
prescribed; beginning at, All glory be to thee, Almighty God, and
ending with these words, partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.
& When an have communicated, the Priest 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,
Let us pray.

A LMIGHTY 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 Sav-
iour 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
his most precious death and passion. And we humbly be-
seech 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 the Gloria in excelsis, all standing, or some proper
Hymn.

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G LORY be to God on high, and on 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 God, heavenly King, God the Father
Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus 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, 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 People kneeling, the Priest (the Bishop if he be present) shall
let them depart with this Blessing.

T HE 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 Bless-
ing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

GENERAL RUBRICS.
& In the absence of a Priest, a Deacon may say all that is before appointed
unto the end of the Gospel.
&Upon the Sundays and other Holy Days, (though there be no Sermon
or Communion,) may be said all that is appointed at the Communion,
unto the end of the Gospel, concluding with the Blessing.
&And if any of the consecrated Bread and Wine remain after the Com-
munion, it shall not be carried out of the Church; but the Minister and
other Communicants shall, immediately after the Blessing, reverently
eat and drink the same.
&If among those who come to be partakers of the Holy Communion,
the Minister shall know any to be an open and notorious evil liver,
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or to have done any wrong to his neighbours by word or deed, so that
the Congregation be thereby offended; he shall advertise him, that
he presume not to come to the Lord’s Table, until he have openly
declared himself to have truly repented and amended his former evil
life, that the Congregation may thereby be satisfied; and that he hath
recompensed the parties to whom he hath done wrong; or at least
declare himself to be in full purpose so to do, as soon as he con-
veniently may.
& The same order shall the Minister use with those, betwixt whom he
perceiveth malice and hatred to reign; not suffering them to be par-
takers of the Lord’s Table, until he know them to be reconciled. And
if one of the parties, so at variance, be content to forgive from the bot-
tom of his heart all that the other hath trespassed against him, and to
make amends for that wherein he himself hath 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 case ought to admit the
penitent person to the Holy Communion, and not him that is ob-
stinate. Provided, That every Minister so repelling any, as is herein
specified, shall be obliged to give an account of the same to the Ordinary,
within fourteen days after, at the farthest.

THE EXHORTATIONS.
& At the time of the Celebration of the Communion, after the prayer
for the whole state of Christ’s Church, the Priest may say this Exhor-
tation. And Note, That the Exhortation shall be said on the First
Sunday in Advent, the First Sunday in Lent, and Trinity Sunday.

D EARLY beloved in the Lord, ye who mind to come to

the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our
Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul 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 true penitent heart and lively
faith we receive that holy Sacrament; so is the danger great,
if we receive the same unworthily. Judge therefore your-
selves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent
you truly for your sins past; have a lively and stedfast faith
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in Christ our Saviour; 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 Saviour Christ, both God and man;
who did humble himself, even to the death upon the Cross,
for us, miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the 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
always remember the exceeding great love of our Master,
and only Saviour, Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the
innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding
he hath obtained for us; he hath instituted and ordained
holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual
remembrance of his death, to our great and endless com-
fort. To him therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost,
let us give, as we are most bounden, continual thanks; sub-
mitting 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.

& When the Minister giveth warning for the Celebration of the Holy
Communion, (which he shall always do upon the Sunday, or some Holy
Day, immediately preceding,) he shall read this Exhortation following;
or so much thereof as, in his discretion, he may think convenient.

D EARLY beloved, on —— day next I purpose, through

God’s assistance, to administer to all such as shall be
religiously and devoutly disposed the most comfortable
Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; to be by them
received in remembrance of his meritorious Cross and Pas-
sion; whereby alone we obtain remission of our sins, and are
made partakers of the Kingdom of heaven. Wherefore it is
our duty to render most humble and hearty thanks to Al-
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mighty God, our heavenly Father, 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 in that holy
Sacrament. Which being so divine and comfortable a thing
to them who receive it worthily, and so dangerous to those
who will presume to receive it unworthily; my duty is to
exhort you, in the mean season to consider the dignity of
that holy mystery, and the great peril of the unworthy re-
ceiving thereof; and so to search and examine your own
consciences, and that not lightly, and after the manner of
dissemblers with God; but so that ye may come holy and
clean to such a heavenly Feast, in the marriage-garment re-
quired by God in holy Scripture, and be received as worthy
partakers of that holy Table.
The way and means thereto is: First, to examine your
lives and conversations by the rule of God’s command-
ments; and whereinsoever ye shall perceive yourselves to
have offended, either by will, word, or deed, there to bewail
your own sinfulness, and to confess yourselves to Almighty
God, with full purpose of amendment of life. And if ye shall
perceive your offences to be such as are not only against
God, but also against your neighbours; then ye shall recon-
cile yourselves unto them; being ready to make restitution
and satisfaction, according to the uttermost of your powers,
for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other; and
being likewise ready to forgive others who have offended
you, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences at God’s
hand: for otherwise the receiving of the holy Communion
doth nothing else but increase your condemnation. There-
fore, 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; repent you of your sins, or
else come not to that holy Table.
And because it is requisite that no man should come to
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the holy Communion, but with a full trust in God’s mercy,
and with a quiet conscience; therefore, if there be any of
you, who by this means cannot quiet his own conscience
herein, but requireth further comfort or counsel, let him
come to me, or to some other Minister of God’s Word, and
open his grief; that he may receive such godly counsel and
advice, as may tend to the quieting of his conscience, and
the removing of all scruple and doubtfulness.
& Or, in case he shall see the People negligent to come to the Holy Com-
munion, instead of the former, he may use this Exhortation.

D EARLY beloved brethren, on —— I intend, by God’s

grace, to celebrate the Lord’s Supper: unto which, in
God’s behalf, I bid you all who are here present; and be-
seech you, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, that ye will not
refuse to come thereto, being so lovingly called and bidden
by 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 noth-
ing but the guests to sit down; and yet they who are 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 hindered with worldly business. But such excuses
are 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 ye not repent and amend? When
God calleth you, are ye not ashamed to say ye will not
come? When ye should return to God, will ye excuse your-
selves, and say ye are not ready? Consider earnestly with
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yourselves how little such feigned excuses will avail before
God. Those who refused the feast in the Gospel, because they
had bought a farm, or would try their yokes of oxen, or be-
cause they were married, were not so excused, but counted
unworthy of the heavenly feast. Wherefore, according to
mine office, I bid you in the Name of God, I call you in
Christ’s behalf, I exhort you, as ye 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 salvation; so it is your duty to re-
ceive the Communion in remembrance of the sacrifice of
his death, as he himself hath commanded: which if ye shall
neglect to do, consider with yourselves how great is your
ingratitude to God, and how sore punishment hangeth over
your heads for the same; when ye wilfully abstain from the
Lord’s Table, and separate from your brethren, who come
to feed on the banquet of that most heavenly food. These
things if ye earnestly consider, ye will by God’s grace re-
turn to a better mind: for the obtaining whereof we shall
not cease to make our humble petitions unto Almighty
God, our heavenly Father.

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