Jeremy Taylor's Communion Office

Jeremy Taylor's Communion Office

AN
OFFICE OR ORDER
FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE HOLY SACRAMENT
OF THE
LORD'S SUPPER,

ACCORDING TO THE WAY OF THE APOSTOLICAL CHURCHES, AND THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

THE ANTE-COMMUNION.

OUR Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name: Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven: Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our 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.

The Collect.

O king of Glory, Lord and Maker of the world, thou art a God knowing all things and all thoughts even long before they are; be thou present with us in this religious solemnity calling upon thee. Deliver us from the shame of our sins, from the corruption and evil inclinations that attend them, and from all the evils that may justly follow them. Cleanse our wills and our understandings from all evil lusts and concupiscence, from the deceits of the world, from the violence and snares of the Devil, from all guile and hypocrisy, from every evil word and work, that we may serve thee faithfully, worship thee religiously, and pray unto thee acceptably ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister humbly say this Prayer of Preparation, first in behalf of himself, then of the Congregation.

O Lord God, who, in mercy and great compassion, dost consider thy people, and hast given unto us, thy unworthy servants, miserable sinners, confidence and commandment to present ourselves before thee at thy holy table to represent a holy, venerable, and unbloody sacrifice for our sins, and for the errors and ignorances of all thy people, look upon me, the meanest and most polluted of all them that approach to thy sacred presence. Pity me, O God, and wash away all my sins. Cleanse my heart and my hands, my head and my lips, from all impurities of the flesh and spirit; and remove far from me all irreverence and undecency, all foolish imaginations and vain reasonings; and, by the power of the Holy Ghost, make me worthy for this ministry, accepting this service for his sake, whose sacrifice I represent, and by whose commandment I minister, even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have mercy upon this thy people, who, with hungry and thirsty souls, come to be refreshed and comforted by the Divine Nutriment of thy Holy Body and Blood. Pity our infirmities, despise not our unworthiness, curse not our follies, and take not from thy servants thy grace and the light of thy Divine Countenance, but, according to the multitude of thy great mercies, do away all our offences, that, without self-condemnation, we may appear before thy glory, covered with the veil of Jesus, adorn’d with the robe of his righteousness, and illustrated with the brightness of thy Divine Spirit ; that we may live by thy grace, and feel thy mercy and pardon in this world and in the world to come ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister, rising up, rehearse, with a loud voice, the Eight Beatitudes: the People still kneeling.

Minister. Our Lord Jesus, seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain; and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
1. Blessed are the poor in Spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
People. Lord, pardon our faults, and incline our hearts to obey thee, that we may inherit this blessing.
Minister. —2. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
People. Lord, pardon our faults, and incline our hearts to obey thee, that we may inherit this blessing.
Minister. —3. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
People. Lord, pardon our faults, and incline our hearts to obey thee, that we may inherit this blessing.
Minister. —4. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
People. Lord, pardon our faults, and incline our hearts to obey thee, that we may inherit this blessing.
Minister. —5. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
People. Lord, pardon our faults, and incline our hearts to obey thee, that we may inherit this blessing.
Minister. —6. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
People. Lord, pardon our faults, and incline our hearts to obey thee, that we may inherit this blessing.
Minister. —7. Blessed are the Peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God.
People. Lord, pardon our faults, and incline our hearts to obey thee, that we may inherit this blessing.
Minister. —8. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
People. Lord, make us ready in heart and body to obey thee in every thing, that we may inherit all these blessings in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Let us pray.

O Lord God, our Creator, who hast given us life and being, and hast shewn unto us the way of Salvation, vouchsafing to us the revelation of heavenly Mysteries, and hast commanded to us this service in the power of the Holy Ghost, and obedience of the Lord Jesus ; be thou well pleased, O Lord, with this our service and duty, and grant that with a holy fear, and a pure Conscience, we may finish this Service, presenting a holy Sacrifice holily unto thee, that thou mayest receive it in Heaven, and smell a sweet Odour in the union of the eternal Sacrifice, which our blessed Lord perpetually offers ; and accept us graciously as thou didst entertain the Gifts of Abel, the Sacrifice of Noah, the Services of Moses and Aaron, the Peace-offering of Samuel, the Repentance of David, and the Incense of Zacharias : and as from the hands of thy holy apostles thou didst accept this ministry, so vouchsafe, by the hands of us miserable Sinners, to finish and perfect this Oblation, that it may be sanctified by the Holy Ghost, and be accepted in the Lord Jesus ; that we, being adopted into the Society and participation of his holiness and sufferings, admitted to his service, incorporated to his body, united to his purity, made partakers of his intercession, pardoned by his mercy, sanctified by his grace, confirmed by his strength, professing his religion, believing in his word, hoping in his promises, and keeping all his commandments, may receive the reward of faithful and wise stewards in the day of thy righteous judgment.

Grant this, O God, for his sake who is the food of our Souls, and the joy of our Hearts, the object of our Faith and Hope, and the great example of Charity and all Excellences, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Then, all arising from their knees, shall be read some portions of Scripture, relating to the present Mystery, viz.

1 Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians, xi. Chap. from verse 23 to the end.
The Gospel according to St. Mark, xiv. 2, unto verse the 26.

Or,

1 Epistle of S. Paul written to the Corinthians, x. Chap. from verse 1. to the 18.
Gospel according to S. Matthew, xxvi. Chap. from verse 17. to verse 30.

Sometimes one of these may suffice; but never above two are to be used at once, one out of the Epistles, one out of the Gospels.

Then shall follow this Eucharistical Hymn, all standing up, reciting the verses interchangeably.

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to visit his Temple.
For, in the time of trouble, he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his Tabernacle shall he hide me, and set me upon a rock.
Therefore will I offer in his Tabernacle Sacrifices of joy; I will sing and speak praises unto the Lord.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life ; of whom shall I be afraid? Examine, O Lord, and prove me: try my reins and my heart.
For thy loving-kindness is before my eyes: and I will walk in thy truth.
I have not sat with vain persons; neither will I go in with dissemblers.
I will wash my hands in innocence: and so will I compass thine Altar, O Lord,
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Look at the generations of old, and see did ever any trust in the Lord and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise that called upon him?
For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in time of affliction.
Ye, therefore, that fear the Lord, believe him: and your reward shall not fail.
They that fear the Lord will seek that which is well-pleasing unto him; and they that love him shall be filled with the law.
They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts and humble their souls in his sight.
For as his majesty is, even so is his mercy.
What shall I render unto the Lord for all the benefits which he hath done unto me?
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the Lord.
The Lord hath been mindful of us, and he will bless us; He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
Blessed be the name of our God, from this time forth for evermore. Praise the Lord.

Glory be to the Father, &c.
As it was in the beginning, &c.

This is a combination of several portions of Psalms, beginning with Psalm 27:4 & 5.
Then shall the Minister, with a loud voice, pronounce this Commination.

"Thus saith the Lord Jesus, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his Commandment that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the Gates into the City. For without are Dogs and Sorcerers, Whoremongers and Murderers. The Idolaters and the Filthy, the Fearful and the Unbelieving, the Hypocrite and the Liars, the Drunkards and the Envious, the Hinderers of God's Word, and the Slanderers of their Neighbours, the Swearers and the Covetous, the Impenitent and the Uncharitable, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. And behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. "

"I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie unto you these things in the Churches. I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning-star: and the Spirit and the Bride say, come, and let him that heareth, come: and let him that is athirst, come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

But first cleanse your hands and purify your hearts, repent you truly of all your sins past, retain no affection to any thing that displeases God: resolve against all sin, strive against all, pray against all, watch against all, and so shall ye be meet partakers of this holy Table : But if any of you here present live in any known sin, of which ye have not truly repented, and which ye do not mean presently and utterly to forsake; In the name of Jesus Christ, I pronounce every such person to be unworthy of these holy Mysteries, and that he cannot receive them but to his condemnation.

Judge, therefore, yourselves, Brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord: for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; and who is able to dwell with the everlasting burning?

But if any of you, after this severe admonition, shall presume to approach these sacred mysteries with an impure and disobedient heart, let him know that he pollutes the blood of the everlasting Covenant, he eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's Body. I have given you warning; I have discharged my duty.

All ye who truly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a holy life in all godliness, and sobriety, and honesty, draw near and take these holy mysteries to your comfort; first make your humble confession of sins to God, and meekly beg his pardon for what is past, and his grace for the time to come.

The Confession to be said by all kneeling.

Almighty God, we miserable sinners do humbly confess, and are truly sorrowful for our many and great, our innumerable and intolerable crimes, of which our consciences do accuse us by night and by day, and by which we have provoked thy severest wrath and indignation against us. We have broken all thy righteous laws and commandments, by word or by deed, by vain thoughts or sinful desires; we have sinned against thee in all our relations, in all places and at all times: we can neither reckon their number, nor bear their burden, nor suffer thine anger which we have deserved. But thou, O Lord God, art merciful and gracious: have mercy upon us: pardon us for all the evils we have done: judge us not for all the good we have omitted : take not thy favour from us, but delight thou to sanctify us and save us, and work in us to will and to do of thy good pleasure all our duty; that being sanctified by thy Spirit, and delivered from our sins, we may serve thee in a religious and a holy conversation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Minister rising up shall pronounce Absolution in the form proscribed at Morning Prayer.

Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus, the great Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls, that Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, who promised Paradise to the repenting Thief, and gave pardon to the woman taken in Adultery, he pardon and forgive all your sins known and unknown.

O blessed Jesus, in whatsoever thy servants, as men bearing flesh about them, and inhabiting this world, or deceived by the Devil, have sinned, whether in word or deed, whether in thought or desire, whether by omission or commission, let it be forgiven unto them by thy word and by thy Spirit ; and for ever preserve thy servants from sinning against thee, and from suffering thine eternal anger, for thy promise sake, and for thy glorious Names sake, O blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus. Amen.

Then all rising up,

There shall be made a Collection for the Poor, by the Deacon or Clerk, while the Minister reads some of these Sentences, or makes an exhortation to Charity and Alms.

To do good and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16.
Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble: the Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he shall be blessed upon the earth, and thou wilt not deliver him into the will of his Enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. Psalm xli. 1-3.
He which soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.
Make to yourselves friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Luke, xvi. 9.
Give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. Luke, xi. 41.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, “Come, ye blessed children of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat ; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink ; I was a stranger, and ye took me in ; naked, and ye clothed me ; I was sick, and ye visited me ; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Matt. xxv. 34, 35.
Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Gal. vi. 6, 7.

If there be none fit to gather, the Minister himself shall gather it: and when he hath done or received it from the hand of him that gathered it, let him in an humble manner present it to God, laying it on the Communion Table , secretly and devoutly saying,

Lord, accept the Oblation and Alms of thy people: and remember thy servants for this thing, at the day of Judgment.

Then shall follow the address to the H. Mysteries ; the people shall come up to the H. Table where it is the custom, or near it, where it is most fit to communicate : And then,

The Minister shall say,

Let us pray.

O God, who, by thy unspeakable mercy, hast sent thy only begotten Son into the world, that he might bring the wandering sheep into his fold, turn not away from us miserable sinners, who worship and invocate thee in these Holy Mysteries. For we do not approach to thee in our own righteousness, but in the hope and confidence of that glorious mercy, by which thou hast sent thy holy Son to redeem miserable and lost Mankind. We humbly beseech thee to grant, that these mysteries, which thou hast ordained to be ministries of salvation to us, may not become an occasion of our condemnation, but of pardon of our sins, of the renovation of our souls, of the sanctification and preservation of our bodies, that we may become well-pleasing to thee our God, in the obedience of our Lord Jesus, with whom, and with thy Holy Spirit, thou reignest over all, one God, blessed for evermore. Amen.

Minister.
Lift up your hearts.
People.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Minister.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
People.
It is just and right so to do.
Minister.
It is, indeed, truly just, righteous, and fitting, to praise and to glorify, to worship and adore, to give thanks and to magnify thee, the great Maker of all creatures, visible and invisible, the treasure of all good, temporal and eternal: the fountain of all life, mortal and immortal: the Lord and God of all things in Heaven and Earth, the great Father of his Servants, the great Master of his Children.
The Heavens and the Heaven of Heavens, and every power therein; the Sun and the Moon, and all the stars of the sky; the sea and the earth, the heights above and the depths below; Jerusalem that is from above, the Congregation celestial, the Church of the first-born written in the Heavens, the spirits of the Prophets and of just men made perfect, the souls of the Apostles and all holy Martyrs, Angels and Archangels, Thrones and Dominions, Principalities and Powers, the spirits of Understanding and the spirits of Love, with never-ceasing Hymns and perpetual Anthems cry out, Night and Day,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts! Heaven and Earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!

HERE BEGINNETH THE
COMMUNION.

After a decent pause for short Meditation, the Minister shall, with a loud voice, say,

Our Father, &c.

And then this 'Εκφώνησις, or Denunciation.

LET all corruptible flesh be silent, and stand with fear and trembling, and think within itself nothing that is earthly, nothing that is unholy. The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, Christ our God, comes down from Heaven unto us, and gives himself to be meat for the Souls of all faithful People. All the glorious companies of Angels behold this and wonder, and love and worship Jesus. Every Throne and Dominion, The Cherubim with many Eyes and the Seraphim with many Wings, cover their Faces before the majesty of his Glory, and sing a perpetual song for ever:—

Allelujah, Allelujah.
Glory be to God on high;
and in Earth, peace; good-will towards men.
Allelujah.

Then shall follow this Prayer of Consecration, to be said by the Minister, standing.

I.

Have mercy upon us, O heavenly Father, according to thy glorious mercies and promises, send thy Holy Ghost upon our hearts, and let him also descend upon these gifts, that by his good, his holy, his glorious presence, he may sanctifie and enlighten our hearts, and he may bless and sanctifie these gifts;

That this Bread may become the Holy Body of Christ.

Amen.

And this Chalice may become the life-giving Blood of Christ.

Amen.

That it may become unto us all, that partake of it this day, a Blessed instrument of Union with Christ, of pardon and peace, of health and blessing, of holiness and life Eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

II.

Holy and blessed art thou, O King of Eternal ages, fountain and giver of all righteousness.
Holy art thou, the eternal and onely-begotten Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the World.
Holy art thou, O blessed Spirit, that searchest all things, even the depths and hidden things of God.

Thou, O God, art almighty: thou art good and gracious, dreadful and venerable, holy and mercifull to the work of thine own hands.

Thou didst make man according to thine image; thou gavest him the riches and the rest of Paradise: when he fell and broke thy easy Commandment, thou didst not despise his Folly, nor leave him in his sin ; but didst chastise him with thy rod, and restrain him by thy Law, and instruct him by thy Prophets ; and, at last, didst send thy Holy Son into the World, that he might renew and repair thy broken image.

The People shall answer, Blessed be God!

He, coming from heaven, and taking our flesh, by the power of the Holy Ghost, of the Virgin Mary, conversed with men, and taught us the way of God, and the dispensation of eternal life.

People. Holy Jesus! Blessed be God.

But when for the redemption of us sinners he would suffer death upon the Cross without sin, for us who were nothing but sin and misery, in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread, he looked up to Heaven, he gave thanks, he sanctified it, he brake it, and gave it to his apostles, saying, Take, eat,* This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me. * The Minister at those words shall touch the Bread.

Likewise after Supper he took the Cup; and when he had given thanks and blessed it, 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 the remission of sins. Doe this in remembrance of me. For as often as ye shall eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye shall shew forth the Lord's death till he come.

The People shall answer, Amen.

Minister. We believe, and we confess.
People. We declare thy Death, and confess thy Resurrection.


* Here he must touch or handle the Chalice.

Then the Minister kneeling, shall say this Prayer of Oblation.

I.

We sinners, thy unworthy Servants, in remembrance of thy life-giving passion, thy cross and thy pains, thy death and thy burial, thy resurrection from the dead, and thy ascension into Heaven, thy sitting at the right hand of God, making intercession for us, and expecting, with fear and trembling, thy formidable and glorious return to judge the quick and dead, when thou shalt render to every man according to his works; do humbly present to thee, O Lord, this present Sacrifice of remembrance and thanksgiving, humbly and passionately praying thee not to deal with us according to our sins, nor recompense us after our transgressions; but according to thy abundant mercy, and infinite goodness, to blot out and take away the handwriting that is against us in the Book of Remembrances which thou hast written: and that thou wilt give unto us spiritual, celestial, and eternal gifts, which neither eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to understand, which God hath prepared for them that love him ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall follow the reception and distribution of the Holy Sacrament.

The Minister first receiving, and privately saying this short Prayer.

O blessed Jesus, my Lord and My God, thou art the celestial food and the life of every man that cometh unto thee. I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, and am not worthy to partake of these holy Mysteries; but thou art my merciful Saviour: Grant that I may religiously, thankfully, and without reproof, partake of thy blessed Body and Blood for the remission of my sins, and unto life eternal. Amen.

Then reverently taking in his hand the consecrated Bread, that he means to eat, let him say,

The Body of our Lord Jesus, which was broken for me, preserve my Body and Soul into everlasting life. Amen.

Then praying awhile privately let him receive the Chalice, saying,

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for the remission of my sins, cleanse my Soul, and preserve it into everlasting life. Amen.

Then let him pray awhile privately, and recommend to God his own personal necessities, spiritual and temporal, and the needs of all his Relatives, &c.

After that, let him distribute it first to the Clergy that help to officiate, and after that, to the whole Congregation that offer themselves, saying the same words, changing the person.

While the Minister of the Mysteries is praying privately, the People may secretly pray thus, or to this purpose;

I believe, O God, and confess that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the World to save Sinners, whereof I am chief. Lord, make me this day partaker of thy heavenly Table; for thou dost not give thy secrets to thy Enemies, but to the Sons of thine own House. Let me never give thee a Judas kiss; I confess thee and thy glories, I invocate thee and thy mercies: I trust upon thee and thy goodness like the Thief upon the Cross; Lord, remember me in thy Kingdom, with the remembrances of an everlasting love.

Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but as thou didst vouchsafe to lie in a Manger with Beasts, and to enter into the house of Simon the leper, nor didst despise the repenting harlot when she kissed thy Feet; so vouchsafe to lodge in my Soul, though it be a place of beastly affections and unreasonable passions; throw them out and dwell there for ever; purify my Soul, accept the Sinner, cleanse the Leper, so shall I be worthy to partake of this Divine Banquet. Amen.

When everyone the Communicants hath received in both kinds, let the Paten and Chalice (if any of the Consecrated Elements remain) be decently covered, and then shall follow these Prayers.

THE POST-COMMUNION.
The Minister and People devoutly kneeling, shall say the Lord's Prayer, the People repeating every Petition after the Minister.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name: Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven: Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our 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.

Then the Minister shall pray this Prayer for the Catholick Church.

I.

Receive, O eternal God, this Sacrifice for and in behalf of all Christian people, whom thou hast redeemed with the Blood of thy Son, and purchased as thine own inheritance. From the fountains of mercy, the springs of our blessed Saviour, let all thy People, upon whom the name of Jesus is called, receive Confirmation and increase of Grace, fruitfulness in good works, and perfect understanding in the way of Godliness. Defend, O God, thy Church, and preserve her from all Heresie and Scandal, from Sacrilege and Simony, from Covetousness and Pride, from Factions and Schism, from Atheism and Irreligion, from all that persecute the Truth, and from all that work Wickedness, and let not the Gates of Hell prevail against her, nor any Evil come near to hurt her.

II.

Give thy Blessing, God, to this Nation; remember us for good, and not for evil; be reconciled unto us in the Son of thy love, and let not thine anger be any longer upon us, nor thy jealousy burn like fire. Send us health and peace, justice and truth, good laws and good government; an excellent religion, undivided, undisturbed; temperate air, seasonable showers, wholesom dews, fruitful seasons: crown the year with goodness, and let the clouds drop fatness, that we may glorify thy name, and confess thy goodness, while thou bearest witness to us from heaven, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

III.

With a propitious eye, and a great pity, behold the miseries of mankind; put a speedy period to all our sins and to all our calamities: hear the sighings of the distressed, the groans of the sick, the prayers of the oppressed, the desires of the poor and needy; support the weakness of them that languish and faint; ease the pains of them that are in affliction, and call to thee for help. Take from the miserable all tediousness of spirit and despair: pardon all the penitents, reform the vicious, confirm the holy, and let them be holy still; pity the folly of young men, their little reason and great passion; succour the infirmities and temptations of the aged, preserving them that they may not sin towards the end of their lives; for Jesus Christ's sake.

IV.

Admit, O blessed God, into the society of our prayers, and the benefits of this Eucharist, our Fathers and Brethren, our Wives and Children, our Friends and Benefactors, our Charges and Relatives, all that have desired our Prayers and all that need them, all that we have, and all that we have not, remembered ; thou knowest all their necessities and all their dwellings, their joys and their sorrows, their hopes and their fears, the number of their sins and the measures of their repentances; O dear God, sanctify them and us; let our portion be in the good things of God, in Religion and Purity, in the peace of Conscience, and the joys of the Holy Ghost, in the love of God and of our Neighbours. O gather us to the feet of thy Elect when thou wilt, and in what manner thou art pleased: only let us appear before thee without shame and without sins, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our most merciful Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

Then shall follow the Eucharistical Prayers.

I.

GLORY be to thee, O God our Father, who hast vouchsafed to make us at this time partakers of the Body and Blood of thy holy Son : we offer unto thee, O God, our selves, our Souls and Bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living Sacrifice unto thee: keep us under the shadow of thy Wings, and defend us from all evil, and conduct us by thy Holy Spirit of Grace into all good ; for thou who hast given thy holy Son unto us, how shalt not thou with him give us all things else? Blessed be the name of our God for ever and ever. Amen.

II.

Glory be to thee, O Christ, our King, the only begotten Son of God, who wert pleas’d to become a sacrifice for our sins, a redemption from calamity, the physician and the physick, the life and the health, the meat and the drink of our Souls; thou, by thy unspeakable mercy, didst descend to the weakness of sinful flesh, remaining still in the perfect purity of Spirit, and hast made us partakers of thy holy Body and Blood : O condemn us not when thou comest to judgment, but keep us ever in thy truth, in thy fear, and in thy favour, that we may have our portion in thine inheritance, where holiness and purity, where joy and everlasting praises, do dwell for ever and ever. Amen.

III.

Proceeding from glory to glory, we still glorifie thee, O Father of Spirits, and pray thee for ever to continue thy goodness towards us. Direct our way aright, establish us in holy purposes, keep us unspotted in thy faith, let the enemy have no part in us, but conform us for ever to the likeness of thy holy Son; lead us on to the perfect adoption of our souls, and to the redemption of our bodies from corruption, and fill our hearts and tongues with everlasting praises of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The 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 Jesus Christ our Lord : And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be upon you, and abide with you, and be your portion for ever and ever. Amen.

The End of the Communion Office