Part 38 (1/2)

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

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

Hear also what Saint Paul saith.

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

Hear also what Saint John saith.

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

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

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

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

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

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

_Here the person receiving shall say_, Amen.

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

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

_Here the person receiving shall say_, Amen.

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

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

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

Having now received the precious body and blood of Christ, let us give thanks to our Lord G.o.d, who hath graciously vouchsafed to admit us to the partic.i.p.ation of his holy mysteries; and let us beg of him grace to perform our vows, and to persevere in our good resolutions; and that being made holy, we may obtain everlasting life, through the merits of the all-sufficient sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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

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

Almighty and everliving G.o.d, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us, who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost a.s.sure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us, and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people, and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of his most precious death and pa.s.sion. We now most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to a.s.sist us with thy Holy Spirit, that we may continue in that holy communion and fellows.h.i.+p, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in, through Jesus Christ our Lord: to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. _Amen_.

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

Glory be to G.o.d in the highest, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we wors.h.i.+p thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord G.o.d, heavenly King, G.o.d the Father Almighty; and to thee, O G.o.d, the only begotten Son Jesu Christ; and to thee, O G.o.d, the Holy Ghost.

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