Page images
PDF
EPUB

The Communion of the Sick.

Forasmuch as all mortal men be subject to many sudden perils, diseases, and sicknesses, and ever uncertain what time they shall depart out of this life; therefore, to the intent they may be always in a readiness to die, whensoever it shall please ALMIGHTY GOD to call them, the Curates shall diligently from time to time (but especially in the time of pestilence, or other infectious sickness) exhort their Parishioners to the often receiving of the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our SAVIOUR CHRIST, when it shall be publicly administered in the Church; that so doing, they may, in case of sudden visitation, have the less cause to be disquieted for lack of the same. But if the sick person be not able to come to the Church, and yet is desirous to receive the Communion in his house; then he must give timely notice to the Curate, signifying also how many there are to communicate with him, (which shall be three, or two at the least,) and having a convenient place in the sick man's house, with all things necessary so prepared, that the Curate may reverently minister, he shall there celebrate the holy Communion, beginning with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, here following.

THE COLLECT.

ALMIGHTY, everliving GOD, Maker of mankind, who dost correct those whom Thou dost love, and chastise every one whom Thou dost receive; We beseech Thee to have mercy upon this Thy servant visited with Thine hand, and to grant that he may take his sickness patiently, and recover his bodily health, (if it be Thy gracious will;) and whensoever his soul shall depart from the body, it may be without spot presented unto Thee: through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen.

THE EPISTLE (HEB. xii. 5).

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the LORD, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. For whom the LORD loveth He chasteneth; and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.

THE GOSPEL (S. JOHN v. 24).

VERILY, verily I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

After which the Priest shall proceed according to the form for the holy Communion, beginning at these words: [Ye that do truly, &c.]

YE that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of GOD, and walking from henceforth in His holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to ALMIGHTY GOD, meekly kneeling upon your knees.

¶ Then shall this general Confession be made, in the name of all those that are minded to receive the holy Communion, by one of the Ministers; both he and all the people kneeling humbly upon their knees, and saying,

ALMIGHTY GOD, FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against Thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly Thy wrath and indigna

tion against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon

us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful FATHER; For Thy SON our LORD JESUS CHRIST's sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please Thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of Thy Name; Through JESUS CHRIST Our LORD. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Priest (or the Bishop, being present) stand up, and turning himself to the people, pronounce this Absolution.

ALMIGHTY GOD, our heavenly FATHER, who of His great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins. to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto Him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through JESUS CHRIST Our LORD. Amen.

T Then shall the Priest say,

HEAR what comfortable words our SAVIOUR CHRIST saith unto all that truly turn to Him.

COME unto Me, all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. S. Matth. xi. 28.

So GOD loved the world, that He gave His only begotten SoN, to the end that all that believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. S. John iii. 16.

Hear also what Saint Paul saith.

This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners. 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 S. John ii. 1.

After which the Priest shall proceed, saying,

Lift up your hearts.

Answer. We lift them up unto the LORD.
Priest. Let us give thanks unto our LORD GOD.
Answer. It is meet and right so to do.

¶ Then shall the Priest turn to the LORD'S Table, and say, Ir is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in * These words all places, give thanks unto Thee, [Holy Father] O LORD, Holy FATHER,* Almighty, on Trinity SunEverlasting God.

must be omitted

day.

Here shall follow the proper Preface, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed: or else immediately shall follow,

THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Thy glorious Name; evermore praising Thee, and saying,

Holy, holy, holy, LORD GOD of hosts, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory: Glory be to Thee, O LORD Most High. Amen.

PROPER PREFACES.

¶ Upon CHRISTMAS-DAY, and seven days after. BECAUSE Thou didst give JESUS CHRIST Thine only Son to be born as at this time for us; who, by the operation of the HOLY GHOST, was made very Man of the substance of the Virgin Mary His mother; and that without spot of sin, to

make us clean from all sin.

Angels, &c.

Therefore with

¶ 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 Angels, &c.

¶ Upon ASCENSION-DAY, and seven days after.

THROUGH Thy most dearly beloved SON JESUS CHRIST Our LORD; who after His most glorious Resurrection manifestly appeared to all His Apostles, and in their sight ascended up into heaven to prepare a place for us; that where He is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with Him in glory. Therefore with Angels, &c.

¶ Upon WHIT-SUNDAY, and six days after. THROUGH JESUS CHRIST Our LORD; according to whose most true promise, the HOLY GHOST came down as at this time from heaven with a sudden great sound, as it 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 divers languages, and also boldness with fervent zeal constantly to preach the Gospel unto all nations; whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of Thee, and of Thy SON JESUS CHRIST. Therefore with Angels, &c.

« PreviousContinue »