1637 Scottish Book of Common Prayer: Holy Communion · The 1637 Scottish Book of Common Prayer: Front Matter

The Book of Common Prayer

	The Book of Common Prayer for Scotland (1637)

The order of the Administration of
the Lords Supper, or holy Communion
SO
many as intend to bee partakers of the holy Communion, shall signifie
their names to the Presbyter or curate over night, or else in the
morning afore the beginning of Morning prayer, or immediatly after.
And if any of those bee an open and notorious evil
liver, so that the Church by him is offended, or have done any wrong
to his neighbours by word or deed: the Presbyter or Curate having knowledge
thereof, shall call him, and advertise him, in any wise not to presume
to come to the Lords Table, untill he have openly declared himself
to have truely repented and amended his former naughty life, that the
Church may thereby bee satisfied, which afore was offended, and that
he have recompensed the parties whom he hath done wrong unto, or at
the least declare himself to be in full purpose so to do, assoone as
he conveniently may.
The same order shall the Presbyter or Curate use
with those betwixt whom he preceiveth malice and hatred to reigne,
not suffering them to be partakers of the Lords Table untill he know
them to be reconciled. And if one of the parties so at variance, be
content to forgive from the bottome of his heart all that the other
hath trespassed against him, and to make amends for that he himself
hath offended, and the other party will not be perswaded to a godly
unity, but remaine still in his frowardnesse and malice : the Presbyter
or Minister in that case ought to admit the penitent person to the
holy Communion, and not him that is obstinate.
The holy Table having at the Communion time a Carpet,
and a fair white linen cloth upon it, with other decent furniture,
meet for the high mysteries there to be celebrated, shall stand in
uppermost part of the Chancell or Church, where the Presbyter standing
at the north-side or end thereof, shall say the Lords prayer with this
Collect following for due preparation.
The
initial rubrics of the Communion Service, as printed above
Second
page of the Communion Service, as printed below.
(clicking on the images will bring up a larger, readable version)
OUR Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdome 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 wee forgive them that trespasse
against us. And leade us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
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 wee may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnifie
thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶
Then shall the Presbyter, turning to the people, rehearse distinctly
all the TEN COMMANDEMENTS
: The people all the while kneeling, and asking God mercy for the transgression
of every duty therein; either according to the letter, or to the mysticall
importance of the said Commandement.
G
OD
spake these words and said, I am the Lord thy God : Thou shalt have none
other gods but me.
People.
Lord have mercy upon us, and encline our hearts to
keep this Law.
Presbyter.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or
any likenesse of any thing, that is in heaven above, or
that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under
the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thy self to them, nor serve them :
for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity
of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation
of them that hate me : and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love
me, and keep my Commandements.
People.
Lord have mercy upon us, and encline our hearts &c.
Presbyter.
Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in
vain : for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his
Name in vain.
People.
Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts &c.
Presbyter.
Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy. Six dayes
shalt thou labour, and do all thy work. But the seventh day is
the sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any
work, thou, nor thy sonne, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy
maid-servant, nor thy cattell, nor thy stranger that is within
thy gates. For in six dayes the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea,
and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : wherefore
the Lord blessed the sabbath-day and hallowed it.
People.
Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts, &c.
Presbyter.
Honour thy father and thy mother : that thy dayes may
be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
People.
Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts, &c.
Presbyter.
Thou shalt not kill.
People.
Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts, &c.
Presbyter.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
People.
Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts, &c.
Presbyter.
Thou shalt not steal.
People.
Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts, &c.
Presbyter.
Thou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy neighbour.
People.
Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts, &c.
Presbyter.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house, thou shalt
not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant,
nor his ox, nor his asse, nor any thing that is thy neighbours.
People.
Lord have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws
in our hearts, we beseech thee.
¶
Then shall follow one of these two Collects for the King, and the
Collect of the day, the Presbyter standing up, and saying,
¶
Let us pray.
ALMIGHTY
God, whose kingdome is everlasting, and power infinite, have mercy upon
thy holy Catholike Church, and in this particular Church in which wee
live so rule the heart of thy chosen servant CHARLES, our King
and Governour, that he (knowing whose minister he is) may above all
things seek thy honour and glory; and that wee his subjects (duly considering
whose authority hee hath) may faithfully serve, honour, and humbly obey
him, in thee, and for thee, according 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 doest dispose
and turn them as it seemeth best to thy godly wisdome : we humbly
beseech thee, so to dispose and govern the heart of CHARLES,
thy servant, our King and Governour, that in all his thoughts, words,
and works, he may ever seeke thy honour and glory, and study to
preserve thy people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, and
godlinesse : Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear Sonnes
sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶
Immediately after the Collects, the Presbyter shall read the Epistle,
saying thus : The Epistle written
in the Chapter of at
the verse.
And when he hath done, he shall say : Here
endeth the Epistle. And the Epistle ended, the Gospel shall
bee read, the Presbyter saying : The holy
Gospel is written in the Chapter
of at the verse.
And then the people all standing up shall say : Glory be to
thee, O Lord. At the end of the Gospel, the Presbyter shall say
:
So endeth the holy Gospel. And the people shall answer :
Thanks be to thee, O Lord. And the Epistle and Gospel being
ended, shall be said or sung the Creed, all still reverently standing
up.
I
Beleeve 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 onely begotten Sonne 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 hee rose again according to the Scriptures, 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 Kingdome shall have no end. And I beleeve in the holy Ghost,
the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and
the Sonne, who with the Father and the Sonne together is worshipped
and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And I beleeve one Catholike
and Apostolique Church. I acknowledge one Baptisme 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 Creede, if there be no Sermon, shall follow one of the
Homilies which shall hereafter be set forth by common authority.
After
such Sermon, Homily, or exhortation, the Presbyter or Curate shall
declare unto the people whether there bee any Holy-dayes or Fasting-dayes
the week following, and earnestly exhort them to remember the
poore, saying (for the offertory) one or moe of these sentences
following, as he thinketh most convenient by his discretion, according
to the length, or shortnesse of the time that the people are offering.
And	Gen. 4. 3.
in processe of time it came to passe, that Cain brought of the fruit
of the ground an offring unto the Lord : and Abel, he also brought
of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the
Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offring: but unto Cain and
to his offring he had not respect.
Speak	Exod.
unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offring : of every	25. 2.
man that giveth it willingly with his heart, yee shall take my offring.
Ye	Deut.
shall not appear before the Lord empty : every man shall give as he	16. 16.
is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which he hath
given you.
David	1
blessed the Lord before all the congregation : and said, Blessed be	Chron. 29. 10.
thou, O Lord God, for ever and ever; Thine, O Lord, is the greatnesse,
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 kingdome,
O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all : Both riches and honour
come of thee, and of thine own do wee give unto thee. I know
also my God, that thou tryest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightnesse.
As for me, in the uprightnesse of my heart I have willingly offered
all these things. And now have I seen with joy thy people which are
present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
Give	Psal.
unto the Lord the glory due unto his name, bring an offering, and come	96. 8.
into his courts.
Lay	Matth.
not up for your selves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth	6. 19, 20.
corrupt, and where theeves breake through and steal. But lay up for
your selves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where theeves doe not break through nor steal.
Not	Mat.
everie one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdome	7. 12.
of heaven : but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus	Mar.
sate over against the treasurie, and beheld how the people cast	12. 41, 42, 43, 44.
money into it : and many that were rich cast in much. And there
came a certain poore widow, and she threw in two mites, which make
a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto
them, Verily, I say unto you, that this poore widow hath cast more
in, than all they which have cast into the treasurie. For all they
did cast in of their abundance: but she of her want did cast in
all that she had, even all her
living.
Who
goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard,	1 Cor. 9. 7.
and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth
not of the milk of the flock?
If	1
we have sown unto you spirituall things, is it a great thing if we shall	Cor. 9. 11.
reap your carnall things?
Do	1
ye not know that they which minister about holy things, live of the	Cor. 9. 13, 14.
things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar, are partakers
with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach
the Gospel, should live of the Gospel.
He
which soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly: and he which soweth	2 Cor. 9. 6, 7.
bountifully, shal reap bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth
in his heart,
so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity : for God loveth
a cheerfull giver.
Let	Galat.
him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth,	6. 6, 7.
in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Charge	1
them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor	Tim. 6. 17, 18, 19.
trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly
all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to distribute, willing to communicate : laying up in store for
themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may
lay hold on eternall life.
God	Heb.
is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love, which ye	6. 10.
have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints,
and do minister.
To	Heb.
do good, and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God	13. 16.
is well pleased.
¶ While
the Presbyter distinctly pronounceth some or all of these sentences
for the offertory, the Deacon, or (if no such be present) one
of the Church-wardens shall receive the devotions of the people
there present in a bason provided for that purpose. And when all
have offered, hee shall reverently bring the said bason with the
oblations therein, and deliver it to the Presbyter, who shall
humbly present it before the Lord, and set it upon the holy Table.
And the Presbyter shall then offer up and place the bread and
wine prepared for the Sacrument upon the Lords Table, that it
may be ready for that service. And then he shall say,
¶ Let
us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth.
ALMIGHTY	If
and everliving God, which by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to	there be no alms given to the poore, then shall the words (of
make prayers and supplications, and to give thankes for all men	accepting our almes) be left out unsaid.
: we humbly beseech thee most mercifully (to accept our almes,
and) to receive
these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine Majestie, beseeching
thee to inspire continually, the universall Church with the spirit
of truth, unitie, and concord : and grant that all they that do confesse
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 Governours, and specially thy servant Charles	When
our King, that under him we may be godly and quietly governed : and	there is no communion, these words thus inclosed [....] are to be left
grant unto his whole counsell, and to all that be put in authoritie	out.
under him, that they may truely and indifferently minister justice,
to the punishment of wickednesse and vice, and to the maintenance
of Gods true religion and vertue. Give grace (O heavenly Father) to
all Bishops, Presbyters, and Curates, that they may both by their
life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively word, and rightly
and duely administer thy holy sacraments : and to all thy people give
thy heavenly grace, that with meek heart and due reverence, they may
heare and receive thy holy word, truly serving thee in holinesse and
righteousnesse all the dayes of their life. [And we commend especially
unto thy mercifull goodnesse the congregation which is here assembled
in thy name to celebrate the commemoration of the most precious death
and sacrifice of thy Son and our Saviour Jesus Christ.] And we most
humbly beseech thee of thy goodnesse, O Lord, to comfort and succour
all them which in this transitory life be in trouble, sorrow, need,
sicknesse, or any other adversitie. And we also blesse thy holy name
for all those thy servants, who having finished their course in faith,
do now rest from their labours. And wee yeeld unto thee most high
praise and hearty thankes for the wonderfull grace and vertue declared
in all thy saints, who have been the choice vessels of thy grace, and
the lights of the world in their severall generations : most humbly
beseeching thee, that we may have grace to follow the example of their
stedfastnesse in thy faith, and obedience to thy holy commandments,
that at the day of the generall resurrection, wee, and all they which
are of the mysticall body of thy Son, may be
set on his right hand, and hear that his most joyfull voice, Come yee
blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the
foundation of the world. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christs sake
our only Mediatour and Advocate. Amen.
¶
Then shall follow this exhortation at certain times when the Presbyter
or 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
Lords supper, unto the which in Gods behalfe I bid you all that be here
present, and beseech you for the Lord Jesus Christs sake, that yee will
not refuse to come thereto, being so lovingly called and bidden of God
himself. Ye know how grievous and unkinde a thing it is, when a man
hath prepared a rich feast, decked his table with all kinde 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 your selves from this
holy supper, provoke Gods indignation against you. It is an easie matter
for a man to say, I will not communicate, because I am otherwise letted
with worldly busines : but such excuses bee 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 your self and say that you
be not ready? Consider earnestly with your selves how little such fained
excuses shall availe before God. They that refused the feast in the
Gospel, because they had bought a Farme, or would try their yokes of
Oxen, or because they were married, were not so excused but counted
unworthy of that 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 offer up himself by death upon the crosse for our salvation
: even so it is our duty to celebrate and receive the holy Communion
together in the remembrance of his death and sacrifice, as hee himself
commanded. Now if you will in no wise thus do, consider with your selves
how great injurie you do unto God, and how sore punishment hangeth over
your heads for the same. And whereas you offend God so grievously in
refusing this holy banquet, I admonish, exhort, and beseech you that
unto this unkindnes ye will not add any more : Which thing ye shal do,
if ye stand by as gazers, and lookers on them that do communicate, and
be not partakers of the same your selves. For what thing can this be
accounted else, than a further contempt and unkindnesse unto God? Truely
it is a great unthankfulnesse to say nay when ye be called : but the
fault is much greater when men stand by, and yet will not receive this
holy sacrament which is offered unto them. 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 drinke ye all of this, Do this
in remembrance of me. With what face then, or with what countenance
shall ye heare these words? what will this be else but a neglecting,
a despising, and mocking of the testament of Christ? wherefore, rather
then 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 your
selves from whom you depart: ye depart from the Lords Table, ye depart
from your brethren, and from the banquet of most heavenly food. These
things if yee earnestly consider, yee shall by Gods grace return to
a better minde : for the obtaining whereof we shall make our humble
petitions, while we shall receive the Holy Communion.
¶ And sometime this be said also,
at the discretion of the Presbyter or Curate.
DEarly
beloved, forasmuch as our duty is to render to almighty God our heavenly
Father most hearty thanks, for that he hath given his Son our Saviour
Jesus Christ, not only to die for us, but also to be our spirituall
food and sustenance, as it is declared unto us, as well by Gods word,
as by the holy sacrament of his blessed body and bloud, the which being
so comfortable a thing to them which receive it worthily, and so dangerous
to them that will presume to receive it unworthily : my duty is to exhort
you to consider the dignitie of the holy mysterie, and the great peril
of the unworthy receiving thereof, and so to search and examine your
owne consciences, as you should come holy and clean to a most godly
and heavenly feast, so that in no wise you come but in the marriage
garment, required of God in holy Scripture, and so come and be received
as worthy partakers of such a heavenly Table. The way and the means
thereto is : First to examine your lives and conversation by the rule
of Gods commandments, and wherein soever ye shall perceive your selves
to have offended, either by will, word, or deed, there bewaile your
own sinfull lives, confesse your selves to Almighty God with full purpose
of amendment of life. And if yee shall perceive your offenses to be
such as be not only against God but also against your neighbours : then
ye shall reconcile your selves unto them, 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 likewise being ready
to forgive other that have offended you, as you would have forgivenesse
of your offenses at Gods hand : for otherwise the receiving of the holy
Communion doth nothing else but increase your damnation. And because
it is requisite that no man should come to the holy Communion but with
a full trust in Gods mercy, and with a quiet conscience : therefore
if there be any of you which by the means aforesaid, cannot quiet his
own conscience, but requireth further comfort or counsell, then let
him come to mee, or some other discreet and learned Presbyter or Minister
of Gods Word, and open his griefe that he may receive such ghostly counsel,
advice, and comfort as his conscience may be relieved, and that by the
ministry of Gods word he may receive comfort and the benefit of absolution,
to the quieting of his conscience, and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulnesse.
¶ Then
shall thePresbyter say this exhortation.
DEarly
beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the holy Communion of the
Body and Bloud of our Saviour Christ, must consider what S. Paul writeth
to the Corinthians, how he exhorteth all persons diligently to trie
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 wee receive that holy Sacrament : (for then we
spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drinke his bloud; then we dwell
in Christ and Christ in us; wee 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 bloud of Christ our Saviour; we eat
and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lords body : we kindle
Gods wrath against us: we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases,
and sundry kindes 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, bewaile your sinnes,
and come not to this holy table; lest after the taking of that holy
sacrament, the devil enter into you, as he entred into Judas, and fill
you full of all iniquities, and bring you to destruction, both of body
and soul. Judge therefore your selves (brethren) that yee be not judged
of the Lord. Repent you truely for your sins past : have a lively and
stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour. Amend your lives, and be in perfect
charitie with all men, so shall yee be meet partakers of those holy
mysteries. And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty
thanks to God the Father, the Sonne, 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 crosse for
us miserable sinners, which lay in darknesse 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 Saviour Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and
the innumerable benefits which by his precious bloud-shedding hee hath
obtained to us : he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as
pledges of his love, and continuall remembrance of his death, to our
great and endlesse comfort. To him therefore, with the Father and the
holy Ghost, let us give (as we are most bounden) continuall thanks,
submitting our selves wholly to his holy will and pleasure, and studying
to serve him in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our
life. Amen.
¶
Then shall the Presbyter say to them that come to receive the holy
Communion this invitation.
YOu
that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sinnes, and be in
love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new
life, following the Commandements of God, and walking from henceforth
in his holy wayes : Draw neere, 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, meekely
kneeling upon your knees.
¶
Then shall this generall confession be made in the name of all those
that are minded to receive the holy Communion, either by the Presbyter
himself, or the Deacon, both he and all the people kneeling humbly upon
their knees.
ALmighty
God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge
of all men, we acknowledge and bewaile our manifold sins and wickednesse,
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 burthen of them is intolerable. Have mercy
upon us, have mercy upon us most mercifull Father, for thy Sonne
our Lord Jesus Christs sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant that
wee may ever hereafter serve and please thee, in newnesse of life,
to the honour and glory of thy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
¶ Then
shall the Presbyter or the Bishop (being present) stand up, and
turning himself to the people, pronounce the absolution, as followeth.
ALmighty
God our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgivenesse
of sinnes 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, confirme and strengthen you in all goodnesse, and
bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then
shall the Presbyter also say.
¶ Hear
what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith, to all that truly turn
to him.
	Matth.
Come unto me all that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give	11. 28.
you rest. So God loved the world, that he gave his onely begotten
Sonne : that whosoever beleeveth in him, should not perish but	John 3. 16.
have everlasting life.
¶ Hear
also what S. Paul saith.
	1
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ	Tim. 1. 15.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
¶ Hear
also what Saint John saith.
	1
If any man sinne, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ	John 2. 1, 2.
the righteous : and hee is the propitiation for our sinnes.
¶ After the which the Presbyter shall proceede, saying,
Lift up your hearts.
Answer.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Presbyter.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
Answer.
It is meet and right so to do.
Presbyter.
It 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.
¶ Here
shall follow the proper Preface, according to the time, if there bee
any especially appointed : or else immediately shall follow,
Therefore
with Angels and Archangels, &c.
Proper prefaces.
¶ Upon
Christmas day, and seven dayes after.
BEcause
thou diddest give Jesus Christ thine only Son to be born as on
this day for us, who by the operation of the holy Ghost, was made
very man, of the substance of the blessed virgin Mary his mother,
and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. Therefore
with angels, and archangels, &c.
¶ Upon
Easter day, and seven dayes 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 Paschall lambe,
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
the Ascension day, and seven dayes after.
THrough
thy most dearely beloved Sonne 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 reigne with
him in glorie. Therefore, with angels, and archangels, &c.
¶ Upon
Whitsunday, and six dayes 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 winde in the likenesse of fierie 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 boldnesse
with fervent zeal constantly to preach the Gospel unto all nations,
whereby we are brought out of darknesse and errour, into the clear
light, and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son Jesus Christ.
Therefore with angels, &c.
¶ Upon
the Feast of Trinity onely.
IT
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 onely
person, but three persons in one substance. For that which we believe
of the glory of the Father, the same wee beleeve of the Sonne, and
of the holy Ghost, without any difference or inequality. Therefore
with Angels, &c.
¶ After
which Prefaces, shall follow immediatly this doxologie.
THEREFORE
with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud
and magnifie 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 the Presbyter standing up, shall say the prayer of consecration,
as followeth, but then during the time of consecration, he shall stand
at such a part of the holy Table, where he may with the more ease
and decency use both his hands.
Pages
covering the Prayer of Consecration through the Prayer of Humble Access
(clicking
on the images will bring up a larger, readable version)
ALmighty	At
God our heavenly Father, which of thy tender mercy didst give thy	these words (took
onely Sonne Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Crosse for our	bread)
redemption, who made there (by his one oblation of himself once	the Presbyter that officiates is to take the Paten in his hand.
offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and	At these words (took the cup) he is to take
satisfaction for the sinnes of the whole world, and did institute,	the chalice in his hand, and lay his hand upon so much, be it in chalice
and in his holy gospel command us to continue a perpetuall memory	or flagons, as he intends to consecrate.
of that his precious death and sacrifice, untill his coming again
: Heare us, O mercifull Father, we most humbly beseech thee, and
of thy almighty goodnesse vouchsafe so to blesse and sanctifie with
thy word and holy Spirit these thy gifts and creatures of bread
and wine, that they may bee unto us the body and bloud of thy most
dearly beloved Son; so that wee receiving them according to thy
Sonne our Saviour Jesus Christs holy institution, in remembrance
of his death and passion, may be partakers of the same his most
precious body and bloud: who in the 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, Drinke
yee all of this, for this is my bloud of the new testament, which
is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins : do this
as oft as ye shall drink it in remembrance of me.
¶ Immediatly
after shall be said this memoriall or prayer of oblation, as followeth.
WHerefore,
O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly
beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we thy humble servants do celebrate
and make here before thy divine Majestie, with these thy holy gifts,
the memoriall which thy Son hath willed us to make, having in remembrance
his blessed passion, mightie resurrection, and glorious assension,
rendring unto thee most heartie thankes for the innumerable benefits
procured unto us by the same. And we entirely desire thy Fatherly
goodnesse, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits
and death of thy Sonne Jesus Christ, and through faith in his bloud,
we (and all thy whole church) may obtain remission of our sinnes,
and all other benefits of his passion. And here wee offer and present
unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable,
holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee, humbly beseeching thee, that
whosoever shall be partakers of this holy communion, may worthily
receive the most precious bodie and bloud of thy Son Jesus Christ,
and be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made
one bodie with him, that he may dwell in them, and they in him. And
although wee be unworthie, through our manifold sinnes, to offer
unto thee any sacrifice: yet wee beseech thee to accept this our
bounden dutie and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning
our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord ; by whom, and with whom,
in the unitie of the holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee,
O Father almightie, world without end. Amen.
¶ Then
shall the Presbyter say : As our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught
us, we are bold to say,
OUR
Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdome come.
Thy will bee done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as wee forgive them that
trespasse against us. And lead us not into temptation : but deliver
us from evil. For thine is the kingdome, the power, and the glorie,
for ever and ever. Amen.
¶ Then
shall the Presbyter kneeling down at Gods board, say in the name of
all them that shall communicate, this collect of humble accesse to the
holy communion, as followeth.
WE
do not presume to come to this thy table (O mercifull Lord) trusting
in our own righteousnesse, but in thy manifold and great mercies.
We be not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbes under thy table.
But thou art the same Lord, whose propertie is alwayes to have mercie
: grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear
Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his bloud, that our sinfull bodies
may bee made cleane by his body, and our souls washed through his
most precious blood, and that wee may evermore dwell in him, and
he in us. Amen.
¶ Then
shall the Bishop, if he be present, or else the Presbyter that celebrateth,
first receive the communion in both kindes himself, and next deliver
it to other Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons, (if any be there present)
that they may help him that celebrateth; and after to the people in
due order, all humbly kneeling. And when he receiveth himself, or delivereth
the bread to others, he shall say this benediction.
THE
body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy
body and soul unto everlasting life.
Here
the partie receiving shall say, Amen.
¶ And
the Presbyter or Minister that receiveth the cup himself, or delivereth
it to others, shall say this benediction.
THE
bloud of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee, preserve thy
body and soul unto everlasting life.
Here the party receiving
shall say, Amen.
¶ When
all have communicated, he that celebrates shall go to the Lords table,
and cover with a fair linen cloth, or corporall, that which remaineth
of the consecrated elements, and then say this collect of thanksgiving,
as followeth.
ALmightie
and everliving God, wee most heartily thank thee, for that thou doest
vouchsafe to feed us, which have duely received these holy mysteries,
with the spirituall food of the most precious body and bloud of thy
Sonne our Saviour Jesus Christ, and doest assure us thereby of thy
favour and goodnesse towards us, and that we be very members incorporate
in thy mysticall body, which is the blessed companie of all faithfull
people, and be also heires through hope of thy everlasting kingdome,
by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear
Sonne : 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 honour and glorie, world without end. Amen.
¶ Then
shall be said or sung, Gloria in Excelsis, in English as followeth.
GLorie
be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will toward men. We praise
thee, we blesse thee, wee worship thee, wee glorify thee, wee give thanks
to thee for thy great glorie, O Lord God heavenly king, God the Father
Almighty. O Lord, the only begotten Sonne Jesu Christ: O Lord God, Lamb
of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sinnes of the world,
have mercie upon us. Thou that takest away the sinnes of the world,
have mercie upon us. Thou that takest away the sinnes of the world,
receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father,
have mercie 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 glorie
of God the Father. Amen.
¶ Then
the Presbyter, or Bishop, if he be present, shall let them depart with
this blessing.
THE
peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and mindes
in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord
: and the blessing of God Almightie, the Father, the Son, and the holy
Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you alwayes. Amen.
¶ After
the divine service ended, that which was offered shall be divided in
the presence of the Presbyter, and the Churchwardens, whereof one half
shall be to the use of the Presbyter to provide him books of holy divinity:
the other half shall be faithfully kept and employed on some pious or
charitable use, for the decent furnishing of that Church, or the public
relief of the poore, at the discretion of the Presbyter and Churchwardens.
Collects
to be said after the offertory
when there is no Communion ; every such day one or more. And the same
may bee said also as often as occasion shall serve, after the Collects
either of Morning and Evening prayer, Communion, or Letany, by the discretion
of the Presbyter or Minister.
ASsist
us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications, and prayers, and
dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting
salvation, that among all the changes and chances of this mortall life,
they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready helpe, through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
O
Almighty LORD, and everlasting God,
vouchsafe we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and governe both our
hearts and bodies, in the wayes of thy Laws, and in the works of thy
Commandements; that through thy most mighty protection, both here and
ever, wee may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. Amen.
GRant
we beseech thee Almighty God, that the words which wee have heard this
day with our outward eares 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 honour and praise of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
PRevent
[=lead]
us, O LORD, in all our doings, with
thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continuall help; that
in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorifie
thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALmighty
GOD the fountain of all wisedome,
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 unworthinesse wee dare not, and for our blindnesse
wee cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us for the worthinesse of thy Sonne
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALmighty
GOD which hast promised to heare the
petitions of them that ask in thy Sons Name, we beseech thee mercifully
to encline 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 bee obtained, to the relief of
our necessitie, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
UPON
the Holy dayes (if there be no Communion) shall be said all that is
appointed at the Communion, untill the end of the Homily, concluding
with the generall prayer (For the whole estate of Christs Church
militant here in earth) and one or mo of these Collects before rehearsed,
as occasion shall serve.
¶ And there shall be no public
celebration of the Lords Supper except there be a sufficient number
to communicate with the priest, according to his discretion.
¶ And if there be not above twenty
persons in the parish, of discretion to receive the communion; yet there
shall be no Communion, except foure or three at the least communicate
with the priest.
¶ And in Cathedrall and Collegiat
Churches, where be many Presbyters, and Deacons, they shall all receive
the communion with the Presbyter that celebrates every Sunday at the
least, except they have a reasonable cause to the contrary.
¶ And to take away the superstition,
which any person hath or might have in the Bread and Wine (though it
be lawfull to have wafer bread) it shall suffice that the Bread be such
as is usuall : yet the best and purest Wheat Bread that conveniently
may be gotten. And if any of the Bread and Wine remaine, which is consecrated,
it shall be reverently eaten and drunk by such of the communicants only
as the Presbyter which celebrates shall take unto him, but it shall
not be carried out of the Church. And to the end that there be little
left, he that officiates is required to consecrate with the least, and
then if there be want, the words of consecration may be repeated again,
over more, either bread or wine : the Presbyter beginning at the words
in the prayer of consecration (our Saviour in the night that he
was betrayed, took, &c.)
¶ The Bread and Wine for the Communion
shall be provided by the Curate and the Churchwardens, at the charges
of the Parish.
¶ And note, that every parishioner
shall communicate at the least three times in the year, of which Pasch
or Easter to be one, and shall also receive the Sacraments and observe
other Rites, according to the order in this book appointed.
Final
Rubrics, 1637 Communion Service
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Return to the 1637 Scottish Book of Common Prayer

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