Catechesis; or, Christian instruction preparatory to confirmation and first communion

v. 23.

8 1 Thess. with Thy heavenly grace, that he may continue Thine for ever; and daily increase in Thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come unto Thy everlasting kingdom. Amen.

13.

14-17.

¶ Then shall the Bishop say,

The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

¶ And (all kneeling down) the Bishop shall add,
Let us pray.

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. Amen.

[SECOND COLLECT.]

And this Collect.

h Phil. ii. ALMIGHTY and everliving God, Who makest us both to will and to do those things that be good and acceptable unto Thy divine Majesty; We make our humble supplications unto Thee for these Thy serActs viii. vants, upon whom (after the example of Thy holy Apostles) we have now laid our hands, to certify them (by this sign) of Thy favour and gracious goodness towards them. Let Thy fatherly hand, we beseech Thee, ever be over them; let Thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of Thy Word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

[THIRD COLLECT.]

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.

Then the Bishop shall bless them, saying thus,

THE Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. Amen.

¶ And there shall none be admitted to the holy Communion, until such time as he be confirmed, or be ready and desirous to be confirmed.

CHAPTER IV.

THE ORDER OF THE

ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER,

HOLY COMMUNION.

¶ (1) So many as intend to be partakers of the holy Notice to be Communion shall signify their names to the Curate, given to the

at least some time the day before.

Curate.

hall do in

Curate

¶ (2) And if any of those be an open and notorious evil What the liver, or have done any wrong to his neighbours by word or deed, so that the Congregation be thereby offended; the Curate, having knowledge thereof, shall

call him and advertize him, that in any wise he pre

case any who give

notice be a notorious

evilliver, or have done any wrong;

Or be in malice or hatred with any.

The Curate in all such

cases to report to the Ordinary.

1 Canon CIX.

sume not to come to the Lord's Table, until he hath openly declared himself to have truly repented and amended his former naughty life, that the Congregation may thereby be satisfied, which before were offended; 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 conveniently may.

¶ (3) The same order shall the Curate use with those betwixt whom he perceiveth malice and hatred to reign; not suffering them to be partakers 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 bottom 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 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 obstinate. Provided that every Minister so repelling any, as is specified in this, or the next precedent paragraph of this Rubric, shall be obliged to give an account of the same to the Ordinary within fourteen days after at the farthest. And the Ordinary shall proceed against the offending person according to the 1 Canon.

¶ (4) The Table, at the Communion time, having a fair white linen cloth upon it, shall stand in the Body of the Church, or in the Chancel, where Morning and Evening Prayer are appointed to be said. And the Priest standing at the North side of the Table shall say THE LORD'S PRAYER, with the Collect following, the people kneeling.

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. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration 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 all the TEN COMMANDMENTS; and the people still kneeling shall, after every Commandment, ask God mercy for their transgression thereof for the time past, and grace to keep the same for the time to come, as followeth.

Minister.

GOD spake these words, and said; I am the Lord thy
God: Thou shalt have none other gods but Me.