PUBLISHER'S NOTE.

THIS pamphlet, which has been compiled by a Proctor in Convocation, is put out in order to show clearly what would be the effect of such an arrangement of the present Order as is strongly desired in some quarters.

EXPLANATION.

The arrangement of the Rite which follows is simply a rearrangement of the Prayer Book Service in accordance with ancient precedent, and with the reformed English forms of service of 1548 and 1549.

Its aim is to keep to the familiar words and diction of the Rite which has become endeared to so many generations of English people, with some slight rearrangement in order to bring it into accordance with Archbishop Cranmer's "Order of Communion" of 1548, and with the Canon of the First Reformed Book of 1549.

Three reasons have suggested the publication of this arrangement of the Rite of 1662.

1. The first is that the use of such a rearrangement may be an eirenicon between those who found themselves differing so widely from one another in the unhappy controversy about the various forms of service in the "Deposited Book"; above all, in that for the [5/6] administration of the Holy Communion. Might not the acceptance of such a Rite as that which follows, by all parties in the Church, be at least a step towards a greater uniformity? It asks for a minimum of sacrifice on both sides: from those who earnestly desire the provision of some such wording of the Canon as that of the First Prayer Book of Edward VI. the sacrifice of that desire, and from those who would fain keep the Rite of 1662 exactly as it stands the sacrifice of the exact arrangement to which they have become accustomed.

One day there must be a final revision of the English Rite which all parties can accept and use. It is all to the good if, in the meantime, we can subject all proposals to the only truly satisfactory test—the test of use. It is true to say that many suggestions of orders and prayers have been put to that test and found wanting. Some of the prayers and thanksgivings of the "Deposited Book," for instance, are very difficult to say publicly, but it is only when they are so said that faults of diction or of phrasing make themselves apparent. [Suggestions for the amendment of some of these prayers in parallel columns have been made by the Rev. E. Milner-White, "The Occasional Prayers Reconsidered " (S.P.C.K.).]

Akin to the last reason is the advantage which the setting out of the Rite in clear print may be to its proper [6/7] understanding by the worshipping people. A fear has been expressed that such a rearrangement may run the risk of confusing the minds of simple folk. The answer to that fear is that such has not proved to be the case in churches where such an arrangement has been brought into use by permission of the Ordinary, and, further, that the risk would be entirely removed by the provision of a small book supplied to all worshippers which they could follow easily.

It only remains to point out the raison d'être from the liturgical point of view of the return to the arrangement, though not to the wording, of Archbishop Cranmer and the First Prayer Book, an arrangement which was not only approved but practised by Bishop Overall and Bishop Cosin in the seventeenth century.

The object of the putting back of the Prayer of Access to its old position in Cranmer's "Order of Communion" is that it completes the preparation of the people —Confession, Absolution, Comfortable Words, Prayer of Humble Access—and does not introduce the penitential element into the midst of the glorious Act of Praise introduced by the Sursum Corda, which leads on without break to the Lord's Thanksgiving over the Bread and the Cup.

The reuniting of the Prayer of Oblation and the Lord's Prayer with the [7/8] Prayer of Consecration makes a complete sequence which must be used to be appreciated. Practically all ancient rites regarded the Lord's Prayer as part of the Consecration, and it was not till 1552 that the Communion of the People was thrust into the midst of the Great Act of Consecration, giving an emphasis to the Words of Institution which it is very hard to defend.

Note.—The only verbal alterations in the service which follows are:

i. The threefold or ninefold Kyrie has been added as a substitute for the Decalogue and its Kyries at weekday services and on Sundays where the Decalogue has already been said at another celebration, if permitted by the Ordinary.

ii. The Mutual Salutation has been placed before the Sursum Corda in accordance with all ancient precedent.

iii. The word "Wherefore" has been placed as a connecting-link between the Prayer of Consecration and the Prayer of Oblation.

iv. The words "As our Saviour Christ ..." have been added as an introduction to the Lord's Prayer.

v. The Proper Prefaces have been placed at the end, and for reasons of space the Long Exhortations have been omitted. It is most certainly not intended that they should be removed from any final edition of the Prayer Book.

[9] vi. Some rubrics have been shortened for reasons of space and some have been omitted, but no such alteration has been made in their wording as would tend to alter their meaning.

THE ORDER OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE
LORD'S SUPPER OR HOLY 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. 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.

Turning to the people, the Priest shall say:

God spake these words, and said: I am the Lord thy God:

[11] I. Thou shalt have none other gods but me.

Answer. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

II. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Answer. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

III. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his Name in vain.

Answer. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

IV. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh [11/12] day: wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.

Answer. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

V. Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Answer. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

VI. Thou shalt do no murder.

Answer. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Answer. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

VIII. Thou shalt not steal.

Answer. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Answer. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his.

Answer. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

[Instead of the Commandments may be sung or said as follows:

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

or,

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Then the Priest shall say:

The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.]

Let us pray.

The Collect or Collects.

The Epistle or Lesson.

The Holy Gospel.

[When the Gospel is given out there shall be said or sung:

Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

After the Gospel:

Praise be to Thee, O Christ.]

Then shall be said or sung:

I BELIEVE 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 only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, [13/14] 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 he 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 kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church. I acknowledge one Baptism 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 Creed follows the Sermon.]

Then the Alms are collected and the Priest begins the Offertory, saying one or more of these sentences following as he thinketh most convenient in his discretion.

LET your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. v.

[15] Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon the earth; where the rust and moth doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven; where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. St. Matt. vi.

Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them; for this is the Law and the Prophets. St. Matt. vii.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. vii.

Zacchaeus stood forth, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have done any wrong to any man, I restore fourfold. St. Luke xix.

Who goeth a warfare at any time of his own cost? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 1 Cor. ix.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your worldly things? 1 Cor. ix.

Do ye not know, that they who minister about holy things live of the sacrifice; and they who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the [15/16] Lord also ordained, that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. 1 Cor. ix.

He that soweth little shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudging, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix.

Let him that is taught in the Word minister unto him that teacheth, in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he reap. Gal. vi.

While we have time, let us do good unto all men; and specially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. vi.

Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath: for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry any thing out. 1 Tim. vi.

Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life. 1 Tim. vi.

God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works, and labour that proceedeth of love; which love ye have shewed for his name's sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister. Heb. vi.

To do good, and to distribute, forget [16/17] not; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Heb. xiii.

Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth np his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 St. John iii.

Give alms of thy goods, and never turn thy face from any poor man; and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee. Tobit iv.

Be merciful after thy power. If thou hast much, give plenteously: if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little: for so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity. Tobit iv.

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord: and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again. Prov. xix.

Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. Psalm xli.

The Priest shall then place upon the Table the Bread and the Wine and Water to be consecrated.

After which done he shall say:

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men: We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our alms and oblations, and to receive [17/18] these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord:

AND grant, that all they that do confess 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 Governors; and specially thy servant George our King; that under him we may be godly and quietly governed:

AND grant unto his whole Council, and to all that are put in authority under him, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.

GIVE grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and Curates, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments:

AND to all thy people give thy heavenly grace; and specially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

[19] AND we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.

AND we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom: Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Then shall the Priest say to them that come to receive the Holy Communion:

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 [19/20] 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 indignation 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.

Then shall the Priest say:

Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to him.

[21] COME unto me, all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. St. Matt. 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. St. 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 St. John ii. 1.

Then shall the Priest, kneeling down at the Lord's Table, say in the name of all them that shall receive the Communion this prayer following:

WE do not presume to come to this thy 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 [21/22] Blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his 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 the Priest, rising from his knees, proceed, saying:

The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.]
Priest. 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:

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.

Then follows the proper Preface, if there is one; if not, is said at once:

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.

[23] Then the Priest shall say the Prayer of Consecration as followeth:

[ALL glory be to Thee] Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death, until his coming again;

HEAR us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood:

WHO, in the same 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.

[24] LIKEWISE after supper he took the Cup; and, when he had given thanks, 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:

Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me. Amen.

[THEREFORE], O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his Blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his Passion.

AND here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that all we, who are partakers of this Holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction.

AND although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to [24/25] accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord;

BY whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

[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 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 shall the Minister first receive the Communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, in like manner (if any be present), and after that to the people also in order, into their hands, all meekly kneeling. And, when he delivereth the Bread to any one, he shall say:

THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.

And the Minister that delivereth the Cup to any one shall say:

THE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

When all have communicated the Priest shall say:

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, 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 assure 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 the most precious death and passion of thy dear Son.

AND we 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 [26/27] 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:

GLORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that 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 God the Father, have mercy 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 glory of God the Father.Amen.

Then shall follow the Blessing.

THE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of [27/28] God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord:

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. 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. Therefore with Angels, etc.

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, etc.

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 [29/30] a place for us; that where he is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory. Therefore with Angels, etc.

Upon Whitsunday, 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, etc.

Upon the Feast of Trinity only.

WHO art one God, one Lord; not one only Person, but three Persons in one Substance. For that which we believe of the glory of the Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference or inequality. Therefore with Angels, etc.