death and sufferings of Thy Son, that they may avail for the remission of our sins, and our acceptance at the last day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESSED Jesus, so open the eyes of our

faith to discern Thy Body and Blood in this holy Sacrament; so prepare our souls to communicate, and clothe us with the wedding garment of righteousness, that we may be welcome guests at Thy Table. Fill our hearts with a lively faith, a deep humility, filial obedience, pure affections, and universal charity. O raise in our souls all that zeal and devotion, that love and desire, that joy and delight, that praise and thanksgiving, which become the solemn remembrance of Thee, our crucified Saviour, by those whom Thou hast redeemed with Thine own Blood. Amen, and Amen.

HE Almighty Lord, who is a most strong

THE

tower to all them that put their trust in Him, to whom all things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do bow and obey, be now and evermore thy defence; and make thee know and feel that there is none other Name

under heaven given to man, in whom, and through whom, thou mayest receive health and salvation, but only the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

NTO God's gracious mercy and protection

UNTO

we commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore.

Amen.

H

SECTION XV.

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 Parishoners to the often receiving of the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, when it shall be publickly 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 takə 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.

MY

The Epistle. Heb. xii. 5.

Y 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. St. 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 prescribed for the holy Communion, beginning at these words [Ye that do trul y &c.]

YE

E 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 indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our mis