Chapter XVI: Appendix (4)

Take therefore in good part the chastisement of the Lord: For (as Saint Paul saith in the twelfth chapter to the Hebrews) whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. These words, good _brother_, are written in holy Scripture for our comfort and instruction; that we should patiently, and with thanksgiving, bear our heavenly Father's correction, whensoever by any manner of adversity it shall please his gracious goodness to visit us. And there should be no greater comfort to Christian persons, than to be made like unto Christ, by suffering patiently adversities, troubles, and sicknesses. For he himself went not up to joy, but first he suffered pain; he entered not into his glory before he was crucified. So truly our way to eternal joy is to suffer here with Christ; and our door to enter into eternal life is gladly to die with Christ; that we may rise again from death, and dwell with him in everlasting life. Now therefore, taking your sickness, which is thus profitable for you, patiently, I exhort you, in the name of God, to remember the profession which you made unto God in your Baptism. And forasmuch as after this life there is an account to be given unto the righteous Judge, by whom all must be judged without respect of persons, I require you to examine yourself and your estate, both toward God and man; so that, accusing and condemning yourself for your own faults, you may find mercy at our heavenly Father's hand for Christ's sake, and not be accused and condemned in that fearful judgement. Therefore I shall rehearse to you the Articles of our Faith, that you may know whether you do believe as a Christian man should, or no.

_Here the Minister shall rehearse the Articles of the Faith, saying thus_,

Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?

And in Jesus Christ his only-begotten Son our Lord? And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went down into hell, and also did rise again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead?

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints; the Remission of sins; the Resurrection of the flesh; and everlasting life after death?

_The sick person shall answer_,

All this I stedfastly believe.

_Then shall the Minister examine whether he repent him truly of his sins, and be in charity with all the world; exhorting him to forgive, from the bottom of his heart, all persons that have offended him; and if he have offended any other, to ask them forgiveness; and where he hath done injury or wrong to any man, that he make amends to the uttermost of his power. And if he have not before disposed of his goods, let him then be admonished to make his Will, and to declare his debts, what he oweth, and what is owing unto him; for the better discharging of his conscience, and the quietness of his Executors. But men should often be put in remembrance to take order for the settling of their temporal estates whilst they are in health_.

_These words before rehearsed may be said before the Minister begin his Prayer, as he shall see cause_.

_The Minister should not omit earnestly to move such sick persons as are of ability to be liberal to the poor_.

_Here shall the sick person be moved to make a special confession of his sins, if he feel his conscience troubled with any weighty matter. After which confession, the Priest shall absolve him_ (_if he humbly and heartily desire it_) _after this sort_.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath left power to his Church to absolve all sinners who truly repent and believe in him, of his great mercy forgive thee thine offences: And by his authority committed to me, I absolve thee from all thy sins, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

_And then the Priest shall say the Collect following_.

Let us pray.

O most merciful God, who, according to the multitude of thy mercies, dost so put away the sins of those who truly repent, that thou rememberest them no more: Open thine eye of mercy upon this thy servant, who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiveness. Renew in _him_ (most loving Father) whatsoever hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the devil, or by _his_ own carnal will and frailness; preserve and continue this sick member in the unity of the Church; consider _his_ contrition, accept _his_ tears, assuage _his_ pain, as shall seem to thee most expedient for _him_. And forasmuch as _he_ putteth _his_ full trust only in thy mercy, impute not unto _him his_ former sins, but strengthen _him_ with thy blessed Spirit; and, when thou art pleased to take _him_ hence, take _him_ unto thy favour, through the merits of thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_Then shall the Minister say this Psalm_.

_In te, Domine, speravi_. Psalm lxxi.

In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion: but rid me, and deliver me in thy righteousness; incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

Be thou my strong hold, whereunto I may alway resort: thou hast promised to help me; for thou art my house of defence, and my castle.

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly: out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

For thou, O Lord God, art the thing that I long for: thou art my hope, even from my youth.

Through thee have I been holden up ever since I was born: thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb; my praise shall alway be of thee.

I am become as it were a monster unto many: but my sure trust is in thee.

O let my mouth be filled with thy praise: that I may sing of thy glory and honour all the day long.

Cast me not away in the time of age: forsake me not when my strength faileth me.

For mine enemies speak against me, and they that lay wait for my soul take their counsel together, saying: God hath forsaken him, persecute him, and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

Go not far from me, O God: my God, haste thee to help me.

Let them be confounded and perish that are against my soul: let them be covered with shame and dishonour that seek to do me evil.

As for me, I will patiently abide alway: and will praise thee more and more.

My mouth shall daily speak of thy righteousness and salvation: for I know no end thereof.

I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God: and will make mention of thy righteousness only.

Thou, O God, hast taught me from my youth up until now: therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works.

Forsake me not, O God, in mine old age, when I am gray-headed: until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to all them that are yet for to come.

Thy righteousness, O God, is very high, and great things are they that thou hast done: O God, who is like unto thee?

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

_Adding this_.

O Saviour of the world, who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us: Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.

_Then shall the Minister say_,

The Almighty Lord, who is a most strong 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.

_And after that shall say_,

Unto God's gracious mercy and protection 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_.

_A Prayer for a sick Child_.

O almighty God, and merciful Father, to whom alone belong the issues of life and death: Look down from heaven, we humbly beseech thee, with the eyes of mercy upon this child now lying upon the bed of sickness. Visit _him_, O Lord, with thy salvation; deliver _him_ in thy good appointed time from _his_ bodily pain, and save _his_ soul for thy mercies sake: that, if it shall be thy pleasure to prolong _his_ days here on earth, _he_ may live to thee, and be an instrument of thy glory, by serving thee faithfully, and doing good in _his_ generation; or else receive _him_ into those heavenly habitations, where the souls of them that sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest and felicity. Grant this, O Lord, for thy mercies' sake, in the same thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. _Amen_.

_A Prayer for a sick person, when there appeareth small hope of recovery_.

O Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We fly unto thee for succour in behalf of this thy servant, here lying under thy hand in great weakness of body. Look graciously upon _him_, O Lord; and the more the outward man decayeth, strengthen _him_, we beseech thee, so much the more continually with thy grace and Holy Spirit in the inner man. Give _him_ unfeigned repentance for all the errors of _his_ life past, and stedfast faith in thy Son Jesus; that _his_ sins may be done away by thy mercy, and _his_ pardon sealed in heaven, before _he_ go hence, and be no more seen. We know, O Lord, that there is no word impossible with thee; and that, if thou wilt, thou canst even yet raise _him_ up, and grant _him_ a longer continuance amongst us: Yet, forasmuch as in all appearance the time of _his_ dissolution draweth near, so fit and prepare _him_, we beseech thee, against the hour of death, that after _his_ departure hence in peace, and in thy favour, _his_ soul may be received into thine everlasting kingdom, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thine only Son, our Lord and Saviour. _Amen_.

_A commendatory Prayer for a sick person at the point of departure_.

O almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of just men made perfect, after they are delivered from their earthly prisons: We humbly commend the soul of this thy servant, our dear _brother_, into thy hands, as into the hands of a faithful Creator, and most merciful Saviour; most humbly beseeching thee that it may be precious in thy sight. Wash it, we pray thee, in the blood of that immaculate Lamb, that was slain to take away the sins of the world; that whatsoever defilements it may have contracted in the midst of this miserable and naughty world, through the lusts of the flesh or the wiles of Satan, being purged and done away, it may be presented pure and without spot before thee. And teach us who survive, in this and other like daily spectacles of mortality, to see how frail and uncertain our own condition is; and so to number our days, that we may seriously apply our hearts to that holy and heavenly wisdom, whilst we live here, which may in the end bring us to life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, thine only Son our Lord. _Amen_.

_A Prayer for persons troubled in mind or in conscience_.

O blessed Lord, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comforts: We beseech thee, look down in pity and compassion upon this thy afflicted servant. Thou writest bitter things against _him_, and makest _him_ to possess _his_ former iniquities; thy wrath lieth hard upon _him_, and _his_ soul is full of trouble: But, O merciful God, who hast written thy holy Word for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of thy holy Scriptures, might have hope; give _him_ a right understanding of _himself_, and of thy threats and promises; that _he_ may neither cast away _his_ confidence in thee, nor place it any where but in thee. Give _him_ strength against all _his_ temptations, and heal all _his_ distempers. Break not the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Shut not up thy tender mercies in displeasure; but make _him_ to hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Deliver _him_ from fear of the enemy, and lift up the light of thy countenance upon _him_, and give _him_ peace, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| _A Prayer for the recovery of a sick person_. | | Almighty and immortal God, giver of life and health; We beseech thee to hear our prayers for thy servant _N_., for whom we implore thy mercy, that by thy blessing upon _him_ and upon those who minister to _him_ of thy healing gifts, _he_ may be restored, if it be thy gracious will, to health of body and mind, and give thanks to thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

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. Hebr. 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. 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 before prescribed for the holy Communion, beginning at these words_ [Ye that do truly, &c.], p. 316.

_At the time of the distribution of the holy Sacrament, the Priest shall first receive the Communion himself, and after minister unto them that are appointed to communicate with the sick; and last of all to the sick person_.

_But if a man, either by reason of extremity of sickness, or for want of warning in due time to the Curate, or for lack of company to receive with him, or by any other just impediment, do not receive the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood: the Curate shall instruct him that if he do truly repent him of his sins, and stedfastly believe that Jesus Christ hath suffered death upon the Cross for him, and shed his Blood for his redemption, earnestly remembering the benefits he hath thereby, and giving him hearty thanks therefor; he doth eat and drink the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ profitably to his soul's health, although he do not receive the Sacrament with his mouth_.

_When the sick person is visited and receiveth the holy Communion all at one time, then the Priest, for more expedition, shall cut off the form of the Visitation at the Psalm_ [In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust] _and go straight to the Communion_.

_In the time of the plague, sweat, or such other like contagious times of sickness or diseases, when none of the Parish or neighbours can be gotten to communicate with the sick in their houses, for fear of the infection, upon special request of the diseased, the Minister may only communicate with him_.

THE ORDER FOR

THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD

_Here is to be noted, that the Office ensuing is not to be used for any that die unbaptized, or excommunicate, or have laid violent hands upon themselves_.

_The Priest and Clerks meeting the corpse at the entrance of the Church-yard, and going before it, either into the Church, or towards the grave, shall say, or sing_:

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. _St John_ xi. 25, 26.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. _Job_ xix. 25, 26, 27.

We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 1 _Tim_. vi. 7. _Job_ i. 21.

_After they are come into the Church, shall be read one or both of these Psalms following_.

_Dixi, Custodiam_. Psalm xxxix.

I said, I will take heed to my ways: that I offend not in my tongue.

I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle: while the ungodly is in my sight.

I held my tongue, and spake nothing: I kept silence, yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.

My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled: and at the last I spake with my tongue;

Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days: that I may be certified how long I have to live.

Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long: and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; and verily every man living is altogether vanity.

For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain: he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.

And now, Lord, what is my hope: truly my hope is even in thee.

Deliver me from all mine offences: and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.

I became dumb, and opened not my mouth: for it was thy doing.

Take thy plague away from me: I am even consumed by means of thy heavy hand.

When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment: every man therefore is but vanity.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling: hold not thy peace at my tears.

For I am a stranger with thee: and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength: before I go hence, and be no more seen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

_Domine, refugium_. Psalm xc.

Lord, thou hast been our refuge: from one generation to another.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made: thou art God from everlasting, and world without end.

Thou turnest man to destruction: again thou sayest, Come again, ye children of men.

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday: seeing that is past as a watch in the night.

As soon as thou scatterest them, they are even as asleep: and fade away suddenly like the grass.

In the morning it is green, and groweth up: but in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered.

For we consume away in thy displeasure: and are afraid at thy wrathful indignation.

Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee: and our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

For when thou art angry, all our days are gone: we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.

The days of our age are threescore years and ten; and though men be so strong, that they come to fourscore years: yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow; so soon passeth it away, and we are gone.

But who regardeth the power of thy wrath: for even thereafter as a man feareth, so is thy displeasure.

O teach us to number our days: that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Turn thee again, O Lord, at the last: and be gracious unto thy servants.

O satisfy us with thy mercy, and that soon: so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.

Comfort us again now after the time that thou hast plagued us: and for the years wherein we have suffered adversity.

Shew thy servants thy work: and their children thy glory.

And the glorious majesty of the Lord our God be upon us: prosper thou the work of our hands upon us, O prosper thou our handy-work.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

_Then shall follow the Lesson taken out of the fifteenth chapter of the former Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians_.

1 Cor. xv. 20.

Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's, at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. [For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not: for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: but God giveth it a body, as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit, that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality; then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

| _With the sanction of the Bishop the passage in the preceding_ | _lesson marked with square brackets may be omitted_, | | _Or one of the following lessons may be substituted_: | | 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. | Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, | when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they | that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so | hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given | him authority to execute judgement also, because he is the Son | of man. | | St John vi. 37. | | All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that | cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from | heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent | me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of | all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should | raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him | that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth | on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at | the last day. | | St John xi. 21. | | Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my | brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou | wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy | brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he | shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said | unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth | in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever | liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? | She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the | Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. | | 2 Cor. iv. 16. | | For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, | yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, | which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding | and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things | which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the | things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are | not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of | this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an | house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this | we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house | which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not | be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, | being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed | upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that | hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath | given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always | confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we | are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight:) | we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the | body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, | that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For | we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that | every one may receive the things done in his body, according to | that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. | | 1 Thess. iv. 13: | | I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them | which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have | no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even | so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For | this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are | alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent | them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from | heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with | the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then | we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with | them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we | ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these | words. | | Rev. vii. 9. | | After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man | could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and | tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed | with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a | loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the | throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about | the throne, and about the elders, and the four beasts, and fell | before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, | Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and | honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever: | Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are | these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? | And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These | are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed | their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. | Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day | and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall | dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any | more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For | the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, | and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God | shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. | | Rev. xxi. 3. | | And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the | tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and | they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, | and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their | eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor | crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former | things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, | Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for | these words are true and faithful. | | _After the lesson the officiating minister may, in the Church,_ | _say_ Let us pray, _and one or more of these prayers following:_ | The Collects for_ Advent Sunday, Palm Sunday, Easter Eve, | Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity, _the fifth Collect at the_ | _end of the Communion Service of the Book of Common Prayer_, | "Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, etc."; _the prayer_ | _at the end of the Litany_, "We humbly beseech thee, O Father, | etc."; _the prayers entitled _Commemoration of the Faithful | Departed _in the additional Occasional Prayers; and this prayer_ | _following_: | | _A Prayer for those in sorrow_. | | O heavenly Father, whose Blessed Son Jesus Christ did weep at | the grave of Lazarus his friend: Look, we beseech thee, with | compassion upon those who are now in sorrow and affliction; | comfort them, O Lord, with thy gracious consolations; make them | to know that all things work together for good to them that | love thee; and grant them evermore sure trust and confidence in | thy fatherly care; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_. | | [_This prayer may be said also in any time of calamity_.] | | _The minister may conclude with_ the Lord's Prayer _and_ The | grace of, etc. _Or one or more of the foregoing prayers may be_ | _said at the grave, or with the expressed sanction of the Bishop_ | any other prayers from the Book of Common Prayer may be said_ | _whether in the Church or at the grave_. | | _If the weather be inclement or the relations of the deceased_ | _desire it, any or all parts of the service may be said in the_ | _Church_ (_or in the_ _house_) _except the Committal to the_ | _ground_.

_When they come to the grave, while the corpse is made ready to be laid into the earth, the Priest shall say, or the Priest and Clerks shall sing:_

Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.

In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?

Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour for any pains of death, to fall from thee.

_Then, while the earth shall be cast upon the body by some standing by, the Priest shall say_,

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear _brother_ here departed: we therefore commit _his_ body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.

| _An alternative form of Committal to the ground_. | | Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God in his wise providence | to take unto himself the soul of our _brother_ here departed: we | therefore commit _his_ body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes | to ashes, dust to dust; looking for the general resurrection in | the last day, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord | Jesus Christ, who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation | that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to | the mighty working whereby he is able to subject all things to | himself. | | _At the burial of the dead at sea, the words_ to the deep _shall | be substituted for the words_ to the ground, _and the words_ | earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust _shall be omitted_.

Then shall be said or sung,

I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write: From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: Even so, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours.

_Then the Priest shall say_,

Lord, have mercy upon us.

_Christ, have mercy upon us_.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

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.

_Priest_.

Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity: We give thee hearty thanks, for that it hath pleased thee to deliver this our _brother_ out of the miseries of this sinful world; beseeching thee that it may please thee, of thy gracious goodness, shortly to accomplish the number of thine elect, and to hasten thy kingdom; that we, with all those that are departed in the true faith of thy holy Name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

THE COLLECT.

O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in him, shall not die eternally; who also hath taught us (by his holy Apostle Saint Paul) not to be sorry, as men without hope, for them that sleep in him: We meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him, as our hope is this our _brother_ doth; and that, at the general resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive that blessing, which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world: Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. _Amen_.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. _Amen_.

| AT THE BURIAL OF BAPTIZED CHILDREN | | OF TENDER YEARS | | _It is permitted_: | | _To add to the opening sentences, this_: | | Jesus said, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and | forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. _St Mark_ | x. 14. | | _To substitute for the appointed psalms_: | | _Dominus regit me_. Ps. xxiii. | | The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing. | | He shall feed me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside | the waters of comfort. | | He shall convert my soul: and bring me forth in the paths of | righteousness, for his Name's sake. | | Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, | I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy | staff comfort me. | | Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble | me: thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be | full. But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the | days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for | ever. | | Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; | | As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world | without end. Amen. | | _To substitute for the appointed Lesson_: | | St Matth. xviii. 1. | | At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is | the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little | child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, | Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as | little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. | Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, | the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall | receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso | shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it | were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, | and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the | world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences | come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore | if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast | them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt | or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast | into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it | out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into | life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into | hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little | ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always | behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. | | _To use the prayers that follow_: | | O heavenly Father, whose face the angels of the little ones do | always behold in heaven: Grant us stedfastly to believe that | this little child hath been taken into the safe keeping of thine | eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_. | | O Lord Jesu Christ, who didst take little children into thine | arms and bless them: Open thou our eyes, we beseech thee, that | we may perceive that thou hast now taken this child into the | arms of thy love, and hast bestowed upon _him_ the blessings of | thy gracious favour; who livest and reignest with the Father and | the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. _Amen_. | | We yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath | pleased thee to regenerate this child with thy Holy Spirit, to | receive _him_ for thine own by adoption, and to incorporate _him_ | into thy holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant that, | as _he_ is made partaker of the death of thy Son, _he_ may also | be partaker of his resurrection; so that finally, with the | residue of thy holy Church, _he_ may be an inheritor of thine | everlasting kingdom; through Christ our Lord. _Amen_. | | BENEDICTION OF A GRAVE IN UNCONSECRATED GROUND | | _When the Priest and people shall have come to the place,_ | _the Priest shall say_, | | Let us pray. | | O Lord Jesu Christ, who wast laid in the new tomb of Joseph, | and didst thereby sanctify the grave to be a bed of hope to thy | people: Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to bless, hallow, and | consecrate this grave, that it may be a resting-place, peaceful | and secure, for the body of thy servant which we are about to | commit to thy gracious keeping, who art the Resurrection and | the Life, and who livest and reignest with the Father and the | Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. _Amen_.

THE THANKSGIVING OF WOMEN AFTER CHILD-BIRTH,

COMMONLY CALLED THE CHURCHING OF WOMEN

_The woman, at the usual time after her delivery, shall come into the Church decently apparelled, and there shall kneel down in some convenient place, as hath been accustomed, or as the Ordinary shall direct: And then the Priest shall say unto her_,

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his goodness to give you safe deliverance, and hath preserved you in the great danger of child-birth: You shall therefore give hearty thanks unto God, and say,

_Then shall the Priest say the cxvi. Psalm_.

_Dilexi quoniam_.

I am well pleased: that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer;

That he hath inclined his ear unto me: therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

The snares of death compassed me round about: and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.

I found trouble and heaviness, and I called upon the name of the Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous: yea, our God is merciful.

The Lord preserveth the simple: I was in misery, and he helped me.

Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul: for the Lord hath rewarded thee.

And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death: mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

I will walk before the Lord: in the land of the living.

I believed, and therefore will I speak; but I was sore troubled: I said in my haste, All men are liars.

What reward shall I give unto the Lord: for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?

I will receive the cup of salvation: and call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people: in the courts of the Lord's house, even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

_Or Psalm cxxvii_.

_Nisi Dominus_.

Except the Lord build the house: their labour is but lost that build it.

Except the Lord keep the city: the watchman waketh but in vain.

It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Lo, children and the fruit of the womb: are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.

Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant: even so are the young children.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

_Then the Priest shall say_,

Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

_Christ, have mercy upon us_.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

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.

_Minister_. O Lord, save this woman thy servant;

_Answer_. Who putteth her trust in thee.

_Minister_. Be thou to her a strong tower;

_Answer_. From the face of her enemy.

_Minister_. Lord, hear our prayer.

_Answer_. And let our cry come unto thee.

_Minister_.

Let us pray.

O almighty God, we give thee humble thanks for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliver this woman thy servant from the great pain and peril of child-birth: Grant, we beseech thee, most merciful Father, that she through thy help may both faithfully live and walk according to thy will, in this life present; and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_The woman, that cometh to give her thanks, must offer accustomed offerings; and, if there be a Communion, it is convenient that she receive the holy Communion_.

A COMMINATION,

OR DENOUNCING OF GOD'S ANGER AND

JUDGEMENTS AGAINST SINNERS,

WITH CERTAIN PRAYERS,