BP. SEABURY'S COMMUNION OFFICE.

The influence of this pamphlet upon the present Office for the Holy Communion of the American Church induces us to give in full the rare pamphlet which has already received notice in the text. It is printed verbatim from one of the few copies of this interesting liturgical production which are now extant.

THE

Communion-Office,

OR ORDER

FOR THE ADMINSTRATION

OF THE

HOLY EUCHARIST

OR

SUPPER OF THE LORD.

WITH

PRIVATE DEVOTIONS.

Recommended to the Episcopal Congregations in Connecticut.

By the Right Reverend

BISHOP SEABURY.

NEW-LONDON:

Printed by T. GREEN, M,DCC,LXXXVI.

THE

Communion-Office.

DEARL

The Exhortation.

EARLY beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the holy Communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how St. Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to try 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 true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy sacrament, (for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood; then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us;) so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily, not considering the Lord's body; for then we are guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Saviour; we kindle God's wrath against us, and bring his judgments upon us. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries. And, above all things, ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God the Father, the Son, 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 cross for us miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the 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 always 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 blood-shedding he hath obtained to us, he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort. To him, therefore, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, let us give (as we are most bounden) continual thanks, submitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen.

Then the Priest, or Deacon shall say,

Let us present our offerings to the Lord with reverence and Godly fear. ¶ Then

Then the Priest shall begin the offertory, saying one or more of these sen tehces following, as he thinketh most convenient in his discretion.

IN process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering 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 offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. Gen. iv. 3, 4.

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart, ye shall take my offering. Exod. xxv. 2.

Ye shall not appear before the Lord empty. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which he hath given you. Deut, xvi. 16, 17.

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. Psal. xcvi. 8.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. Mat. vi. 19, 20.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matth. vii. 21.

Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into it and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a cerpoor 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 poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury. 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. Mark xii. 41, 42, 43, 44.

Who goeth a warfare at any time of his own charges? 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. 7.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we should reap your carnal things? I Cor. ix. 11.

Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things, live of the sacrifice? and they which wait at the altar, are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live of the gospel. 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14.

He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly: and he who soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.

Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Gal. vi. 6, 7.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor 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 eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19.

God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love, which

ye

ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Heb. vi. 10.

To do good, and to communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16.

B

While the Priest distinctly pronounceth some or all of these sentences for the offertory, the Deacon, or (if no such be present) some other fit person, shall receive the devotions of the people, in a bason provided for that purpose. And when all have offered, he shall reverently bring, and deliver it to the Priest; who shall humbly present it before the Lord, and set it upon the holy table, saying.

LESSED be thou, O Lord God, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, 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 kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all; both riches and honour come of thee, and of thine own do we give unto thee. Amen.

And the Priest shall then offer up, and place the bread and wine prepared for the sacrament upon the Lord's table, putting a little pure water into the cup and shall say,

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.

Priest. It is very meet, right, and our bounden 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 be any especially appointed; or else immediately shall follow,

Therefore with angels and archangels, &c.

BE

Proper Prefaces.

Upon Christmas-day, and seven days after.

ECAUSE thou didst 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, &c.

*During the seven days after Christmas, say, as at this time.

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; &c.

Upon