penitent, and obedient heart, to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before God, yet ought we most chiefly so to do when we assemble and meet together, to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me. A general Confession to be said of the whole Congregation after the Minister, all kneeling. LMIGHTY and most merciful Father; Awe have an am stayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore thou them that are penitent; according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen. A Prayer for Absolution or Remission of Sins. ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of thy great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto thee; Have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ¶ Then the Minister shall say the Lord's Prayer; the People also kneeling, and repeating it with him. UR 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 likewise he shall say, O Lord, open thou our lips. Answ. And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Minis. O God, make speed to save us. ¶ Here all standing up, the Minister shall say, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; Answ. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Minis. Praise ye the Lord. Answ. The Lord's Name be praised. ¶ Then shall be said or sung this Psalm following; except on Easter-Day, when the Anthem, Christ our Passover, &c. is appointed; and on the Nineteenth day of every Month it is not to be read here, but in the ordinary course of the Psalms. PSAL: 95. Come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and shew ourselves glad in him with Psalms. For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods. In his hand are all the corners of the earth: and the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it; and his hands prepared the dry land, O come, let us worship, and fall down: and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts: as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilder ness; When your fathers tempted me: proved me, and saw my works. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said: It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways. Unto whom I sware in my wrath: that they should not enter into my rest. 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 Psalms in order as they are appointed, and at the end of the whole portion of Psalms, let there be repeated, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; Answ. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. ¶Then shall be read the First Lesson, taken out of the Old Testament, after which shall be said ́or sung the following Hymn. WE praise thee, O God: we acknow ledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubin and Seraphin: continually do cry, Holy, holy, holy: Lord God of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth are full of the majesty: of thy glory. |