Then the Priest washes his hands, saying

I

privately:

WILL wash my hands in innocency, O Lord: and so will I go to Thine altar;

That I may show the voice of thanksgiving: and tell of all Thy wondrous works.

Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house: and the place where Thine honour dwelleth.

O shut not up my soul with the sinners: nor my life with the blood-thirsty;

In whose hands is wickedness : and their right hand is full of gifts. But as for me, I will walk innocently: O deliver me, and be merciful unto me.

My foot standeth right: I will praise the Lord in the congregations.

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.

Returning and bowing before the middle of the Altar with joined hands, he says: Roblation which we offer unto DECEIVE, O holy Trinity, this Thee in memory of the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in

honour of blessed Mary everVirgin, of blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, of these and of all the Saints, that it may be available to their honour and our salvation : and may they vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven whose memory we celebrate on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Priest then turns to the People and announces the intention of the Mass, and asks the Prayers of the Faithful for various objects.

Extending and joining his hands he says:

PRAY, brethren, that my Sacri

fice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty. Answer. May the Lord receive this Sacrifice at thy hands, to the praise and glory of His Name, and to our benefit and that of all His holy Church.

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

ALMIG

LMIGHTY 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 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 those who 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, so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of Thy true religion, and virtue. Give grace, Ó heavenly Father, to all Bishops and other Ministers, 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 especially 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. And we most humbly beseech Thee, of Thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those 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 follows this short Exhortation:

YE

E who 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, devoutly kneeling.

Then shall this General Confession be made, by the Priest and all those who are minded to receive the Holy Communion, humbly kneeling. 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 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 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 (the Bishop if he be present) stand up, and turning to the People, say,

LMIGHTY God, our heavenly

A Father, Who of His great mercy

hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who 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 Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

THE COMFORTABLE WORDS Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly turn to Him.

CO

NOME unto Me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. S. Matt. 11. 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. S. John 3. 16.

Hear also what Saint Paul saith. This is a true saying, and worthy of