A LITURGY

ACCORDING TO THE USAGE

OF

THE MOST ANCIENT CHRISTIANS.

The Introit, at the Steps.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

Most glorious, and most gracious God, who hast in thy good time accomplished what thou hadst long before by thy holy Prophet foretold, that from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same, thy Name should be great among the Gentiles; and in every place shall be offered unto thee incense and a pure oblation; and hast graciously admitted us, sinful mortals, to have access to thy glorious Majesty, through the propitiation and mediation of our great High Priest, Christ Jesus, thy dearlybeloved Son, our blessed Lord and Saviour: Be pleased, we humbly beseech thee, graciously to behold us, thy humble servants, approaching unto

thee in his name, and according to his ordination, and be propitious to us in the pardon of all our sins and sanctify our souls, and bodies, and spirits, that the service we perform at this time may be a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing unto thee, through that great propitiation.

Upon Fastingdays, &c.

'For we confess, O Lord, that of our

;

selves we are utterly unworthy that thou shouldst have any respect to our offerings: for we have sinned, we have done unrighteously, we have done wickedly; we have sinned against heaven and before thee, and are not worthy to be called thy children, or servants. But where sin hath abounded, grace hath much more abounded; and thy grace is sufficient for us, and gives us encouragement to say, God be merciful to us, sinners. And may the multiplication of thy mercies, as they multiply our obligations, so proportionally increase our sense thereof, and true gratitude to so great and glorious a Lord and Benefactor.'

And since thou hast constituted the blessed orders and hosts of angels in heaven, both for ministry to thy glory, and to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation; we humbly beseech thee, O Lord our God, that with our entrance to thy holy altar,

there may be an accession of thy holy angels, who, ministering with us, may with us glorify thy benig. nity for all honour, and glory, and worship, and service, and obedience, is due unto thee, and to thee we offer it; to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

At the Altar.

Glory be to God on high, on earth peace, good will towards men.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, &c. (to, And thou, O child.)

Then, turning toward the People:

Priest. Assist me, brethren, with your prayers, and pray to God for me, that my and your sacrifice may be acceptable with God the Father Almighty. Resp. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit assist thee. The Holy Spirit descend upon thee, and the virtue of the Most High overshadow thee, and assist thy ministration.

Our Lord receive this sacrifice from thy hand, to the praise and glory of his name, and also to the profit of us, and of his whole Holy Catholic Church.

F

The Offertory.

ACCEPT, we beseech thee, O Lord, our oblations, which I thy unworthy servant do here offer unto thee of what is thine own, for myself, and for all here present, and for all faithful Christians, especially those who desire to be remembered here at thy holy altar; in recognition of thy just and absolute dominion over us, and all the world; and as a symbolical oblation of ourselves, and all we have, unto thee; and to be consecrated for a memorial of the great propitiation, which thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ made upon the cross, by the sacrifice of himself, for the sins of the whole world. Accept, we beseech thee, O Lord, them and us by him: by whom to thee, and to whom with thee and thy Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Then, turning towards the People :

Pr. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communication of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

R. And with thy Spirit.

Pr. Lift up your hearts.

Amen.

R. We lift them up unto the Lord.