Book of Common Prayer · Morning and Evening Prayer (1662) · All versions
Church of England Proposed Prayer Book: Alternative Orders for Morning and Evening Prayer (1928)
The proposed book (not authorised by Parliament) adds a separate Introduction (seasonal sentences, shortened exhortation, confession and absolution) that may be omitted, so that the office can begin at "O Lord, open thou our lips"; it prints the Benedicite in a shortened form, allows the office to end after the third collect, and adds a revised Athanasian Creed. Not under copyright.
Source: Charles Wohlers, the 1928 Proposed Book of Common Prayer (justus.anglican.org). Public domain.
Morning Prayer
Introduction: Sentences
AN INTRODUCTION TO
MORNING OR EVENING PRAYER.
¶ The Minister shall read with a loud voice some one or more of these Sentences of the Scriptures that follow
I WILL arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, Of Penitenceand am no more worthy to be called thy son. St. Luke 15. 18, 19.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us: but, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 St. John 1. 8, 9.
To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him: neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he set before us. Daniel 9. 9, 10.
Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Psalm 143. 2.
Of Worship. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. St. John 4. 24.
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: let the whole earth stand in awe of him. Psalm 96. 9.
Advent. Repent ye; for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. St. Matt. 3. 2.
The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Rom. 13. 12.
Christmas. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. St. Luke 2. 10, 11.
Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1 St. John 4. 9.
Epiphany. From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name is great among the nations; and in every place incense is offered unto my name, and a pure offering. For my name is great among the nations, saith the Lord. Mat. 1. 11.
The Lord declared his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. Psalm 98. 2.
Lent. Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel 2. 13. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51. 17.
Passiontide. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow. Lam. 1. 12.
Good Friday. God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5. 8.
Easter Even. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him; and he shall give thee thy hearts desire. Psalm 37. 7, 4.
Easter. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy bath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 St. Peter 1. 8.
Ascension-Day. Seeing that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4. 14, 16.
Whit-Sunday. The love of God bath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us. Rom. 5. 5.
Trinity. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God and God in him. 1 St. John 4. 16.
All Saints Day. Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Heb. 12. 1, 2.
Saints Days. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance the memory of the just is blessed. Psalm 112. 6; Proverbs 10. 7.
The New Year or any Anniversary. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40. 31.
Harvest. The earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof. Psalm 24. 1.
Time of Trouble. God is our hope and strength: a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46. 1.
National. O let the nations rejoice and be glad: for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Psalm 67. 4.
¶ The Minister, turning to the people, shall say the Exhortation in the form following:
The Exhortation
DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, 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
And this form of Exhortation shalt always be said on Advent Sunday and the First Sunday in Lent;
At other times he may use this form of Exhortation;
BELOVED, we are come together in the presence of Almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of Gods love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember Gods presence with us now.
Or else the Minister may omit any Exhortation and say,
Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.
And thereupon silence shall be kept for a space, all kneeling.
The General Confession
¶ Then shall follow the General Confession, to be said of the whole congregation after the Minister, all kneeling.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed 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.
Or this (except on Advent Sunday and the First Sunday in Lent):
O GOD, our Father, we have sinned against thee in thought, word, and deed: we have not loved thee with all our heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. Have mercy upon us, we beseech thee; cleanse us from our sins; and help us to overcome our faults; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Absolution
¶ The Absolution, or Remission of sins, to be pronounced by the Priest alone, standing; the people still kneeling.
ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live; and hath given power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins: He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance, and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him, which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure, and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Or this (except on Advent Sunday and the First Sunday in Lent):
MAY the Almighty and merciful Lord grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins, time for amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
¶ On all Sundays (except such as are Principal Feasts) this Introduction shall precede both Morning and Evening Prayer; except that it may be omitted when another service provided in this Book follows immediately.
The Opening Versicles
AN ALTERNATIVE ORDER FOR
MORNING PRAYER,
DAILY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
¶ The Minister kneeling shall say or sing:
Answer. O Lord, open thou our lips; And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Minister. O God, make speed to save us;
Answer. O Lord, make haste to help us.
Here all standing up, the Minister shall say,
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.
Minister. Praise ye the Lord;
Answer. The Lords name be praised.
The Venite
¶ Then shall be said or sung this psalm following: except on Easter-Day and seven days after, when Proper Anthems are appointed to be said in place thereof. And except that on the nineteenth day of every month (not being a day for which one of the Invitatories following is appointed) it is not to be read here, but in the ordinary Course of the Psalms.
¶ The Venite may be omitted except on Sundays and other Holy-days.
VENITE, EXULTEMUS DOMINO.
Psalm 95.
O COME, let us sing unto the Lord: let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving: and shew our selves glad in him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is a great God: and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are all the corners of the earth: and the strength of the hills is his also.
5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands prepared the dry land.
6 O come, let us worship, and fall down: and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
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.
¶ On the days hereafter named, before this psalm and after the Gloria Patri which follows it, may be sung or said the Invitatory:
On the Sundays in Advent.— Our King and Saviour draweth nigh O come, let us adore him.
On Christmas-Day and until the Epiphany. — Alleluia, Unto us a Child is born: O come, let us adore him, Alleluia.
On the Epiphany and seven days after.— The Lord hath manifested forth his glory: O come, let us adore him.
On the Purification and the Annunciation.— The Word was made flesh: O come, let us adore him.
On the Monday following the first Sunday after Easter, and until Ascension Day. — Alleluia, The Lord is risen indeed: O come, let us adore him, Alleluia.
On Ascension-Day and until Whit-Sunday. — Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascended into heaven: O come, let us adore him, Alleluia.
On Whit-Sunday and six days after.— Alleluia, The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: O come, let us adore him, Alleluia.
On Trinity-Sunday.— One God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity: O come, let us adore him.
On the Feast of the Transfiguration.—The Lord hath manifested forth his glory: O come, let us adore him.
On Feast-days of Saints that are Holy-days. — The Lord is glorious in his saints: O come, let us adore him.
The Psalms
¶ Then shall follow the Psalms in order as they are appointed. And at the end of every psalm throughout the year, and likewise at the end of Benedicite, Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc dimittis, shall be repeated,
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
The First Lesson
¶ Then shall be read distinctly with an audible voice the First Lesson, taken out of the Old Testament, as is appointed in the Table of Lessons, except there be Proper Lessons assigned for that day: He that readeth so standing and turning himself, as he may best be heard of all such as are present.
¶ Note, That before every lesson the Minister shall say first the name of the book, next the number of the chapter, and then, if need be, of the verse, at which he beginneth to read: and after every lesson, Here endeth the First, or the Second Lesson.
¶ And after that, shall be said or sung, in English, the Hymn called Te Deum Laudamus.
Te Deum
TE DEUM LAUDAMUS.
WE praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
2 All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting.
3 To thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
4 To thee Cherubin, and Seraphin: continually do cry,
5 Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth;
6 Heaven and earth are full: of the majesty of thy glory.
7 THE glorious company of the Apostles: praise thee;
8 The goodly fellowship of the Prophets: praise thee;
9 The noble army of Martyrs: praise thee;
10 The holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge thee;
11 The Father: of an infinite majesty;
12 Thine honourable, true: and only Son;
13 Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.
14 THOU art the King of Glory: O Christ.
15 Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father.
16 When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man: thou didst not abhor the Virgins womb.
17 When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death: thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
18 Thou sittest at the right hand of God: in the glory of the Father.
19 We believe that thou shalt come: to be our Judge.
20 We therefore pray thee, help thy servants: whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
21 Make them to be numbered with thy Saints: in glory everlasting.
22 O LORD, save thy people: and bless thine heritage.
23 Govern them: and lift them up for ever.
24 Day by day: we magnify thee;
25 And we worship thy name: ever world without end.
26 Vouchsafe, O Lord: to keep us this day without sin.
27 O Lord, have mercy upon us: have mercy upon us.
28 O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us: as our trust is in thee.
29 O Lord, in thee have I trusted: let me never be confounded.
Or this Canticle;
Benedicite
BENEDICITE, OMNIA OPERA.
The words praise him, and magnify him for ever may be omitted except after vv. 1, 2, 17, 18, 25, 32.
On such days when Benedicite is used instead of Te Deum Laudemus, it may suffice that the first and last sections of this Canticle be said or sung.
O ALL ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
2 O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O YE Heavens, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
4 O ye Waters that be above the firmament, bless ye the Lord praise him, and magnify him for ever.
5 O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
6 O ye Sun, and Moon, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
7 O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
8 O ye Showers, and Dew, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
9 O ye Winds of God, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
10 O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
11 O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
12 O ye Dews, and Frosts, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
13 O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
14 O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord praise him, and magnify him for ever.
15 O ye Nights, and Days, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
16 O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
17 O ye Lightnings, and Clouds, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O LET the Earth bless the Lord: yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.
19 O ye Mountains, and Hills, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
20 O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
21 O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
22 O ye Seas, and Floods, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
23 O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
24 O all ye Fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
25 O all ye Beasts, and Cattle, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O YE Children of Men, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
27 O let Israel bless the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
28 O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
29 O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
30 O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
31 O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.
32 O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him 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.
Or this psalm.
MISERERE MEI, DEUS.
Psalm 51.
HAVE mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.
2 Wash me throughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.
5 Behold, I was shapen in wickedness: and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
6 But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts: and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
7 Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness: that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Turn thy face from my sins: and put out all my misdeeds.
10 Make me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 O give me the comfort of thy help again: and stablish me with thy free spirit.
13 Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked: and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health: and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.
15 Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord: and my mouth shall shew thy praise.
16 For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee: but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
17 The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart O God, shalt thou not despise.
18 O be favourable and gracious unto Sion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
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.
When this psalm has already been said or sung, psalm 40 may be used here.
The Second Lesson
¶ Then shall be read in like manner the Second Lesson, taken out of the New Testament. And after that, the Hymn following shall be said or sung.
Benedictus
BENEDICTUS.
St. Luke 1. 68.
BLESSED be the Lord God of Israel: for he hath visited, and redeemed his people;
2 And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us: in the house of his servant David;
3 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets: which have been since the world began;
4 That we should be saved from our enemies: and from the hand of all that hate us;
5 To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers: and to remember his holy covenant;
6 To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham that he would give us;
7 That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies: might serve him without fear;
8 In holiness and righteousness before him: all the days of our life.
9 And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
10 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people: for the remission of their sins,
11 Through the tender mercy of our God: whereby the day-spring from on high bath visited us;
12 To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
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 this psalm,
Jubilate Deo
JUBILATE DEO.
Psalm 100.
O BE joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.
2 Be ye sure that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
3 O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and speak good of his name.
4 For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting: and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
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.
The Creed
¶ Then shall be sung or said the Apostles Creed by the Minister and the people, standing: except that it may be omitted if in place thereof Quicunque Vult, or either part thereof, be sung or said.
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered tinder Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried, He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.
The Lesser Litany and Suffrages
¶ Then shall be said these Prayers following, all devoutly kneeling; the Minister first pronouncing with a loud voice,
The Lord be with you;
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Then the Minister, Clerks, and people, shall say the Lords Prayer with a loud voice.
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.
Then the Minister standing up shall say,
O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us
Answer. And grant us thy salvation.
Minister. O Lord, save the king;
Answer. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Minister. Endue thy ministers with righteousness;
Answer. And make thy chosen people joyful.
Minister. O Lord, save thy people;
Answer. And bless thine inheritance.
Minister. Give peace in our time, O Lord;
Answer. Because there is none other that ruleth the world, but only thou, O God.
Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us;
Answer. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
The Collects
¶ Then shall follow three Collects; the first of the Day, which shall be the same that is appointed at the Communion; the second for Peace; the third for Grace to live well. But after the Collect of the Day, other collects are, on occasion, directed to be said before the Collect for Peace. And the two last collects shall never alter, but daily be said at Morning Prayer throughout all the year, the people kneeling.
[Except that when another service provided in this Book follows immediately, the Minister may end Morning Prayer with the Third Collect, or with the Canticle after the Second Lesson; or after the Canticle he may say:
The Lord be with you;
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray
and then shall he say any of the following, the Collect of the Day, or the Second or the Third Collect, and so end.]*
THE SECOND COLLECT, FOR PEACE.
O GOD, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE THIRD COLLECT, FOR GRACE.
O LORD, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Prayers
¶ In Quires and Places where they sing, here followeth the Anthem.
¶ The Minister may, at his discretion, after the Third Collect end the service with one or more of the Occasional Prayers and Thanksgivings, or such others as are authorized by the Bishop; provided that he shall close with the Prayer of Saint Chrysostom and The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c.
Evening Prayer
Introduction: Sentences
AN INTRODUCTION TO
MORNING OR EVENING PRAYER.
¶ The Minister shall read with a loud voice some one or more of these Sentences of the Scriptures that follow
I WILL arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, Of Penitenceand am no more worthy to be called thy son. St. Luke 15. 18, 19.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us: but, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 St. John 1. 8, 9.
To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him: neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he set before us. Daniel 9. 9, 10.
Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Psalm 143. 2.
Of Worship. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. St. John 4. 24.
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: let the whole earth stand in awe of him. Psalm 96. 9.
Advent. Repent ye; for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. St. Matt. 3. 2.
The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Rom. 13. 12.
Christmas. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. St. Luke 2. 10, 11.
Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1 St. John 4. 9.
Epiphany. From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name is great among the nations; and in every place incense is offered unto my name, and a pure offering. For my name is great among the nations, saith the Lord. Mat. 1. 11.
The Lord declared his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. Psalm 98. 2.
Lent. Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel 2. 13. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51. 17.
Passiontide. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow. Lam. 1. 12.
Good Friday. God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5. 8.
Easter Even. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him; and he shall give thee thy hearts desire. Psalm 37. 7, 4.
Easter. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy bath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 St. Peter 1. 8.
Ascension-Day. Seeing that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4. 14, 16.
Whit-Sunday. The love of God bath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us. Rom. 5. 5.
Trinity. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God and God in him. 1 St. John 4. 16.
All Saints Day. Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Heb. 12. 1, 2.
Saints Days. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance the memory of the just is blessed. Psalm 112. 6; Proverbs 10. 7.
The New Year or any Anniversary. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40. 31.
Harvest. The earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof. Psalm 24. 1.
Time of Trouble. God is our hope and strength: a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46. 1.
National. O let the nations rejoice and be glad: for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Psalm 67. 4.
¶ The Minister, turning to the people, shall say the Exhortation in the form following:
The Exhortation
DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, 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
And this form of Exhortation shalt always be said on Advent Sunday and the First Sunday in Lent;
At other times he may use this form of Exhortation;
BELOVED, we are come together in the presence of Almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of Gods love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember Gods presence with us now.
Or else the Minister may omit any Exhortation and say,
Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.
And thereupon silence shall be kept for a space, all kneeling.
The General Confession
¶ Then shall follow the General Confession, to be said of the whole congregation after the Minister, all kneeling.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed 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.
Or this (except on Advent Sunday and the First Sunday in Lent):
O GOD, our Father, we have sinned against thee in thought, word, and deed: we have not loved thee with all our heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. Have mercy upon us, we beseech thee; cleanse us from our sins; and help us to overcome our faults; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Absolution
¶ The Absolution, or Remission of sins, to be pronounced by the Priest alone, standing; the people still kneeling.
ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live; and hath given power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins: He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance, and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him, which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure, and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Or this (except on Advent Sunday and the First Sunday in Lent):
MAY the Almighty and merciful Lord grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins, time for amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
¶ On all Sundays (except such as are Principal Feasts) this Introduction shall precede both Morning and Evening Prayer; except that it may be omitted when another service provided in this Book follows immediately.
The Opening Versicles
AN ALTERNATIVE ORDER FOR
EVENING PRAYER,
DAILY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
¶ On all Sundays (except such as are Principal Feasts) the Introduction shall precede Evening Prayer; except that it may be omitted when another service provided in this Book follows immediately.
¶ The Minister kneeling shall say or sing
Answer. O Lord, open thou our lips; And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Minister. O God, make speed to save us;
Answer. O Lord, make haste to help us.
Here all standing up, the Minister shall say,
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world Without end. Amen.
Minister. Praise ye the Lord
Answer. The Lords name be praised.
The Psalms
¶ Then shall be said or sung the Psalms in order as they be appointed. Then a Lesson of the Old Testament, as is appointed. And after that, Magnificat (or the Song of the blessed Virgin Mary) in English, as followeth.
Magnificat
MAGNIFICAT.
St.. Luke 1.
MY soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
2 For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
3 For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
4 For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his name.
5 And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
6 He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
7 He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek.
8 He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he bath sent empty away.
9 He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel: as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, 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.
Or else this psalm; except it be on the nineteenth day of the month, when it is read in the ordinary Course of the Psalms.
Cantate Domino
CANTATE DOMINO.
Psalm 98.
O SING unto the Lord a new song: for he hath done marvellous things.
2 With his own right hand, and with his holy arm: hath he gotten himself the victory.
3 The Lord declared his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
4 He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel: and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God.
5 Shew yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands: sing, rejoice, and give thanks.
6 Praise the Lord upon the harp: sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.
7 With trumpets also and shawms: O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord the King.
8 Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is: the round world, and they that dwell therein.
9 Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord: for he cometh to judge the earth.
10 With righteousness shall he judge the world: and the people with equity.
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.
The Second Lesson
¶ Then a Lesson of the New Testament, as it is appointed. And after that, Nunc dimittis (or the Song of Simeon) in English, as followeth.
Nunc dimittis
NUNC DIMITTIS.
St. Luke 2. 29.
LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word.
2 For mine eyes have seen: thy salvation,
3 Which thou hast prepared: before the face of all people;
4 To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
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 else this psalm; except it be on the twelfth day of the month.
Deus misereatur
DEUS MISEREATUR.
Psalm 67.
GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us: and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us:
2 That thy way may be known upon earth: thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations rejoice and be glad: for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth bring forth her increase: and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
7 God shall bless us: and all the ends of the world shall fear him.
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.
The Creed
¶ Then shall be sung or said the Apostles Creed by the Minister and the people, standing: except that it may be omitted if in place thereof the Quicunque vult, or either part thereof, be said or sung.
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried, He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.
The Lesser Litany and Suffrages
¶ Then shall be said these Prayers following, all devoutly kneeling; the Minister first pronouncing with a loud voice,
The Lord be with you;
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Then the Minister, Clerks, and people, shall say the Lords Prayer with a loud voice.
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.
Then the Minister standing up shall say,
O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us;
Answer. And grant us thy salvation.
Minister. O Lord, save the king;
Answer. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Minister. Endue thy ministers with righteousness;
Answer. And make thy chosen people joyful.
Minister. O Lord, save thy people;
Answer. And bless thine inheritance.
Minister. Give peace in our time, O Lord;
Answer. Because there is none other that ruleth the world, but only thou, O God.
Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us;
Answer. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
The Collects
¶ Then shall follow three Collects; the first of the Day; the second for Peace; the third for Aid against all Perils, as hereafter followeth but after the Collect of the Day, other collects are, on occasion, directed to be said before the Collect for Peace: which two last collects shall be daily said at Evening Prayer without alteration.
[¶ Except that when another service provided in this Book follows immediately, the Minister may end Evening Prayer with the Third Collect, or with the Canticle after the Second Lesson; or after the Canticle he may say:
The Lord be with you;
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.
and then shall he say any of the following, the Collect of the Day, or the Second or the Third Collect, and so end.]*
THE SECOND COLLECT, FOR PEACE.
O GOD, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
THE THIRD COLLECT, FOR AID AGAINST ALL PERILS.
LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Prayers
¶ In Quires and Places where they sing, here followeth the Anthem.
¶ The Minister may, at his discretion, after the Third Collect end the service with one or more of the Occasional Prayers and Thanksgivings, or such others as are authorized by the Bishop; provided that he shall close with the Prayer of Saint Chrysostom and The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c., or with one of the alternative conclusions.
The Athanasian Creed
¶ Upon these Feasts; Christmas-Day, the Epiphany, Saint Matthias, Easter-Day, Ascension-Day, Whit-Sunday, Saint John Baptist, Saint James, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Matthew, Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Saint Andrew, and upon Trinity-Sunday, shall be sung or said at Morning Prayer, instead of the Apostles Creed, this Confession of our Christian Faith, commonly called The Creed of Saint Athanasius, by the Minister and people standing.
¶ Upon the Feasts above mentioned it is nevertheless permitted, at the discretion of the Minister, to sing or say the Apostles Creed in place of Quicunque Vult at Morning Prayer.
At any time when Quicunque Vult is sung or said the revised translation here set forth may be used.
QUICUNQUE VULT.
WHOSOEVER would be saved: needeth before all things to hold fast the Catholick Faith.
2 Which Faith except a man keep whole and undefiled: without doubt he will perish eternally.
3 Now the Catholick Faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity;
4 Neither confusing the Persons: nor dividing the substance.
5 For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son: another of the Holy Ghost;
6 But the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one: the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.
7 Such as the Father is, such is the Son: and such is the Holy Ghost.
8 The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated: the Holy Ghost uncreated;
9 The Father infinite, the Son infinite: the Holy Ghost infinite;
10 The Father eternal, the Son eternal: the Holy Ghost eternal.
11 And yet there are not three eternals: but one eternal
12 As also there are not three uncreated, nor three infinites: but one infinite, and one uncreated.
13 So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty: the Holy Ghost almighty;
14 And yet there are not three almighties: but one almighty.
15 So the Father is God, the Son God: the Holy Ghost God;
16 And yet there are not three Gods: but one God.
17 So the Father is Lord, the Son Lord: the Holy Ghost Lord;
18 And yet there are not three Lords: but one Lord.
19 For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity: to confess each Person by himself to be both God and Lord;
20 So are we forbidden by the Catholick religion: to speak of three Gods or three Lords.
21 The Father is made of none: nor created, nor begotten.
22 The Son is of the Father alone: not made, nor created, but begotten.
23 The Holy Ghost is of the Father and the Son: not made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
24 There is therefore one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons: one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.
25 And in this Trinity there is no before or after: no greater or less;
26 But all three Persons are co-eternal together: and co-equal.
27 So that in all ways, as is aforesaid: both the Trinity is to be worshipped in Unity, and the Unity in Trinity.
28 He therefore that would be saved let him thus think of the Trinity.
29 FURTHERMORE it is necessary to eternal salvation: that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
30 Now the right faith is that we believe and confess: that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both God and man.
31 He is God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds: and he is man, of the substance of his Mother, born in the world;
32 Perfect God: perfect man, of reasoning soul and human flesh subsisting;
33 Equal to the Father as touching his Godhead: less than the Father as touching his manhood.
34 Who although he be God and man: yet he is not two, but is one Christ;
35 One however, not by conversion of Godhead into flesh: but by taking manhood into God;
36 One altogether: not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.
37 For as reasoning soul and flesh is one man: so God and man is one Christ;
38 Who suffered for our salvation: descended into hell, rose again from the dead;
39 Ascended into heaven, sat down at the right hand of the Father: from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
40 At whose coming all men must rise again with their bodies: and shall give account for their own deeds.
41 And they that have done good will go into life eternal: they that have done evil into eternal fire.
42 THIS is the Catholick Faith: which except a man do faithfully and steadfastly believe, he cannot be saved.
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.
¶ At Morning or Evening Prayer on Trinity-Sunday, on the first Sunday after Christmas, and on the Feast of the Annunciation, may be sung or said Quicunque vult as it is here set forth in a revised translation; or else the Minister alone may read the same to the people.
¶ Or else may be sung or said, in either translation, on Trinity-Sunday the first part thereof, beginning with
3 The Catholick Faith is this that we worship, &c.
and ending with
28 He therefore that would be saved: let him thus think of the Trinity.
Glory be to the Father, &c.
And on the Sunday after Christmas-Day, and on the Feast of the Annunciation, may be sung or said the second part thereof, beginning thus,
30 The Catholick Faith is this, that we believe and confess: that our Lord, &c.
and ending thus,
41 And they that have done evil will go into eternal fire and they that have done good into life eternal.
Glory be to the Father, &c.