The Book of Common Prayer Part 56

Except the Lord keep the city: the watchman waketh but in vain.

It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Lo, children and the fruit of the womb: are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.

Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant: even so are the young children.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

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 the Priest shall say_,

Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

_Christ, have mercy upon us_.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

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 trespa.s.ses, As we forgive them that trespa.s.s 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.

_Minister_. O Lord, save this woman thy servant;

_Answer_. Who putteth her trust in thee.

_Minister_. Be thou to her a strong tower;

_Answer_. From the face of her enemy.

_Minister_. Lord, hear our prayer.

_Answer_. And let our cry come unto thee.

_Minister_.

Let us pray.

O almighty G.o.d, we give thee humble thanks for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliver this woman thy servant from the great pain and peril of child-birth: Grant, we beseech thee, most merciful Father, that she through thy help may both faithfully live and walk according to thy will, in this life present; and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_The woman, that cometh to give her thanks, must offer accustomed offerings; and, if there be a Communion, it is convenient that she receive the holy Communion_.

A COMMINATION,

OR DENOUNCING OF G.o.d'S ANGER AND

JUDGEMENTS AGAINST SINNERS,

WITH CERTAIN PRAYERS,

TO BE USED ON THE FIRST DAY OF LENT, AND AT OTHER

TIMES AS THE ORDINARY SHALL APPOINT

_After Morning Prayer, the Litany ended, according to the accustomed manner, the Priest shall in the reading Pew or Pulpit say_,

Brethren, in the primitive Church there was a G.o.dly discipline, that, at the beginning of Lent, such persons as stood convicted of notorious sin were put to open penance, and punished in this world, that their souls might be saved in the day of the Lord; and that others, admonished by their example, might be the more afraid to offend.

Instead whereof, until the said discipline may be restored again, (which is much to be wished,) it is thought good that at this time (in the presence of you all) should be read the general sentences of G.o.d's cursing against impenitent sinners, gathered out of the seven and twentieth chapter of Deuteronomy, and other places of Scripture; and that ye should answer to every sentence, Amen: To the intent that, being admonished of the great indignation of G.o.d against sinners, ye may the rather be moved to earnest and true repentance; and may walk more warily in these dangerous days; fleeing from such vices, for which ye affirm with your own mouths the curse of G.o.d to be due. Cursed is the man that maketh any carved or molten image, to wors.h.i.+p it.

_And the people shall answer and say_,

Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that curseth his father or mother.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that removeth his neighbour's land-mark.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that maketh the blind to go out of his way.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that perverteth the judgement of the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that smiteth his neighbour secretly.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that lieth with his neighbour's wife.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that taketh reward to slay the innocent.

_Answer_. Amen.