Then shall the Priest say the following Prayer, all standing but

the Penitents, who are to bow their heads.

O ALMIGHTY and Eternal God, Lord of the whole world, Creator and Governor of all things, who by Christ hast made man to be the great ornament of the world, and hast given him both a natural and a written law, that he might live by the rules thereof as a rational creature; who hast also, when he hath sinned, given him a motive and encouragement to repent, even thine own goodness : Do thou now look down upon these thy servants, who bow the neck of their souls and bodies unto thee ; for thou desirest not the death of a sinner, but his repentance, that he should turn from his evil way and live. O thou, who didst accept the repentance of the Ninevites ; who wouldst have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth ; who didst receive again the Prodigal Son, that had spent his substance in riotous living, with the compassionate bowels of a Father, on account of his repentance : Do thou now accept the repentance of these thy supplicants. For there is no man that sinneth not against thee: and if thou, Lord, wilt mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it ? But with

thee there is mercy, and propitiation. Restore them therefore to thy holy Church in their former dignity and honour, through Christ our God and Saviour ; by whom glory and adoration be to thee in the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. Then the Deacon, being turned to the Penitents, shall say,

Depart, ye Penitents.

THE FORM OF ADMITTING A PERSON TO BE

A CATECHUMEN;

To be used on Sunday Morning, immediately before the

Prayers for the Catechumens. Deac. What is thy desire ?

Answ. I humbly desire to be admitted a Catechumen of the Christian Church.

Deac. Wilt thou receive and follow the instructions that shall be given thee ?

Answ. I will thankfully receive them, and with God's help will diligently follow them.

Deac. Bow down thy head, and receive the Benediction.

Here the person to be admitted a Catechumen shall kneel down ;

and the Priest, after having signed him with the sign of the

cross upon his forehead, shall lay his hands upon him, while he says the following Prayer over him bowing his head.

We adore thee, O God, thou Lord of the universe, and give thee thanks in behalf of thy creature, for that thou hast sent thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ to save man by blotting out his transgressions, to forgive him his sins and impieties, to purify him from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and to sanctify him according to the good-pleasure of his loving-kindness. Do thou, O Lord, look down upon this thy creature, inspire him with the knowledge of thy will, enlighten the eyes of his heart that he may consider thy wonderful works, and make known unto him the judgments of thy righteousness; that he, hating all manner of iniquity, and walking in the way of thy truth, may become worthy of being washed in the laver of regeneration, and thereby obtain the adoption of children which is in Christ ; that, being planted together in the likeness of his death, in hopes of the glorious fellowship, and being mortified to sin, he may live unto thee in thought, word, and deed, and have his name written in the book of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom and with whom, in the

unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Priest say ; THE Lord Jesus Christ, who hath overcome Satan, and delivered us from the wrath to come, receive thee into his most mighty protection ; that thou mayest come at last by his blessing to his heavenly kingdom. Amen.

And then the Person shall take his station among the

Catechumens.

THE FORM OF ADMITTING A PENITENT

TO PENANCE;

To be used on Sunday Morning, immediately before the

Prayers for the Penitents. Note, This Office is to be performed by no Priests but those who

are thereto licensed by the Bishop himself. Pr. What is thy desire ? Answ. I humbly desire to be admitted to Penance. Pr. Art thou ready to make thy confession ? Answ. I am.

Then the Penitent shall kneel down before the Priest, and make

his Confession in the following form. I, UNWORTHY sinner, do humbly confess to Almighty God in the presence of this congregation, that I have been guilty of manifold and grievous transgressions, in thought, word, and deed, (particularly-Here the Penitent is to name the crime or crimes for which he is to be put under Penance, unless it be judged improper so to do:) through my fault, through my great fault, through my exceeding great fault. I do earnestly repent, and am heartily sorry for all my misdoings. I am stedfastly resolved, with God's assistance, to lead a sober, righteous, and godly life for the future. I earnestly implore the mercy of Almighty God, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ my Saviour; and that I may obtain it, I humibly beg to be admitted to Penance, and earnestly desire the prayers of the Church.

Then the Priest shall declare to the Penitent the Penance which the Bishop hath ordered him; after which he shall ask him: Wilt thou perform this ?

Penitent. I will by God's grace religiously perform it.

Pr. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath said, Who