The Confession.

376. Did a confession of sin occupy a similar place in early Liturgies?

Yes; not only in the ancient Roman and Italian, but also in Eastern Liturgies.

377. And is this our beautiful form ancient? If we cannot trace back to primitive Liturgies all its expressions, we find similar in very old rituals.

378. When was it introduced into the Liturgy? In 1552-in the second book of Edward.

The Absolution.

379. There has always been, I believe, an absolution from the bishop, or priest, before communion?

There is scarcely an ancient Liturgy without it. 380. And is our own form of absolution ancient? We can prove its existence for 1100 years; and its substance is to be traced back yet further.

The four verses from Scripture.

381. Was there authority for the introduction of these sentences at this part of the service? There are verses so introduced in the ancient Liturgy of Jerusalem; and there are such verses in our early English Liturgies. Our Reformers inserted these from the Gospel.

5

Introductory Versicles.

382. When were these four versicles first used? No time can tell us; as the earliest records speak of them. Augustine (3, 4 C.) speaks of them as having been "used by all Churches;" and they no doubt came to England with Christianity itself.

Prefaces.

383. The habit of thanksgiving at the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, is, no doubt, ancient; taking its rise from Christ's own example? Yes; the early Fathers often apply the word thanksgiving" to the whole Communion Service, on account of the marked nature of its thanksgiving.

384. And these Prefaces?

Are of ancient origin, being named by writers in the fourth century.

385. And the forms themselves?

Are the ancient forms of the English Church, for some 1200 years, altered by the Reformers.

Holy, Holy, Holy.

386. This is, I believe, one of the most interesting remains of the Apostolic age?

It appears to have been in universal use from the very earliest times recorded by almost every Christian Father of almost every exListing Church.est botat

387. Is this most beautiful prayer founded upon ancient models?

Yes; whilst there is no such prayer in the Roman Church, it is in order and substance conformed to, or supported by, the most an cient Liturgies of the East, 1500 or 1600 years ago.

The Consecration.

388. Was the ancient form of Consecration similar to ours?

Yes; a recital, commemorative of what the Saviour has done for us, immediately preceded the actual consecration of the bread and wine.

389. And was the consecration always by the recital of our Lord's acts and words in the first institution of this Sacrament?

Always; throughout the whole Christian Church.

390. The immediate words, then, varied; as the Evangelists vary?

Certainly. Our present form resembles most, as relates to the bread, that of the ancient Gallican and Spanish Churches; and, as to the wine, that of the most ancient Eastern Churches.

Words on Delivery.

391. What is the earliest form, of which we have a record, for the delivery of the elements to the communicants?

The body of Christ," in the second and third' centuries.

392. And what was the next form?

"The body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul," about two centuries later; that is, in both cases, the customs are recorded as then existing.

Thanksgivings.

393. Was it the habit of the early Church to offer thanks in this place?

Yes; for example, Cyril (4 C.) directs those who have communicated to wait for the prayer, and to give thanks to God.

394. Are our forms ancient ?

Not in words; but they embody the sentiments of primitive Christianity, and the second approaches nearly to the earliest forms.

Glory to God.

395. This is, I believe, a very ancient hymn? Its existence is traceable in the Eastern Church 1500 years ago; and it is known to have been used by ourselves for above 1200. Its author, and its first use, are equally uncertain, on account of its great antiquity.

The Six Collects.

396. Are these beautiful Collects ancient or modern?

Three of them we know to have been of ancient use in the English Church; and, although we can, as yet, trace the other three no further than the books of Edward, time, showing us more of the Reformers' work, may produce their originals.

See No. 348.

The final Blessing.

397. Is our final blessing an ancient one? It is of ancient English use; and according with the Gallican, as well as with Eastern Liturgies.

THE END.

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