If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins.-1 St. John ii, 1.

After which the Priest shall proceed, say

ing:

Lift up your

hearts.1

up unto the

Answer. We lift them

Lord.

Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.

Answer. It is meet and right so

to do.

You are now about to enter upon the most solemn part of the Liturgy. It behoves you therefore to withdraw your hearts

1 "When we stand praying, dearest brethren, we ought to be alive and intent towards our prayers with the whole heart. Let all carnal and secular thinking be put away from us; let the mind dwell on no thought except the prayer it is offering. It is for this cause that the priest, before worship, uses words of introduction, and puts the brethren's minds in preparation, by saying, 'Lift up your hearts'; that while the people answer,' We lift them up unto the Lord', they may be reminded that there is nothing for them to think of except the Lord."-St. Cyprian on the Lord's Prayer, A.D. 252.

entirely from worldly matters, and in
earnest to "lift them unto the Lord",
who is, as it were, fast approaching to
meet you at His holy Table.
"PREPARE

TO MEET THY GOD".

Then shall the Priest turn to the Lord's Table, and say :

These words

[Holy Father

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.

must be omitted

on Trinity Sun

day.

Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed or else immediately shall follow :

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Thy glorious Name; evermore praising Thee, and saying Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth

are full of Thy glory: Glory be to Thee, O Lord most High. Amen.1

PROPER PREFACES.

Upon Christmas-day, and seven days after. Because Thou didst give Jesus Christ Thine only Son to be born as at this time for us; who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, was made very man of the substance of the Virgin Mary His mother; and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon Easter-day, and seven days after.

But chiefly are we bound to praise

1 "When the priest stands before the altar to invoke the Holy Ghost, and to consummate the most tremendous sacrifice, and to touch repeatedly with his hands the common Lord of all, at that moment, tell me, what purity, what devotion must not be required of him! Think what hands should they be, which are used for this service! What that tongue, which is to utter such words! shall be so pure and holy, as to receive into his soul so great a spirit? At that time Angels stand with the priest; and the whole order of the heavenly powers cry aloud, and fill the space round about the altar, in adoration of Him who lieth thereon."-St. Chrys. Serm. vi, on the Priesthood.

Who

Thee for the glorious Resurrection of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: for He is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by His death hath destroyed death, and by His rising to life again hath restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon Ascension-day, and seven days after.

Through Thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who after His most glorious Resurrection manifestly appeared to all His Apostles, and in their sight ascended up into heaven to prepare a place for us; that where He is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with Him in glory. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon Whit-sunday, and six days after. Through Jesus Christ our Lord; according to whose most true pro

mise, the Holy Ghost came down as at this time from heaven with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the Apostles, to teach them, and to lead them to all truth; giving them both the gift of divers languages, and also boldness with fervent zeal constantly to preach the Gospel unto all nations; whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of Thee, and of Thy Son Jesus Christ. Therefore with Angels, &c.

Upon the Feast of Trinity only.

Who art one God, one Lord; not one only Person, but three Persons in one Substance. For that which we believe of the glory of the Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any dif ference or inequality. Therefore with Angels, &c.