Let us present our offerings to the Lord with reverence and G.o.dly fear.
_Then the Presbyter shall begin the Offertory, saying one or more of these sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient_.
In process of time it came to pa.s.s, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof.
And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. _Gen_. iv. 3, 4, 5.
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. _Exod_. xxv. 2.
Ye shall not appear before the Lord empty. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy G.o.d which he hath given thee. _Deut_. xvi. 16, 17.
I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness; I will sing and speak praises unto the Lord. _Ps_. xxvii. 7.
Offer unto G.o.d thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the most Highest.
_Ps_. 1. 14.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his Name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. _Ps_. xcvi. 8.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of the Lord; I will pay my vows unto the Lord in the sight of all his people. _Ps_. cxvi. 15, 16.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
_St Matth_. vi. 19, 20.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. _St Matth_. vii. 21.
Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance: but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. _St Mark_ xii. 41, 42, 43, 44.
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. _Acts_ xx. 35.
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 1 _Cor_. ix. 7.
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 1 _Cor_. ix. 11.
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 1 _Cor_. ix.
13, 14.
He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly: and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for G.o.d loveth a cheerful giver. 2 _Cor_. ix. 6, 7.
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; G.o.d is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. _Gal_. vi.
6, 7.
As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men; especially unto them who are of the household of faith. _Gal_. vi. 10.
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living G.o.d, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy: That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 _Tim_. vi.
17, 18, 19.
G.o.d is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. _Heb_. vi. 10.
To do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices G.o.d is well pleased. _Heb_. xiii. 16.
_While the Presbyter distinctly p.r.o.nounceth one or more of these sentences for the Offertory, the Deacon, or_ (_if no such be present_) _some other fit person, shall receive the devotions of the people there present, in a bason provided for that purpose.
And when all have offered, he shall reverently bring the said bason, with the offerings therein, and deliver it to the Presbyter; who shall humbly present it before the Lord, and set it upon the Holy Table_.
_And the Presbyter shall then, offer up, and place the bread and wine prepared for the Sacrament upon the Lord"s Table; and shall say_,
Blessed be thou, O Lord G.o.d, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all: both riches and honour come of thee, and of thine own do we give unto thee. _Amen_.
_Then shall the Presbyter say_,
The Lord be with you.
_Answer_. And with thy spirit.
_Presbyter_. Lift up your hearts.
_Answer_. We lift them up unto the Lord.
_Presbyter_. Let us give thanks unto our Lord G.o.d.
_Answer_. It is meet and right so to do.
_Presbyter_.
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 G.o.d.
[Margin Note:] * _These words_ [holy Father] _must be omitted on Trinity Sunday_
_Here shall follow the proper preface, according to the time, if there be 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,
_Presbyter and People_.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord G.o.d Of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen.
PROPER PREFACES.
_Upon_ CHRISTMAS-DAY, _and seven days after_.
Because thou didst give Jesus Christ, thine only Son, to be born * [as on this day] for us, who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, was made very man, of the substance of the blessed Virgin Mary his mother, and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. Therefore with Angels, &c.
[Margin Note:] *_During the seven days after Christmas say_, as at this time.
_Upon_ EASTER-DAY, _and seven days after_.
But chiefly are we bound to praise 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.