132 Charles Davidson — English Mystery Plays. 



On the day called Sunday a meeting takes place of all who dwell in cities or 

 in the country, and the memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the Prophets 

 are read as long as time permits. Then, when the reader ceases, the one who 

 takes the lead admonishes by word of mouth and exhorts to the imitation of 

 these good things. Then we all rise together and put up prayers ; and, as was said 

 before, when we have ceased from prayer, bread is offered and wine and water, 

 and he who takes the lead puts up prayers likewise, and thanksgivings according 

 to his ability, and the people give their assent, saying. Amen. 



Justin Martyr knew the church service, and his report is authori- 

 tative. It reveals a more formal service than that of the first de- 

 cades, the exercises consisting of Reading, Exhortations, Prayer, 

 the Eucharist, and Thanksgiving. These he names, as we judge 

 from later liturgies, in the order of service. The Eucharist, a 

 thanksgiving in act, closing appropriately with a thanksgiving in 

 word, is fitly introduced by the Prophets or Acts, with exhortation 

 and prayer. 



Two hundred years pass by within which is found no extended 

 report of the manner of worship. Then appear the Apostolic 

 Constitutions, from which is drawn the so-called Clementine Liturgy, 

 which is as follows :^ 



Lection from Law and Prophets.^ 



Lection from Epistles. 



Lection from Gospels. 



Sermon. 



Litanies for Catechumens, etc., and Dismissal. 



Litany for Faithful. 



The Peace of God be with you all. 



Kiss of Peace. 



Washing of Hands. 



Offering of the Gifts. ^ 



Prayer of Bishop. 



The Grace of Almighty God, and the Love, etc. 



Sursum Corda. 



Preface ending ^vdth Sanctus. 



Commemoration of the work of Redemption. 



Words of Institution : In the night in which He was betrayed. 



Offering in remembrance of Passion. 



Invocation of Holy Spirit. 



Prayer for the whole Church, including the faithful departed. 



Peace of God be with you all. Prayer of Humble Access. 



Holy things to Holy. R. One holy, etc. Glory to God in the highest, etc. 



Communion. Psalm xxxiv. 



Thanksgiving. 



Blessing. 



1 Burbidge, Front. 2 The Little Entrance or Introit. 



8 The Great Entrance or Offertory. 



