from Foxe ’ s Book of Martyrs (1684 Edition)
“in English, so as I found it in a certain written copy, by Master Coverdale translated. ”
Therefore most gracious Father, through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, we humbly beseech thee, and we desire that thou accept and bless these gifts, these presents, these holy and unspotted sacrifices, which first of all we offer unto thee for thy holy Catholic Church; that thou vouchsafe to pacify, keep, unite, and govern it throughout the whole world, with thy servant our Pope N. and our Bishop N. and our King N. and all true believers, and such as have the catholic and apostolic faith in due estimation.
Remember, Lord, thy servants and handmaids N. and N., and all that stand hereby round about, whose faith and devotion to thee is known and manifest; for whom we offer unto thee, or which themselves offer unto thee, this sacrifice of praise for them and theirs: for the redemption of their souls, for the hope of their salvation and health, and render their vows unto thee, the eternal living and true God.
Communicating and worshipping the memorial, first of the glorious and ever Virgin Mary the mother of our God and Lord Jesu Christ, and also of thy blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter, Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus, Linus, Cletus, Clemens, Sextus, Cornelius, Cyprianus, Laurence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosme and Damian, and of all thy Saints: by whose merits and prayers grant thou, that in all things we may be defended with the help of thy protection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Therefore Lord we beseech thee, that thou being pacified wilt receive this oblation of our service, and of all thy household; and order our days in thy peace, and command us to be delivered from eternal damnation, and to be numbered in the flock of thine elect, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Which oblation we beseech thee, O Almighty God, in all things to make blessed, appointed, ratified,reasonable and acceptable; that unto us it may be the Body and Blood of thy most dearly beloved Son our Lord Jesu Christ:
Who the next day afore he suffered took bread into his holy and reverent hands, and his eyes being lift up into heaven unto thee God Almighty his Father, rendering thanks unto thee, he blessed, he brake, and gave unto his disciples, saying: Take ye, and eat of this ye all, for this is my Body. Likewise after they had supped, he taking this excellent cup into his holy and reverent hands, rendering thanks also unto thee, blessed, and gave unto his disciples, saying: Take and drink of this ye all, for this is the Cup of my Blood, of the new and everlasting testament, the mystery of faith; which for you and for many shall be shed to the remission of sins. As oft as ye do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of me.
Wherefore O Lord, we also thy servants, and thy holy people, being mindful as well of the blessed passion and resurrection, as of the glorious ascension of the same Christ thy Son our Lord God, do offer unto thy excellent majesty of thy own rewards and gifts: a pure host; an holy host; an undefiled host; the holy Bread of eternal life, and the Cup of eternal salvation.
Vouchsafe thou also with a merciful and pleasant countenance to have respect hereunto, and to accept the same, as thou didst vouchsafe to accept the gifts of thy righteous servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham, and the holy sacrifice, the undefiled Host, that the high priest Melchisedech did offer unto thee.
We humbly beseech thee O almighty God, command thou these to be brought by the Hands of thy Holy Angel unto thy high altar in the presence of thy divine majesty; that as many of us of this participation of the altar shall receive thy Son's holy Body and Blood may be replenished with all heavenly benediction and grace, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Remember, Lord, also the souls of thy servants and handmaidens, N. and N., which are gone before us with the mark of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. We beseech thee, O Lord, that unto them, and unto all such as rest in Christ, thou wilt grant a place of refreshing, of light, and of peace, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Unto us sinners also thy servants, hoping of the multitude of thy mercies, vouchsafe to give some portion and fellowship with thy holy Apostles and Martyrs, with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and with all thy Saints; within whose fellowship we beseech thee admit us, not weighing our merits, but granting us forgiveness, through Christ our Lord.
By whom, O Lord, all these good things thou dost ever create: thou sanctifiest, thou quickenest, thou blessest, and givest unto us.
Through him; and with him; and in him is unto thee God, Father Almighty, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory, world without end. AMEN.