Wesley Corpus

I will just mention a few of them, and leave you to consider which of us has observed, or does observe, them most. (1) Days of fasting or abstinence to be observed: The forty days of Lent; The Ember days at the four seasons; The three Rogation days; All Fridays in the year, except Christmas-day. (2.) “So many as intend to be partakers of the holy com munion shall signify their names to the Curate, at least some time the day before: “And if any of these be an open and notorious evil liver, the Curate shall advertise him, that in anywise he presume not to come to the Lord’s table, until he hath openly declared himself to have truly repented. (3.) “Then (after the Nicene Creed) the Curate shall declare unto the people what holidays or fasting-days are in the week following to be observed. (4) “The Minister shall first receive the communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, in like manner, if any be present, and after that, to the people. (5.) “In cathedral and collegiate churches, and colleges, where there are many Priests and Deacons, they shall all receive the communion with the Priest every Sunday at the least. (6.) “The children to be baptized must be ready at the font immediately after the last Lesson. (7.) “The Curates of every parish shall warn the people, that without great necessity they procure not their children to be baptized at home in their houses. (8.) “The Curate of every parish shall diligently upon Sun days and holidays, after the Second Lesson at Evening Prayer, openly in the church, instruct and examine so many children as he shall think convenient, in some part of the Catechism. (9.)“Whensoever the Bishop shall give notice for children to be brought unto him for their confirmation, the Curate of every parish shall either bring or send in writing, with his hand subscribed thereunto, the names of all such persons within his parish, as he shall think fit to be presented to the Bishop.” 81. Now, the question is not whether these Rubrics ought to be observed, (you take this for granted in making the objec tion,) but whether in fact they have been observed by you, or me, most.