Page:History of the Nonjurors.djvu/515

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History of the Nonjurors.
497

Deacon's new Service Book contained an Order for Morning Prayer, and an Order for Evening Prayer, altogether different in structure from the Book of Common Prayer, to which the regular Nonjurors adhered. These Offices are so unlike the Services in the Anglican Book, that the original leaders of the Nonjuring separation could not possibly have sanctioned them. They were consequently rejected by all, except by Deacon's own party. After the Order for Morning and Evening Prayer there are Prayers for the Catechumens, the Energumens, the candidates for Baptism, and the Penitents. The Energumens were persons supposed to be possessed by evil spirits: and certain Prayers are appointed to be used by the Priest with special reference to such an opinion.

The next form is called the Penitential Office, and was appointed to be used on Wednesdays and Fridays, and on other specified occasions: and it is ordered, that none should be present, except the Faithful and the Penitents. Next in order stands The Communion Office, which not only differs from our own, but also from the Book of 1718.[1] The designation even of the Office is peculiar, differing from that of the Nonjurors, as well as from our own: and by a special Rubric none but the Faithful were permitted to be present at the administration. In addition to the mixture of water with the wine, the Priest is directed to sign his forehead with the sign of the cross to administer the elements to the Deaconesses, and also to Infants, saying simply "The Body of Christ, and The Blood of Christ, the cup of Life." Deacon, it


  1. The title is as follows: "The Holy Liturgy: or, the Form of Offering the Sacrifice, and of Administering the Sacrifice of the Eucharist."