eremonial of the open Communion in the
church as can be attained, in regard of the ornaments of the
Church and Minister. In addition to the usual vessels for the
celebration of the Holy Communion, the Minister will do well to
provide himself with a spoon, for the administration of the species
of Wine to very feeble persons.

Cases will occur where the difficulty of swallowing even very small
quantities of either the Bread or the Wine is almost insuperable.
Administration in both kinds may, in some of these cases, be still
attained by placing a minute particle of the Bread in the spoon
with some of the Wine, or conversely by touching the Wine in the
cup with the corner of the piece of Bread which is to be given to
the sick person.

In cases of long infirmity, as of bedridden people without acute
illness, the analogy of the Office of Private Baptism would seem
to hold good, and to admit of the introduction of the other parts
of the Order of Holy Communion, besides those appointed for the
Communion of the Sick.

262. After which the Priest shall proceed according to the form
before prescribed for the holy Communion, beginning at these
words [_Ye that do truly_ &c.]

263. At the time of the distribution of the holy Sacrament, the
Priest shall first receive the Communion himself, and after
minister unto them that are appointed to communicate with the
sick, and last of all to the sick person.

264. But if a man, either by reason of extremity of sickness, or
for want of warning in due time to the Curate, or for lack of
company to receive with him, or by any other just impediment, do
not receive the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood, the Curate
shall instruct him, that if he do truly repent him of his sins,
and stedfastly believe that Jesus Christ hath suffered death upon
the Cross for him, and shed his Blood for his redemption, earnestly
remembering the benefits he hath thereby, and giving him hearty
thanks therefore, he doth eat and drink the Body and Blood of our
Saviour Christ profitably to his Soul's health, although he do not
receive the Sacrament with his mouth.

The instruction ordered to be given to the sick man, under certain
circumstances, of unavoidable impediment to his receiving the
Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood 'that he nevertheless doth
eat and drink Christ's Body and Blood,' must be understood to mean
that physical incapacity to eat and drink does not cut off the
sick man from the benefits o