The rubric insists that great care should be taken in the selection of the bread; wherefore the Curate and Church-wardens should not be content with the first bread that comes to hand. Indeed, the ordinary bread of commerce scarcely comes up to the standard of excellence and purity here required. There is no mention of any corresponding care about the wine. But considerations of reverence obviously demand a similar standard of excellence and purity; and it is much to be wished that more attention were paid to this point. The thick and syrupy wines, commonly made up for this sacred use, are undesirable; on the other hand, unfermented grape juice is not wine.[k]
139. And if any of the Bread and Wine remain unconsecrated, the Curate shall have it to his own use: but if any remain of that which was consecrated, it shall not be carried out of the Church, but the Priest and such other of the Communicants as he shall then call unto him, shall, immediately after the Blessing, reverently eat and drink the same.
This rubric provides for the reverent consumption of the consecrated species.
The direction to drink the Wine, as well as to eat the Bread, reverently, is imperative to compel the consumption of the Wine, as well as of the Bread. It is most desirable that care should be taken in the consecration that no more of the consecrated elements should remain than the celebrant can conveniently consume without assistance. But if it should happen that he finds it necessary to call to him other communicants for the purpose of consuming a considerable surplus, the word 'reverently' implies that they should receive it in the same posture in which they communicated.
The prohibition against carrying the unconsumed remainder of the consecrated elements out of church involves the cleansing the vessels in church. This should be done by the Priest himself. Although the Service has been concluded, the people are not required to withdraw immediately: indeed, if all left immediately after the blessing, the Priest could not call unto him any of them for the purpose of consuming the remainder of the consecrated elements.
The method of cleansing, which is really intended to ensure the entire consumption of all that remains, is not prescribed, and the word 'reverently' leaves much to the discretion of the Priest, while it certainly applies as much to his demeanour as to that of the people.[l]
140. The Bread and Wine for the Communion shall be provided by the Curate and the Church-wardens at the charges of the Parish.
141. And note, that every Parishioner shall communicate at the least three times in the year, of which Easter to be one. And yearly at Easter every Parishioner shall reckon with the Parson, Vicar, or Curate, or his or their Deputy or Deputies; and pay to them or him all Ecclesiastical Duties, accustomably due, then and at that time to be paid.
142. After the Divine Service ended, the money given at the Offertory shall be disposed of to such pious and charitable uses, as the Minister and Church-wardens shall think fit. Wherein if they disagree, it shall be disposed of as the Ordinary shall appoint.
143. Whereas it is ordained in this Office for the Administration of the Lord's Supper, that the Communicants should receive the same kneeling; &c.