The archbishop in the meantime went to the altar and put on his cope,
and placed himself at the north side of the altar; as did also the
bishops who took part in the office.
The officers of the wardrobe, &c. here spread carpets and cushions on
the floor and steps of the altar.
And here, first the Bible, paten, and cup, were brought and placed upon
the altar. The King then, supported by the two bishops of Durham and
Bath, and attended by the dean of Westminster, the lords carrying the
regalia before him, went down to the altar, and knelt upon the steps of
it, and made his first oblation, uncovered.
Here the pall, or altar-cloth of gold, was delivered by the master of
the great wardrobe to the lord great chamberlain, and by him, kneeling,
it was presented to his Majesty. The treasurer of the household then
delivered a wedge of gold of a pound weight to the lord great
chamberlain, which he, kneeling, delivered to his Majesty. The King then
(uncovered) delivered them to the archbishop.
The archbishop received them one after another (standing) from his
Majesty, and laid the pall reverently upon the altar. The gold was
received into the basin; and, with like reverence, was placed upon the
altar.
Then the archbishop said the following prayer, the King still
kneeling:--
O God, who dwellest in the high and holy place, with them also who
are of an humble spirit; mercifully look down upon this thy humble
servant, GEORGE our King, here humbling himself before thee at thy
footstool, and graciously receive these oblations which, in humble
acknowledgment of thy sovereignty over all, and of thy great bounty
to him in particular, he hath now offered up unto thee, through
Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
When the King had thus offered his oblation, he went to his chair set
for him on the south side of the altar, and knelt at his faldstool, and
the Litany commenced, which was read by two bishops, vested in copes,
and kneeling at a faldstool above the steps of the theatre, on the
middle of the east side; the choir read the responses.
In the meantime the lords who carried the regalia, except those who bore
the swords, approached the altar, and each presented what he carried to
the archbishop, who delivered them to the dean of Westminster, who
placed them on the altar. They then retired to the places and seats
appointed for them.
The bishops, and the people with them, then said the Lord's Prayer.
The Communion service was read; the people, kneeling, made the
responses to the ten commandments, which were delivered by the
archbishop.
Then the archbishop, standing as before, said the following Collect for
the King:--
_Let us pray._
Almighty God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite: have
mercy upon the whole church, and so rule the heart of thy chosen
servant George our king and governor, that he (knowing whose
minister he is) may above all things seek thy honour and glory; and
that we and all his subjects (duly considering whose authority he
hath) may faithfully serve, honour, and humbly obey him, in thee and
for thee, according to thy blessed word and ordinance, through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and
reigneth ever one God, world without end. Amen.