that their offerings should be accepted of neither at the Altar nor in the Church treasury Now although the elements of bread and wine are provided by an establishment of our Church differing from the ancient custome yet can there be no reason shewed why we should prescribe and cast away that most necessary sacrifice of Almes which though at first introduced as concomitant with the former yet hath sufficient interest in Religion to entitle it self to a place in the course of the grand sacrifice and the Church hath very fitly assigned it this place as Preambulatory to the Prayers ensuing it being properly stiled by St. Chrysostom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wing of prayer upon which wing the prayers of Cornelius ascended up into Heaven Acts 10 2. As to the sentences of this Offertory they which differ in the Scottish service from ours are taken out of Bishop Andrews his notes upon the Book of Common prayer Who goeth a warfare This with the four succeeding sentences 7 8 9 10. have a peculiar reference to the ministery by which plain it is that our Church intended a double Offering one Elemosynary Almes for the poor Another Oblatory for the maintenance of the Clergy In the earliest times of Christianity such spontaneous oblations were the onely income of the Church with no other alimony did the ministry subsist This collection was first weekly 1 Cor. 16. 2. next in flux of time and in the African Church menstrua die once a moneth The depositary and Trustee of these Offerings was in chief the Bishop who had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the power over affaires of the Church to dispose them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the consent of the Presbyters and Deacons The imployment of these mensurna divisiones or monthly dividends was quadrupartite One portion to the Bishop whence St. Cyprian speaketh often de quantitate sua propria of his own proper share Another to the inferiour Clergy who not the people who offered as Mr. Selden hath mistaken were therefore called Sportulantes fratres Bretheren of the Dole The third was for sacred utensils and reparation of Gods house And the last for the relief of the poor strangers prisoners and the like as hath been said before And though Christian Princes restored in after-times to God his own and indowed the Church with Tithes yet did not these oblations cease thereupon that had been a favour with a mischief these Offerings advancing an Ecclesiastical intrade far exceeding the Decimal availes as appeareth by St. Cyprian No all along Oblations both spontaneous and such as custom had established continued together with tithes even unto our dayes which some of the Reverend Clergy finde to be a woful truth Is it not so when having lost the benefit by a long disuse they still groan under the burthen it hath laid upon them For upon this very account consideration being anciently had to the great harvest such Oblations did then in some parts annually import some livings were estimated in the Kings Books at a rate so high as now those wonted oblations are withdrawn amount to the utmost value of them to the great grievance of the incumbent who is to answer his first fruits and other payments to the Exchequer at that great proportion Again to manifest that the Clergy hath not totally lost their interest in these oblations insignificant it is not that when a Personage is demised intire the Lessee even in these our dayes doth covenant to receive all Obventions Oblations c. The Church-Wardens or some other The ancient mode was an exact pursuance of the text deliverd by our Saviour Matth. 5. 23. which implieth that the gifts should be brought to the Altar there were they presented by the people and there received by the Priest Gregory Nazianzen sets it down very expresly speaking of Valens the Emperours offering 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. when the time was come for him to bring his gifts to the holy table which he was to do himself none would as the custome was receive them The like hath Theodoret concerning Theâ—odsius but not so full and more conformable to this usage was the order in the beginning of the Reformation by which the Parishioners were enjoyned themselves to put their Almes into the poor mans chest which then was placed neer the High Altar Bishop Andrews faultâ—th the Church-wardens going up and down to receive the Almes Sapit hac collectio per singula capita Genevensem morem This collecting Almes by the poll savours of the Geneva mode whence it is that the Scottish Rubrick was rectified in this particular as in others conformable to his notes Offering dayes appointed Antiently offering dayes appointed were Quaelibet dies Dominica alii dies festi solemnes quorum vigiliae jejunantur every Lords-day and all high festivals whose Eves were fasted Such were those solemn dayes called lately in the Court Collar-dayes because then the Knights of the Garter attended the King in their St. Georges Collars when the fashion was for the King and his Nobles to offer But these are not the offering dayes intended by this Rubrick but those mentioned in the Statute 37. H. 8. c. 12. viz. The feasts of Easter of the nativity of Saint John Baptist the feast of St. Michael the Arch-Angel and the Nativity of our Lord. These feasts aforesaid being ordered by that Kings injunctions Anno 1536. To be taken for the four general offering dayes quarterly payment of such oblations I finde to have been in use long before for in a parchment M. S. of Constitutions made by a Synod held in Exeter by Peter Quivel Bishop of that Diocesse Anno 1287. it is thus decreed Statuimus quod omnis adult us viz. quatuordecim annorum quater in Anno scilicet Natali Domini Paschali festivitate festivitate Dedicationis suae Ecclesiae parochialis vel festivitate omnium Sanctorum Ecclesiam suam Parochialem suis oblationibus veneretur We ordain that every one of 14. years old shall quarterly viz. at the feasts of Christs Nativity of Easter of the Dedication of their Parish Church and of all Saints shall honour their Church with Oblations Nor is it impertinent here to minde you that the Reformation begun by Hermannus that pious but unfortunate Bishop of Colen commandeth that the four offering dayes in a year be kept But it is not expressed what they were The former statute of H. 8. declaring so explicitly what the offering dayes were it also helpeth us to understand the import of accustomed offerings for it commandeth all Citizens and inhabitants of London to pay their Tithes that is 16. d. ob for every 10. s. rent of their houses quarterly viz. at the feasts above specified and though the Statute seemeth to have a peculiar relation to London yet custom hath in other Cities established a not much different proportion If to any the word offerings may seem to import other dues
by the common prayers in the Church commonly called divine service The first original and ground whereof if a man would search out by the ancient Fathers he shall finde that the same was not ordained but of a good purpose and for a great advancement of godlinesse For they so ordered the matter that all the whole Bible or the greatest part thereof should be read over once in the year entending the thereby that the Clergy and specially such as were Ministers of the Congregation should by often reading and meditation of Gods word be stirred up to godlynesse themselves and be more able to exhort other by wholsome Doctrine and to confute them that were adversaries to the truth And further that the people by dayly hearing of holy scripture read in the Church should continually more and more in the knowledge of GOD and be the more enflamed with the love of his true Religion But these many yeers passed this godly and decent order of the ancient Fathers hath been so altered broken and neglected by planting in uncertain Stories Legendes Respondes Verses vain Repetitions Commemorations and Synodalls that commonly when any Book of the Bible was begun before three or four Chapters were read out all the rest were unread And in this sort the book of Esay was begun in Advent and the book of Genesis in Septuagesima but they were onely begun and never read through After like sort were other books of holy Scripture used And moreover whereas saint Paul would have such language spoken to the people in the Church as they may understand and have profit by hearing the same the service in this Church of England these many years hath been read in Latine to the people which they understood not so that they have heard with their eares only and their heart spirit and minde have not been edified thereby And furthermore notwithstanding that the ancient fathers have divided the Psames into seven portions whereof every one was called a Nocturn now of late time a few of them hath been daily said and oft repeated and the rest utterly omitted Moreover the number and hardnesse of the rules called the Pye and the manifold changings of the service was the cause that to turn the book only was so hard and intricate a matter that many times there was more businesse to finde out what should be read then to read it when it was found out These inconveniences therfore considered here is set forth such an order wherby the same shall be redressed And for a readinesse in this matter here is drawn out a Kalender for that purpose which is plain and easie to be understanded wherein so much as may be the reading of holy scriptures is so set forth that all things shall be done in order without breaking one peece from another For this cause be cut off Anthems Respondes Invitatories and such like things as did break the continual course of the reading of the scripture Yet because there is no remedy but that of necessity there must be some rules therefore certain rules are here set forth which as they be few in number so they be plain and easie to be understanded So that here you have an order for prayer as touching the reading of holy Scripture much agreeable to the minde and purpose of the old fathers and a great deal more profitable and commodious then that which of late was used It is more profitable because here are left out many things whereof some be untrue some uncertain some vain and superstitious and is ordained nothing to be read but the very pure word of God the holy scriptures or that which is evidently grounded upon the same and that in such a language and order as is most easie and plain for the understanding both of the readers and hearers It is also more commodious both for the shortnesse thereof and for the plainnesse of the order and for that the rules be few and easie Furthermore by this order the Curates shall need none other book for their publick service but this book and the Bible By the means whereof the people shall not be at so great charges for books as in times past they have been And where heretofore there hath been great diversity in saying and singing in Churches within this Realm some following Salisbury use some Hereford use some the use of Bangor some of York and some of Lincoln Now from hence forth all the whole Realm shall have but one use And if any would judge this way more painful because that all things must be read upon the book whereas before by the reason of so often repetition they could say many things by heart if those men will weigh their labour with the profit and knowledge which dayly they shall obtain by reading upon the book they will not refuse the pain in consideration of the great profit that shall ensue thereof And for as much as nothing can almost be so plainly set forth but doubts may arise in the use and practising of the same To appease all such diversitie if any arise and for the resolution of all doubts concerning the manner how to understand do and execute the things contained in this book The parties that so doubt or diversly take any thing shall alway resort to the Bishop of the Diocesse who by his discretion shall take order for the quieting and appeasing of the same so that the same order be not contrary to any thing contained in this book And if the Bishop of the Diocesse be in doubt then he may send for the resolution thereof unto the Arch-Bishop Though it be appointed in the forewritten Preface that all things shall be read and song in the Church in the English tongue to the end that the Congregation may be therby edified yet it is not meant but when men say Morning and Evening prayer privately they may say the same in any Language that they themselves do understand 1. B. of Edw. 6. neither that any man shall be bound to the saying of them but such as from time to time in Cathedral and Collegiat Churches Parish Churches and Chappels to the same annexed shall serve the Congregation And all Priests and Deacons shall be bound to say daily the Morning and Evening prayer either privately or openly except they be let by preaching studying divinity or by some other urgent cause Scotch liturgy of which cause if it be frequently pretended they are to make the Bishop of the Diocesse or the Arch-Bishop of the Province the Judge and allower And the Curate that ministreth in every Parish Church or Chappel being at home and not being otherwise reasonably letted shall say the same in the Parish Church or Chappel where he ministreth and shall toll a Bell thereto a convenient time before we begin that such as be disposed may come to hear Gods word and to pray with him THE PREFACE THE Church of Christ hath in all ages had a prescript form
supposition I began to fit them for the publick and I can onely say I began for in my entrance upon that work the torrent of our civil discentions plunder and eight years sequestration◠overtake me as an adherent to the worsted I say not to the worst side Reduced to this condition how to live became my onely study these uselesse collections I laid to rest where probably they had slept their last had not an unexpected occasion awakened them That occasion this In July 1656. came forth a Book entiled Extraneus vapulans in English L'estrange is beaten the Author Dr. Heilen by Ordination a Presbyter who of all men should be no striker so the Apostles Canon 1 Tim. 3. 3. and so the Canon of the Apostles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That Presbyter who smiteth Beleevers when they offend we decree that he be deposed It is not my desire were I able to lay this law upon him No that he may see that he hath wronght a reformation upon me that I am the better for the beating I solemnly professe all the injuries he hath done me have with me had long since Christian burial burial by the Book of Common-Prayer in that excellent form if any of you be in malice come not to this holy Table I thank God I have not the lest swelling thought against him yet I ingenuously confesse that when I first read in the Preface of that Book my self amongst others not very lovely attributes blazond for a Non-conformist I beheld it as a provocation most piquant and pungent to turn again had I not seriously resolved never more to enter the lists of unchristian strife with him or any other But though I resolved totally to acquiesce from such contests yet did I as firmly from that very moment resolve if God blest be with a few dayes not to suffer that great blot of Ink to dry upon mine honour and the rather because I was perswaded I could take it out not with juce of Limon sharp recriminations but with milk and milder lenitives In order to it I presently re-assumed my long neglected papers Having re-viewed them my second thoughts suggested to me a designe of a new-model For wereas I at first intended onely a confinement of my Notes to the established Liturgy of our Church my last meditations resolved to apply them to all our Liturgies since the Reformation to re-commend the Common-Prayer by all the arguments I could to a more passible entertainment and to take off all the considerable objections against it In the progresse of which enterprise so many new speculations offered themselves to my consideration that I cannot but professe my self a great I hope not the onely Proficient by mine own labours so true is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he who teacheth others instructs himself In the persuite of these Annotations where I refer to Antiquity I rarely descend beneath 600. years after Christ and as rarely do I cite any but Authentick Records or such as under false ascriptions are the undoubted issues of those times therefore the supposed Liturgies of Peter James c. I urge no further then I finde them consonant with the genuine Tracts of others I bear no implicite faith to the dictates of any whatsoever whence it is that I assume a liberty inoffensively to dissent from persons eminent and whom I mention alwayes with tearms of respect As little do I expect or desire to enthral any man to my private fancy in matters of so minute consideration I hold it as absurd to quarrel with any man for not being of my opinion as for not being of my diet If in any thing I have erred as it is an even lay I have more then once he who shall friendly remonstrate it to me will exceedingly oblige me As for such Keno-Criticks or rather Cyno-Criticks as snarl and bite where no offence is given free liberty have they to say their pleasure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whither they praise or dispraise me to me it signifieth the same thing that is nothing Having thus presented to the world an account why I published these Annotations it will be proper to premise somewhat by way of illustration in reference to the Text it self Know then that whatsoever is exhibited in the English letter where the Printer hath not erred is the established Common-Prayer distinct from its Rubrick which is in a Roman Character Parrallel to this somtimes in a Roman sometimes in an Italick letter stand the several variations between it and former Liturgies and where such leteral ascriptions occur not and no Marginal directions to the contrary you may there be confident the Liturgies agree to a syllable The Litturgies I here refer to are the first and second of Edward the 6. and that of Q. Elizaheth which doth as much differ from our present Common-Prayer as the second of Edward the 6. doth from hers Over and besides these you have also the variations of the Scotch Liturgy and in the margin such places noted wherein Bucers Latine Translations disagreeth with the Original English you have also in the Annotations the diversity observed between the Latine Translation 2o. Eliz. and her own Liturgy and at the end of all The order of the Communion in priority of time before them all By this means you are furnished with all our Liturgies since the Reformation some whereof are rare very rare to be had and which doth double the rarity these compleat and this so frugally contrived that the utmost price of all with my inconsiderable Annotations into the bargin will scarce amount to the moyety of what I was lately demanded for one and that imperfect too Nor have you onely the Books themselves but those also disposed into such order that without turning over leaves or making a tedious hunt from one to another you may view them in one scheam and compare them together at once as they stand impaled Before I end I desire all Readers may know what many sufficiently do viz. that my Country imployment in relation to mine own and divers others affaires hath been so very great as I could not attend the Presse which considered it will be no wonder if the impression be not very exact It will therefore be paines well bestowed to consult the Table of the Errata at the end of this Book which will give an account of the most considerable saults THE CONTENTS CHAP. I. A The necessity of Common Prayer And of a Book of Common Prayer ib. Arguments for set forms Proved to have been used in the three first centuries after Christ. And approved by Reformed Churches B Set forms of Administring the Sacraments Proved by primitive practice C Rites and Ceremonies fit to be prescribed D Every particular Church hath authority to prescribe set forms and Rites The main ground of uniformity E A necessity for an Act for uniformity F The present Act a revivor of a former G The Parliament did onely ratify not make
is not a ceremonial law as much of Moses law was but it is a religion to serve God not in bondage of the figure or shadow but in the freedom of the spirit being content onely with those ceremonies which do serve to a decent order and godly discipline and such as be apt to stir up the dull minde of man to the remembrance of his duty to God by some notable and special signification whereby he might be edified Furthermore the most waighty cause of the abolishment of certain ceremonies was that they were so far abused partly by the superstitious blindnesse of the rude and unlearned and partly by the unsaciable avarice of such as sought more their own lucre then the glory of God that the abuses could not well be taken away the thing remaining still But now as concerning those persons which peradventure will be offended for that some of the old ceremonies are retained still if they consider that without some ceremonies it is not posible to keep any order or quiet discipline in the Church they shall easily perceive just cause to reform their judgements And if they think much that any of the old do remain and would rather have all devised anew Then such men granting some ceremonies convenient to be had surely where the old may be well used there they cannot reasonably reprove the old onely for their age without bewraying of their own folly For in such a case they ought rather to have reverence unto them for their antiquity if they will declare themselves to be more studious of unity and concord then of innobations and new-fanglenesse which as much as may be with the true setting forth of Christs religion is alwayes to be eschewed Furthermore such shall have no just cause with the ceremonies reserved to be offended For as those be taken away which were most abused and did burden mens consciences without any cause so the other that remain are retained for a discipline and order which upon just causes may be altered and changed and therefore are not to be esteemed equall with Gods law And moreover they be neither dark nor dumb ceremonies but are so set forth that every man may understand what they do mean and to what use they do serve So that it is not like that they in time to come should be abused as the other have been And in these our doings we condemne no other nations nor prescribe any thing but to our own people onely For we think it convenient that every countrey should use such ceremonies as they shall think best to the setting forth of Gods honour and glory and to the reducing of the people to a most perfect and Godly living without errour or superstition And that they should put away other things which from time to time they perceave to be most abused as in mens ordinances it often chanceth diversly in divers countries Annotations upon CHAP. I. A The necessity of Common Prayer And of a Book of Common Prayer â—b Arguments for set forms Proved to have been used in the three first centuries after Christ. And approved by Reformed Churches B. Set forms of Administring the Sacraments Proved by Primitive practise C. Rites and Ceremonies fit to be prescribed D. Every Particular Church hath authority to prescribe set forms and Rites The main ground of uniformity E. A necessity of an Act for uniformity F. The present Act a revivor of a former G. The Parliament did onely ratify not make the Alterations H. Antiently Bishops visited in person An uniformity of Articles commended I. The Canons 1603. not repugnant to the Act for uniformity The power of the civil Magistrate in Ecclesiastical matters K. The occasion of the conference at Hampton Court. L. The Proclamation Of King James obligatory to Obedience M. Our service not taken out of the Masse-Book N. The Pye several acceptations of the word O. Apocryphal Lessons lawful to be read The Minister hath Liberty to exchange them for Canonical Scripture They are more edifying then many Chapters of the Canon appointed by the Directory P. The Bishops to interpret in doubtful cases Q. The several degrees of the first Reformation R. What meant by the Minister saying daily prayer either privately or openly S. Ceremonies of humane Institution lawful Proved by the several confessions of Reformed Churches T. Order in the Church of Divine institution Orders to be obeyed not disputed where they are not simply unlawful V. The Churches prudence and moderation in her first Reformation W. significant Ceremonies lawful X. Superstition defined Y Our Ceremonies elder then the Masse-Book Directory a Popish word Z. Scandal no just exception against our Liâ—urgy by the confession of Geneva her self More scandalized and more justly by the Directory then our Common Prayer THE Book of Common Prayer As God is the first principle and Prime efficient of our being so that very being of so supereminent a quality is obligation of the highest importance for us to defer to him the greatest Honour we possibly can That which hath the ordering and disposal of this Honour to him is Religion the most noble the most proper act of Religion is Prayer an act by which we turn Tenants to God and own him as the Donor of every good and perfect gift A duty enforced by our Saviours expresse command Pray alwayes so he Luke 18. 1. Continually so his blessed Apostle 1 Thes. 5. 17. that is Levant and couchant morning and evening sutable to the Diurnal sacrifices in the Temple that at least A duty dignified with the gift of miracles exemplified in Elias Joshua and many more Now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i e. if the solitary prayer of one single supplicant be so operative what would it do in a full Assembly who combining together besiege and beset God with their prayers such a storming of and forceable entry into heaven being most acceptable to him as Tertullian elegantly Such an advantage hath the Publick above the Private the Church above the Closet and hence a necessity of Common Prayer But there may be a necessity of Common Prayer yet no necessity of a Book of Common Prayer that is of a set form The prayers of the Minister in the Congregation for the Congregation are Common Prayers which are Prayers conceived and without book Answer Confest such Prayers may in some sort be called Common Prayers but not so properly as set forms because the Minister who officiateth Publickly is but the Agent the representative of the people in their resort to God Now in arbitrary Prayer he cannot so well be called the mouth of the Assembly or said to send up his prayers on their errand when they are not privy to one syllable he will deliver when he speaks alwayes his own not alwayes their sence in which case the peoples Amen should be as Arbitrary as is his Prayer and if upon some dislike at the either matter or form the people think fit to suspend their
Some not all some of the old Ceremonies not of those late innovations of the Church of Rome but of those Ceremonies which antidate the Popish Masse hundreds of yeers It is a very pittiful one that trite and false Objection That our Liturgy hath its rise and Original from the Masse-Book ask why because say they all that is in our Liturgy is in the Masse-Book directly false The beginning of morning Prayer Sentences Exhortation Confession Absolution all to the Lords Prayer several Collects in the Litany the rehearsal of the Decalogue and divers Collects belonging to the Communion service are no where to be found either in the masse-Masse-Book or any other Popish service So the All is false But admit all our Liturgy were to be found in the Masse Book that is no evidence it hath its Original from thence not onely the Lords prayer and Book of Psalms but the greatest and most edifying part of Canonical Scripture is there to be found as well as our Liturgy why do we not therefore ascribe its Original to the Masse-Book and upon that very score renounce it Nay if our Book was a compliance with the Papists as the late Assembly have urged against it assuredly it ill sorted with the Prudence of such Divines to present the world with their own establishment under a title borrowed expressly from the Papists their Directory being the same both name and thing with the Directorium Sacerdotum in the Romish Church Such shall have no just cause with the Ceremonies received to be offended Another great exception against our Liturgy is the scandal it hath given to many That some have taken offence there at there is no dispute it shall be granted that they have taken it justly and upon due consideration we deny against all opponents Nor is scandal alone sufficient of it self to cause abolition Quamvis quod obtruditur scandalum asserat quia tamen verbo dei per se non repugnat concedi poâ—est saith the great Legislator of the other side Although that which is enjoyned doth bring some scandal with it yet if it be not of it self against the word of God it may be yeelded to Agreeable to Calvins Doctrine Geneva acteth Nous scavons quelle occasion de Scandal plusieurs ont prins du changement que nous avous fait en cest vne droit we know well enough that many have taken occasion of scandal at the changes we have made in this subject so she in her Rubrick before the Communion And fully perswaded I am the abolishers of the Liturgy of this Church cannot but have the same sense of many scandalised by the change of the Liturgy into a Directory I must professe my self of those many to be one upon a solemn day summon'd we are by a bell to Church thither we come what to do to offer up our prayers and prayses in the Congregation it may be and it may not be so for such prayers may scarce be reputed ours whereof as we know not a syllable before-hand what they are so when they are uttered we often hear but little understand lesse and in our judgements consent to least of all told we are by considerable persons engaged in this change that the imposition of set forms was introduced into the Primitive Church as a defensive b against the Arrian and Pelagian Hereticks which did convey their poyson in their set forms of Prayers and hymnes if so never times required the practise of set Prayers upon that consideration more then these never was the poyson of hetorodox opinions more ingredient into the publick prayers of the Church then now where one decryes the Deity of Christ and his mediatorship by making no applications to him nor to God by him Another sets him up too high by omitting of confession of sins as impertinent in those who are planted into Christ and being so as he conceiveth sin not at all if nothing of unsound belief be uttered yet how frequent is the venting of several passions upon the private interest of mens factious ingagement even so far as many have preferred their Petitions to God for the destruction of the very Presbyterial Government whereof Mr. Edwards giveth several instances Who can not justly be offended at such mis-carriages in so holy a duty Far be it from me to charge the generality of our new ministery with these blemishes confesse I must and will many very many of them are excellently qualified and endowed with gifts proper for this sacred duty and do exercise those gifts to the great edification of their congregations but in the mean time if such miscarriages have actually happened already or may so hereafter through the violent passions of other men mis-principled may it not justly be judged a matter of scandal and offence to such as have a due value for that holy ordinance and consequently may not those worthier men be conceived guilty of the crime through whose misprovidence these errours have come to passe How much better were an amicable compliance on both sides by prescribing set forms for the desk and allowing conceived prayer for the Pulpit so that neither may professe and engrosse the whole service to it self but share and divide it by a friendly agreement untill such an award shall be made by those who assume the power of Arbitration in this affair slender hopes have I to see much of either order or edification in the service of our Church The Table and Kalender Expressing the Psalms and and Lessons to be said at Morning and evening prayer throughout the yeer except certain proper feasts as the rules following more plainly declare The order how the Psalter is appointed to be read CHAP. II. Common Prayer Scotch Liturgy The Psalter shall be read through once every moneth And because that some months be longer then some other be it is thought good to make them even by this means The Psalter shall be read through once every month save February and in that month so far as the Psalms are appointed for 28 or 29 dayes in tht leap year TO every moneth shall be appointed as concerning this purpose just xxx dayes And because January and March hath one day above the said number and Februarie which is placed between them both hath onely xxviii dayes February shall borow of either of the monthes of January and March one day And so the Psalter which shall be read in February must begin at the last day of January and end the first day of March. And whereas Scotch Littur many monthes have c. May July August October and December have xxxi dayes a peece it is ordered that the same Psalms shall be read the last day of the said moneths which were read the day before so that the Psalter may begin again the first day of the next monethes ensuing Now to know what Psalms shall be read every day Look in the kalender the number that is appointed for the Psalmes
in their Synagogues all those who professe the Christian faith So in Justin Martyrs time and so etiam nunc even at this very present as the famous Grotius sufficiently demonstrateth Secondly the Papists who make it a peculiar part of their service appointed for Maunday-thursday to curse with bell Book and candle all whom they account for hereticks as appeareth by their Bulla Caenae O Christ hear us The Civilians have a saying voluntas fortior attenditur ex geminata expressione the meaning of a man is best understood by iterating and doubling of the expression No lesse true in those resorts we make to God the frequent repeating of our supplications striking the more forceable impression upon our soules Whence the so often redoubling of several members of Davids Psalms whence our Saviour in his great agony conflict prayed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 using alwayes the very same words whence in the primitive Church the Litanies which were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Prayers spirited with the greater vehemency were alwayes full of such reduplications as may be seen by the several forms mentioned by the constitutions of Clemens and in the several Liturgies of those early times A thanksgiving for rain Gods blessings and our prayses are the great intelligencers which negotiate betwixt him us The first are testimonials to us that our Prayers and Almes miscarried not in their way got safe to heaven The last are certificates to him that his blessings got safe to us for that we have received his gifts no notice will he take from any but our selves and no notice can we convey to him without the sacrifice of Prayse Indeed reason good our hearts should move our lungs and lips as readily to thank as to supplicate him for his benefits therefore whereas in our service book certain collects of prayers were framed applicable to cases of extraordinary visitations it was noted as a great defect that set formes of thanksgiving were not also contrived relative to the same occasions in case the issues and dispensations of the Almighty proved answerable to our requests And though it hath been interposed by judicious Mr. Hooker on our Churches behalf that this were better provided for by select dayes assigned by supream authority for that duty and by set formes agreeable thereunto then by a small collect That defence is in my opinion but partly satisfactory For calamities are most commonly not National but sometimes Provinical somtimes they quarter onely in one City sometimes but in a petty village and unlesse they spread to be Epidemical they rarely reach the cognizance of the supream magistrate or if they do they will not carry with them importance enough to perswade the indiction of dayes of universal either Humiliation or thanksgiving for such minute mergencies therefore not to defraud the reformation under king James of the honour it hath merited the superadding of those relative Thanksgivings was not onely a commendable but a necessary Act. CHAP. V. 1. B. of Edw. 6. The A Introits Collects Epistles and Gospels to be used at the Celebration of the Lords supper and holy Communion through the year with proper Psalmes and lessons for divers Feasts and dayes COMMON PRAYER The Collects B. Epistles and Gospels to be used at the Celebration of the Lords Supper and holy Communion through the year C. The first Sunday in Advent 1. B. of Edw. the 6. Blessed is the man c. Psal. 1. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty God give us grace that we may cast away the workes of darknesse put upon us the Armour of light now in the time of this mortal life in the which thy son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility that in the last day when he shall come again in his glorious majestie to judge both the quick and the dead we may rise to the life im mortal through him who liveth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost now and â—vâ—r Amen The Epistle O we nothing to any man Rom. 13. verse 8. unto the end Scotch Liturgie when the Presbyter or Minister readeth the Gospel the people shall stand up and the Presbyter before he beginneth to read the Gospel shall say thus The Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ written in such a Chapter of such an Evangelist beginning at such a verse And the people shall answer Glory be to God The Gospel And when they drew nigh Mat. 21. verse 1. to the end Scotch Lit. When the Gospel is ended the Presbyter or Minister shall say Here endeth the Gospel and the people shall answer Thanks be to thee O Lord. And thus at the beginning and ending of the Gospel every Sunday and Holyday in the year or when else soever the Gospel is read The second sunday in Advent 1. B. of Ed. 6. When I was in trouble c. Psal. 120. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. BLessed Lord which hast caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning Graunt us that we may in such wise hear them read mark learn and inwardly digest them that by patience and comfort of thy holy word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. The Epistle Whatsoever things are written Rom. 15. verse 4. to verse 14. The Gospel There shall be signes in the Sun Lu. 21. verse 25. to verse 34. The third Sunday in Advent 1. B. of Edw. 6. Hear me when I call Psal. 4. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd we beseech thee give ear to our prayers and by thy gratious visitation lighten the darknesse of our heart by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Epistle Let a man this wise esteem us 1 Cor. 4. verse 1. unto verse 6. The Gospel When John being in prison Mat. 11. verse 2. unto verse 11. The fourth Sunday in Advent 1. B. of Edw. 6. Ponder my words O Lord. c. Psal 5. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd raise up we pray thee thy power and come among us and with great might succour us that whereas through our sins and wickednesse we be sore let and hindered thy bountiful grace and mercy through the satisfaction of thy son our Lord may speedily deliver us to whom with thee and the holy ghost be honour and glory world without end The Epistle Rejoyce in the Lord alway Phil. 4. verse 4. unto verse 8. The Gospel This is the record of John John 1. verse 19. unto verse 29. D. Christmas day 1 B. of Edw. 6. Proper Psalmes and Lessons on Christmas day At Mattens 19. The first Lesson Esai 9. unto the end Psalm 45.  85. The second Lesson Mat. 1. unto the end At the
called Repentance upon which account according to the Primitive mode Baptism was never afforded to persons adult without Repentance proemial and preparatory to it This to scour away Actual as the other Original pollution A custom derived at first from the Baptist St. John Mat. 3. 11. Who 's Baptism was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Baptism of Repentance for the remission of sins That it was so for matter of fact in the Primitive Church these instances may suffice to demonstrate Justin Martyr delineating the Baptismal mode in his time describeth it thus first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They who desire Baptism are taught by fasting and prayers to seek of God remission of their sins and then are brought to the water Confirmable in that of Tertullian Ingressuros Baptismum Orationibus crebris jejuniis geniculationibus pervigiliis or are oportet cum confessione omnium delictorum They who are to enter Baptism it is required that with frequent prayers fasting supplications watchings and with a confession of all their by-gone offences they ply the Throne of Grace The Sacrament of Baptism Sacrementum est sacrae rei signum St. Austen A Sacrament is that by which a sacred thing is denoted And in this large sence the Ancients apply it to twenty several things But because some were instituted by our Saviour as the proper badges of our Christian Profession and effectuall signs of grace and Gods good will towards us They alone are by our Church owned for proper Sacraments which defineth a Sacrament to be An outward and visible signe of an inward and spirituall grace given unto us and ordained by Christ himself as a means whereby we receive the same and a pledge to assure us thereof The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so used by St. Paul Ephes. 5. 32. calling the conjunction of Christ with his Spouse the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great mystery The Latine word Sacrament is of military extraction it being properly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Soldiers Oath by which upon their first inrollment they engaged themselves omnia strenuo facturos quae praeceperit Imperator i. e. stoutly to act whatsoever their General should command as Vegetius hath it and from thence it came at length to an indefinite notion signifying whatsoever was transacted by the interposition of an Oath which because it hath something of Religion more than ordinary might well deserve the appellation of a Sacrament Yet though very learned Men seem to confound the words Sacramentum Sacrament and Jusjurandum Oath and to take them promiscuously to be of adequate import each to other the great Historian gives me cause to suspend my assent and to think that originally they were several and distinguished and that Sacramentum signified a voluntary Oath spontaneously taken when the Soldiers first listed themselves and Jusjurandum denoted such an Oath as was improved by the coercive power of the Magistrate Martial or Civil The Romans being to raise new forces to go under the conduct of Terentius Varro and Paulus Aemilius against Hannibal Milites tunc quod nunquam antea factum erat jurejurando à tribunis Militum a dacti jussu consulum conventuros neque injussu abituros nam ad eum diem nil praeter Sacramentum erat sua voluntate ipsi inter se equites decuriati centuriati pedites conjurabant i. e. The Soldiers then saith my Author a thing never done before were compelled by their Commanders to swear that they would rendevous at the order of the Consul and not depart without it For till that day all was done by Sacrament onely and the Soldiers freely of themselves without coaction the Horse by tens the foot by hundreds entred into oath to forsake their colours c. Whereby a cleare discrimination and difference is put between these two Now to make the best improvement of this to my present purpose I say that Sacrament in this most genuine and proper notion is very aptly applied to Baptisme and keeps correspondency with other ceremonies thereof For Baptisme is our first enrolment into Christ Militia therein we receive the cognizance of our General in our fore-heads being signed with the Crosse in token that we will manfully sight under Christs banner against sin the World and the devil therein we voluntarily enter into Covenant and promise of renuntiation against those foresaid enemies called therefore by Nazianzene 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an engagement and contract of a purer conversation towards God therein we receive and return our Military Symbole Symbolum fidei the onely character by which we Christians know one another our friends from our foes for Christians are not distinguished 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by their faces but by their faith This is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that martial word or Shiboleth by which we are discovered to what General we belong Excellent is that of St. Augustine In nullum nomen Religionis seu verum seu falsum coagulari homines possunt nisi aliquo signaculorum vel sacrament orum visibilium consortio colligentur Impossible it is that men should be united under any one Religion be it true or be it false unlesse they be knit together by some visible Seal or Sacrament one or other So that Baptisme may very well upon various accounts be stiled nostrae Militia Sacramentum the Sacrament of our Militia But if Baptisme be as it is the Sacrament of our initiation and entrance into Christianity it may be demanded why hath not the Office belonging to it the preheminence why is it not in our service Book inserted and marshall'd before that of the Communion this Sacrament being in order of nature after that My answer is the Communion was both in the Primitive Church and in the beginning of our Reformation accounted the principle part of the Diurnal service of God in publick it being celebrated dayly in both times instanced as I have proved before for the ancient Church and as may be evidenced for the last by the Rubrick after the exhortation to the Communion in the first book of Edw. 6. The Eucharistical Office being then so concomitant with the dayly prayers and Baptisme more rarely happening the Church thought fit to make them contignous in order which were so frequent companions in use At Easter and Whitsunday So did the Councel Gerundense decree Can. 4. At Easter because it was the Monument of Christs Resurrection to which Baptisme did refer Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newnesse of life for this cause saith St. Basil no time more proper to receive Gratiam Resurrectionis the benefit of our Resurrection then in Die Resurrectionis on the day of the Resurrection the Paschal-day At Whitsun-day in memory of the three thousand persons baptised that day
the Practice so and have heard it hath been positively enjoyned by a Learned Bishop and great Ceremonialist that Evening Prayer should begin with the Lords-Prayer But the rule of the Church is express to the contrary for in the Rubrique before Morning Prayer it is ordered thus At the beginning both of Morning Prayer and likewise of Evening Prayer note that the Minister shall read with a lowd voice some one of these Sentences that follow c. So that clearly the Sentences Exhortation Confession and Absolution must begin the Evening as well as the Morning Prayer Page 99. line 49. after these words it is anoient add This Creed was formerly appropriated to high Festivals onely but that by repeating it every month it might become the more familiar to the People these daies of the Apostles and St. John Baptist were inserted Page 157. at the end of the Paragraph W. add thus In the Latin Translation of our Liturgy Anno 2. Eliz. I find a Collect for St. Andrew different from the English which I shall here set down Omnipotens Deus qui dedisti beato Andreae Apostolo tuo ut acerbam ignominiosam crucis mortem duceret sibi pro magna glâ—ria Tribue ut omnia nobis adversa pro nonomine tuo ducamus prefitura ad aeternam vitam conducibilîa per Christum Dominum nostnum Almighty God who didst give to thy holy Apostle S. Andrew to account it his great glory to suffer the bitten and ignominious death of the Cross. Grant unto us that what we endure for thy sake we may also esteem profitable and conducible to eternal life through Jesus Christ. Page 177. line 17. after these words violation of them add thus Though true it is the contriving of the Decalogue into a way so edifying towards Piety and making it parcel of Gods Publique Worship be a peculiar of our Church yet somewhat not much unlike it is to be found in that Manual of Prayers composed by Gilbertus Cognatus for the private use of his Kinsman about the year 1553. whose words I shall here set down Having recited the Decalogue he then subjoyneth Hic nos praemit aeterna mors O Deus hic futurum justum judicium tuum commeritam nostram condemnationem Sed hic miserere nostri O Jesu Christe ne pereamus Tu quoque O Sancte Spiritus inscribe hanc legem cordibus nostris ut secundam eam alacri animo ambulemus teque revereamus diebus vitae nostrae universis Amen Here O Lord we ly â—bnoxious to eternal death Here we can expect nothing but the most just sentence to come upon us and our deserved condemnation But here O Jesu Christ have mercy upon us least we perish And then O Holy Ghost write this Law in our hearts we beseech thee that we may walk conformable to it and that we may reverence thee all the daies of our life Amen In stead of the form of Bidding of Prayers set down Page 181. give me leave to commend unto you that which followeth being sent me by a learned Friend from Cambridge with his Scholler-like address which will spare me the pains of any further Preface The Transcriber To the Perusers of the follwing Transcript I think it may well be named Instructions for the Laity'â— Devotions but as I met with no Rubrick nor title in the Copy so I count it modesty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and to refer my self to better judgements I found it written in a Court-hand indifferently fair and legible though full of abreviations but because I am not at all exercised in the Calligraphy of that hand I have transcribed it in the same which I use in my private studies with a great exactness of letters and syllables though not of the character Thus much I thought good â—o intimate that in a piece of this rarity there might not be any suspition of a counterfeited record or the faithfulness of the transcriber be called in question For indeeâ— as I cannot but commend that pious design of the noble Author in honour of our famous though now distracted Church of England So I must needs glory that I am any ways instrumental to the producing of that which may prove so serviceable however of so great antiquity In testimony of which I desire it may be lawfull to produce my own conjectures I am conscious to how skilfull hands this paper may come and therefore the more willingly produce them Since they may carry a torch for those judicious eyes whose honour will be augmented by the discovery They were wrote upon a spare parchment before the summs of Guilielmus de Pagâ—a extant in the University-Library of Cambridge which notwithstanding are not there so well known by the Author's name as by that of their title which is Dextra pars oculi sacerdotum sinistra This I mentioned the rather because from hence some small light may haply arise to the true time of their original antiquity For since the fore-named Author both bâ— the testimony of reverend ∴ Bale in his Centuries and the learned Pits in his Catalogue of English writers is to be reckoned in the thirteenth Century after Christ I see not how we can with reason suppose this to be ancienter except we object its transcription thither for an older copy Somewhat indeed it may be that in those daies they had not parchment so rife or cheap as paper now in ours whereof they might compose their Adversaria but what ever their next reading or more deliberate judgement proposed as worthy of notice taking they commonly transcribed if my observation fail not upon those parchments the Book-binders had bestowed upon their books to defend them from the injury of the covers But this argument perchance is not so valid as that which may follow Wherefore I adjoyned that Constitution which bears the Rubrick of Dies festi since from that a greater light may accrue to what bears the precedency In that I find the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who is otherwise nameless then by his title in the instructions for so I call them to be Christned Simon of which praenomen I find but four through the whole Catalogue of the Prelates of that Sâ—e and all of them in the 14. Centurie current and if I mistake not within the compass of fifty years to wit Mepeham Langham Islip and Sudburâ— who fell a Sacrifice to that Idol of the Clowns as Walsingham calls him Tyler To this later I should rather ascribe both the Instructions and that Constitution concerning Holy-dayes though indeed I have no other ground for the conjecture then my private fancy But from the same Major a stronger consequence will follow if it be backed with the testimony of that learned Knight Sir Henry Spelman in those Tomes for which whole Christendom stands indebted to him as well as England concerning the English Councils and besides him you may if you please at leys re see what William Linwood will afford