labour of some Bishops commissionated by the Queen the other in King James his time and why was not our Liturgy reformed in this particular by those translations shall I tell you what I have heard and from a very credible hand A convocation in the Queens time were once in good earnest upon this very designe but proceeding upon good advice they thought fit first to examine the gust of the Parliament then sitting by some confidence of theirs these seriously disswaded them from further progresse in it declaring that this reformation being not very feasable without dissolving the ancient frame they had cause to fear it would finde so potent enemies in the house a thing of no great wonder as it would scarce be allowed to passe again The case standing thus it sorted well with Christian prudence to desist And the same Christian prudence moved the Compilers of the Scotch Liturgy who had no other then the Royal Authority to regard to reform agreeable to the best Translation not onely these sentences but what else of sacred Scripture was ingredient into the service of that Church A general confession to be said To begin Morning prayer with confession of sins I may call the Catholick custome of the Primitive Church De nocte populus surgens antelucano tempore domum precationis petit in labore tribulatione Lachrymis indesinentibus facta ad Deum Confessione saith Basil. Early in the morning at break of day the people rising go straight to the house of Prayer making confession of their sins to God with much sorrow sobbs and tears Which custom lest it should be thought a peculiar of his own Church was he tells us consonant to all other Churches Nor is he onely a witnesse for confession but for confession so qualified as ours the Congregation repeating the words after the Minister suis quisque verbis resipiscentiam profitetur every man pronounceth his own confession with his own mouth The absolution to be pronounced by the Minister alone Of absolution I shall treat in the Communion of the sick In the interim take this in part that the Argentine Liturgy used by such Protestants as live there in exile and which Liturgy is dedicated to Edw. 6. as it begins service with a confession in substantials like to ours so doth it enjoyn Absolution to follow presently upon it As for this it is you see appointed to the Minister alone to pronounce it which word alone hath here a double import first in relation to the Publick use of the Morning service in the Church where it implieth that the people must not in this as in their antecedent confession say after the Minister but leave it to be pronounced by him alone Its second relation is to the private for you must know that Morning and Evening prayer were not in their Original designation intended by our Reformers as onely peculiar to Church assemblies but as well appointed for the service of God in private families this is evident by ancient Primers set forth which are composed of those services and were designed to be not only lessons for children to be initiaed into letters by but also as helps for devout people in the performances of familie duties as is evident by the injunction proemial to them Now lest in the private exercises of piety the people or Laiety ignorantly should rush into the Priestly office this caveat is entred by the Church declaring that the Minister alone and no lay-man ought then to officiate I think it also not improper here to acquaint you that the words or Remission of sins was added as also the word Priest changed into Minister both here and in divers other places by the Reformers under K. James Then shall the Minister begin the Lords prayes with a loud voice This prayer is appointed to be read with a loud voice for three causes First that people ignorantly educated might the sooner learn it Secondly that the Congregation might the better hear and joyn with the Minister in that most excellent part of holy worship Thirdly because it is part of the Gospel which was alwayes pronounced with a loud voice Amen This word being an index of the peoples assent to the preceding Prayer was usually in the Primitive Church pronounced by all the People with a loud voice ad similitudinem coelestis tonitrui Amen populus reboat the people eccho out the Amen like a thunderclap saith St Hierom. Clemens Alexandrinus relateth a mode remarkable in his time at the pronouncing thereof 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we raise our selves upon our tip-toes for they prayed standing at this last acclamation of our prayers and he assigneth this reason for it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if we desired that word should carry up our bodies as well as our souls to heaven O Lord open thou our lips These versicles with thir Responds are pure Canonical Scripture the singular number onely changed into the plural O Lord open thou my lips and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise Psal. 51. 15. Be pleased to deliver me O Lord make hast to help me Psal. 40. 13. very aptly are they premised to usher in the ensuing doxology The answers are to be returned by the people not by the Quire as is the Romish use direct contrary to the ancient practise Populus cum sacerdote loquitur in precibus the people and Priest spake one to another in prayers conformable is the direction of Bucer Dum sacrae preces recitantur nomine totius populi respondeant Ministro non tantum Amen verumetiam omnia alia quaecunque ministris solent u◠in litania ac aliis precibus vetus mos obtinet Whilst dovout prayers are made in the behalf of all the people let them answer the Minister and not onely the Amen but also all other responces which are wont to be returned to the Minister as the ancient wont hath been both in the Liturgy and other prayers Glory be the Father c. Glory is appropriated to God alone his peculiar it is as he is the King of Glory The heavens declare it Psal. 19. the Angels chant it Glory be to God on high Luke 2. 14. The Seraphins resound it Holy holy holy Lord God of Hosts the whole world is full of his Glory Isai. 6. 3. Is man lesse obliged to this duty then these blessed spirits certainly no. If the celestial Quire were so ravished so transported with joy as to sing that Angelicall hymn when they were imployed as Heralds to proclaim that general peace and reconciliation betwixt heaven and earth God and us at the birth of our Saviour sure much more reason hath man who is the grand concernment of that peace to ply God with Doxologies and certainly no place on earth more proper for our Hallelujahs then Gods own house in his Temple where every man doth speak of his honour Every man did so in King Davids time did they so in ours the Solemn
body or in soul that the Almighty would send them the thing that is most profitable as well bodily as ghostly Also ye shall pray for all Pilgrims and Palmers that have taken the way to Rome to saint James of Jerusalem or to any other place that Almighty God may give them grace to go safe and to come safe and give us grace to have part of their prayers and they part of ours Also ye shall pray for the holy Crosse that is in possession and hands of unrightful people that God Almighty may send it into the hands of Christian people when it pleaseth him Furthermore I commit unto your devout prayers all women that be in our Ladies bonds that Almighty God may send them grace the child to receive the Sacrament of Baptisme and the mother purification Also ye shall pray for the good man and woman that this day giveth bread to make the holy-loaf and for all those that first began it and them that longest continue For these and for all true Christian people every man and woman say a Pater Noster and an Ave c. After this followeth a Prayer for all Christian Souls reckoning first Arch-Bishops and Bishops and especially Bishops of the Diocess then for all Curates c. then for all Kings and Queens c. then for all Benefactors to the Church then for the Souls in Purgatory especially for the Soul of N. whose Anniversary then is kept This was the form preceding the Reformation of it made by King Henry the eighth This King having once ejected the Popes usurped Authority used all possible Artifice to keep possession of his new-gained Power That by the whole â—lergy in Convocation that by Act of Parliament he was recognized Supream Head of the Church of England he thought it not enough But further ordered the Popes name to be utterly rased out so are the words of the Proclamation of all Prayers Orisons Rubrioks Canons of Mass Books and all other Books in the Churches and his memory never more to be remembred except to his contumely and reproach Accordingly also he caused this Form to be amended by omitting the Popes name with all his Relations by annexing the title of Supream head to himself and by contracting it into a narrower model But though this King corrected so much as served his own turn yet all the Popery of this form he did not reform but left the Prayer of the Dead remaining As for King Edward the sixth the form enjoyned by him was the same precisely with that of Henry the eighth That of Queen Elizabeth varieth for the better from both these Praying for being changed into Praysing God for the dead and with her form agreeth that in the 55 Canon of our Church almost to a syllable Before all Sermons Lectures and Homilies Preachers and Ministers shall move the People to joyn with them in Prayer in this form or to this effect as briefly as conveniently they may Ye shall pray for Christs holy Catholick Church that is for the whole Congregation of Christian People dispersed throughout the whole world and especially for the Churches of England Scotland and Ireland And herein I require you most especially to pray for the Kings most excellent Majesty our Soveraign Lord James King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defendor of the Faith and Supreme Governour in these his Realms and all other his Dominions and Countries over all persons in all causes aswell Ecclesiastical as Temporal Ye shall also pray for our gracious Queen Anne the Noble Prince Charles Frederick Prince Elector Palatine and the Lady Elizabeth his wife Ye shall also pray for the Ministers of Gods holy word and Sacraments aswel Arch-Bishops and Bishops as other Pastours and Curates Ye shall also pray for the Kings most honourable Councel and for all the Nobility and Magistrates of this Realm that all and every of these in their several Callings may serve truely and painfully to the glory of God and the edifying and well governing of his people remembring the account that they must make Also ye shall pray for the whole Commons of this Realm that they may live in true Faith and Fear of God in humble obedience to the King and brotherly charity one to another Finally let us praise God for all those which are departed out of this life in the Faith of Christ and pray unto God that we may have grace to direct our lives after their good example that this life ended We may be made partakers with them of the glorious Resurrection in the life Everlasting Alwayes concluding with the Lords prayer Having beheld the Reformation of the form it will not be amisse to look into the practise This upon my best inquiry all along the dayes of Edward the 6. and Queen Elizabeth is exhibited by onely six Authors Two Arch-Bishops Parker and Sands Four Bishops Gardner Latimer Jewel and Andrews In all these I observe it interveneth betwixt the Text delivered and the Sermon Arch-Bishop Parker onely excepted who concludeth his Sermon with it I observe also in them all that it is terminated in the Lords Prayer or Pater Noster for which reason it was stiled Bidding of Beades Beads and Pater Nosters being then relatives Lastly I observe in every of them some variation more or lesse as occasion is administred not onely from the precise words but even contents of this form And from hence I infer that the Injunctions both of Edw. the 6. and Queen Elizabeth being framed before any reformed Liturgie was by Law established did not bind Preachers so strictly to the precise words of that form when the service was rendred in English as when in Latin for it is not presumable those eminent men would have assumed such a liberty to vary the expression and enlarge in some other matters had not they understood the Churches dispensation therein But there were afterward some overforward to abuse this Liberty and minding the interest of their owne Principles took the boldnesse to omit the main who could be content to pray for James King of England France and Ireland defender of the faith but as for supreme Governor in all causes and over all Persons as well Ecclesiastcal as Civil they passed that over in silence as that very King hath it who thereupon re-inforced the form by the Canon afore specified As for the late practical change of Exhortation Let us pray into Invocation we pray In my weak apprehension it is but the very same in effect and operation and neither to be justly quarrelled at especially when the Lords Prayer which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 summarily comprehendeth all we can ask is the close to both Having discoursed the practise of our own Church it will not be amisse to examine that of the Primitive Church and the rather because many have been of that opinion that no prayer before the Sermon was used in those times Counter to which several Authorities may be opposed
different order So that to draw to an end uniting these African parcels together we have found a Creed as to the essentials very conformable to this of the Apostles and for the verbal diversity it is the less to be wondred at when they who are conversant in the antient Fathers know their manner was in citing even Canonical Scripture not alwayes to consult the Originals but often to deliver it in in such words as their memories suggested provided they preserved the sense intire Probably from the same Liberty practised in those accounts they give of the Confessions of their faith might arise this diversity This and the other Creeds in the offices of our Church are alwayes appointed to be said after the reading of some part of Canonical Scripture because Faith comes by hearing Rom. 10. 17. first hearing and then faith it is ordered to be read standing for three reasons First because it is as to the substantials thereof taken out of the Gospels which were to be rehearsed standing Secondly because the stationary posture is most significant and importeth a Resolution to defend and maintain the faith we profess when we assert any thing with much earnestness we usually say this is truth and we will stand to it Thirdly in imitation of the Order of the Catechumens who did rehearse it in a stationary posture St. Augustine relating one Victorinus his deportment in this case speaks thus ut ventum est ad horam profitendae fidei quae verbis certis conceptis retentisque memoriter de loco eminentiore in conspectu populi sidelis reddi solet As soon as the time came for him to make profession of his faith which was used to be done in a set form of words got by heart and from an high place of ascent so as all the faithful might behold the Presbyters offered him that if he would he should rehearse it in private as some others did for fear of being daunted with so great an audience he refused it saying he would do it in the presence of the whole congregation and presently he mounted up From which story very inferrible it is that as the eminence of the place was regularly required for the greater evidence of the fact so was the posture erect as most serviceable to that end although St. Austin saith it not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in direct terms The Lord be with you The Psalms Lessons and hymns having long imployed both minister and people they now address themselves to prayer again the Priest greeting the people with this form called therefore the Salutation of the Priest whom they re-salute with the Response and with thy spirit derived as many conjecture from Ruth 2. 4. where Boaz said to the Reapers The Lord be with you and they answered him the Lord bless thee Very ancient it is and one of the first formulas used in the Christian Church Ritualists observe that this form was only an appurtenance to ministers of the lower Orb and that when the Bishop did Officiate he did use in lieu thereof Peace be to you and St. Chrysostom seemeth to perswade as much 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The chief Priest or Bishop wisheth peace to all the people as entring into his Fathers house and therefore whereas the Braccarian Councel decreed that the Bishop and Presbyter should both use one and the same form and determineth that form by The Lord be wioh you with this expression sicut omnis retinet Oriens as is generally retained in the East either the custome must be changed since St Chrysostomes days or else we must reject a great part of his works for counterfeit which give us assurance of the contrary viz. his homilies upon Pentecost the Phillippians Colossians and others This form of Salutation Epâ—phanius saith was derived from our Saviours first greeting the Apostles after his Resurrection with his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peace be to you In-observed let it not pass that this salutation did anciently denote as it is here applied a transition from one service to another and so St. Chrysostom upon the Colossians Hom. 3. seems to render the mode of his time Let us pray The intention of the minde is never so disposed to relax as in sacred exercises either seised upon with drowsinesse or withdrawn by straying thoughts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. when we come into Gods dâ—eadful presence we yawn and stretch our selves we scratch and scrub we gape about us or grow drowsie while our knees are upon the ground our mindes are on wool-gathering or about our Law-suites yea as Cyprian saith well while we supplicate God to hear our prayers we do not hear them our selves To summon and rouze us therefore to a fixt intention towards the ensuing duty the Church hath accustomed to call upon us often with an Orenâ—us Let us pray an office anciently peculiar to the Deacon as is evident out of St. Chrysostome Augustine and others And agreeable to this was the practise of those who followed only natures dictates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when the Priest is officiating in sacred things the Cryer proclaimes with a loud voice Attend or minde what you are about Lord have mercy upon us These three versicles Antiquity called the Lesser Litany and of early admission they were into the service of the Church being mentioned in the constitutions ascribed to Clemens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. at every of these allocutions of the Deacon Let the people say Lord have mercy upon us Fitly are they placed before the Lords Prayer because expedient it is we implore Gods mercy before we resort to him in prayer The addresse in it is to the three persons of the blessed Trinity and for that cause repeated thrice by the Greeks but the Western Church put 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ have mercy upon us in the second place O Lord shew thy mercy upon us These versicles with their answers are of Divine derivation Shew us thy mercy and grant us thy salvation Psal. 85. 7 God save the King 1 Sam. 10. 24. Heare me O Lord when I call Psal. 4. 1. Let thy Priests be clothed with righteousnesse and let thy Saints sing with joyfulnesse Psal. 132. 9. O Lord save thy people and blesse thine inheritance Psal. 28. 9. Shall it not be good if peace be in my dayes 2 Kings 20. 19. There is no strength in us but our eyes are towards thee 2 Chron. 20. 12. Create in me a clean heart and take not thy holy spirit from me Psal. 51. 10 11. And in regard they are for the major part taken out of the Psalms of David the Priest is ordered to stand up Collects Collects are so called either because many Petitions are contracted and collected into one body or because they are gathered from several portions of Scripture especially from those appointed for the Epistles and Gospels of the Dayes As well those here next following as
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 Liturgy by the confession of Geneva herself More scandalized and more justly by the Directory then our Common Prayer pag. 17. CHAP. II. A The division of the Psalmes very discreet The ancient manner of singing them various in Antiquity The 15. Cannon of the Council of Laodicea Expounded B Bookes and Chapters of Canonical Scripture least edifying omitted C The Rubrick for proper Lessons cleared D A necessary Caveat to Ministers E Differences between the former Kalendars and ours Why several Saints are added now more then formerly F Feasts instrumental to piety The Jews fasted on high festivals till noon Whence our Fasts before some Holy-dayes Why not before All. G Holy-dayes why fit to be established by Parliament Why instituted The Churches power to ordain them The judgment of forein Churches and Divines Zanchy cleared a demur upon the best Reformed Churches Our Holy-dayes not derived from the Pagans yet warrantable if they were pag. 55. CHAP. III. A Morning and Evening Prayer agreeable to the Jewish and Christian practice The three houres of Prayer in the Temple The 6. of private devotion B Where Morning and Evening Prayer are to be said Why the place left arbitrary to the Bishop C What meant by Chancels shall stand as they have done D Ornaments in Cathedrals E The Surplice defended and primitive practice set down F A discourse concerning the Translations of the Bible where the obstacle was that our Liturgy was not reformed in this particular G To begin with confession ancient H What meant by the word alone in the Rubrick of absolution I The Lords Prayer why pronounced in a loud voice K The primitive practice concerning Amen L The Versicles and Responds Canonical Scripture approved by Bucer M The original of the Doxology its antiquity N Hallelujah at what time to be used O The Invitatory what and why devised P The Number of Lessons in the Romish Church Our manner of reading them most conformable to antiquity The Contents of the Chapters of what use Q The primitive custome before every Lesson R The benefit of mixing Psalmes or Hymnes with Lessons S Te Deum how ancient T Benedicite ancient V Benedictus and other Hymns vindicated used by the Dutch Church W The Creed anciently no part of the Liturgy how imployed why called the Apostles the Catholick Church a phrase as ancient as Ignatius Reason why so called The variety of Symbols whence derived why the Creed pronounced standing X The Lord be with you whence derived Difference betwixt it and Peace be to you Y Let us pray an ancient formula Z Lord have mercy upon us c. called the lesser Litany A A O Lord shew thy mercy upon us c. are canonical Scripture B B Collects why so called p. 71. CHAP. IIII. A Catechising part of the Evening Office The want thereof the cause of heresie Judgement of the Synod of Dort Sermons where in the Primitive Church part of the Evening Office B Evening Prayer why so called An ancient Evening Hymn C The Doxology of the Pater Noster why omitted in our service D A necessary Rubrick added by the Scotch Liturgy E Athanasius his Creed falsly so called yet ancient and extant in Anno 600. after Christ. F Litanies Ancient in the Western Church long before Mamercus Reformed by Gregory the Great ours whence derived the Gesture proper for it G Wednesdaies and Fridaies why dayes of fastings Stations what and why so called Tertullian cleared H Forgiving our Enemies a peculiar of Christianity The Jewish and Romish practice contrary to it I Repeated Prayers most powerful K The Thanksgiving for Rain c. a necessary Reformation p. 97 CHAP. V. A The Introit what B Epistles and Gospels very necessary why Epistles when all are not so The reason and defence of that denomination C Advent what and why observed D Christmas day It s antiquity variously observed in the primitive times The precise day dubious and unnecessary to be known Calvin passionately for it Observed by the Synod of Dort and the Belgick Church A main argument for it E Two Communions anciently in one fore-mâ—n F Why the Feasts of St. Stephen St. John and Innocents are celebrated neer Christmas day G Antiquity of the Circumcision feast H Epiphany what Ancient I Ashwednesday and Lent the original and various observation of them K Palm Suâ—day how observed L The holy week why so called M Maunday Thursday a day of great note N Good-Friday anciently a very high day a day of general Absolution O Easter-Eve the great day of Baptising competents Watching the Sepulchre whence derived P Easter-day of Apostolical institution Q Easter-Mnoday and Easter-Tuesday very anciently observed R Dominica in Albis S Rogation dayes why instituted T Ascension day why rarely mentioned in Antiquity Pentecost what Synods anciently summoned about this time V Whitsunday why so called a private conjecture W St. Andrews day why the first festival X Conversion of St. Paul why not observed Paul and Peter one intire festival anciently and of late years Y The Purification of Mary anciently how called why Candlemass-day Z The Annuntiation of the Virgin Mary how Ancient A St. Philip and Jacob and All-Saints B St. Peter hath no single day C The Festival of Mary Magdalen why discontinued p. 133. CHAP. VI. A Immediately after what meant by it a Bell usually rang betwixt morning Prayer and the Sermon so also in Scotland B Notorium what who notorious Offenders in the sense of our Church the 109 Canon the Committee 1641. the Ordinance of Parliament Octob. 20. 1645. the Imperial Law Primitive practice our Saviours president in admitting Judas The main reason for free admission C Charity how necessary to a Communicant One loaf in the primitive Church Agapae the holy Kiss D The Table where to stand in Communion time E
it more decent laudable and profitable to sanctifie those which the elder Apostolick and purer Church was wont to solemnize Now what those dayes were in Zanchys judgement he soon after deciphers by the Festivals of Easter Pentecost Ascension Good-Friday Christs Nativity But to turn the keen edge of this great mans testimony two places are cited from him which some would perswade are of a contrary import and fit it is we should before we leave him see the peace kept betwixt Zanchy and himself It is more agreeable with the first institution and Apostolical writings that onely one day in a week be kept holy so saith Zanchy and so I for what doth these words exhibite but barely this that in the Apostles times there is no constat of any other Christian Festival observed then the weekly onely which I conceive few will deny Again They have not done ill who have abolished all but the Lords day This is granted too for Festivals being of an adiaphorous and indifferent quality far be it from me to impute sin to them who abrogate them I speak of Magistrates impowred with the supream Authority but though I allow they have not done ill in the abolishing yet do I conceive they had done better in retaining them So that I cannot discern any material interfearing betwixt Zanchy quoted pro and con but that he is reconcileable enough both to himself and to the Doctrine of the forecited Confessions and all speaking home as to the advantage of our Churches liberty in appointing dayes and of her prudential piety in selecting these But the best reformed Churches have laid these Holy dayes aside and it is fit we conform to them Answer If the Churches here intended be as the contrivers of it administer cause of conjecture those of Geneva France Scotland Belgia it will raise a new question whether they may properly be called the best reformed Churches a question fit to be stated before they be propounded as exemplary to us To which end very proper it is that it be demonstrated to us that the advenu'es the entries the mode and way of their Reformation was agreeable to principles of Christianity that the work proceeded in a regular sober and orderly manner was not carried on by tumult sedition and Rebellion For this hath been controverted and no satisfaction given adaequate or which hath made even with all scruples Again omitting how and to examine what they did we say their several parcels of that new structure which they cry up for so rare a beauty whose symmetry and proportion in the sense of many learned and judicious men holds no conformity to the rules of Christianity They have it is feared in an odd humour of singularity abandoned the most excellent order of Bishops an order of 1500. years standing before the new fangled discipline wherein if they have done well the consequence must infallibly be that all those blessed Martyrs Confessors Fathers and others holy men of former ages did abuse the Church in preserving such a Prelacy and that Gods providence was supinely negligent and fast asleep to permit his Church all along so many Centuries to be so mis-governed To proceed they have not onely layed aside these holy-dayes above specified but even the Lords day it self which our great adversaries themselves repute to be of Divine institution True it is they make it a day of publick assembling but not for sacred concernments alone No for civil also having their markets kept upon those dayes Till these obstacles be removed we hold it not just that they pretend to the title of the best reformed Churches Onely one objection more I must not fastidiously slight To which though à clarissimo ingenio occupata sunt meliora it hath been the exercise of a more learned pen I shall endeavour an answer The Objection is this many of these festivals had their rise and growth from Christians conformity to the heathenish feasts and customs which is not agreeable to Gospel principles Answer No proof being produced out of ancient monuments to strengthen this assertion it is as easily repelled as offered there is indeed reference made to Gregory the great but that Epistle being the 71. of his 9. Book speaks short The Question is matter of Fact whether actually the Christian came in place of Pagan feastivals of this Gregory affords not a syllable all he saies is onely this That Augustine the monk who was his Emissary into England desired his resolution what should be done with the Pagan Temples as also with their festivals Gregories direction in this case was this that the Temples he should convert into Churches and the Pagan festivals into Christian holy-dayes How far Augustine pursued his Masters Order there is no constat suppose it acted what was commanded then I say first the same objection lieth against our Churches also which they have urged against our festivals Secondly this is enough to confute that miserable mistake that Christmas day took it's rise from the Paganish Saturnals when certain it is that day was in observation hundreds of years before St. Gregory and for other Festivals they must rather be then supposed translated then instituted considering that Gildas speaking of the peace restored to the Church after the Dioclesian persecution gives this account of the Christians doings renovant Ecclesias ad solum usque destructas basilicas sanctorum martyrum fundant dies festos celebrant they repair the Churches demolisht to the ground they rear up monuments for the blessed Martyrs they celebrate holy-dayes This Gildas delivers who was neer a century of years Gregory his Ancient And if holy dayes were celebrated then they could not take rise from this Act of Augustines 300. years after Lastly if the Christian festivals were removed and translated to a coincidence with those of the Heathens neither was the either direction or execution too blame St. Paul in order to the Jews conversion made himself a Jew to them upon this very score he circumcised Timothy and shaved his own head at Cenchrea why might not Pauls act be a leading case to all posterity why might not Gregory and Augustine shew his act for their warrant Beleeve it if they could by this complyance cheat the Heathens of their Idolatry and cozen them to the saving of their Souls it was for ought I see a pious fraud If Gregory be thought to have adventured too far in his direction hear a Protestant of eminent note and account amongst us Learned Zanchy speaking of the Jewish feasts of Pasch Pentecost Tabernacles Jubiles c. Quis prohibet quin Ecclesia sicut Diem septimum transtulit in Dominicum sic etiam illos reliquos dies festos in alios transferre potuerit who can hinder but as the Church did translate the seventh day into the Lords day so she may also change those festivals into others Now if Zanchy be in the right as to Jewsh festivals what just cause can be shewed why
prayers of God would take up much more of the Lords day then in most places they do as Master Baxter saith very well As for this Doxology so often repeated in the service of our Church cause there is to think it very ancient and of much elder standing then the Councel of Nice St. Basil derives it very high citeth Irenaeus for the use thereof calleth it antiquam vocem a phraâ—e of great antiquity And doubtlesse so it is for Justine mentions it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glorifying the Father the Son and the holy Ghost without a sound Confession of the Trinity is not enough to save us So also Clemens Alexandinus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glorifying the Father onely and the Son with the holy Ghost And in all probability to this had Tertullian regard where interpreting that of the prophet Malachi Incense shall be offered and a pure offering he gives his sense of it thus by id est Gloriae relatio Benedictio Hymni the giving Glory to God the blessings and Hymnes Truth it is there might in the former times be some small syllabical difference in the rehearsing of it some thus Glory be to the Father by the Son in the holy Ghost some thus Glory be to the Father and the Son with the holy Ghost as Irenaeus in St. Basil others as we use it now in which diversity there was certainly nothing either intended ill towards the truth or which could be directly drawn into ill construction but when about the time of the Nicene Councel the Arrians began to sow their seeds of heresie touching the inequality of the three Persons and the better to colour their pretences sheltered themselves under the protection of the Doxology the Father by the Son in the holy Ghost formerly used to which they constantly adhered hereupon the Councel of Nice to avoid all occasion of future question held her self to that form which came nighest to the form of Baptisme composed by our Saviour and the Doctrine of Christian faith prescribing it to be punctually observed by all such as were of the Orthodox party So that the Church being then split into two divisions the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and form of Doxology used by ether side because the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and note of distinction from the other Now whereas it may be urged out of Philostorgius that Flavianus first brought it into use if the Author may not be questioned as partial being an Arrian yet may he be interpreted to speak in reference to Antioch onely And whereas St. Hierom hath been currantly delivered to be the Author and composer of the second verse As it was in the beginning c. the story of Leontius his cunning pronouncing of onely the end of that versicle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. world without end in an audible tone is evidence to the contrary that Leontius being contemporary with Athanasius and both long before Jerom. And from Easter to Whitsunday Hallelujah The fifty dayes between Easter and Whitsunday were dayes of excessive joy in the primitive Church in honour of our Saviours Resurrection and were in some particulars observed with equal solemnity to the Lords day as in not fasting not kneeling chanting this Angelical Hallelujah upon these dayes which last was retained by our first Reformers as a mark of honour fixt upon them In the Scotch Liturgy by way of responce is added The Lords name be praised more in compliance to exemplary usage then in advantage of the sense which is compleat enough without it for the Allocution of praise ye the Lord hath no implied reference to any such return from the people but onely regardeth the subsequent Psalm for as let us pray is usually premised to incite intention to an ensuing prayer with the same congruity is praise ye the Lord assigned as an impressive invitatory to a following Hymn calling upon the people to joyn not not onely mentally but vocally by way of alternate response after the Priest Then shall be said or sung this Psalm Such also was the mode in St. Basils time Ab oratione surgentes ad Psalmodiam instituuntur i. e. Rising from prayers they the Assembly fall to singing of Psalmes O come let us sing c. This is not to say properly the Invitatory but the Invitatory Psalm so called because it comprehends the Invitatory for the Invitatory it self is onely the verse O come let us worship and fall down and kneel before the Lord our maker which was in the Church of Rome often no lesse then six times repeated by the Priest at certain closes and Periods of this Psalm and as oft returned by the people which our Reformers judging to be a vain Tautology thought fit to omit it appointing the venite to be without the Invitatory The Original of this Invitatory was at first of valuable consideration For you must know that anciently as appeareth out of Chrysostome before the Congregation was compleat and fully assembled the usage was to entertain the time with singing of Psalms where of this was the chief And Durandus who lived about the 400 years since tells us it was then the fashion in some Churches for the people who lay in expectation of the morning Service as soon as they heard this Psalm once began presently they all hasted into the Church Then shall follow certain Psalmes Concerning the dividing of the Psalmes into certain portions for every day I have spoke before Then shall be read two Lessons In the Romish Church there are usually appointed nine Lessons whereof the three first are commonly out of the Epistles the three next are short extracts out of the Homilies and Sermons of the Fathers the seventh is almost constantly out of the Gospel next which followeth ashred of a homily out of the Fathers which supplieth the place of the Sermon in more ancient times and is a short exposition upon the Gospel then two Lessons taken out of some antient writer Therefore in the first injunctions of Edw. the 6. elder by a year then the first Liturgy it is appointed that in order to the reading of the Epistles and Gospels and one Chapter in the New Testament in English when nine Lessons should be read in the Church three of them shall be omitted and left out with their Responds The reading of Lessons out of the Old as also out of the New-Testament is in a punctual imitation of the Ancient Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Justine Martyr i. e. the Commentaries of the Apostles and writings of the Prophets are read as the time permits These Lessons except before excepted are not left arbitrary but either to be appointed by the Kalendar or by the Table of proper Lessons the first for Ordinary and work-dayes the second for Festivals And such also was the Primitive Custom Audistis Librum legi Job saith Ambrose qui solemni munere est decursus tempore you have
grant that the scarcity and dearth which we do now most justly suffer for our iniquity may through thy goodnesse be mercifully turned into cheapnesse and plenty for the love of Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be praise for ever Amen In the time of war O Almighty God King of all Kings and governour of all things whose power no creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners and to be merciful to them that truly repent Save and deliver us we humbly beseech thee from the hands of our enemies abate their pride asswage their malice and confound their devices that we being armed with thy defence may be preserved evermore from all perils to gloriâ—ie thee which art the onely giver of all victory through the merits of thy onely son Jesus Christ our Lord Amen In the time of any common plague or sicknesse O Lmighty God which in thy wrath in the time of King David didst â—ay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand and yet remembring thy mercy didst save the rest have pitty upon us miserable sinners that now are visited with great sicknesse and mortality that like as thou didst then command thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may please thee to withdraw from us this plague and grievous sicknesse through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen O God whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive receive our humble petitions and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins yet let the pitifulnesse of thy great mercy loose us for the honour of Jesus Christs sake our mediatour and advocate Amen A Thanksgiving for rain O Gd our heavenly Father who by thy gratious providence doest cause the former and the latter rain to descend upon the earth that it may bring forth fruit for the use of man we give thee humble thanks that it hath pleased thee in in our greatest necessity to send us at the lâ—st a joyful rain upon thine inheritance and to refresh it when it was dry to the great comfort of us thy unworthy servants and to the glory of thy holy name through thy mercies in Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thanksgiving for fair weather O Lord God who hast justly humbled us by thy late plague of immoderate rain and waters and futhy mercy hast relieved and comforted our souls by this seasonable and blessed change of weather we praise and glorifie thy holy name for this thy mercie and will alwayes declare thy loving kindnesse from generation to generation through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thanksgiving for plenty O Most merciful father which of thy gracious goodnesse hast heard the devout prayers of thy Church and turned our bearth and scarcity into cheapnesse and plenty we give thee humble thanks for this thy special bounty beseeching thee to continue this thy loving kindnesse unto us that our land may yield us her fruits of increase to thy glory and our comfort through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thanksgiving for peace and victory O Almighty God which art a strong tower of defence unto thy servants against the face of their enemies we yield thee praise and thanksgiving for our deliverance from those great and apparant dangers wherewith we were compassed we acknowledge it thy goodnesse that we were not delivered over as a prey unto them beseeching thee still to continue such thy mercies toward us that all the world may know that thou art our Saviour and mighty deliverer through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A thanksgiving for deliverance from the plague O Lord God which hast wounded us for our sins and consumed us for our transgressions by thy late heavy and dreadful visitation and now in the midst of judgement remembring mercy hast reoâ—emed our souls from the jaws of death we offer unto thy fatherly goodnesse our selves our souls and bodies which thou hast delivered to be a living sacrifice unto thee alwayes praising and magnifying thy mercies in the midst of the Congregation through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Or this WE humbly acknowledge before thee O most merciful father that all punishments which are threatened in thy law might justly have fallen vpon us by reason of our manifold transgressions and hardnesse of heart yet seeing it hath pleased thee of thy tender mercy upon our weak and unworthy humiliation to asswage the noisome pestilence wherewith we lately have been sore afflicted and to restore the voice of joy and health into our dwellings we offer unto thy Divine majestie the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving lauding and magnifying thy glorious Name for such thy preservation and providence over us through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen The end of the Letany Annotations upon CHAP. IIII. A Catechising part of the Evening Office The want thereof the cause of heresies Judgement of the Synod of Dort Sermons where in the Primitive Church part of the Evening Office B Evening Prayer why so called An ancient Evening hymn C. The Doxology of the Pater Noster why omitted in our service D. A necessary Rubrick added by the Scotch Liturgy E. Athanasius his Creed falsly so called yet ancient and extant in Anno 600. after Christ. F. Litanies Ancient in the Western Church long before Mamercus Reformed by Gregory the Great ours whence derived the Gesture proper for it G. Wednesdaies and Fridayes why dayes of fastings Stations what and why so called Tertullian cleared H. Forgiving our Enemies a peculiar of Christianity The Jewish and Romish practice contrary to it I. Repeated Prayers most powerful K. The Thanksgivings for Rain c. a necessary Reformation AN order for Evening Prayer Though Evening service varieth not much from that of the Morning yet doth it afford something which obligeth our consideration For what is too much forgot I must reminde you that there is an Evening service befor Evening Prayer The Curate of every Parish or some other at his appointment shall diligently upon Sundayes and holy days half an hour before Evening Prayer openly in the Church instruct and examine so many children of his parish sent unto him as the time will serve and as he shall think convenient in some part of the Catechisme The same rule is observed by the Belgick Church and so did the Palatine Divines advise at the Synod at Dort that it should be an afternoon exercise with this positive resolution Non dubitamus cur tot haereses et nova dogmata locum passim inveniant causam vel maximam esse Catechizationis neglectum We are consident that the neglect of catechizing is the main cause of so many heresies and novel doctrines which infest the Church I wish they of the Presbyterian inclination would more listen to these their friends and if not for conformity's yet for Christianity's sake not suffer Preaching so totally to usurp and justle out this most necessary office that as an Inmate to expel the right owner
first Communion O sing unto the Lord a new song c. Psal. 98. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. GOd which makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy onely son Jesus Christ grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge who liveth and reigneth c. The Epistle The grace of God that bringeth salvation Tit. 2. verse 11. to the end The Gospel And it chanced in those dayes c. Lu. 2. to verse 15. E At the second Communion O Lord our Governour c. Psalm 8. The Collect. ALmighty God which hast given us thy onely begotten son to take our nature upon him â— this day to be born of a pure virgin Grant that we being regenerate and made thy children by adoption and grace may dayly be renued by thy holy spirit through thâ— same our Lord Jesus Christ who liveth and reigneth with thee c. The Epistle God in times past diversly Heb. 1. verse 1. unto verse 13. The Gospel In the beginning was the word Joh. 1. verse 1. unto verse 15. 1. B. of Edw. 6. Proper Psalms and Lessons at Even-song 89. The first Lesson Esay 7. God spake once again c. to the end Psalm 110. Â 132. Â The second Lesson Tit. 3. The kindness and love c. unto foolish questions F St. Stevens day at Mattens 1. B. of Edw. 6. The second Lesson Act. 6. 7. Stephen full of faith c. unto and when 40. years At the Communion Why boastest thou thou Tyrant Psal. 3. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the Beginning c. The Collect. GRant us O Lord to learn to love our enemies by the example of thy martyr S. Steven who prayed for his persecutors to thee which livest c. Then shall follow the Collect of the Nativity which shall be said continually unto Newyears day Scot Lit. But instead of these words and this day to be born the Presbyter shall say at this time to be born The Epistle And Stephen being full of the holy Ghost Act. 7. verse 55 unto the end The Gospel Behold I send unto you Prophets Mat. 23. verse 34. unto the end 1. B. of Edw. 6. The second Lesson at Evensong Acts 7. And when 40. years were expired unto Stephen full of the holy Ghost St John Evangelist's day 1. B. of Edw. 6. at Mattens The second Lesson Apoc. 1. unto the end At the Communion In the Lord put I my trust c. Psal. 11. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. MErcyfull Lord we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church that it being lightened by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist John may attain to thy everlasting gifts through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen The Epistle That which was from the beginning 1 John 1. verse 1. unto the end The Gospel Jesus said unto Peter John 21. verse 19. unto the end 1. B. of Edw. 6. at Evensong the second Lesson Apoc. 22. unto the end The Innocents day 1. B. of Edw. 6. at Mattens The first Lesson Jer. 31. unto moreover I heard Ephraim At the Communion O God the heathen are come c. Psal 29. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty God whose praise this day the young Innocents thy witnesses have confessed and shewed forth not in speaking but in dying mortifie and kill all vices in us that in our conversation our life may express the faith which with our tongues we do confesse through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle I looked and lo a Lamb Apoc. 14. verse 1. unto verse 6. The Gospel The angel of the Lord appeared Mat. 2. verse 13. unto verse 19. The Sunday after Christmas day 1. B. of Edw. 6. I will lift mine eyes up to the hills c. Psal. 121. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. Almighty God which hast given c. As upon Christmas day The Epistle And I say that the hire Galat. 4. verse 1. unto verse 8. The Gospel This is the Book of the generation Matth. 1. verse 1. unto the end The Circumcision of Christ. 1. B. of Edw. 6. At Mattens The first Lesson Gen. 17. unto the end The second Lesson Rom. 2. unto the end G At the Communion I was glad when they said unto me c. Psalm 122. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty God which madest thy blessed son to be circumcised and obedient to the law for man grant us the true circumcision of the spirit that our hearts and all our members being mortified from all wordly and carnal lusts may in all things ovey thy blessed will through the same thy son Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Blessed is that man to whom Rom. 4. verse 8. unto verse 15. The Gospel And it fortuned Luk. 2. verse 15. unto verse 22. 1. B. of Edw. 6. at Evensong The first Lesson Deut. 10. And now Israel unto the end The Second Lesson Colos. 2. unto the end Omitted in the 1. B. of Edward 6. If there be a Sunday between the Epiphany and the Circumcision then shal be used the same Collect Epistle and Gospel at the Communion which was used upon the day of Circumcision Scot. Lit. so likewise upon every other day from the time of the Circumcision to the Epiphany H. The Epiphany 1. B. of Edw. 6. at Mattens The first Lesson Esay 60. unto the End The second Lesson Luke 3. and it fortuned unto the end At the Communion O sing unto the Lord a new song c. Psalm 96. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. O God which by the leading of a star diddest manifest thy onely begotten son to the Gentiles mercifully grant that we which know thee now by faith may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious God head through Christ our Lord. The Epistle For this cause I Paul Ephes. 3. verse 1. unto verse 13. The Gospel When Jesus was born Matth. 2. verse 1. unto ver 13. 1. B. of Edw. 6. At Evensong The first Lesson Isai. 49. unto the end The second Lesson John 2. After this he went down to Capernaum unto the end The first Sunday after the Epiphanie 1. B. of Edw. 6. How long wilt thou forget me c. Psal. 13. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people Which call upon thee and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do and also have grace and power faithfully to
Pulpet or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 standing upon some advanced place as the constitutions have it his manner was not onely to instruct the people what they were to do upon Religious occasions as when to attend when to pray when to bow their heads to the Benediction when to stand upright when and who to depart but also to call upon them to pray in such manner and form as he dictated to them as is evident by that Prayer for the Catechumens lately cited out of St Chrysostom where the Deacon all along premiseth every particular of that prayer The fift thing observable from the Canon is the kisse of Peace for that is meant by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereof before The last is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. the second oblation which is the next thing offereth it self in our service and is called the Offertory The Offertory The whole action of the sacred Communion is elemented of nothing but sacrifices and oblations So in our Church so in the Apostolick which should be the grand examplar to all and though our Church varieth somewhat in the mode from the first original yet in the Substance her practice is conformable These sacrifices and oblations we may cast into four partitions and finde them all in the primitive and in our own service I shall name them all but insist onely upon the first as incident to my present purpose The first is the bringing of our gifts to the Altar that is the species and elements of the sacred symbols and withal some overplus according to our abilities for relief of the poor And this elemosinary offering is a sacrifice so called Phillip 4. 18. and Hebr. 13. 16. and declared to be well pleasing to God pleasing to God though extended to the poor these have a warrant of Atturney from God himself to receive our Almes He that hath pitty on the poor lendeth to the Lord. Prov. 19. 17. So that when we come together to Break bread in the Scripture notion that is to communicate we must break it to the hungry to God himself in his poor members as ever we expect a share in that last venice Come ye blessed c. These acts of mercy being onely set down as the reason of that venite Come ye blessed c. for I was an hungry and ye gave me to eat c. Matth. 25. 35. The second sacrifice is the Consecration of the Elements and presenting them up to God by the Prayers of the Minister and Congrâ—gation whereby they become that Sacrament for which they are set apart and deputed The third is the sacrifice of prayers and prayers unto God which are stiled sacrifices Psal. 50. 23. and 141. 2 Heb. 5 7. 13. 15. The fourth is the Oblation of our selves of our souls and bodies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aliving holy and reasonable sacrifice Rom. 12. 1. Now to restrain my discourse as I promised to the sacrifice of Almes-deeds it will be necessary to take notice of the Apostolick and primitive practise in this concerment and thereby to observe the agreeablenesse of our own Rule with it First then we are not ignorant I hope that the Apostolick custom of communicating was at their Agape's and Love-feasts These feasts were a joynt and liberal collation of all the Assembly every man contributing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as God had blessed him the rich for the poor Out of the offerings brought so much as was thought convenient for the Sacrament was taken by the party who officiated and the remains were deputed both for the refreshment of the Congregation and also for relief of the poor and these oblations were by the Apostles constitution to be set apart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every Lords-day Of these Feasts St. Jude in his Epistle makes mention speaking of spots in the Christians Love-feasts and not long after him Ignatius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is not suffered to celebrate the Agape without leave from the Bishop Of the mode Tertullian is most expresse Modicam unusquisque stipem menstruâ Die vel cum velit si modo possit apponit Haec quasi deposita pietatis sunt inde non epulis nec potaculis nec ingratis voratrinis dispensatur sed egenis alendis humandisque pueris puellisque re ac parentibus destitutis etateque domitis senibus item naufragis si qui in metallis si qui in insulis vel in custodiis duntaxat ex causa Dei fiunt Some little modicum or portion of contribution every man once a moneth or oftener if he can and will layeth aside for this purpose These collations are the pledges of piety nor are they disposed to the satisfying of our gluttenous appetites but for the relief or burial of the poor or Orphans or aged or shipurackt persons or for the maintenance of such as suffer imprisonment or exile for the cause of Christ. But abuses of excesse having crept into these feasts the junketings comeslations and mealing together were soon laid aside and where they were so though the Sacrament had nothing but of religious import yet the eleemosinary Oblations still continued For Justin Martyr rendring the practise of his time tells us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They that are well to passe if they are so disposed every man as he pâ—easeth offereth somewhat of that he hath and this collection is deposited with the chief President who therewith relieveth Orphants Widows such as are sick or in want upon the like cause such also as are in prison or travailers which come from far Countries and to this usage I conceive Clemens Alexandrinus had an eye where he said many resorted to hear the word of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 knowing that Christians communicated to the needy things necessary To the same effect St. Syprian Thou art rich and wealthy and dost thou beleeve thou canst rightly celebrate the Lords Supper who doest not minde the Poor-mans box who appearest in the Lords house empty without the sacrifice of Almes deeds nay who takest thy share of that sacrifice which the poor man himself offered Not to trouble you with multiplying more Authorities in so clear a matter it may suffice once for all to reminde you that upon this very account the sacred mysteries gained in the Primitive Church so frequently to be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sacred gifts or offerings But though Almes-giving be a necessary duty yet doth not God accept it from all but in these Oblations he respects the men not the gifts there are some Cains of whose sacrifices he will none and therefore in the Primitive Church such persons as had misdemeaned themselves or scandalized Religion St. Cyprian positively orders prohibeantur offerre let them be kept back from offering so also for such as harboured malice against their brethren the Counsel of Carthage ordemed neque in sacrario neque in Gazophylacio recipiantur eorum Oblationes
O God let all the people prayse thee Then shall the earth bring forth her increase and God even our God shall give us his blessing God shall blesse us and all the ends of the world shall fear him Glory be the Father and to the Son c. As it was in the beginning is now c. The Psalm ended and the man and the woman kneeling afore the Lords table the Minister standing at the 1 B. of Edw. 6. Altar table and turning his face toward them shall say Lord have mercy upon us Answer Christ have mercy upon us Minister Lord have mercy upon us Our Father which are in heaven c. And led us not into temptation Answer But deliver us from evil Amen Minister O Lord save thy servant and thy handmaid Answer Which put their trust in thee Minister O Lord send them help from thy holy place Answer And evermore defend them Minister Be unto them a tower of strength Answer From the face of their enemy Minister O Lord hear our prayer Answer And let our cry come unto thee Minister O God of Abraham God of Isaac God of Jacob blesse these thy servants and sow the seed of eternal life in their mindes that whatsoever in thy holy word they shall profitably learn they may indeed fulfil the same Look O Lord mercifully upon them from heaven and blesse them And as thou didst send thy blessing upon Abraham and Sarah to their great comfort so vouchsafe to send thy blessing upon these thy servants that they obeying thy will and alway being in safety under thy protection may avide in thy love unto their lives end through Jesu Christ our Lord Amen Omitted This prayer next following shall be omitted where the woman is in Bucer past childe birth O Mercifull Lord and heavenly father by whose gratious gift mankinde is increased we beseech thee assist with thy blessing these two persons that they may both be fruitful in procreation of children and also live together so long in Godly love and honesty that they may see their childrens children unto the third and fourth generation unto thy praise and honour through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen O God which by thy mighty power hast made all things of naught which also after other things set in order didst appoint that out of man created after thine own image and similitude woman should take her beginning and knitting them together didst teach that it should never be lawful to put a sunder those wham thou by matrimony hadst made one O God which hast consecrated the state of matrimony to such an excellent mystery that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church look mercifully upon these thy servants that both this man may love his wife according to thy word as Christ did love his spouse the Church who gave himself for it loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh and also that this woman may be loving and amiable to her husband as Rachel wise as Rebecca faithful and obedient as Sarah and in all quietnesse sobriety and peace be a follower of holy and Godly matrons O Lord blesse them both and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdome through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Then shall the Minister say ALmighty God which at the beginning did create our first parents Adam and Eve and did sanctifie and joyn them together in mariage poure upon you the riches of his grace sanctifie and 1 B. of Edw. 6. †blesse you that ye may please hun both in body and soul and live together in holy love unto your lives end Amen Then shall begin the Communion and after the Gospel shall be said a Sermon wherein ordinarily so oft as there is any mariage the Office of man and wife shall be declared according to holy Scripture Or if there be no Sermon the Minister shall read this that followeth AL ye which be married or which intend to take the holy estate of Matrimony upon you here what holy Scripture doth say as touching the duty of husbands toward their wives and wives toward their husbands Saint Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians the fift Chapter doth give this commandment to all married men ye husbands love your wives even as Christ loved the Church and hath given himself for it to sanctifie it purging it in the fountain of water through the word that he might make it unto himself a glorious congregation not having spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that it should be holy and blamlesse So men are bound to love their own wives as their own bodies He that loveth his own wife loveth himself For never did any man hate his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord doth the congregation For we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones For this cause shall a man leave father and mother and shall be joyned unto his wife and they two shall be one flesh This mystery is great but I speak of Christ and of the congregation Neverthelesse let every one of you so love his own wife even as him self Likewise the same saint Paul writing to the Colossians speaketh thus to all men that be married Ye men love your wives and be not bitter unto them Hear also what Saint Peter the Apostle of Christ which was himself a married man saith unto all men that are married ye husbands dwell with your wives according to knowledge giving honour unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel and as heires together of the grace of life so that your prayers be not hindred Hitherto ye have heard the duty of the husband toward the wife Now likewise ye wives hear and learn your duty towards your husbands even as it is plainly set forth in holy scripture SAint Paul in the forenamed Epistle to the Ephesians teacheth you thus Ye women submit your selves unto your husbands as unto the Lord for the husband is the wives head even as Christ is the head of the Church And he also is the saviour of the whole body Therefore as the Church and congregation is subject unto Christ so likewise let the wives be also in subjection unto their own husbands in all things And again he saith let the wife reverence her husband And in his epistle to the Colossians saint Paul giveth you this short Lesson Ye wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as it is convenient in the Lord. Saint Peter doth also instruct you very godly thus saying Let wives be subject to their own husbands so that if any obey not the word they may be won without the word by the conversation of the wives while they behold your chast conversation coupled with fear Whose apparel let it not be outward with braided haire and trimming about with Gold either in puting on of gorgeous apparel but let the hid man which is in the heart be without all
corruption so that the spirit be milde and quiet which is a precious thing in the sight of God For after this manner in the old time did the holy women which trusted in God apparel themselves being subject to their own husbands As Sara obeyed Abraham calling him Lord whose daughters ye are made doing well and not being dismaid with any fear The new married persons the same day of their marriage N must receive the holy Communion O The order for the visitation of the Sick The Minister entring into the sick persons house shall say Peace be in this house and to all that dwell in it Common Prayer 1. B. of Edw. 6. When he cometh into the sick persons presence he shall say kneeling down When he cometh into the sick persons presence he shall say this Psalm Hear my prayer O Lord and consider my desire hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousnesse sake c. Glory be to the Father and to the Son c. As it was in the Beginning c. With this Anthem REmember not Lord our iniquities nor the iniquities of our forefathers spare us good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood and be not angry with us for ever Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Our father which art in heaven c. And lead us not into temptation Answer But deliver us from evil Amen Minister O Lord save thy servant Answer Which putteth his trust in thee Minister Send him help from thy holy place Answer And evermore mightily defend him Minister Let the enemy have none advantage of him Answer Nor the wicked approach to hurt him Minister Be unto him O Lord a strong tower Answer From the face of his enemie Minister Lord hear our 1 B. of Edw. 6. my prayers Answer And let our 1 B. of Edw. 6. cry come unto thee The Minister 1 B. of Ed. 6. Let us pray O Lord look down from heaven behold visit and relieve this thy servant look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy give him comfort and sure confidence in thee defend him from the danger of the enemy and keep him in perpetual peace and safety through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen HEar us almighty and most merciful God and Savior extend thy accustomed goodness to this thy servant which is grieved with sickness visit him O Lord as thou didst visit Peters wives mother and the Captains seruant So visit and restore to this sick person his former health if it be thy will or else give him grace so to take thy visitation that after this painful life ended he may dwell with thee in life everlasting Amen Then shall the Minister exhort the sick person after this form or other like DEarly beloved know this that Almighty God is the Lord of life and death and over all things to them pertaining as youth strength health age weakness and sickness Wherefore whatsoever your sickness is know you certainly that it is Gods visitation And for what cause soever this sickness is sent unto you whether it be to try your patience for the example of other and that your faith may be found in the day of the Lord laudable glorious and honorable to the increase of glory and endless felicity or else it be sent unto you to correct and amend in you whatsoever doth offend the eyes of your heavenly Father know you certainly that if you truly repent you of your sins and bear your sickness patiently trusting in Gods mercy for his dear Son Jesus Christ sake and render unto him humble thanks for his fatherly visitation submitting your self wholly to his will it shall turn to your profit and help you forward in the right way that leadeth unto everlasting life If the person visited be very sick then the Curate may end his exhortation in this place Take therefore in good worth the chastisment of the Lord. For whom the Lord loveth he chastiseth Yea as St. Paul saith he scourgeth every son which he receiveth If ye endure chastisement he offereth himself unto you as unto his own children What son is he that the Father chastiseth not If ye be not under correction whereof all true children are pattakers then are ye bastards and not children Therefore seeing that when our carnal fathers â—o correct us we reverently obey them shall we not now much rather be obedient to our spiritual Father and so live And they for a few days do chastise us after their own pleasure but he doth chastise us for our profit to the intent he may make us partakers of his holiness These words good brother are Gods words and written in holy scripture for our comfort and instruction that we should patiently and with thanksgiving bear our heavenly Fathers correction whensoever by any maner of adversity it shall please his gracious goodness to visit us And there should be no greater comfort to Christian persons then to be made like unto Christ by suffering patiently adversities troubles and sicknesses For he himself went not up to joy but first he suffered pain he entred not into his glory before he was cruâ—ified So truly our way to eternal Joy is to suffer here with Christ and our door to enter into eternal life is gladly to die with Christ that we may rise again from death and dwell with â—â—m in everlasting life New therefore taking your sickness which is thus profitable for you patiently I exhort you in the name of God to remember the profession which you made unto God in your Baptism And forasmuch as after this life there is account to be given unto the righteous Judge of whom all must be judged without respect of persons I require you to examine your self and your state both toward God and man so that accusing and condemning your self for your own faults you may finde mercy at our heavenly Fathers hand for Christs sake and not be accused and condemned â—iâ— that fearful Judgement Therefore I shall shortly rehearse the Articles of our Faith that you may know whether you do believe as a Christian man should or â—o P Then the Minister shall rehearse the Articles of the Eaith saying thus Doest thou believe in God the Father Almighty And so forth as it is in Baptism Then shall the Minister examine Q whether he be in charity with all the world exhorting him to forgive from the bottom of his heart all persons that have offended him and if he have offended other to ask them forgiveness And where he hath done injury or wrong to any man that he make amends to the uttermost of his power And if he have not afore disposed his goods let him then make his will But men must be oft admonished that they set an order for their temporal goods and lands when they be in health and also declare his debts what he oweth and what is owing unto him for discharging of his conscience and quietness of