of Common prayer or Divine service as appeareth by the ancient Liturgies of the Greek and Latine Churches This was done as for other great causes so likewise for retaining an uniformity in Gods worship a thing most beseeming them that are of one and the same profession For by the form that is kept in the outward worship of God men commonly judge of Religion If in that there be a diversity strait they are apt to conceive the Religion to be diverse Wherefore it were to be wished that the whole Church of Christ were one as well in form of publick worship as in doctrine And that as it hath but one Lord and one Faith so it had but one heart and one mouth This would prevent many schismes and divisions and serve much to the preserving of unity But since that cannot be hoped for in the whole Catholick Christian Church yet at least in the Churches that are under the protection of one Soveraigne Prince the same ought to be endeavoured It was not the least part of our late Soveraigne King JAMES of blessed memory his care to work this uniformity in all his Dominions but while he was about to do it it pleased God to translate him to a better kingdome His Majestie that now raigneth and long may he raigne over us in all happinesse not suffering his Fathers good purpose to fall to the ground but treading the same path with the like zeal and pious affection gave order soon after his coming to the Crown for the framing of a Book of Common prayer like unto that which is received in the Churches of England and Ireland for the use of this Church After many lets and hindrances the same cometh now to be published to the good we trust of all Gods people and the increase of true piety and sincere devotion amongst them But as there is nothing how good and warrantable soever in it self against which some will not except so it may be that exceptions will be taken against this good and most pious work and perhaps none more pressed then that we have followed the Service book of England But we should desire them that shall take this exception to consider that being as we are by Gods mercie of one true profession and otherwise united by many bonds it had not been fitting to vary much from theirs our especially coming forth after theirs seeing the disturbers of the Church both here and there should by our differences if they had been great taken occasion to work more trouble Therefore did we think meet to adhere to their form even in the festivals and some other rites not as yet received nor observed in our Church rather then by omitting them to give the Adversary to think that we disliked any part of their service Our first Reformers were of the same minde with us as appeareth by the ordinance they made that in all the Parishes of this Realm the Common-prayer should be read weekly on Suâ—daies and other Festival dayes with the Lessons of the old and new Testament conform to the order of the book of Common prayer meaning that of England for it is known that divers years after we had no other order for common prayer This is recorded to have been the first head concluded in a frequent Councel of the Lords and Barons professing Christ Jesus We keep the words of the history Religion was not then placed in rites and gestures nor men taken with the fancie of extemporary prayers Sure the publick worship of God in his Church being the most solemn action of us his poor creatures here below ought to be performed by a Liturgie advisedly set and framed and not according to the sudden and various fancies of men This shall suffice for the present to have said The God of mercy confirm our hearts in his truth and preserve us alike from prophanenesse and superstition Amen Of Ceremonies why some be abolished and some reteined OF such Ceremonies as be used in the Church and have had their beginning by the institution of man some at the first were of godly entent and purpose devised and yet at length turned to vanity and superstition some entred into the Church by undiscreet devotion and such a zeal as was without knowledge and for because they were winked at in the beginning they grew daily to more and more abuses which not only for their unprofitablenesse but also because they have much blinded the people and obscured the glory of God are worthy to be cut away and clean rejected Other there be which although they have been devised by man yet is it thought good to reserve them still as well for a decent order in the Church for the which they were first devised as because they pertein to edification whereunto all things done in the Church as the Apostle teacheth ought to be referred And although the keeping or omitting of a Ceremony in it selfe considered is but a small thing yet the wilfull and contemptuous transgression and breaking of a common order and discipline is no small offence before God Let all things be done among you saith Saint Paul in a seemly and due order The appointment of the which order pertaineth not to private men therefore no man ought to take in hand nor presume to appoint or alter any publick or common order in Christs Church except he be lawfully called and authorized thereunto And whereas in this our time the mindes of men are so divers that some think it a great matter of conscience to depart from a piece of the least of their Ceremonies they be so addicted to their old customes and again on the other side some be so new fangled that they would innovate all things and so despise the old that nothing can like them but that is new It was thought expedient not so much to have respect how to please and satisfie either of these parties as how to please God and profit them both And yet lest any man should be offended whom good reason might satisfie here be certain causes rendred why some of the accustomed Ceremonies be put away and some reteined and kept still Some are put away because the great excesse and multitude of them hath so increased in these latter dayes that the burden of them was intollerable whereof Saint Augustine in his time complained that they were growen to such a number that the state of a Christian people was in worse case concerning the matter then were the Jews And he counselled that such yoke and burden should be taken away as time would serve quietly to do it But what would saint Augustine have said if he had seen the ceremonies of late dayes used among us whereunto the multitude used in his time was not to be compared This our excessive multitude of ceremonies was so great and many of them so dark that they did more confound and darken then declare and set forth Christs benefits unto us And besides this Christs Gospel
interim order made to stay the stomacks of earnest longers for the present that very Proclamation which enjoynd it promising somewhat of an higher import which was effected accordingly in the first Liturgy of that King being compiled by the most judicious Bishops and others of that time ratified by Act of Parliament and set forth March 17. 1549. But this Liturgy being as some conceived not throughly racked from the lees of superstition The King and ment desirous to give all reasonable satisfaction to male-contents gave order probably to the same persons or so many of them as were then living that the Book should be faithfully and godly perused explained and made fully perfect and being so reviewed and explained they confirmed it again Anno 5. 6. of Edward 6. as in the statute appeareth Thus have I drawn the line of our Reformation so far as concerneth Publick worship in a known tongue that the Reader may observe all its motions stages and processions from its first rise unto the second Book of Edward 6. wherein our Church some few particulars excepted doth acquiesce Either privatly or openly The act preceding telling us so expresly that open Prayer is such as is made in a Cathedral Church Chappel or Oratory in a consecrated Place we need no Oedipus to unriddle the import of Private or to doubt that it signifieth any thing other then such as is performed at home But why is the Minister bound to say it daily either in publick or at home Some think our Church had under consideration how ignorant and illiterate many Vicars were and ordered thus that they might con in private the better to enable them for the Publick But I am of another perswasion for first the Church I conceive would not as she doth enjoyn them to officiat in publick did she not suppose them already in some tollerable degree fitted for the service Again the words are general not definitively such and such of those mean abilities but all Ministers without exception Now though very many were yet it is no charitable judgement to beleeve them all Dunces And it is apparent that where such ignorance fell under the consideration of authority the phrase doth vary with a particular application to them alone who were guilty of it so it is in the Queens injunctions such such onely not all as are but mean readers shall peruse over before once or twice the Chapters and Homilies to the intent they may read to the better understanding of the people and the more encouragement to Godlinesse So that I rather think the Churches policy was the better to inure and habituate the Clergy to Religious duties But be this so or not so sure of this we are that the Church doth hereby warrant the use of her Liturgy sometimes in places not consecrated This daily service especially which in its original designation was not onely indulged to privat places but private persons in those places I mean for Masters of families and others in the private exercises of Religion This is evident by the ancient Primers which containing the daily service were set forth to be frequented and used as well of the elder People as also of the youth for their common and ordinary prayers as is in the injunction of Henry the 8. prefixt to that of his in the year 1546. Of such ceremonies as have had their beginning by the institution of man Amongst the many exceptions to which this very venerable peece of piety Antiquity hath been exposed the first in order gives a countercheck to Ceremonies of humane institution for told we are that the Common Protestant tenent was alwayes that it is reprovable to add unto Christs intention new-found rites and fantasies of men which being so positively delivered by such a man of abilities as Dr. Amesius were enough to stagger any one whose curiosity leads him not to further search but when the streame of those tenents and practise elicited from them shall appear upon strict examination to be carried with a tide clean contrary certainly nothing but shame can justly attend so bold so confident and withal so groundlesse and false an Assertion Nothing assuredly can be more demonstrative of the Protestant tenents then the confession of their several Churches That of Helvetia first Churches have alwayes used their liberty in rites as being things indifferent which we also do at this day That of Bohemia Humane traditions and ceremonies brought in by a good custom are with an uniform consent to be reteined in the Ecclesiastical assemblies of Christian people at the common Service of God The Gallican Every place may have their peculiar constitutions as it shall seem convenient for them The Belgick we receive those Laws as are fit either to cherish or maintain concord or to keep us in the obedience of God That of Ausburg Ecclesiastical rites which are ordeined by mans authority and tend to qâ—ietnesse and good order in the Church are to be observed That of Saxony For order-sake there must be some decent and seemly ceremonies That of Sweveland Such traditions of men as agree with the Scriptures and were ordeined for good manners and the profit of men are worthily to be accounted rather of God then of man These were the tenents they publickly owned nor did they act different from what they thought ordeining Churches Pulpits prayers before and after Sermon administring the Sacraments in Churches delivering the Communion in the forenoons to women Baptising infants and several other things not one wherof were directly commanded by either Christ of his Apostles Let all things be done among you saith St. Paul in a seemly aâ—d due order The Apostles having their full stock of imployment and a great task set them viz. the planting of the Gospel and conversion of souls had little leasure to intend the ordaining of Holy-dayes or external rites the accidents of publick worship besides prescient and foreknowing they were that several emergences of occasions differences of Climates various dispositions of Ages would not well admit one general uniform order Neverthelesse that the Church might have somewhat of direction in such concernments some rules of universal observation and of expresse relation to Church-meetings and Assemblies the Apostle St. Paul prescribed all within the provision of one Chapter that of 1 Cor. 14 whereof these here mentioned are the close 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let all things be done decently and according to appointment First 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is observing the due and proper scheam and figure that the action requireth as kneeling at prayer and confession of sins standing when we glorifie God or professe our Christian faith c. Secondly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i e according to the orders and injunctions of the Superiours or Governours of the Church for they erre which think the appointment of this order appertaineth to private men herein the Doctrine of our Church in this paragraph is
meant by Presbyteri consignant in the counterfeit Ambrose F Vnction or Chrism an ancient ceremony belonging to Confirmation why separated at length from it and indulged to Presbyters The Arausican Council diversity of readings Sirmundus his Edition defended Whence two Chrismations in the Church of Rome G Signing with the Cross a companion of unctson H Children when anciently confirmed I Communication of the Eucharist to succeed presently upon Confirmation p. 261. CHAP. X. A. The Matrimonial Office very necessary Marriage ought to be blessed by a Minister Our Saviour and the Primitive Fathers did it Set forms anciently used B. Times prohibited for Marriage upon what Law founded The Directory as guilty of Popery therein as our Church C. Marriage anciently celebrated ad ostium Ecclesiae D Mutual consent of both Parties necessary Espousals what E The giving of the Woman ancient F. The excellence of the English mode in receiving the Wife from the Priest G. The right hand a Symbole of fidelity H. A Ring why given by the man The ancient use of Rings I. Why the Ring is laid upon the Book K. Why the Ring is put upon the 4th singer the usual reason rejected L With my Body I thee worship what meant by it M. The blessing ought to be by imposition of hands N. Why the married couple to communicate O. The visitation of the sick a necessary Office P. A sound faith how necessary Q. Charity very necessary to a dying man R. So also Almes-giving S. Absolution how commendable and comfortable The several kinds of absolution T. Extreme unction why laid aside V. Communion of the sick vindicated Calvin foâ— it W. Reservation of the consecrated Elements anciently very laudable X. The various customs of bearing the Corps to Church Copiatae what Why Hymns sung all along as the corps was born Y. The Resurrection of our bodies ought to be the chief of our Meditations upon funeral occasions Z In sure and certain hopes c. What meant by it AA Prayer for the Dead in the Romish Church implyeth not Purgatory The mind of the Breviary opened Trentals what BB. Communion at Burials ancient why now laid aside The Original of Oblations Doles at Funerals and Mortuaries p. 291 CHAP. XI A The grounds of Thanksgiving after Child-birth why rather for this than other deliverances B Our Church doth not Judaize Difference betwixt our practice and Jewish Purification C What meant by the word Church into which the woman is to come D The woman not enjoined a veil F The 121 Psalm not abused E But deliver us from evil why returned by way of response F Commination how often used in the year G Why read in the Pulpit A discourse of reading-Desks none setled by Rule before the Canons 1603. upon what occasion devised H A Discourse of publick Pennance By whom it was imposed and how long to continue The several motions of it in the Greek Church What meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what and what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Errours noted in the Editions of Zonaras and Balsamon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what Penitential customs in the Western Church Africa most severe and why The ancient mode of Excommunicating of notorious offenders out of Gratian Discourse upon it Adgeniculari charis Dei in Tertullian Penitents when reconciled in the Latine Church The Ancient Discipline commended and Vote for its restauration I What meant by the word Curate in our Liturgy K Homilies whether part of our Churches Service And whether the Doctrine of our Church L Calvins Epistle to the Protector mis-dated in all Editions p. 315 FINIS THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER AND Administration of the SACRAMENTS AND Other RITES and CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND CHAP. I. An Act for the uniformity of Common-Prayer and service in the Church and administration of the Sacraments WHere at the death of our late soveraign Lord King Edward the sixt there remained one uniform order of common service and prayer and of the administration of Sacraments Rites and Ceremonies in the Church of England which was set forth in one book entituled the book of Common-prayer and administration of the sacraments and other rights and ceremonies in the Church of England authorized by act of Parliament holden in the lift and sixt years of our said late soveraign Lord king Edward the sixt entituled an Act for the uniformity of Common-prayer and administration of the Sacraments the which was repealed and taken away by act of Parliament in the first yeer of the raign of our late soveraign Lady Queen Marie to the great decay of the due honour of God and discomfort to the professours of the truth of Christs religion Be it therfore enacted by the authority of this present Parliament that the said statute of repeal and every thing therein contained onely concerning the said book and the service administration of Sacraments rites and ceremonies contained or appointed in or by the said book shall be void and of none effect from and after the feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming And that the said book with the order of service and of the administration of Sacraments rites and ceremonies with the alteration and additions therein added and appointed by this statute shall stand and be from and after the said feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist in full force and effect according to the tenour and effect of this statute any thing in the aforesaid statute of repeal to the contrary notwithstanding And further be it enacted by the Queens highnesse with the assent of the Lords and Commons of this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same that all and singular ministers in any Cathedral or parish Church or other place within this realm of England Walâ—s and the marches of the same or other the Queens dominions shall from and after the feast of the Nativity of saint John Baptist next coming be bounden to say and use the Mattins Even-song celebration of the Lords Supper and administration of each of the sacraments and all other common and open prayer in such order and form as is mentioned in the said book so authorized by Parliament in the said fift and sixt year of the raign of king Edward the sixt with one alteration or addition of certain Lessons to be used on every Sunday in the year and the form of the Letanie altered and corrected and two sentences onely added in the delivery of the Sacrament to the Communicants and none other or otherwise And that if any manner of Parson Uicar or other whatsoever minister that ought or should sing or say common prayer mentioned in the said book or minister the sacraments from and after the feast of the â—ativity of saint John Baptist next coming refuse to use the said common prayers or to minister the sacraments in such Cathedral or parish Church or other places as he should use to minister the same in such order and form as
the same being now by us reduced to a setled form We have occasion to repeat somewhat of that which hath passed And how at our very first entry into the Realm being entertained and importuned with Informations of sundry Ministers complaining of the errors and imperfections of the Church here aswell in matter of Doctrine as of Discipline Although We had no reason to presume that things were so far amisse as was pretended because We had seen the Kingdom under that form of Religion which by Law was established in the dayes of the late Queen of famous memory blessed with a peace and prosperity both extraordinary and of many years continuance a strong evidence that God was therewith wel pleased Yet because the importunity of the Complainers was great their affirmations vehement and the zeal wherewith the same did seem to be accompanied very specious We were mooved thereby to make it Our occasion to discharge that duty which is the chiefest of all Kingly duties that is to settle the affaires of Religion and the Service of God before their own Which while We were in hand to do as the contagion of the sicknesse reigning in our city of London and other places would permit an assembly of persons meet for that purpose Some of those who misliked the state of Religion here established presuming more of Our intents then ever we gave them cause to do and transported with humour began such proceedings as did rather raise a scandal in the Church then take offence away For both they used forms of publick serving of God not here allowed held assemblies without authority and did other things carrying a very apparent shew of Sedition more then of Zeal whom We restrained by a former Proclamation in the month of October last and gave intimation of the conference We intended to be had with as much speed as conveniently could be for the ordering of those things of the Church which accordingly followed in the moneth of January last at Our Honour of Hampton Court where before Our Self and our Privie Councel were assembled many of the gravest Bishops and Prelates of the Realm and many other learned men aswell of those that are conformable to the state of the Church established as of those that dissented Among whom what oâ—r pains were what our patience in hearing and replying and what the indifferency and uprightnesse of Our judgement in determining We leave to the report of those who heard the same contenting our Self with the sincerity of our own heart therein But We cannot conceal that the successe of that Conference was such as happeneth to many other things which moving great expectation before they be entred into in their issue produce small effects For We found mighty and vehement Informations supported with so weak and slender proofs as it appeareth unto Us and Our Councel that there was no cause why any change should have been at all in that which was most impugned the book of Common Prayer containing the form of the Publick Service of God here established neither in the doctrine which appeared to be sincere nor in the Forms Rites which were justified out of the practise of the Primitive Church Notwithstanding we thought meet with consent of the Bishops and other learned men there present That some small things might rather be explained then changed not that the same might not very well have been born with by men who would have made a reasonable construction of them but for that in a matter concerning the Service of God We were nice or rather jealous that the publick Form there of should be free not onely from blame but from suspition so as neither the common Adversary should have advantage to wrest ought therein contained to other sense then the Church of England intendeth nor any troublesome or ignorant person of this Church be able to take the least occasion of cavil aginst it And for that purpose gave forth Our Commission under our great Seal of England to the Archbishop of Canterbury and others according to the form which the Laws of this Realm in like case prescribed to be used to make the said explanation and to cause the whole Book of Common Prayer with the same Explanations to be newly printed Which being now done and established anew after so serious a deliberation although We doubt not but all our Subjects both Ministers and ofâ—ers will receive the same with such reverence as appertaineth and conform themselves thereunto every man in that which him concerneth Yet have We thoâ—ght it necessary to make known by Proclamation Our authorizing of the same And to require and enjoyn all men aswel Ecclesiastical as Temporal to conform themselves unto it and to the practise thereof as the onely publick form of serving of God eâ—â—ablished and allowed to be in this Realm And the rather for that all the learned men who were there present as well of the Bishops as others promised their conformitie in the practise of it onely making suit to Us that some few might be born with for a time Wherefore We require all Archbishops Bishops and all other publick Ministers aswell Ecclesiastical as Civil to do their duties in causing the same to be obeyed and in punishing the offenders according to the Laws of the Realm heretofore established for the authorizing of the said Book of Common prayer And We think it also necessary that the said Arch-Bishops and Bishops do each of them in his Province and Diocesse take order that every parish do procure to themselves within such time as they shall think good to limit one of the said books so explained And last of all We do admonish all men that hereafter they shall not expect nor attempt any further alteration in the Common and publick form of Gods Service from this which is now established for that neither will we give way to any to presume that our own judgement having determiÌ„ed in a matter of this weight shal be swaid to alteration by the frivolous suggestions of any light spirit neither are We ignorant of the inconveniencies that do arise in Government by admitting innovation in things once setled by mature deliberation And how necessary it is to use constancy in the upholding of the publike determinations of States for that such is the unquietnesse and unstedfastnesse of some dispositions affecting every yeer new formes of things as if they should be followed in their unconstancy would make all actions of States ridiculous and contemptible whereas the stedfast maintaining of things by good advice established is the weale of all Common-wealths Given at our Palace of Westminster the 5. day of March in the first year of Our reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the seven and thirtieth God save the KING The Preface THere was never any thingby the wit of man so wel devised or so sure established which in continuance of time hath not been corrupted as among other things it may plainly appear
for through default of their concurrent Ratification many of their Canons became insignificant ciphers and where custome and Canon chanced to justle and enterfere the people if their either inclination or interest might be gainers by it alwayes fled to prescription And prescription was sure to carry the cause where no Act of Parliament interposed to the contrary Now at our first entry into the Realm c. The complaint implyed in this Proclamation is a Libel miscalled The humble petition of the Ministers of the Church of England desiring Reformation of certain Ceremones and abuses in the Church that they might the better fore-speak impunity for so strange boldnesse they exhibit their muster-roll thus formidable To the number of more then a thousand This Petition they presented in April 1603. Formed it was into four heads comprehending a summary of all their pitiful grievances concerning first the Church service Secondly Church ministers Thirdly Church livings Fourthly concerning Church discipline To encounter these schismaticks both the Vniversities presently endeavour what they can Oxford models out a very brief but solid answer to all their objections not suffering one to escape Cambridge passeth a grace in their publick Congregation June 9. in the same year That whosoever shall openly oppose the Doctrine or Discipline of the Church of England or any part thereof either in words or writing shall be forthwith suspended of all degrees already taken and made uncapable of taking any hereafter This notwithstanding they held private conventicles the usual forerunners of sedition so as the King was compelled in October next to restrain them by Proclamation but promising withal that he intended a conference should shortly be had for the sopiting and quieting of those disputes This was the great occasion of that Conference of Hampton Court. According to the form which the Laws of this Realm c. The Kings of this Realm are by the statute 26. H. c. 1. declared justly and rightfully to be the supream Governours of the Church of England to have full power and Authority from time to time to visit represse redresse reform order correct restrain and amend all such errours c. which by any manner spiritual Authority or jurisdiction ought or may lawfully be reformed repressed ordered redressed corrected restrained or amended Agreeable to this power Henry the 8. Edw. the 6. Queen Mary her self Queen Elizabeth severally in their respective reignes did act But the laws referred to by this Proclamation is first that Act of Parliament 1. Eliz. wherein it is ordained that the Kings and Queens of this Realm shall have have full power and authority by letters Patents under the great Seal of England to assigne name and Authorize when and as often as their Heires and Successors shall think meet and convenient such person or persons as they shall think meet c. to visit reform redresse c. Secondly the latter end of the Act for uniformity where the Queen and consequently her Successors are authorized by the Advice of their Commissioners or the metropolitan to ordain and publish further Rites and Ceremonies And this helps us with an answer to an objection of Smecttymnuus who from the several Alterations made in our Liturgy both by Queen Elizabeth and King James from that of the second establishment by Edw. 6. infer that the Liturgie now in use is not the Liturgie that was established by Act of Parliament and therefore that Act bindeth not to the use of this Liturgie To this we reply that those Alterations can excuse from that act onely in part and for what is altered as to what remaineth the same it bindeth undoubtedly still in tanto though not in â—oto And for the Alterations themselves the first being made by Act of Parliament expresse that of 1 Elis. and the second by Act of Parliament reductive and implied those afore-mentioned what gain Smecttymnuus by their illation that those alterations are not established by the first Act And whereas it may be supposed that that Proclamation may lose its vigor by that Kings death and consequently the Service book may be conceived to be thereby in statu quo prius yet considering his late Majesty did not null it by any expresse edict that several Parliaments sitting after did not disallow it that all subscriptions have been unanimous in reference to those changes that the Emendations were made to satisfie the Litigant party I conceive the Proclamation valid notwithstanding the death of that King The first original and ground whereof c. Here our Church is explicite expresse enough to confute the vulgar errour of her seduced children who fill the world with more noise then truth that our service hath its original from the Masse-Book her resort is to the Antient Fathers to their godly and decent orders she conforms her self leaving the Romanists to the yesterday devised innovations of their Church The Pye Pica or in English the Pye I observe used by three several sorts of men First by the quondam Popish Clergy here in England before the Reformation who called their ordinal or Directory ad usum Sarum devised for the more speedy finding out the order of Reading their several services appointed for several occasions at several times the Pye Secondly by Printers which call the letters wherewith they Print books and treatises in party colours the Pica letters Thirdly by Officers of civil Courts who call their Kalendars or Alphabetical Catalogues directing to the names and things contained in the Rolls and Records of their Courts the Pyes Whence it gained this denomination is difficult to determine whether from the Bird Pica variegated with divers colours or whether from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contracted into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which denoteth a Table the Pye in the Directory being nothing else but a Table of rules directing to the proper service for every day I cannot say from one of these probably derived it was and no great matter which Wherein the reading of the Scriptures is so set forth c. The Lessons appointed in the Kalendar are onely ordered for the week dayes or such festivals as happen upon them not for the Sundayes for which resort must be had to a future order Nothing but the pure word of God or that which is evidently grounded upon the same Here the Church declareth that over and besides the Canonical Scripture what is evidently grounded upon the same viâ— Some part of the Apocrypha she approveth and appointeth to be read in Churches to which end some Lessons in the Kalendar are selected thence but neither considered by her in a party of honour with the Canon nor so strictly enjoyned but that she in some cases tolerateth yea commendeth a swerving from her prescriptions For where it may so chance some one or other Chapter of the Old Testament to fall in order to be read upon the Sundayes or holy-dayes which were better to be changed with some other of the New
by Riccardus upon Proclus deceive me not it was a fast day it self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in which we were wont to fast till night Now a fast-day could not have a fasted vigil As for St. Mark and Philip and Jacob they fall within the fifty dayes after Easter which priviledged them from having fasts Amongst all the rest onely St. Michael and St. Luke have no fasts Not St. Michael because as ritualists observe the Angels did not enter into their joyes through sufferings Not St. Luke because another day formerly of great esteem in our Church falleth upon the Eve thereof These to be observed for Holy dayes and none other In the Catalogue of the Additional alterations of our Liturgy this Catalogue of Holy-dayes stands charged by Smectymnuus Truth it is in King Edwards Liturgy no such Catalogue expresly occurrs but they have in the Kalendar an establishment tant a mount this Catalogue is extracted from a statute 5. 6. Edw. 6. repealed by Queen Mary and revived by King James 1. Jacob 1 c. 25. And by Act of Parliament requisit it is Holy-dayes should be confirmed the property Parents claim in their children masters in their Servants directs it neither of which being sui juris but subordinate to others their Superiours it would be injurious to them who have the Paramount disposal of them to deprive them of their work with-out their free consent which being done by Parliament where every man either personally or by representation virtually voteth all men are alike concluded none hath reason to complain For which very reason perhaps the Apostles were sparing in instituting holy-dayes especially with a strict cessation from bodily labour wherein masters and Parents challenging an interest their consent was necessarily required And perhaps this may be in part the reason why the Councel of Laodicea can 29. decreeing the observation of the Lords-day in stead of the Sabbath in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That it is fit Christians preferring the Lords day before the Sabbath should rest like Christians on that day addeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if they can that is if their Masters Parents or Superiours will permit them grant I do Zondras interpreteth this additional as referring to the affaires of husbandry and village making its import to be this if they can with safety to the fruits of the earth but I see no necessity but the other may be included also As concerning feastivals of the Church they have rational grounds for their original for Holy-dayes are the sacred records and entries of the most eminent mercies of God conferred upon the Church the Memorials of his most remarkable works for his greatest work-dayes ought to be our capital Holy-dayes tending to mans temporal or eternal benefit which works the prophet David saith ought to be had in ever lasting remembrance and not onely so they are also the annual rent of that publick honour we owe and return to him for those gracious dispensations sometimes reserved by Divine limitation sometimes left to the Churches liberty for Gods Institution puts no absolute restraint upon the Churches freedom nor doth the enjoying of the Lords day to be observed holy exclude all power in the Church to constitute any other The Jews had of humane ordination their feast of Lots Ester 9. 21. their feast of Dedication 1 Maccab. 4. 59. This last honoured with our Saviours presence without the least hint of reproof which certainly we should have heard of had Judas Macchabeus done more then he had warrant for as some suppose Now if the people of God before Christ were dispenced with to superadd as occasions did emerge peculiar dayes of thanksgiving over and besides those of Divine establishment it is not to be presumed that the Church of Christ which pretends to a greater should be abridged of the same liberty indulged to her predecessor sure I am her Catholick both doctrine and practise hath been alwayes a challenge of that immunity What the opinion and usage of the primitive Church in this particular was I shall leave copious occasion to declare in the future considerations of the Festivities in several here I shall onely take notice of a passage of Saint Augustine misapplied by some of another perswasion and then descend to shew the judgement of Protestant Divines in defence of this liberty St. Augustine Epist. 118. ad Januar. speaking of the diversity of customes relating to the festivals and time of celebration of the Eucharist summs up all with an excellent Corollary Totum hoc genus rerum liberas hà bet observationes All these kindes of things have their free observations which free observations some enlarge to every Private Person as if he were at liberty to observe or omit them directly crosse to that fathers scope who speaks not of particular persons but Churches national as is most infallibly evident by the whole context especially where he extolleth it as the chief point of Christian prudence for every man to comply with that mode quo agere videt Ecclesiam ad quamcunque forte pervenerit which is embraced by that Church whereto it shall be his fortune to resort As for the sense of Reformed Churches and Doctors the confession of Auspurge thus Ritus illi servandi sunt qui ad tranquillitatem bonum ordinem in Ecclesia conducunt ut certae feriae certae cantiones piae those customes which advance peace and good order in the Church are to be continued such are set holydayes and sacred hymnes c. The confession of Helvetia thus if the Church do religiously celebrate the memory of the Lords Nativity Circumcision Passion c. according to Christian Liberty we do very well allow of it The confession of Bohemia thus Feasts consecrated to the celebrating of the works of Christ as to his Nativity his Passion c. and such as be dedicated to the remembrance of those Saints of whom there is mention in the holy Scriptures are by us retained at this day The confession of Wirtenberg thus It is lawful for the Bishops with the consent of their Church to appoint holy-dayes Lessons c. As for the Protestant Doctors not to trouble my reader with over-many questions I shall onely fix upon two First Bucer I wish saith he the people could be brought to it to celebrate with the Lords day onely such Feasts wherein the Lords incarnation is solemnized as his Nativity Circumcision c. as also wherein the visitation of the Virgin Mary St. John St. Peter and St. Paul the Martyrs and Angels are commemorated Secondly Zanchy Quanquam liberum est Ecclesiae Christi quos velit praeter Dominicum dies sibi sanctificandos deligere honestius tamen est laudabitius atque utilius eos sanctificare quos etiam vetus atque Apostolica puriorque Ecclesia sanctificare solita fuit i. e. Though the Church hath liberty to make choice of what dayes besides the Lords day she will celebrate yet is
preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth so as in due time we may enjoy them We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to give us true repentance to forgive us all our sins negligences and ignorances and to endue us with the grace of thy holy spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy word We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. Son of God we beseech thee to hear us Son of God we beseech thee to hear us O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world Grant us thy peace O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world Have mercy upon us O Christ hear us O Christ hear us Lord have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Our father which art in heaven c. And lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil Amen The Versicle O Lord deal not with us after our sins The Answer Neither reward us after our iniquities Let us pray O God merciful father that despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart nor the desire of such as be sorrowful mercifully assist our prayers that we make before thee in all our troubles and adversities whensoever they oppresse us And gratiously hear us that those evils which the craft and subtilty of the Devil or man worketh against us be brought to nought and by the providence of thy goodness they may be dispersed that we thy servants being hurt by no persecutions may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church though Jesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise help us and deliver for thy names sake O God we have heard with our ears and our fathers have declared unto us the noble works that thou didst in their dayes and in the old time before them O Lord arise help us and deliver us for thine honour Glory be to the Father and to the Son c. As it was in the beginning is now c. From our enemies defend us O Christ. Gratiously look upon afflictions Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people Favourably with mercy hear our prayers O son of David have mercy upon us Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us O Christ. Gratiously hear us O Christ Graciously hear us O Lord Christ. The Versicle O Lord let thy mercy be shewed upon us The Answer As we do put our trust in thee Let us pray WE humbly beseech thee O father mercifully to look upon our infirmities and for the glory of thy name sake turn from us all those evils that we most righteously have deserved and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy and evermore serve thee in holinesse and purenesse of living to thy honour and glory through our onely mediator and advacate Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A prayer for the Kings majesty O Lord our heavenly father high and mighty King of Kings Lord of Lords the onely ruler of Princes which doest from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon the earth most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious soveraign Lord and so replenish him with the grace of thy holy spirit that he may alway encline to thy will and walk in thy way endue him plentifully with heavenly gifts grant him in health and wealth long to live strengthen him that he may vanquish and overcome all his enemies and finally after this life he may attain everlasting joy and felicitie through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Scot. Lit. A prayer for the holy Clergy ALmighty and everlasting God which only workest great marvails send down upon our Bishops and Curates and all congregations committed to their charge the healthful spirit of thy grace and that they may truely please thee powre upon them the continual dew of thy blessing grant this O Lord for the honour of our advocate and mediator Jesus Christ Amen Scot. Lit. A prayer to be said in Ember weeks for those which are then to be admitted into holy orders and is to be read every day of the week beginning on the Sunday before the day of Ordination ALmighty God the giver of all good gifts who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church give thy grace we humbly beseech thee to all those which are to be called to any office and administration in the same and so replenish them with the truth of thy Doctrine and innocency of life that they may faithfully serve before thee to the glory of thy great name and the benefit of thy holy Church through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A Prayer of Chrysostome ALmighty God which hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee and doest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests fulfil now O Lord the desires and petitioâ—s of thy servants as may be most expedient for them granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life everlasting Amen THe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship 2 Cor. 13. of the holy Ghost be with us all evermore Amen Scot. Litnrgies For Rain if the time require O God Heavenly Father whose gift it is that the Rain doth fall the earth is fruitful beasts encrease and fishes do multiply send us we beseech thee in this our necessity such moderate Rain and showers that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort and to thy honour through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen O God Heavenly Father which by thy son Jesus Christ hast promised to all them that seek thy kingdom and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessary to their bodily sustenance send us we beseech thee in this our necessity such moderate Rain and showers that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort and to thy honour through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen For fair weather O Lord God which for the sin of man didst once drown all the world except eight persons and afterwards of thy great mercy didst promise never to destroy it so again we humbly beseech thee that although we for our iniquities have worthily deserved this plague of rain and waters yet upon our true repentance thou wilt send us such weather whereby we may receive the fruits of the earth in due season and learn both by thy punishment to amend our lives and for thy clemencie to give thee praise and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. In the time of dearth and famine O God heavenly father whose gift it is that the rain doth fall the earth is fruitful beasts increase and fishes do multiply behold we beseech thee the afflicuons of thy people and
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
beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God we humbly beseech thy majesty that as thy onely begotten son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our flesh So grant that we may be presented unto thee with pure and clear minds by Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle The same that is appointed for the Sunday The Gospel When the time of Luk. 2. verse 22. unto verse 27. Saint Matthias day 1. B. of Edw. 6. Deliver me O Lord from the evil man c. Psal. 140. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty God which in the place of the traitor Judas bidst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles grant that thy Church being alway preserved from false Apostles may be ordered and guided by faithful and true Pastors through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle In those dayes Peter Act 1. verse 15. unto the end The Gospel In that time Jesus answered Mat. 11 verse 25 unto the end Z. Annuntiation of the Virgin Mary 1 B. of Edw. 6. Lord I am not high minded c. Psal. 131. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. We beseech thee Lord powre thy grace into our hearts that as we have known Christ thy sons incarnation by the message of an angel so by his crosse and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection through the same Christ our Lord. The Epistle God spake once again unto Ahaz Isai. 7. verse 10. unto ver 16. The Gospel And in the sixth moneth Luke 1. verse 26. unto ver 39. Saint Marks day 1 B. of Edw. 6. Lord I call upon ' thee hast thee unto me c. Psal. 141. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty God which hast instructed thy holy Church with the heavenly doctrine of thy Evangelist St. Mark give us grace that we be not like children carried away with every blast of vain doctrine but firmly to be established in the truth of the holy Gospel through Jesus Christ. c. The Epistle Unto every one of us is given grace Ephes. 5. verse 4. unto ver 17. The Gospel I am the true vine John 15. verse 1. to verse 12. A. Saint Philip and James 1. B. of Edw. 6. at Mattens The second Lèsson Acts 8. unto when the Apostles Behold how good and joyful a thing it is c. Psal. 133. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty God whom truely to know is everlasting life grant us perfectly to know thy son Jesus Christ to be the way the truth and the life as thou vast taught Saint Philip and other apostles through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle James the servant of God James 1. verse 1. unto ver 13. The Gospel And Jesus said unto his disciples Joh. 14 ver 1. unto ver 15. Saint Barnabas Apostle 1 B. of Edw. 6. at Mattens The second Lesson Acts 14. unto the end I cryed unto the Lord with my voice c. Psal. 142. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd almighty which hast endued thy holy Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of thy holy Ghost let us not be destitute of thy manifold gifts nor yet of grace to use them alway to thy honour and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Tidings of these things Acts 11. verse 22. unto the end The Gospel This is my commandement John 15. ver 12. unto ver 17. 1. B. of Edw. 6. At Evensong The second Lesson Acts 15. unto after certain dayes Saint John Baptist. 1 B. of Edw. 6. Proper Lessons at Mattens The first Lesson Malach. 3. unto the end The second Lesson Mat. 3. unto the end Hear my Prayer O Lord c. Psal. 43. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty God by whose providence thy servant John was Baptist wonderfully born sent to prepare the way of thy son our Saviour by preaching of â—enance make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life that we may truly repent according to his preaching and after his example constantly speak the truth boldly revuke vice and patiently suffer for the truthes sake through Jesus Christ c. The Epistle Be of good chear my people Isai. 40. verse 1. unto ver 12. The Gospel Elizabeths time came Luke 1. verse 57. unto the end 1 B. of Edw. the 6. proper Lessons at Even-song The first Lesson Malach. 3. unto the end The second Lesson Mat. 14. unto when Jesus heard B. St. Peters day 1. B. of Edw. 6. At Mattens The second Lesson Acts 3. unto the end Blessed be the Lord my strength c. Psal. 144. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty God which by thy son Jesus Christ hast given to thy Apostle St. Peter many excellent gifts commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock make we beseech thee all Bishops and pastours diligently to preach thy holy word and the people obediently to follow the same that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory through Jesu Christ our Lord. The Epistle At the same time Herod the Acts 12. verse 1. unto verse 12. The Gospel When Jesus came into the Mat. 16. verse 13. unto verse 20. 1. B. of Edw. At Evensong The second Lesson Acts 3. C. Saint Mary Magdalene Praise the Lord O my soul c. Psal. 146. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. MErciful father give us grace that we never presume to sin through example of any creature but if it shall chance us at any time to offend thy divine Majesty that then we may truely repent and lament the same after the example of Mary Magdalene and by lively faith obtain remission of all our sins through the onely merits of thy son our Saviour Christ. The Epistle Whosoever findeth an honest faithful woman c. Prov. 31. The Gospel And one of the Pharises desired Jesus c. Luk. 7. ver 36. unto the end St. James the Apostle 1. B. of Edw. 6. O praise the Lord of heaven Psal. 148. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. GRant O merciful God that as thy holy Apostle Saint James leaving his Father and all that he had without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy son Jesus Christ and followed him So we forsaking all worloly and carnal affections may be evermore ready to follow thy commandments through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle In those dayes came Acts 11. verse 26. unto ver 3. of chap. 12. The Gospel Then came to him the mother Mat. 12. verse
Penitent which were under excommunication should carry the bodies of Christians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Where Epiâ—hanius lived others were â—eculiorly designed for this Office these were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose care conversant about the disposal of dead bodies Whether voluntary charity inclined these Copiates to this Office or whether they were hirelings and mercenary I can not determine the labour they underwent maketh me suspect them servile and of the lowest row On the contrary Na ianzene speaking of St. Bazils funeral saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His body was taken up and car◠〈◊〉 by the Saints Which Saints may very well be esteemed the eminentest of Christians especially when this St. Gregories Scholar St. Hierom tells us that his famous Paula was Translata Episcoporum manibus servicem feretro subjicientibus carried by the Bishops supporting the Bier with their hands and shoulders Whereby the Office was not it seems so servile nor of such disparagement as the first Authorities would pretend to render it To bring these ends neerer together and yet not to depreciate and undervalue the credit of the witnesses I conceive the best way is to yield up all for true and that the Bishops and eminent Persons did assume this Office onely at the first egress from the house and also at the last ingress into the Church and that the great toyl and drudgery between both was undergone by Penitents as part of their Canonical penance or by the Copiastae who therefore gained the name of Labourers because they contracted a lassitude by bearing the Corps to Church But by these all or which you will the Corps went 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in state with Psalmodies one after another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What 's the matter what means this singing of Psalms expoâ—tulateth St. Chrysostome and then makes answer Do we not praise and glorifie God because at length he hath given the deceased a Crown of Glory The body being in this solemn Pomp brought to the Church was placed in media Ecclesia in the midst of the Church over which before interment there was usually made in praise of the Dead a funeral Oration and sometimes more than one For as I said before of Sermons upon other occasions so at funeral solemnities Orations were performed by many the first at the end of his Harangue or Speech usually raising up another So St. Basil in his upon St. Barlaam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. But why do I by my childish stammering disparage this Triumphant Martyr Let me give way for more eloquent tongues to resound his praise let me call up the louder Trumpets of more famous Doctors to set him forth Arise then I say c. And so Nazianzene bespeaketh St. Basil being present at his Fathers Funeral 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Strike up with thine own voice I am the Resurrection Our solemn attending on the hearse of a deceased friend the embalming of him with a funeral Oration the care to see him decently inhumed and all other dues of exteriour honour we pay to that Noble clod are but those civilities which ethnique Philosophy hath dictated to her disciples God certainly expects more from Christianity than from Infidelity he expecteth from Christians conformity to his own precepts whereof this is one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That ye be not sorrowful at all at the loss of your friends not so the tears our blessed Saviour shed at the death of Lazarus legitimate and warrant ours but we must not be sorrowful 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as others are some Jewes as the Sadduces and all Heathens how that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that are without hope They give all for lost if some few dreamed of I know not what Elisian fields for the soul yet generally concerning the body they were of opinion with the Tragedian post mortem nihil est after death nulla retrorsum no hope that ever the body should recover life and be re-united with the soul. So that upon such occasions Hope is our Christian duty our duty I say not our complement not what we may do or leave undone but what we must do Now the proper object of this Hope is the Resurrection of the Body which followeth in the next verse Them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him So then here is cause of great comfort as to the state of our departed friend what though for the present and an inconsiderable moment his flesh shall rot and waste to dust yet shall it rise again and be restored to a state of Glory and as this meditation is of singular consolation in respect of the dead so is it no less applied to the living That spectacle of mortality presented to the eyes of the beholders is lecture enough to assure them of their like change and what must they do in the interim The Apostle bidds them Hope for what for temporal benefits and accommodations for things of this life No. If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable Of the Resurrection of their flesh unto glory and eternal life this undoubtedly So then funeral solemnities ought to excite in us Hope that is a certain expectation of the General Resurrection Nor will closet soli-loquies and private contemplation of that day serve our turns it is a sociable duty for so the Apostle makes it Comfort your selves one another with these words 1 Thess. c. 4. v. 18. What words With discourses concerning the Resurrection The premised context certainly implyeth as much as if he should say that they who are laid into the earth and nothing said at their interment declaring the mystery of the Resurrection Let their bodies be never so decently treated human they may Christian burial they cannot have From all this which hath been said the excellency of our Church her burial Office and the true conformity it beareth to Canonical Scripture will evidently appear Of the whole Service three parts of four are nothing else but pure Canonical Scripture the choicest parcels thereof being collected thence to declare the Doctrine of the Resurrection agreable to the Primitive Practice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Ministers reading those undoubted promises which are exhibitea â—â— Sacred Scripture concerning our holy Resurrection next devoutly sung such of the Sacred Psalms as were of the same subject and argument For the rest the praying part what is it but the application of that Doctrine to the benefit of the living and a desire that they with all the faithful departed may at that day have perfect consummation and bliss both in body and soul. In sure and certain hope of the Resurrection These words have not as some mistake peculiar reference to the party deceased but import the faith of the congregation then present in the Article of the Resurrection and that their own bodies shall rise again
a merciful God full of compassion long suffering and of great pity Thou sparest when we deserve punishment aâ—d in thy wrath thinkest upon mercy Spare thy people good Lord spare them and let not thine inheritage be brought to confusion hear us O Lord for thy mercy is great and after the multitude of thy mercies look upon us After this in the 1 B. of Edw. 6. followeth the Declaration concerning Ceremonies why some are abolished and some retained Then Certain notes for the more plain explication and decent Ministration of things contained in this book In the saying or singing of mattens c. as in the Rubrick before morning prayer And whensoever the Bishop shall celebrate c. Ibid ubi supra As touching kneeling Crossing holding up of hands knocking upon the breast and other gestures they may be used or left as every mans devotion serveth without blame Also upon Christmas-day Easter-day the Ascention day Whitsunday and the feast of the Trinity may be used any part of the holy Scripture hereafter to be certainly limitted appointed in the stead of the Litany if there be a Sermon or for other great cause the I Curate by his discretion may leave out the Litany Gloria in Excelsis the Creed K the Omely and the Exhortation to the Communion L Imprinted at London in Fleet-street at the signe of the Sun over against the Conduit by Edward Whitchurch the 7. day of March in the year of our Lord 1549. Annotations upon CHAP. XI A The grounds of Thanksgiving after Childebirth why rather for this than other deliverances B Our Church doth not Judaize Difference betwixt our practice and Jewish Purification C What meant by the word Church into which the woman is to come D The woman not enjoined a veil F The 121 Psalm not abused E But deliver us from evil why returned by way of response F Commination how often used in the year G Why read in the Pulpit A discourse of reading-Desks none settled by Rule before the Canons 1603. upon what occasion devised H A Discourse of publick Pennance By whom it was imposed and how long to continue The several motions of it in the Greek Church What meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what and what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Errours noted in the Editions of Zonaras and Balsamon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what Penitential customes in the Western Church Affrica most severe and why The ancient mode of Excommunicating of notorious offenders out of Gratian Discourse upon it Adgeniculi charis Dei in Tertullian Penitents when reconciled in the Latine Church The Ancient Discipline commended and Vote for its restauration I What meant by the word Curate in our Liturgy K Homilies whither part of our Churches Service And whither the Doctrine of our Church L Calvins Epistle to the Protector misdated in all Editions THE Thanksgiving of women after Childebirth when holy Scripture is concerned most graphically to describe sorrow superlative and at the height it assiimilateth it to that of a woman in travail If this sorrow be so excessive how great must the joy be to be delivered from that sorrow commensurate certainly and of adequate proportion and no less must the dues of thankfulness be to the Benefactour the Donor of that Recovery whence a necessity of Thanksgiving of women after chide-birth But cannot this as well be done in private at home in her family or in her closet without putting the Church to the cost of contriving a solemn Office for it considering there are other personal deliverances wherein the dispensations of Gods mercy are as manifest whereof she takes no notice I answer Other Deliverances present themselves in so many scheames some being from fire some from water some from the casual ruine of houses and other things endangering us some from our own precipitations some in warr some in peace c. as it is scarce possible to frame formes enough to suit all emergences and were they framed rarely would they be made use of in regard the occasions to which they relate so seldome occurr and then what would they prove but an unnecessary cumber whereas this Preservation out of Childe-bed pangs observeth one constant shape so as one form is applicable to all and almost dayly provoketh to the duty But it may be further opposed that Thousands are seased with corporal maladies which are accompanied with as great periclitation whom God sometimes even to miracle restoreth to their former strength that those demonstrations of his protection appear very frequent that one forme of Thanksgiving would commodiously enough agree with all yet hath the Church appointed no such Form I answer that our Church in this offer did not so much take measure of the peril as accomodate her self to that note of separation which God himself had put betwixt this and other maladies To conceive and bring forth in sorrow was signally inflicted upon Eve and in her upon all Mothers as a penalty for her first disobedience Multiplying I will multiply thy sorrowes and thy Conception the very breeding fits and nauseous qualmes constitute a part of this chastisement In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children i. e. the very fruit of thy womb which by an almighty Power thou shouldest otherwise have been delivered of without the least sense of pain shall henceforward in the very act of parturition put thee to extremity of Torment so that the sorrows of childe-birth have by Gods express determination a more direct and peculiar reference to Eves disobedience then any other disease whatsoever and though all maladies are the product of that first sin yet is the malediction fixed and apply'd in specification to this alone Now when that which was ordained primarily as a curse for the first sin is converted to so great a blessing God is certainly in that case more to be praised in a set and a solemn Office Churching of women The former word was Purification worthily expunged by our second Reformers this notwithstanding we are charged by some weak Opponents to Judaize in the office a slander certainly a great a sensless one and it will appear no less to any who shall compare the Jewish or Levitical and the English practice together First the Jewish woman was interdicted the Sanctuary forty dayes at least The English woman withdraweth but her moneth No Judaizing there Secondly The Jewish woman was forbidden because unclean expresly so the English woman abstaineth not upon any such account If she did First the customary circuit of the same cause would operate at every return the same effect sequestration from the Congregation in her as it did in the Jewish but our Church commands no such mensurnal forbearance Again the same pollution would as long debar her Infant also as it did the Jewish which must needs take part of the Mothers impurity but our Church not onely aâ—mitteth but commands all Infants where necessity interposeth not into the Church within a week at the farthest So
Pennance and had compleated it as it was prefix'd As for the rites belonging to this Reconciliation they were in both Churches conformably two one proper to the Absolved the other to the Absolving Person the Absolved being produced in the face of the Congregation made there publick Confession of his sinnes then called Exhomologesis whereupon he was absolved with imposition of hands in which the Bishop as he ought did preside And this is that very Imposition of hands intended by the Apostle 1 to Timothy 5. 22. where he commands him to lay hands suddenly upon no man as the learned Annotator of late and Tertullian of old hath observed to my apprehension most truly Thus stood the discipline of the Antient Church for the first six hundred years she keeping therein a decent medium between two extreames To cut off lapsed Persons from all hope of one single Pardon would have abetted the rigid humour of Novatus Again on the other side Medicina vilis minus utilis esset aegrotis A medicine too cheap and easie to be come by would make it the less effective in operation To avoid therefore that contempt which an over frequent and too familiar Lenity would create this indulgence Once and but once she granted there being sicut unum Baptisma ita una Penitentia quae publice agitur As but one Baptisme so but one publick Pennance in the Church That this most laudable most edifying way of Christian Reformation by Ecclesiastical Censures should in a Church assuming the Stile of Reformed be so almost totally abandoned That a Discipline so Apostolical so Primitive should in a Church justly pretending to be the very Parallelogram and true Representation of those excellent Copies be so very near invisible That the restauration thereof should hitherto become the Vote of so many and Endeavour of so few is to me a very great wonder Perhaps some will say that this strict discipline seemed rather to magnifie the Power of the Keyes and Authority of the Clergy then the mercies of God Mercies so inexhaustible as all our sinnes are in comparison of them but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a drop to the Ocean To which it may be returned in excuse of those rigorous proceedings First that Christianity was but then in the bud the Profession thereof thinly despersed in the crowd of Pagans where the least moral Scandal would have been a great blemish to the whole party and consequently impeded the gaining of Proselites For it is a rule infallible that No Sect whatsoever can thrive and prosper whose Professors do not exhibite a fair front of Moral Virtues in their outward Actions Upon this account it was expedient that the Church under the penalty of the deepest of her Censures should require from all her subordinates such a practical and exemplary purity as might render her most resplendent even in the opinion of her greatest enemies Again Emperours and Supream Magistrates had not then embraced Christianity and consequently no Lawes established to punish such crimes as were of meer Ecclesiastical relation and in default of such Lawes the Church had all the reason in the world to exercise that spiritual Jurisdiction Christ had empowered her with to those intents for which it was given And though since Christian Magistrates have taken the Church to nurse Political Lawes take cognizance of and punish all notorious offenders and so her Censure now less necessary yet considering that coâ—rcive power operates most upon the outward act and really reforms the inward habit I question not but this spiritual discipline might be used still in some degrees to the greater advancement of Piety and an holy life Sure I am with learned Casaubon Huic revocandae in usum operam impendisse res futura sit Deo gratior quam de fidei dogmatis subtiliter disputare extra scripturas omnes dissentientes ferro flamma persequi in quae hodie summus pietatis apex ponitur The endeavour of recalling this Discipline into practice would be time better spent and to God much more acceptable then without Scripture to dispute nicely about points of Faith and to prosecute with fire and sword all contrary judgement which is now adays made the great point of Christian Piety The Curate It is rightly observed by Mr. Sparrow that the word Curate in our Liturgy is not meant according to the vulgar use to signifie a stipendiary hireling or such an one as was formerly called Temporalis Vicarius a Vicar at will But the Person Rector or Incumbent of the Church and thence Beneficium curatum is described by Lindwood to be a Benefice quod parochiam habet in qua est cura animarum non pervicarios sed per Rectores aut ministros ipsius Beneficii vel ipsorum temporales Vicarios exercenda which hath a Parish wherein is the cure of souls to be exercised not by Vicars but by the Rectors or Ministers of the Benefice or by their Stipendiaries The onely Two considerable Questions there are conerning the Homilies First whither they be part of our Churches Liturgy Secondly whither they be so far her Doctrine as to declare her sense in points dogmatical As for the first the Rubrique in the Communion Office speaks affirmative enough After the Creed shall follow one of the Homily's and the Preface to the first Book of Homilies commandeth all Parsons Vicars Curates c. every Sunday and Holyday in the year c. after the Gospel and Creed in such order and place as is appointed in the Book of Common Prayer to read one of the said Homilies evidently implying they were no more to be omitted then any other part of the Service but where the Rubrique gives a toleration As for the second The aforesaid Preface tells us they were set forth for the expelling of erroneous and poysonous Doctrines More fully the Orders of King James The Homilies are set forth by Authority in the Church of England not onely for a help of non-preaching but withall as it were a patern for preaching Ministers Imprinted at London c. the 7. day of March 1649. Observing the year and month of this Impression we are taught how to correct Calvin's Letter to the Protector which some Editions date October 20. 1646. other October 22. 1648 Both false even to Miraâ—â—e This Letter was occasionally wrote upon some offence taken at several parcels of this Liturgy So that by consequence infallible This must antidate That This is demonstrable first the very words of that Letter it self Audio recitari istic in caenae celebratione Orationem pro defunctis I am informed that in the Communion Office there speaking of England a Prayer for the dead is rehearsed This clearly relateth to the later end of the Prayer for the whole state of the Catholick Church in this Liturgy Secondly it is evident by another Epistle of Calvin to Bucer then here in England referring to the former Letter Dominum Protectorem