reasonable soul and humane flesh subsisting Equal to the Father as touching his Godhead and inferiour to the father touching his manhood Who although he be God and man yet he is not two but one Christ. Due not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh but by taking of the manhood into God Due altogether not by confusion of substance but by unitie of person For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man so God and man is one Christ. Who suffered for our salvation desâ—â—nded into hell rose again the third day from the dead He ascended into heaven he sitteth on the right hand of the father God almighty from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies and shall give account for their own works And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting and they that have done evil into everlasting fire This is the Catholick faith which except a man beleeve faithfully he cannot be saved Glory be to the father and to the Son c. As it was in the beginning is now c. ⧠Thus endeth the order of Morning and Evening Prayer through the whole year Here followeth the Letany to be used upon Sundayes Wednesdayes and Fridayes and at other times when it shall be commanded by the ordinary Scotch Lit. and without omission of any part of the other dayly service of the Church on those dayes O God the father of Heaven have mercy upon us miserable sinners O God the father of heaven have mercy upon us miserable sinners O God the son redeemer of the world have mercy upon us miserable sinners O God the son redeemer of the world have mercy upon us miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost proceeding from the father and the son have mercy upon us miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost proceeding from the father and the son have mercy upon us miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious Trinity three persons and one God have mercy upon miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious Trinity three persons and one God have mercy upon us miserable sinners Remember not Lord our ofâ—ences nor the offences of our forefatheres neither take thou vengeance of our sins spare us good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most pretious blood and be not angry with us for ever Spare us good Lord. From all evil and mischief from sin from the crafts and assaults of the Devil from thy wrath and from everlasting damnation Good Lord deliver us From all blindnesse of heart from pride vain glory and hypocrisy from envie hatred and malice and all uncharitablenesse Good Lord deliver us From fornication and all other deadly sin and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the Divel Good Lord deliver us From lightening and tempest from plague pestilence and famine from battel and murther and from suddain death Good Lord deliver us From all sedition and privy conspiracy 1. 2. B. of Edw. 6. from the tyranny of the Bishop of Rome and all his detestable enormities from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of heart and contempt of thy word and commandement Good Lord deliver us By the mystery of thy holy incarnation by thy holy nativity and circumcision by thy baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliver us By thy agony and bloody sweat by thy cross and passion by thy precious death and burial by thy glorious resurrection and ascension and by the coming of the holy Ghost Good Lord deliver us In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the hour of death and in the day of judgement Good Lord deliver us We sinners do beseech thee to hear us O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church universally in the right way We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of life thy servant our most gracious King and governour We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to rule his heart in thy faith fear and love and that he may evermore have affiance in thee and ever seek thy honour and glory We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to be his defender and keeper giving him the victory over all his enemies We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops Pastours and ministers of the Church with true knowledge and understanding of thy word and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth and shew it accordingly We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to endue the Lords of the Councel and all the Nobility with grace wisdome and understanding We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to bless and keep the Magistrates giving them grace to execute justice and to maintain truth We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to give to all nations unitie peace and concâ—rd We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to give us a heart to love and dread thee and diligently to live after thy Commandements We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace to hâ—aâ— meekly thy word and to receive it with pure affection and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred and are deceived We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand and to comfort and help the week hearted and to raise up them that fall and finally to beat down Satan under our feet We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to succour help and comfort all that be in danger necessity and tribulation We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to preserve all that travel by land or by water all women labouring of child all sick persons and young children and to shew thy pitiâ— upon all prisoners and captives We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to defend and provide for the fatherless children and widdews and all that be desolate and oppressed We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to forgive our enemies persecutors and slanderers and to turn their hearts We beseech thee to heare us good Lord. That it may please thee to give and
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
of Edw. 6. O think upon thy servant as concerning thy word c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the Beginning c. The Collect. LOrd of all power and might which arâ— the author and giver of all good things graff in our hearts the love of thy name encrease in us true religion nourish us with all goodnesse and of thy great mercy keep us in the same through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle I speak grosly because Rom. 6. verse 19. unto the end The Gospel In those dayes Mark 8. verse 1. unto ver 10. The eight Sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. Thou art my portion O Lord c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. GOd whose providence is never deceived we humbly beseech thee that thou wilt put away from us all hurtful things and give those things which be profitable for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Brethren we are debters Rom. 8. verse 12. unto verse 18. The Gospel Beware of false Prophets Matth. 7. verse 15. unto ver 22. The ninth Sundy after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. O Lord thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. GRant to us Lord we beseech thee the spirit to think and do alwaies such things as be rightfull that we which cannot be without thee may by thee be able to live according to thy will through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Brethren I would not that 1 Cor. 10. verse 1. unto verse 14. The Gospel Jesus said unto his disciples Luke 16. verse 1. unto verse 10. The tenth Sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. Thy hands have made and fashioned me c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning etc. The Collect. LEt thy merciful enrs O Lord be open to the prayers of thy humble servants and that they may obtain their petitions make them to aske such things as shall please thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Concering spiritual things 1 Cor. 12. verse 1. unto verse 12. The Gospel And when he was come near Luke 19. verse 41. unto verse 47. The eleventh Sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. My soul hath longed for thy salvation c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. GOd which declarest thy Almighty power most chiefely in shewing mercy and pitie give unto us abundantly thy grace that we running to thy promises may be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure through Jesu Christ our Lord. The Epistle Brethren as pertaining to the Gospel 1. Cor. 15. ver 1 unto ver 12. The Gospel Christ told this parable Luke 18. verse 9. unto verse 15. The twelfth sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. O Lord thy word endureth for ever in heaven c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God which art alwayes more ready to hear then we to pray and are wont to give more then either we desire or deserve powre down upon us the abundance of thy mercy forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid and giving unto us that that our prayer dare not presume to ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Such trust have we through 2 Cor. 3. verse 4. unto verse 10. The Gospel Jesus departed Mark 7. verse 31. unto the end The thirteenth Sunday after Trinity 1. B. of Edw. 6. Lord what love have I unto thy Law c. Psal. 119. Glory to be the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty and merciful God of whose onely gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service grant we beseech thee that we may so run to thy heavenly promises that we fail not finally to attain the same through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle To Abraham and his seed Gal. 3. ver 16. unto ver 23. The Gospel Happy are the eyes which Luke 10. ver 23. unto ver 38. The fourteenth Sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. Thy word is a Lanthorn unto my feet c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God give unto us the increase of faith hope and charity and that we may obtain that which thou dost promise make us to love that which thou doest command through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle I say walk in the Spirit Gal. 5. verse 16. unto ver 25. The Gospel And it chanced as Jesus went Luk. 17. verse 11. unto verse 20. The fifteenth Sunday after Trinity 1. B. of Edw. 6. I hate them that imagine evil things c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. KEep we beseech thee O Lord thy Church with thy perpetual mercy And because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall keep us ever by thy help and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen The Epistle Ye see how large a letter Gal. 6. verse 11. unto the end The Gospel No man can serve two Matters Mat. 6. verse 24. unto the end The sixteenth sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. I deal with the thing that is lawful and right c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd we beseech thee let thy continual pitie clense and defend thy congregation And because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour preserve it evermore by thy help and goodnesse through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle I desire that you faint not Ephes. 4. verse 13. unto the end The Gospel And it fortuned that Jesus Luke 7. verse 11. to verse 18. The seventeenth Sunday after Trinity 1. B. of Edw. 6. Thy testimonies are Wonderful c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd we pray thee that thy grace may alway prevent and follow us and make us continually to be given to all good works through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle I which am a prisoner of the Lords Ephes. 4. verse 1. unto ver 7. The Gospel It chanced that Jesus went Luke 14 verse 1. unto ver 12. The eighteenth Sunday after Trinity 1. B. of Edw. 6. Righteous art thou O Lord c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd we beseech thee grant thy people grace to avoid the infections of the Devil and with pure heart and mind to follow thee
in all good things Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall be reap While we have time let us do good unto all men and specially unto them which are of the houshold of faith Godliness is great riches if a man be contented with that he hath For we brought nothing into the world neither may we carry any thing out Charge them which are rich in this world that they be ready to give and glad to distribute laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may attain eternal life God is not unrighteous that he will forget your works and labor that proceedeth of love which love ye have shewed for his names sake which have ministred unto the Saints and yet do minister To do good and to distribute forget not for with such sacrifices God is pleased Whoso hath this worlds good and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him Give almes of thy goods and turn never thy face from any poor man and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee Be merciful after thy power If thou hast much give plenteously If thou hast little do thy diligence gladly to give of that little for so gatherest thou thy self a good reward in the day of necessity He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord and look what he Prov. 19. layeth out it shall be paid him again Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy the Lord shall deliver Psalm 41. him in the time of trouble 1 B. of Edw. 6. Editio Lat. Buceri Where there be Clerks they shall sing one or many of the sentences above written according to the length and shortnesse of the time that the people be offering Harum similium sententiarum ex Thobia Proverbiis vel Psalmis una aut plures canentur ut tempus oblationis numerus offerentium postulabit Scotch Lit. Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. While the Presbyter distinctly pronounceth some or all of those sentences for the offertory the Deacon or if no such be present one of the Church-wardens shall receive the devotion of the people there present in a bason provided for that purpose And when all have offered he shall reverently bring the said bason with the oblations therein and deliver it to the Presbyter who shall humbly present it before the Lord and set it upon the holy Table P Then shall the Church-wardens or some other by them appointed gather the devotion of the people put the same into the poor mans box and upon the Q offering dayes appointed every man shall pay unto the Curate the due and accustomed offerings After which the Minister shall say And in the mean time whilst the Clerks do sing the offertory so many as are disposed shall offer unto the poor mans box every man according to his ability and charitable minde And at the offering dayes appointed every man and woman shall pay to the Curate the due accustomed offerings And the Presbyter shall then offer up and place the Bread and Wine prepared for the Sacrament upon the Lords Table that it may be ready for that service and then he shall say R Let us pray for the whole state of Christs Church militant here in earth ALmighty and everlasting God which by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and supplications and to give thanks for all men we humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our almes and to receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine majesty beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth unity and concord and grant that all they that do confesse thy holy name may agree in the truth of thy holy word and live in unity and godly love Me beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings Princes Governours and specially thy servant our King that under him we may be godly and quietly governed and grant to his whole Councel and to all that be put in Authority under him that they may truely and indifferently minister justice to the punishment of wickednesse and vice and to the maintenance of Gods true Religion and vertue Give grace O heavenly father to all Bishops Pastors and Curats that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively word and rightly and duely administer thy holy Sacraments to all thy people give thy heavenly grace and especially to this Congregation here present that with meek heart and due reverence they may hear and receive thy holy word truely serving thee in holynesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of their life Sot Lit. And we commend especially unto thy merciful goodnesse the Congregation which is here assembled in thy name to celebrate the Commemoration of thy most precious death and sacrifice of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodnesse O Lord to comfort and succour all them which in this transitory life be in trouble sorrow need sicknesse or any other adversity 1 B. of Edw. 6. And especially we commend unto thy merciful goodnesse this Congregation which is here assembled in thy name to celebrate the Commemoration of the most glorious death of thy Son 1 B. of Edw. 6. Scotch Lit. And here we do give unto thee most high praise and hearty thanks for thy wonderful grace and virtue declared in all thy Saints from the beginning of the world And chiefly in the glorious and most blessed T Virgin Mary mother of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord and God and in thy holy Patriarches Prophets Apostles and Martyres whose examples O Lord and stedfastnesse in thy faith and keeping thy holy Commandments grant us to follow we Commend unto thy mercy O Lord all other thy servants which are V. departed from us with the signe of faith and now rest in the sleep of peace grant unto them we beseech thee thy mercy and everlasting peace and that at the day of the general resurrection we and all they which be of the mystical body of thy Son may altogether be set on his right hand and hear that his most joyful voice Come ye blessed of my Father and possesse the kingdom which is prepared for you from the beginning of the world And we also blesse thy holy name for all those thy servants who having finished their course in faith do now rest from their labours And we yeeld unto thee most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and vertue declared in all thy Saints who have been the chosen vessels of thy grace and the lights of the world in their several generations most humbly beseeching thee that we may have grace to follow the example of their stedfastnesse in thy faith and obedience to thy holy Commandements
partakers of this holy Communion And as the son of God did vouchsafe to yeeld up his soul by death upon the crosse for your health even so it is your duty to receive the Communion together in the remembrance of his death as be himself commanded Now if you will in no wise thus do consider with your selves how great injury you do unto God and how sore punishment hangeth over your heads for the same And whereas you offended God so sore in refusing this holy banquet I admonish exhort and beseech you that unto this unkindnesse ye will not adde any more Which thing ye shall do if ye stand by as gazers and lookers on them that do communicate and be no partakers of the same your selves For what thing can this be accounted els then a further contempt and unkindnesse unto God Truely it is a great unthankfulnesse to say nay when ye be called but the fault is much greater when men stand by and yet will neither eat nor drink this holy Communion with other I pray you what can this be else but even to have the misteries of Christ in derision It is said unto all Take ye and eat take and drink ye all of this Do this in remembrance of me With what face then or with what countenance shall ye hear these words what will this be else but a neglecting a despising and mocking of the Testament of Christ Wherefore rather then ye should so do depart you hence and give place to them that be godly disposed But when you depart I beseech you ponder with your selves from whom you depart Ye depart from the Lords table ye depart from your brethren and from the banquet of most heavenly food These things if ye earnestly consider ye shall by Gods grace return to a better minde for the obtaining whereof we shall make our humble petitions while we shall receive the holy Communion Common Prayer 1. B. of Edw. 6. And sometime shall be said this also at the discretion of the Curate And if upon the Sunday or holyday the people be negligent to come to the Communion Then shall the Priest earnestly exhort his Parishoners to dispose themselves to the receiving of the holy Communion more diligently saying these or the like words DEarly beloved for as much as our duty is to render to Almighty God our heavenly Father most hearty thanks for that he hath given his Son our Saviour Jesus Christ not onely to die for us but also to be out spiritual food and sustenance as it is declared unto us as well by Gods word as by the holy Sacraments of his blessed body and blood the which being so comfortable a thing to them which receive it worthily c. Dear friends and you especially upon whose souls I have cure and charge on next I do iâ—tâ—nd by Gods grace to offer to all such as shall be godly disposed the most comfortable sacrament of the body and blood of Christ to be taken of them in remembrance of his most fruitful and glorious passion by the which Passion we have obtained remission of our sins and be made partakers of the Kingdom of heaven whereof we be well assured and ascertained if we come to the said Sacrament with hearty repentance for our offences stedfast faith in Gods mercy and earnest minde to obey Gods will and to offend no more wherefore our duty is to come to these holy mysteries with most hearty thanks to be given to almighty God for his infinite mercy and benefits given and bestowed upon us his unworthy servants for whom he hath not onely given his Body unto death and shed his blood but also doth vouchsafe in a Sacrament and mystery to give us his said Body and blood to feed upon Spiritually The which Sacrament being so divine and holy a thing and so comfortable to them which receive it worthily c. Common prayer And so dangerous to them which will presume to take the same unworthily my duty is to exhort you to consider the dignity of the holy mysterie and the great peril of the unworthy receiving thereof and so to search and examine your own consciences as you should come holy and clean to a most godly and heavenly feast so that in no wise you come but in the mariage garment required of God in holy Scripture and so come and be received as worthy partakers of such a heavenly table The way and means thereto is First to cramine your lives and conversation by the rule of Gods Commandments and wherein so ever ye shall perceive your selves to have offended either by will word or deed there bewall your own sinful lives confesse your selves to almighty God with full purpose of amendment of life And if ye shall perceive your offences to be such â—â— be not onely against God but also against your neighbours then ye shall reconcile your selves unto them ready to make restitution and satisfaction according to the uttermost of your powers for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other and likewise being ready to forgive other that have offended you as you would have forgivenesse of your offences at Gods hand for otherwise the receiving of the holy communion doth nothing else but encrease your damnation And because it is requisite that no man should come to the holy Communion but with a full trust in Gods mercy and with a quiet conscience therefore if there be any of you which by the means aforesaid cannot quiet his own conscience but requireth further comfort or counsel then let him come to me or some other discreet and learned minister of Gods word and open his grief that he may receive such shoâ—tly counsel advice and comfort as his conscience may be relieved and that by the ministery of Gods word be may receive comfort and the benefit of absolution to the quieting of his conscience and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness 1 B. of Edw. 6. Requiring such as shall be satisfied with a general confession not to be offended with them that do use to their further satisfying the Auricular and secret confession to the Priest nor those also which think needful or convenient for the quietnesse of their own consciences particularly to open their sins to the Priest to be offended with them that are satisfied with their humble confession to God and the general Confession to the Church But in all things to follow and keep the rule of Charity and every man to be satisfied with his own conscience not judging other mens minds or consciences whereas he hath no warrant of Gods word to the same Common Prayer 1. B. of Edw. 6. Then shall the Minister say this exhortation After the Creed ended shall follow the Sermon or Homily or some one portion of one of the Homilies as they shall be hereafter divided Wherein if the people be not exhorted to the worthy receiving of the holy Sacrament of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ then shall the
Then shall they call upon me saith the Lord but I will not hear they shall seek me early but they shall not finde me and that because they hated knowledge and received not the fear of the Lord but abhorred my counsel and despised my correction Then shall it be to late to knock when the door shall be shut and to late to cry for mercy when it is the time of justice O terrible voice of most just judgement which shall be pronounced upon them when it shall be said unto them Go ye cursed into the fire everlasting which is pâ—epared for the Devil and his angels Therefore brethren take we heed be time while the day of salvation lasteth for the night cometh when none can work But let us while we have the light believe in the light and walk as the children of the light that we be not cast into the utter darkness where is weeping and â—nashing of teeth Let us not abuse the goodness of GOD which calleth us mercifully to amendment and of his endless pitty promiseth us forgiveness of that which is past if with a whole minde and true heart we return unto him For though our sins be as red as scarlet they shall be as white as snow And though they be like purple yet shall they be as white as wool Turn you clean saith the Lord from all your wickedness and your sins shall not be your destruction Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done make you new hearts and a new spirit Wherefore will ye die O ye house of Israel seeing that I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth saith the Lord God Turn you then and you shall live Although we have sinned yet have we an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous and he it is that obtaineth grace for our sins For he was wounded for our offences and smitten for our wickedness Let us therefore return unto him who is the merciful receiver of all true penitent sinners assuring our selves that he is ready to receive us and most willing to pardon us if we come to him with faithful repentance if we will submit our selves unto him and from henceforth walk in his ways If we will take his easie yoke and light burthen upon us to follow him in holiness patience and charity and be ordered by the governance of his holy spirit seeking always his glory and serving him duly in our vocation with thanksgiving This if we do Christ will deliver us from the curse of the Law and from the extream malediction which shall light upon them that shall be set on the left hand and he will set us on his right hand and give us the blessed benediction of his Father commanding us to take possession of his glorious kingdom unto the which he vouchsafe to bring us all for his infinite mercy Amen Then shall they all kneel upon their knees and the Ministers and Clarks kneeling where they are accustomed to say the Letany shall say the Psalm HAve mercy upon me O God after thy great goodness according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences Wash me throughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin For I knowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me Against thee onely I have sinned and done this evil in thy sight that thou mightest be justified in thy saying and clear when thou art judged Behold I was shapen in wickedness and in sinne hath my mother conceived me But loâ— thou requirest truth in the inward parts and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly Thou shalt purge me with hysope and I shall be clean thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiter then snow Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Turn thy face from my sins and put out all my mis-deeds Make me a clean Heart O GOD and renew a right Spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirit from me O give me the comfort of thy help again and stablish me with thy free Spirit Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked and sinners shall be converted unto thee Deliver me from blood-guiltiness O God thou that art the God of my health and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness Thou shalt open my lips O Lord my mouth shall shew thy praise For thou desirest no sacrifice else would I give it thee but thou delightest not in burnt-offering The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God shalt thou not despise O be favorable and gracious unto Sion build thou the walls of Jerusalem Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness with the burnt-offerings and oblations then shall they offer yong bullocks upon thine altar Glory be to the Father and to the Son c. As it was in the beginning is now c. 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 â—â—t deliver us from evil Amen Minister O Lord save thy servants Answer Which put their trust in thee Minister Send unto them help from above Answer And evermore mightily defend them Minister Holy as O God our saviour Answer And for the glory of thy names sake deliver us be merciful unto us sinners for thy names sake Minister O Lord hear our prayers Answer And let our cry come unto thee Let us pray O Lord we â—eseech thee mercifully hear our prayers and spare all those which confesse their sins to thee that they whose consciences by sin are accused by thy merciful pardon may be absolved through Christ our Lord Amen O Most mighty God and merciful Father which hast compassion of all men and hatest nothing that thou hast made which wouldest not the death of a sinner but that he should rather turn from sin and be saved mercifully forgive us our trespasses receive and comfort us which be grieved and wearied with the burden of 〈◊〉 Thy property is to have mercy to thee onely it appertaineth to forgive sins Spare us therefore good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed Enter not into judgement with thy servants which be vile earth and miserable sinners but so turn thine â—re from us which meekly knowledge our vilenesse and truely repent us of our faults so make hast to help us in this world that we may ever live with thee in the world to come through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Then shall the people say this that followeth after the Minister 1 B. of Edw 6. Then shall this Anthem be said or sung TUrn thou us O good Lord and so shall we be turned be favourable O Lord be favourable to thy people which turn to thee in weeping fasting and praying for thou art
ut volebas conatus sum hortari I have used my endeavour as thou didst wish me to perswade the Protector Whence manifest it is that Letter was wrot at the instance of Martin Bucer then in England Now Bucer arrived not in England until Anno 49. though Mr. Fox erroneously renders him here Anno 47. This is apparent by the occanon of his leaving Strasburgh In the year 1548. Charles the fift then Emperour caused at the diet of Ausburgh a form of Religion to be drawn up so modified in accomodation to the both Romish Catholiques and Protestants as he expected both Parties would subscribe unto it and because it was onely intended as the standard of Belief until the Councel of Trent should add to the points contraverted a final determination and no longer it was therefore called the Interim Bucer being called to Auspurgh by the Electors Palatine and Brandenburgh with the Emperours leave to submit to this Interim declared he could not with a safe conscience do it He well know that this declaration once past Strasburgh would be no place of security to him especially taking notice that the Emperour had an old pique and grudge against him as a principal Actor in the Collen Reformation Being thus necessitated to abandon Strasburgh he intimated his condition to a friend of his in England that Friend acquaints the Bishop Cranmer therewith who presently by an express of his own dated October 2. 48. and after by his Secretary Peter Alexander March 14. 49. gives him an earnest invite to England with promises of ample promotion To this friendly call Bucer listens and visits England in the Spring Cum primum venissem are his own words as soon as he came over he caused the Liturgy to be translated for him that he might judge whither or not he might conform to it So that the Liturgy was certainly published before he came over and that was not until 49. Being here and observing some Ceremonies boggled at by nicer palates that Summer he gives Calvin an account thereof desiring him to move the Protector they might not be so strictly urged This was the genuine and true impulsive to Calvin to write that Letter which if dated in October as all the Impressions of his Epistles render it and the context of all circumstances seems to perswade belief it must then of necessity be in October 1549. THE PROCLAMATION EDward by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland defender of the Faith and of the Church of England and Ireland in earth the supream head To all and singuler our loving Subjects greeting For so much as in our high Court of Parliament lately holden at Westminster it was by us with the consent of the Lords spiritual and temporal and Commons there assembled most godly and agreeably to Christs holy institution enacted the most blessed Sacrament of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ should from henceforth be commonly delivered and ministred unto all persons within our Realm of England and Ireland and other our Dominions under both kinds that is to say of bread and wine except necessity otherwise require least every man phantasying and devising a sundry way by himself in the use of this most blessed Sacrament of unity there might thereby arise any unseemly and ungodly diversity Our pleasure is by the advise of our most dear Uncle the Duke of Somerset Governour of our person and Protector of our Realmes Dominions and Subjects and other our Privy Counsel that the said blessed Sacrament be ministred unto our People onely after such form and manner as hereafter by our authority with the advise before mentioned is set forth and declared Willing every man with due reverence and christian behaviour to come to this holy Sacrament and most blessed Communion lest that by the unworthy receiving of so high misteries they become guilty of the body and blood of the Lord and so eat and drink their own damnation but rather diligently trying themselves that they so come to this holy table of Christ and so be partakers of this holy Communion that they may dwell in Christ and have Christ dwelling in them And also with such obedience and conformity to receive this our Ordinance and most godly direction that we may be encouraged from time to time further to travel for the reformation and setting forth of such godly orders as may be most to Gods glory the edifying of our Subjects and for the advancement of true Religion Which the thing we by the help of God most earnestly entended to bring to effect willing all our loving Subjects in the mean time to stay and quiet themselves with this our direction as men content to follow authority according to the bounden duty of Subjects and not enterprising to run afore and so by their rashness become the greatest hinderers of such things as they more arrogantly than godly would seem by their own private authority most hotly to set forward we would not have our Subjects so much to mislike our Judgment so much to mistrust our zeale as though we rather could not discerne what were to be done or would not do all things in due time God be praised we know both what by his Word is meet to be redressed and have an earnest mind by the advise of our most deare Uncle and other of our Privy Councel with all diligence and convenient speed so to set forth the same as it may most stand with Gods glory and edifying and quietness of our people Which we doubt not but all our obedient and loving Subjects will quietly and reverently tarry for God save the King The order of the Communion FIrst the Parson Vicar or Curat the next Sunday or Holy-day or at the least one day before he shall minister the Communion shall give warning to his Parishioners or those which be present that they prepare themselves thereto saying to them openly and plainly as hereafter followeth or such like DEar friends and you especially upon whose souls I have cure and charge upon day next I do entend by Gods grace to offer to all such as shall be thereto godly disposed the most comfortable Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ to be taken of them in the remembrance of his most fruitful and glorious passion by the which passion we have obtained remission of our sinnes and be made partakers of the kingdom of heaven whereof we be assured and ascertain'd if we come to the said Sacrament with harty repentance of our offences stedfast Faith in Gods mercy and earnest mind to obey Gods will and to offend no more wherefore our duty is to come to these holy mysteries with most hearty thanks to be given to Almighty God for his infinite mercy and benefits given and bestowed upon us his unworthy servants for whom he hath not onely given his body to death and shed his blood but also doth vouchsafe in a Sacrament and mystery to give us his said body