A Plain and Rational VINDICATION and EXPLANATION OF THE LITURGY OF THE Church of England Collected out of the Discourses of some of the Reverend Bishops and Doctors of the same CHURCH by Way of QUESTION and ANSWER By J. CLVTTERBVCK Gent. The Second Edition with Improvements LONDON Printed for William Keblewhite at the Swan in St. Paul's Church-Yard 1699. To my Beloved Daughters SARAH LILLINGSTON AND MARY LEACH THE Church's aim in all her Services was to make them reasonable and therefore she hath not only put them in a known Tongue but also instructs us in the Nature of them making her Prayer-Book a Sum of Divinity but because we are fallen into an Age that many who call themselves Saints do actually mock and ridicule her sacred Offices It 's surely a Duty incumbent on all her Obedient Children to vindicate the Honour of their Holy Mother the Church I thought it therefore Time not ill spent having retired my self to a Private Life to collect such Reasons out of the Writings of the Reverend Bishops and Doctors of the Church of England as may justifie not only her Commands but enforce our Obedience to her Pious Edicts and to the Observance of her lawful Ceremonies And that my Affection may last longer than my Life I present ye with these my First-Fruits hoping that not only the Example and constant Practice of your Ancient Father but his Advice and Counsel may prevail with you to persevere to the End in the Doctrine and Discipline of that Church in which ye have been Baptized Educated and Instructed and let not Men deceive you with vain Words I only at First designed these Collections for my own private Satisfaction but I was prevailed upon by some Friends to make them Publick for this Reason because they assured me they would be of Use and Advantage to those of the meaner Understanding and not despised by others that knew them already which I chuse to say that I may prevent the Censure of those that may think this Publication proceeds from an itching Desire of Applause or at least from Vain-Glory Let not the Meanness of my Performances lessen your Reverence to the Holy Offices of our Church but live in the constant Use and Practice of them and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ will bless you both in Soul and Body guiding ye by his Counsel here and bringing ye at last to his Glory which is the hearty Prayer of Your Affectionate Father J. CLUTTERBUCK April 16. 1694. To the READER IT is observed by a Reverend and Judicious Author Dr. Jo. Cockburn That Early Buds are wont to please the curious who are generally a little impatient But the Trees flourish best and are most fruitful which do not over-hastily put forth before their proper Season This Observation had I duly considered I should not to satisfie the importunity of some Friends so hastily have Published my First Thoughts However it appears that my Intentions to do good have been kindly received the First Edition being Sold off and being hereby encouraged to a Second Impression of this Book and desirous to have it more Correct and Useful I have made some Additions and Enlargements in giving a short Explication of the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments that all may understand what they Pray for and Read This I am sensible is very excellently perform'd by several Eminent Hands but I submit to the Judgment of some worthy Friends That I ought to consult the Reader 's Ease and Conveniency and not to referr him altogether to what Others have writ Several Remarks and Observations you will meet with in this Edition which escaped my first Consideration And lastly I have given some brief Hints of the Argument and Design of each Book of Holy Writ which may in some measure assist in Reading those Sacred Pages The Compilers of the English COMMON-PRAYER-BOOK were Dr. Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury Mart. Dr. Goodrick Bishop of Ely Dr. Skip Bishop of Hereford Dr. Thirlby Bishop of Westminster Dr. Day Bishop of Chichester Dr. Holbeck Bishop of Lincoln Dr. Ridley Bishop of Rochester after Bishop of London Mart. Dr. Cox King Edward 's Almoner Dr. Taylor Dean of Lincoln Mart. Dr. Heynes Dean of Exeter Dr. Redman Dean of Westminster Mr. Robinson Archdeacon of Leicester May 1549. Anno Reg. Edw. 6. Tertio The English Reformation is the most compleat and perfect in its Kind as retaining the most ancient Doctrine and soundest Confession of Faith founded upon the Holy Scriptures and agreeable to the first General Councils the most Primitive Church Government and a Liturgy the best accommodated to reconcile and unite Mens Devotions Such a Liturgy as Mr. Fox the Author of the Martyrology is not afraid to say was indited by the Holy Ghost but certainly had a great Testimony in the unspeakable Joy and Contentment holy Men took in it in K. Edward the Sixth's days their Zeal for the Maintenance of it longing for the Restitution of it and Sealed it with their Blood in Q. Maries days and the Universal Triumphs and Acclamations at the Restoring of it in Queen Elizabeth's Reign Dr. Goodman Comp. Inquiry OF THE CALENDAR AND THE Special USE thereof IN THE CHURCH of GOD. THE Calendar of the Church is as full of Benefit as Delight unto such as are given to the serious Study and due Contemplation thereof for besides the admirable Order and Disposition of Times which are necessary for the better transacting of all Ecclesiastical and Secular Affairs it hath in it a very Beautiful Distinction of the Days and Seasons whereof some are chosen out and sanctified and others are put among the Days of the Week to number But the chief Use of it in the Church of God is to preserve a solemn Memory and to continue in their due Season sometimes a weekly and sometimes an Annual Commemoration of those excellent and high Benefits which God hath bestowed upon Mankind for the Founding and Propagating of that Christian Religion which we now profess together with a Direction how to find the Lessons which the Church orders to be read every Day in the Week at Morning and Evening Prayer And because the Multitude of Holy Men and Women became so exceeding numerous that all the Days of the Year would not have been sufficient for a several Commemoration of them it was the great Wisdom and Moderation of those Religious Grave Prelates who did reform such things as were many ways amiss among us to chuse One Solemn Day alone wherein to magnifie God for the Generality of all his Saints together and to retain some few selected Days in every Month for the Special Memory of some Holy Persons and Actions hereby avoiding only the Burthen and the unnecessary Number of Festival Days Of the Golden Number and Dominical Letter THE Golden Number was anciently devised to find out the Ecclesiastical beginning of the Year which always happen'd between March the 7th and April the 6th And is
Why is the day before Good-Friday called Maunday-Thursday A. Because Christ washed his Disciples Feet and commanded them to do so likewise Q. Why is Good-Friday observed as a Fast A. Because on that day our Saviour suffered Q. Why are some days called Holy Days A. Because they are taken out of the Common Days and set apart to God's Service and Worship either by God's own Appointment or the Churches Dedication in Commemoration of some eminent Mercy Q. Why are these Days commanded to be observed A. Because as learned Mr. Hooker observes they express the Splendor and outward Dignity of our Religion and are forcible Witnesses of ancient Truth are likewise Provocations to the Exercise of all Piety and shadows of our endless Felicity in Heaven and everlasting Records on Earth teaching by the Eye in a manner whatsoever we believe Q. Why is the Feast called Easter observed A. To commemorate the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour who rose on the first day of the Week and it is called Easter and by the old Saxons Oster which signifies to rise from whence we frequently say to one on the Ground Oast up when we would have him to rise Q. Why is the Sunday following Easter called Low-Sunday and Dominica in Albis A. It was the Custom of our Forefathers to observe the Octave of their high and principal Feasts and this is the Octave or eighth day after Easter upon every Octave they used to repeat some part of that Service which was performed upon the Feast itself which is the Reason why it 's called Low-Sunday The Sunday before is High Easter and this is a Lower Feast Low Easter This Feast of Easter as also Whitsunday being the stated time for Baptism in the ancient Church those who were Baptiz'd put on white Garments in token of that pure and innocent course of life they had now engaged in this white Garment they wore till the next Sunday after and then laid it aside whence the Sunday after Easter came to be stiled Dominica in Albis the Sunday in White it being then that the new Baptiz'd put off their white Garments Dr. Cave Q. Why is Rogation-Sunday so called A. Because upon the three following days Rogations or Prayers and Litanies were used for a Blessing on the Fruits of the Earth that were tender 2. To prepare us for our Lord's Ascension Day Q. Why is Ascension Day observed A. It 's an Anniversary Commemoration of Christ's Ascent to Heaven which gives us hopes of Heaven in that our Flesh in the first Fruits is thither ascended Q. Why is Whitsunday so called A. From the glorious Light of Heaven which was then sent down upon the Earth from the Father of Lights on the Apostles so many Tongues so many Lights 2. Because the new-baptized that being a solemn time of Baptism call'd of old the enlightned were then cloathed in white Carments call'd Chrysoms as types of spiritual Purity and Joy Q. Why is this day called Pentecost A. Because Pentecost signifies fifty in Greek and from the Sunday after Good-Friday this is the 50th day so the Jews reckoned Levit. 23. 15. Q. Why is Trinity Sunday so called A. The Church thought meet that such a Mystery as the blessed Trinity should be the chief Subject of one day and this to be the day Q. What may be the Reason that God did not so plainly deliver this Mystery to the Jews A. Least they should have mistaken it for a Doctrine of a Plurality of Gods yet some Seeds of that Perfection of Divinity were dispersed and for that Cause the Choire of Angels sing thrice Holy but once Lord. Q. Why is the Conversion of St. Paul celebrated and not his Martyrdom or day of his Death as other Saints are A. For example sake that no Sinner may despair 2. For the Joy the Church had at his Conversion and for the Miracles then wrought Q. Why is the Purification of the blessed Virgin observed A. Partly in memory of her Purification according to the Law but chiefly in memory of our Lord's Presentation in the Temple Q. Why is the Purification of St. Mary called Candlemas A. Because in ancient Times they went in Procession two by two carrying Candles and many Lights were set up in Churches Q. Why is the Feast of St. Michael observed A. The Church holds a Feast on that day in memory of the Holy Angels because they minister to us on Earth and fight against the Devil for us by their Prayers Q. VVhy is the day called All Saints observed A. Because we cannot particularly commemorate every Saint and in those particular Feasts which we do celebrate we may omit some of our duty therefore this day in general is observed Q. VVhy do we keep the days of the Saints Death rather than their Birth A. Because then they are born Citizens of Heaven 2. Then they perfectly triumph over all their Enemies by which the Church Militant is encouraged to persevere Q. VVhy have some Holydays Fasts before them and why have some other none A. It was the Religious Custom of the Primitive Times to spend a great part of the Night before the Holidays in Watchings and Prayers to prepare them for the more solemn Observation of those Feasts and to signifie that we should be as the blessed Saints were after a little time of Mortification and Affliction translated into Glory and Joy but in time as Charity and Devotion grew cold through Sloth and Restiness this more troublesome part of Devotion the nightly Watches now called Vigils were laid aside and the Fasts only remained 2. Sometime the Signification or Mystery of the Vigil or Fast ceased then the Vigil or Fast is omitted as for Example St. Michael hath no Fast because the Angels did not by Sufferings and Mortifications enter into their Joy but were created in the Joy they have And sometime when the Signification holds good others have no Fasts because either they fall betwixt Easter and VVhitsunday or betwixt Christmas and Epiphany which the Church holds for such times of Joy and Festivity that they would not have one day among them sullied by pensive Sorrow and Fasting Of the Office of Baptism Quest WHY is the Place where the Office of Baptism is administred called the Font A. The Rites of Baptism in the first Times were performed in Fountains and Rivers because the Converts were many and those Ages were unprovided of other Baptisteries or Baptizing places and hence it is we call our Baptisteries Fonts Q. Why was Water chosen by Christ in this Sacrament A. To signifie his Washing our Souls from Sin Q. What is the Form of Baptism as to the Essential part of Baptizing A. In the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Q. Who instituted this Form A. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Q. Who are the Subjects of this Baptism A. Infants and Persons grown up Q. Why are Infants to be brought to Church A. That there may be many Witnesses of
in the Temple and though we cannot see our Saviour with our bodily Eyes as he did yet he 's by the Writings of the Apostles daily presented to the Eyes of our Faith and if we were as much concern'd for Heaven and as loose from the Love of the World as old Simeon was and as we ought to be we might upon the View of Christ in his holy Word by Faith be daily ready to sing this Hymn Of the LXVII Psalm THIS Psalm is parallel to the former Evangelical Hymn David prayed for that saving Health which old Simeon rejoiced to see and both of them praised God upon the Foresight they had that it would be made known to us as it is this day by the Voices of the Apostles Of the Apostles Creed Quest WHY is it called the Apostles Creed A. It is called a Creed from the Latin word Credo to believe because it contains such Points of Christian Doctrine as are most necessary to be believed 2. It 's called the Apostles Creed partly because of the Apostolical Doctrine contained in it but rather because it was composed by the Apostles or at least in or near the Apostolical Times and it consists also of Twelve Articles according to the number of the Twelve Apostles Q. Why did the ancient Councils make new ones A. They declare they did not make new ones only largely expound such Articles as Hereticks disputed against Q. If this be a genuine and true Composure then is it not of equal Authority with the holy Scriptures A. 'T is the same thing in a Compendium or short Way and differs only in Form not in Sense Q. Why is the Creed placed after the Lessons and before the Prayers A. We confess that Faith which the Lessons teach 2. It 's the Foundation of all our Petitions for we cannot call on him on whom we have not believed Q. Why is the Creed often repeated A. Because we had need look well to our Faith and be careful to keep that intire by often rehearsing we guard our Souls with it 2. It 's a plighting our Faith and Fidelity to God and Confession is as necessary to Salvation as believing Q. Why must we repeat it with an audible Voice A. Because by so doing every one gives his positive and particular Assent and by it evidenceth to the Church his sound Belief Q. Why is it repeated standing A. By this Gesture we signifie our readiness to profess and our resolution to adhere and stand to this Faith and earnestly contend for it And in our daily use of this Sacred Form let us devoutly apply every Article to be both a ground for our Prayer and a guide to our Lives Q. Why do we Bow at the Name of Jesus A. The mentioning of the Name of Jesus puts us in Mind of him we owe all manner of Reverence to which we express by Bowing Bishop Stillingfleet Q. Why do we say Amen after the rehearsing of it A. To testify our stedfast belief of it and our desire to live as those that heartily believe it Q. What is meant by the word I Believe A. As with a certain and full perswasion I assent so with a fix'd and undaunted resolution I profess and with this Faith in my Heart and Confession in my Mouth in respect of the whole Body of the Creed and every Article I sincerely readily and resolvedly say I Believe Q. How may we know when we rightly believe in God the Father A. When we love him fear him and serve him as our great Creator and merciful Preserver Q. How may we know when we rightly believe in God the Son A. When we submit to him trust in him and obey him as our only Lord and Saviour Q. How may we know when we rightly believe in God the Holy Ghost A. When we follow his Directions and make use of his Assistance as our Guide Sanctifier and Comforter Q. Why is God the Son said in the Catechism to redeem me and all Mankind when the greatest part perish without the benefit of his Redemption A. The price of his Blood which he paid was sufficient for the Ransom of the whole World and is available to as many as God in his abundant Goodness and Mercy shall judge worthy to be Partakers of the Inheritance with the Saints in Life but to none of those that do profess to be the Disciples of the Holy Jesus but such as observe the Conditions viz. Faith and Repentance required in his Blessed Gospel Q. How is the Holy Ghost said to Sanctify all the Elect People of God A. By calling them out and separating them from the rest of the World which is properly to Sanctify as well as by putting good Motions and Affections in them and inspiring them with Holiness by which they become God's choice and peculiar People Q. What may we mean when we say Christ descended into Hell A. The word Hell is a Saxon word which is as much as covered or hidden and in the Original Propriety both of the Greek and English it signifies no more than the place which is unseen or removed from Men's sight so that the meaning may be When all the Sufferings of Christ were finish'd upon the Cross and his Soul separated from his Body altho' his Body was dead his Soul dy'd not but underwent the condition of the Souls of such as die being he dy'd in the Similitude of a Sinner his Soul went to the place where the Souls of Men are kept who die for their Sins and so did wholly undergo the Law of Death contenting himself during his three days of Humiliation with the imperfect Happiness which the Souls of Holy Men are under till the general Resurrection from the Dead Bishop Pearson Q. Why is the Church call'd Holy and Catholick A. It is call'd Holy because it is joined to God in Covenant and the true Members of it are sanctified by the Spirit of Holiness 2. And it is call'd Catholick or Universal because it is spread over all the World and not confined as it was among the Jews to one particular place Q. What may we understand by the Communion of Saints A. That such Persons as are truly sanctified in the Church of Christ have fellowship with God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost as dwelling with them and taking up their Habitations in them that they partake of the Care and Kindness of the blessed Angels that beside the external fellowship which they have in the Word and Sacraments with all the Members of the Church they have an intimate Union and Conjunction with all the Saints on Earth as living Members of Christ and have fellowship likewise with all the Saints departed in the true Faith and Fear of God Bishop Pearson 2. If this Answer be too mystical and obscure embrace this pithy and plain one The Christian Church or Society of Believers as one Body is United by a participation of all Spiritual things as Word Sacraments