of his dear beloved Son we may attain the sight And that with perfect faith also we may acknowledge thee The Spirit of them both alway one God in persons three Laud and praise be to the Father and to the Son equal And to the only Spirit also one God coeternal And pray we that the holy Son vouchsafe his Spirit to send To all that do profess his Name unto the worlds end Amen And then the Archdeacon shall present unto the Bishop all them that shall receive the Order of Priesthood that day the Archdeacon saying REverend Father in God I present unto you these persons present to be admitted to the Order of Priesthood Cum interrogatione responsione ut in ordine Diaconatus And then the Bishop shall say to the people GOod people these be they whom we purpose God willing to receive this day unto the holy office of Priesthood for after due examination we find not to the contrary but that they be lawfully called to their function and ministery and that they pe persons meet for the same But yet if there be any of you which knoweth any impediment or notable crime of any of them for which he ought not to be received into this holy ministery now in the Name of God declare the same And if any great crime or impediment be objected Vt supra in Ordine Diaconatus usque ad finem Litaniae cum hac Collecta ALmighty God giver of all good things which by thy holy Spirit hast appointed divers Orders of Ministers in the Church mercifully behold these thy servants now called to the office of Priesthood and replenish them so with the truth of thy Doctrine and innocency of life that both by word and good example they may faithfully serve thee in this office to the glory of thy Name and profit of thy Congregation through the merits of our Saviour Iesus Christ who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Ghost world without end Amen Then the Bishop shall minister unto every one of them the Oath concerning the Kings Supremacy as is set forth in the Order of Deacons And that done he shall say unto them which are appointed to receive the said Office as hereafter followeth YOu have heard brethren as well in your private examination as in the exhortation and in the holy lessons taken out of the Gospel and of the writings of the Apostles of what dignity and of how great importance this office is whereunto ye he called And how we exhort you in the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ to have in remembrance into how high a dignity and to how chargeable an office ye be called that is to say the Messengesrs and Watchmen the Pastors and the Stewards of the Lord to teach to premouish to feed and provide for the Lords family to seek for Christs sheep that be dispersed abroad and for his children which be in the midst of this naughty world to be saved through Christ for ever Have always therefore printed in your remembrance how great a treasure is committed to your charge for they be the sheep of Christ which he bought with his death and for whom he shed his blood The Church and Congregation whom you must serve is his Spouse and Body And if it shall chance the same Church or any member thereof to take any hurt or hindrance by reason of your negligence you know the greatness of the fault and also of the horrible punishment which will ensue Wherefore consider with your selves the end of your Ministery towards the children of God towards the Spouse and Body of Christ and see that you never cease your labour your care and diligence until you have done all that lieth in you according to your bounden duty to bring all such as are or shall be committed to your charge unto that agreement in faith and knowledge of God and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ that there be no place left among you either of error in Religion or for viciousness of life Then for as much as your office is both of so great excellency and of so great difficulty ye see with how great care and study ye ought to apply your selves as well that ye may shew your selves kind to that Lord who hath placed you in so high a dignity as also to beware that neither you your selves offend neither be occasion that other offend Howbeit ye cannot have a mind and a will thereto of our selves for that power and ability is given of God alone Therefore ye see how ye ought and have need earnestly to pray for his holy Spirit And seeing that you cannot by any other means compass the doing of so weighty a work pertaining to the salvation of man but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of the holy Scripture and with a life agreeable unto the same Ye perceive how studious ye ought to be in reading and in learning the Scriptures and in framing the manners both of your selves and of them that specially pertain unto you according to the rule of the same Scriptures And for this self-same cause ye see how ye ought to forsake and set aside as much as you may all worldly cares and studies We have good hope that you have well-weighed and pondered these things with your selves long before this time and that you have clearly determined by Gods grace to give your selves wholly to this vocation whereunto it hath pleased God to cal you so that as much as lieth in you you apply your selves wholly to this one thing and draw all your cares and studies this way and to this end And that you will continually pray for the heavenly assistance of the holy Ghost from God the Father by the mediation of our only Mediator and Saviour Iesus Christ that by daily reading and weighing of the Scriptures ye may so wax riper and stronger in your Ministry and that ye may so endeavor your selves from time to time to sanctifie the lives of you and yours and to fashion them after the rule and doctrine of Christ and that ye may be wholsom and godly examples and patterns for the rest of the Congregation to follow and that this present Congregation of Christ here assembled may also understand your minds and wills in these things and that this your promise shall move you to do your duties ye shall answer plainly to these things which we in the name of the Congregation demand of you touching the same Do you think in your heart that you be truly called according to the will of our Lord Iesu Christ and the Order of this Church of England to the Ministery of Priest-hood Answer I think it The Bishop BE you perswaded that the holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation through faith in Iesu Christ And are you determined with the said Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your charge and to teach nothing as required of
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 the to hear us Son of God we beseech the 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 Answer Neither reward us after our iniquities ¶ Let us pray Ood 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 oppress us and graciously 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 thar we thy servants being hurt by no persecutions may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise help us and deliver us 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 days 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 Graciously look upon our 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 Graciously hear us O Christ graciously hear us O Lord Christ The Versicle O Lord let thy mercy be shewed upon us 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 Names 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 holiness and pureness of living to thy honour and glory through our only Mediator and Advocate Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ALmighty God which hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee and dost promis that when two or three be gathered together in thy Name thou wile grant their requests fulfil now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy servanta 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 ¶ Then shall be said also this that followeth ALmighty God which by thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders of Ministers in the Church and didst inspire thine holy Apostles to chuse unto this Order of Deacons the first Martyr St. Stephen with other mercifully behold these thy servants now called to the like office and administration replenish them so with the truth of thy Doctrine and innocency of life that both by word and good example they may faithfully serve thee in this office to the glory of thy Name and profit of the Congregation through the merits of our Saviour Iesu Christ who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Ghost now and for ever Amen Then shall be sung or said the Communion of the day saving the Epistle shall be read out of Timothy as followeth LIkewise must the Ministers be honest not double-tongued not given unto much wine neither greedy of filthy lucre but holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience and let them first be proved and then let them minister so that no man be able to reprove them Even so must theâ—r wives be honest not evil speakers but sober and faithful in all things Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife and such as rule their children well and their own housholds for they that minister well get themselves a good degree and a great liberty in the faith which is in Christ Iesu These things write I unto thee trusting to come shortly unto thee but and if I tarry long that then thou mayest yet have knowledge how thou oughest to behave thy self in the house of God which is the congregation of the living God the pillar and ground of truth And without doubt great is that mystery of godliness God was shewed in the flesh was justified in the spirit was seen among the angels was preached unto the Gentiles was believed in on the world and received up into glory Or else this out of the sixth of the Acts. THen the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said It is not meet that we should leave the word of God and serve tables wherefore brethren look you out among you seven men of honest report and full of the holy Ghost and wisdom to whom we may commit this business but we will give our selves continually to prayer and to the administration of the word And that saying pleased the whole multitude And they chose Stephen a man full of faith and full of the holy Ghost and Philip and Brochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicholas a convert of Antioch These they set before the Apostles and when they had prayed they laid their hands on them And the word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly and a great number of the Priests were obedient unto the faith And before the Gospel the Bishop setting in a chair shall cause the Oath of the Kings Supremacy and against the power and authority of all foreign Potentates to be ministred unto every of them that are to be ordered ¶ The Oath of the Kings Soveraignty I A. B. do utterly testifie and declare in my conscience that the Kings Highness is the only supreme Governour of this Realm and of all other his Highness Dominions and Countries as well in all spiritual or Ecclesiastical things or causes as temporal and that no foreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any jurisdiction power superiority pre-eminence or authority Ecclesiastical or spiritual within this Realm and therefore I do utterly renounce and forsake all foreign jurisdictions powers superiorities and au horities and do promise that from henceforth I shall bear faith and true Allegiance to the Kings Highness his heirs and lawful successours and to my power shall assist and
necessity to eternal salvation but that you shall be perswaded may be concluded and proved by the Scripture Answer I am so perswaded and have so determined by Gods grace The Bishop WIll you then give your faithful diligence always so to minister the Doctrine and Sacraments and the Discipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded and as this Realm hath received the same according to the Commandments of God so that you may teach the people committed to your cure and charge with all diligence to keep and observe the same Answer I will do so by the help of the Lord. The Bishop WIll you be ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to Gods Word and to use both publick and private admonitions and exhortations as well to the sick as to the whole within your Cures as need shall require and occasion be given Answer I will the Lord being my helper The Bishop Will you be diligently in prayers and in reading of the holy Scriptures and in such studies as help to the knowledge of the same laying aside the study of the world and the flesh Answer I will endeavor my self so to do the Lord being my helper The Bishop WIll you be diligent to frame and fashion your own selves and your families according to the Doctrine of Christ and to make both your selves and them as much as in you lieth wholsom examples and spectacles to the flock of Christ Answer I will apply my self the Lord being my helper The Bishop WIll you maintain and set forwards as much as in you lieth quietness peace and love among all Christian people and especially among them that are or shall be committed to your charge Answer I will so do the Lord being my helper The Bishop VVIll you reverently obey your Ordinary and other chief Ministers unto whom the government and charge is committed over you following with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions and submitting your selves to their godly judgments Answer I will so do the Lord being my helper Then shall the Bishop say ALmighty God who hath given you this will do all these things grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same that he may accomplish his work which he hath begun in you until the time shall come at the latter day to judge the quick and the dead After this the Congregation shall be desired secretly in their prayers to make humble supplications to God for the foresaid things for the which prayers there shall be a certain space kept in silence That done the Bishop shall pray in this wise ¶ Let us pray ALmighty God and heavenly Father which of thine infinite love and goodness towards us hast given to us thy only and most dearly bloved Son Iesus Christ to be our Redeemer and Author of everlasting life who after he had made perfect our redemption by his death and was ascended into heaven sent abroad into the world his Apostles Prophets Evangelists Doctors and Pastors by whose labour and ministery he gathered together a great flock in all the parts of the World to set forth the eternal praise of thy holy Name For these so great benefits of thy eternal goodness and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants here present to the same office and ministry of salvation of mankind we render unto thee most hearty thanks we worship and praise thee and we humbly beseech thee by the same thy Son to grant unto all which either here or elsewhere call upon thy Name that we may shew our selves thankful to thee for these and all other thy benefits and that we may daily increase and go forwards in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son by thy holy Spirit So that as well by these thy Ministers as by them to whom they shall be appointed Ministers thy holy Name may be always glorified and thy blessed Kingdom enlarged through the same thy Son our Lord Iesus Christ which liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same holy Spirit world without end Amen When this prayer is done the Bishops with the Priests present shall lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth Orders the receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees and the Bishop saying REceive the holy Ghost Whose sins thou dost forgive they are forgiven and whose sins thou dost retain they are retained and be thou a faithful dispenser of the Word of God and his holy Sacraments In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Amen The Bishop shall deliver to every one of them the Bible in his hand saying TAke thou authority to preach the Word of God and to minister the holy Sacraments in this Congregation where thou shalt be so appointed When this is done the Congregation shall sing the Creed and also they shall go to the Communion which all they that receive Orders shall take together and remain in the same place where the hands were laid upon them until such time as they received the Communion The Communion being done after the last Collect and immediately before the Bendiction shall be said this Collect. MOst merciful Father we beseech thee to send upon these thy Servants thy heavenly blessing that they may be clad about with justice and that thy Word spoken by their mouths may have such success that it may never be spoken in vain Grant also that we may have grace to hear and receive the same as thy most holy Word and the means of our salvation that in all our words and deeds we may seek thy glory and the increase of thy Kingdom through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen And if the Order of Deacons and Priesthood be given both upon one day then shall all things at the holy Communion be used as they are appointed at the ordering of Priests saving that for the Epistle the whole third Chapter of the first to Timothy shall be read as it is set out before in the order of Priests And immediately after the Epistile the Deacons shall be ordered And it shall suffice the Litany to be said once The form of Consecrating of an Arch-Bishop or Bishop ¶ At the Communion The Epistle THis is a true saying If a man desire the office of a Bishop he desireth an honest work A Bishop therefore must be blameless the husband of one wife diligent sober discreet a keeper of hospitality apt to teach not given to overmuch wine no fighter nor greedy of filthy lucre but gentle abhorring fighting abhorring covetousness one that ruleth well his own house one that hath children in subjection with all reverence For if a man cannot rule his own house how thall he care for the congregation of God He may not be a young Scholar lest he swell and fall into the judgment of the evil speaker He must also have a good report of them which are without lest he fall
divided whereof is one Christ very God and very Man who truly suffered was crucified dead and buried to reconcile his Father to us and to be a sacrifice for all sin of man both original and actual Of the going down of Christ into Hell AS Christ died and was buried for us so also it is to be believed that he went down into Hell for the body lay in the Sepulchre until the Resurrection but his Ghost departing from him was with the Ghosts that were in Prison or in Hell and did preach to the same as the place of St. Peter doth testifie The Resurrection of Christ CHrist did truly rise again from death and took again his body with flesh bones and all things appertaining to the perfection of mans nature wherewith he ascended into Heaven and there sitteth until he return to judge men at the last day The Doctrine of holy Scripture is sufficient to Salvation HOly Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation so that whatsoever is neither read therein nor may be proved thereby although it be sometime received of the Faithful as godly and profitable for an order and comeliness yet no man ought to be constrained to believe it as an Article of Faith or reputed requisite to the necessity of salvation The Old Testament is not to be refused THe Old Testament is not to be put away as though it were contrary to the New but to be kept still for both in the Old and New Testaments everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ who is the only Mediator between God and man being both God and man VVherefore they are not to be heard which feign that the old Fathers did look only for transitory promises The three Creeds THe three Creeds Nicene Creed Athanasius's Creed and that which is commonly called the Apostles Creed ought thorowly to be received for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture Of Original or Birth-sin ORiginal sin standeth not in the following of Adam as the Pelagians do vainly talk which also the Anabaptists do now adays renew but it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man that naturally is ingendred of the off-spring of Adam whereby man is very far gone from his former righteousness which he had at his Creation and is of his own nature given to evil so that the flesh desireth always contrary to the spirit and therefore in every person born in this world it deserveth Gods wrath and damnation and this infection of nature doth remain yea in them that are baptized whereby the lust of the flesh called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some do expound the wisdom some the sensuality some the affection some the desire of the flesh is not subject to the Law of God And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized yet the Apostle doth confess that concupiscence and lust hath of it self the nature of sin Of Free-will WE have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God without the Grace of God by Christ preventing us that we may have a good will and working in us when we have that will Of Grace THe Grace of Christ or the holy Ghost by him given doth take away the stony heart and giveth an heart of flesh and although those that have no will to good things he maketh them to will and those that would evil things he maketh them not to will the same yet nevertheless he enforceth not the will and therefore no man when he sinneth can excuse himself as not worthy to be blamed or condemned by alledging that he sinned unwillingly or by compulsion Of the justification of man JVstification by only Faith in Iesus Christ in that sense as it is declared in the Homily of Iustification is a most certain and wholsom Doctrine for Christian men Works before Justification WOrks done before the grace of Christ and the inspiration of his Spirit are not pleasant to God forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Iesu Christ neither do they make men mete to receive grace or as the School-Authors say deserve grace of Congruity but because they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done we doubt not but they have the nature of sin Works of Supererogation VOluntary works besides over and above Gods Commandments which they call works of Supererogation cannot be taught without arrogancy and iniquity For by them men do declare that they do not only render to God as much as they are bound to do but that they do more for his sake than of bounden duty is required whereas Christ saith plainly When ye have done all that is commanded you say We be unprofitable Servants No man is without sin but Christ alone CHrist in the truth of nature was made like unto us in all things sin only excepted from which he was clearly void both in his flesh and in his Spirit He came to be the Lamb without spot who by sacrifice of himself made once for ever should take away the sins of the World and sin as St. John saith was not in him But the rest yea although we be baptized and born again in Christ yet we offend in many things and if we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the ruth is not in us Of sin against the holy Ghost EVery deadly sin willingly committed after Baptism is not sin against the holy Ghost and unpardonable wherefore the place for penitents is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism After we have received the Holy Ghost we may depart from Grace given and fall into sin and by the grace of God we may arise again and amend our lives And therefore they are to be condemned which say they can no more sin as long as they live here or deny the place for penitents to such as truely repent and amend their lives Blasphemy against the holy Ghost BLasphemy against the holy Ghost is when a man of malice and stubbornness of mind doth rail upon the truth of Gods Word manifestly perceived and being enemy thereunto persecuteth that same and because such be guilty of Gods curse they entangle themselves with a most grievous and heinous crime whereupon this kind of sin is called and affirmed of the Lord unpardonable Of Predestination and Election PRedestination to life is the everlasting purpose of God whereby before the foundations of the world were laid he hath constantly decreed by his own judgment secret from us to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen out of mankind and to bring them to everlasting salvation by Christ as vessels made to honor whereupon such as have so excellent a benefit of God given unto them be called according to Gods purpose by his Spirit working in due season they through grace obey the calling they be justified freely they be made sons by adoption they be made like the Image of
Gods only begotten Son Iesus Christ they walk religiously in good works and at length by Gods mercy they attain to everlasting felicity As the godly consideration of Predestination and our Election in Christ is full of sweet pleasant and unspeakable comfort to godly persons and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ mortifying the works of the flesh and their earthly members and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation to be enjoyed through Christ as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God so for curious and carnal persons lacking the Spirit of Christ to have continually before their eyes the sentence of Gods Predestination is a most dangerous downfall where by the Devil may thurst them either into desperation or into wretchlesness of most unclean living no less perilous than desperation Furthermore although the decrees of Predestination are unknown unto us yet we must receive Gods promises in such wise as they be generally set forth to us in holy Scripture and in our doings that will of God is to be followed which we have expresly declared unto us in the Word of God We must trust to obtain eternal Salvation only by the. Name of Christ They also are to be had accursed and abhorred that presume to say that every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that Law and the light of Nature For holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the name of Iesus Christ whereby men must be saved All men are bound to keep the Moral Commandments of the Law THe Law which was given of God by Moses although it bind not Christian men as concerning the Ceremonies and Rites of the same neither is it required that the civil precepts and orders of it should of necessity be received in any Commonweal yet no man be he never so perfect a christian is exempt and loose from the obedience of those Commandments which are called Moral wherefore they are not to be hearkned unto who affirm that holy Scripture is given only to the weak and do boast themselves continually of the Spirit of whom they say they have learned such things as they teach although the same be most eminently repugnant to the holy Scripture Of the Church THe visible Church of Christ is a Congregation of faithful men in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments be duly ministred according to Christs Ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same As the Church of Jerusalem of Alexandria and of Antioch hath erred So also the Church of Rome hath erred not only in their living but also in matters of faith Of the Authority of the Church IT is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to Gods Word written neither may it so expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another wherefore although the Church be a witness and keeper of holy of VVrit yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same so beside the same ought not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation Of the Authority of General Councils GEneral Councils may not be gathered together without the commandment and will of Princes And when they be gathered forasmuch as they be an Assembly of men whereof all be not governed with the Spirit and Word of God they may erre and sometimes have erred not only in worldly matters but also in things pertaining unto God Wherefore things ordained by them as necessary to salvation have neither strength nor authority unless it may be declared that they be taken out of the holy Scripture Of Purgatory THe Doctrine of School-Authors concerning Purgatory Pardons worshipping and adoration as well of Images as of Relicks and also invocation of Saints is a fond thing vainly feigned and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture but rather repugnant to the Word of God No man may Minister in the Congregation except he be called IT is not lawful for any man to take upon him the office of publick preaching or ministring the Sacraments in the Congregation before he be lawfully called and sent to execute the same And those we ought to judge lawfully called and sent which be chosen and called to this work by men who have publick Authority given unto them in the Congregation to call and send Ministers in the Lords vineyard Men must speak in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people understandeth IT is most seemly and most agreable to the Word of God that in the Congregation nothing be openly read spoken in a tongue unknown to the people the which thing St. Paul did forbid except some were present that should declare the same Of the Sacraments OVr Lord Iesus Christ hath knit together a company of new people with Sacraments most few in number most easie to be kept most excellent in signification as is Baptism and the Lords Supper The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon or to be carried about but that we should rightly use them And in such only as worthily receive the same they have a wholsom effect and operation and yet not that of the work wrought as some men speak which word as it is strange and unknown to holy Scripture so it engendreth no godly but a very superstitious sense but they that receive the Sacraments unworthily purchase to themselves damnation as S. Paul saith Sacraments ordained by the Word of God be not only badges and tokens of Christian mens profession but rather they be certain sure witnesses and effectual signs of grace and Gods good will toward us by the which he doth work invisibly in us and doth not only quicken but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him The wickedness of the Ministers doth not take away the effectual operation of Gods Ordinances ALthough in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good and sometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the Word and Sacraments yet forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name but do minister by Christs Commission and Authority we may use their Ministry both in hearing the Word of God and in the receiving the Sacraments Neither is the effect of Gods Ordinances taken away by their wickednes nor the grace of Gods gifts diminished from such as by faith rightly receive the Sacraments ministred unto them which be effectual because of Christs institution and promise although they be ministred by evil men Nevertheless it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church that enquiry be made of such and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences and finally being found guilty by just judgment be deposed Of Baptism BAptism is not only a sign of profession and mark
use and also the rents of Lands the profit of Cattle and mony given or bequeathed to Obits and Dirges and to the finding of Torches Lights Tapers and Lamps shall be converted to the said use saving that it shall be lawful for them to bestow part of the said profits upon the reparation of the said Church if great need require and whereas the Parish is very poor and not able otherwise to repair the same 26. Also To avoid the detestable sin of Simony Simony because buying and selling of Benefices is execrable before God therefore all such persons as buy any Benefices or come to them by fraud or deceit shall be deprived of such Benefices and be made unable at any time after to receive any other spiritual promotion and such as do sell them or by any colour do be stow them for their own gain and profit shall use their right and title of Patronage and presentment for that time and the gift thereof for that vacation shall appertain to the Queens Majesty Homilies to be read 27. Also Because through lack of Preachers in many places of the Queens Realms and Dominions the people continue in ignorance and blindness all Parsons Vicars and Curates shall read in their Churches every Sunday one of the Homilies which are and shall be set forth for the same purpose by the Queens Authority in such sort as they shall be appointed to do in the Preface of the same Contempt of Ministers 28. Item Whereas many undiscreet persons do at this day uncharitably contemn and abuse Priests and Ministers of the Church because some of them having small learning have of long time favored fond fances rather then Gods truth yet forasmuch as their office and function is appointed of God the Queens Majesty willeth and chardgeth all her loving Subjects that from henceforth they shall use them charitably and reverently for their Office and Ministration sake and especially such as labor in the setting forth of Gods holy Word 29. Item Although there be no prohibition by the Word of God nor any example of the Primitive Church but that the Priests and Ministers of the Church may lawfully for the avoiding of fornication have an honest and sober Wife and that for the same purpose the same was by Act of Parliament in the time of our dear brother King Edward the sixth made lawful whereupon a great number of the clergy of this Realm were then married and so continue Yet because there hath grown offence and some slander to the Church by lack of discreet sober behaviour in many Ministers of the church both in chosing of their wives undiscreet living with them the remedy whereof is necessary to be sought It is thought therefore very necessary that no manner of Priest or Deacon shall hereafter take to his Wife any manner of Woman without the advice and allowance first had upon good examination by the Bishop of the same Diocess and two Iustices of the Peace of the same Shire dwelling next to the place where the same Woman hath made her most abode before her marriage nor without the good will of the Parents of the said Woman if she have any living or two of the next of her kinsfolks or for lack of knowledg of such of her Master or Mictris where she serveth And before she shall be contracted in any place he shall make a good and certain proof thereof to the Minister or to the Congregation assembled for that purpose which shall be upon some holy-day where divers may be present And if any shall do otherwise that then they shall not be permitted to minister either the word or the Sacraments of the Church nor shall be capable of any Ecclesiastical Benefice and for the manner of Marriages of any Bishops the same shall be allowed and approved by the Metropolitan of the Province and also by such Commissioners as the Queens Majesty thereunto shall appoint And if any Master or Dean or any Head of any Colledge shall purpose to marry the same shall not be allowed but by such to whom the Visitation of the same doth properly belong who shall in any wise provide that the same tend not to the hindrance of their house 30 Item Of Apparel of Ministers Her Majesty being desirous to have the Prelacy Clergy of this Realm to be had as well in outward reverence as otherwise regarded for the worthiness their Ministries and thinking it necessary to have them known to the people in all places and assemblies both in the Church and without and thereby to receive the honour and estimation due to the special Messengers and Ministers of Almighty God willeth and commandeth that all Archbishops and Bishops and all other that be called or admitted to Preaching or Ministery of the Sacraments or that be admitted into vocation Ecclesiastical or into any society of Learning in either of the Vniversities or elsewhere shall use and wear soch seemly habits garments and such square Caps as were most commonly and orderly received in the latter year of the Reign of King Edward the sixth not thereby meaning to attribute any holiness or special worthiness to the said garments but as St. Paul writeth omnia decenter secundum ordinem fiant 1 Cor. 14. cap. Heresies 31. Item That no man shall wilfully and obstinately defend or maintain any Heresies Errors or false Doctrine contrary to the Faith of Christ and his holy Spirit Charmers 32. Item That no persons shall use Charms Sorceries Enchantments Witchcraft Soothsaying or any such like devilish device nor shall resort at any time to the same for counsel or help Absent from Common-prayer 33. Item That no person shall neglecting their own Parish-Church resort to any other Church in time of Common-prayer or Preaching except it be by the occasion of some extraordinary Sermon in some Parish of the same Town Inholders and Ale-houses Images in houses 34. Item That no Inholders or Ale-house keepers shall use to sell meat or drink in the time of Common-prayer Preaching reading of the Homilies or Scriptures 35. Item That no persons keep in their Houses any abused Images Tables Pictures Paintings and other Monuments of feigned Miracles Pilgrimages Idolatry and Superstition Disturbers of Sermon or Service 36. Item That no man shall willingly let or disturb the Preacher in the time of his Sermon or let or discourage any Curate or Minister to sing or say the Divine Service now set forth nor mock or jeast at the Ministers of such Service Rash talkers of Scripture 37. Item That no man shall talk or reason of the holy Scriptures rashly or contentiously nor maintain any false Doctrine or Error but shall commune of the same when occasion is given reverently humbly and in the fear of God for his comfort and better understanding Attendant to the Service 38. Item That no man woman or child shall be otherwise busied in the time of the
in Reg. Edward 9. Artic. cannot put away our sins and endure the severity of Gods judgment yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit 13. Of Works before Justification WOrks done before the grace of Christ and the inspiration of this Spirit are not pleasant to God forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Iesu Christ neither do they make men meet to receive grace or as the School-Authors say deserve grace of Congruity yea rather for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done we doubt not but they have the nature of sin 14. Of Works of Supererogation VOluntary Works besides over and above Gods Commandments which they call works of Supererogation cannot be taught without arrogancy and iniquity For by them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do but that they do more for his sake than of bounden duty is required whereas Christ saith plainly When ye have done all that are commanded to you say We are unprofitable servants 15. Of Christ alone without sin CHrist in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things sin only excepted from which he was clearly void both in his flesh and in his Spirit He came to be a Lamb without spot who by sacrifice of himself once made should take away the sins of the World and sin as S. John saith was not in him But all we the rest although baptised and if born again in Christ yet offend in many things and if we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us Blasphemia in Spiritum Sanctum EST cum quis Verborum Dei manifestè perceptam veritatem ex malitia obfirmatione animi convitiis insectatur hostiliter insequitur Atque hujusmodi quia maledicto sunt obnoxii gravissimo sese astringunt scelere unde peccati hoc genus irremissibile à Domino appellatur affirmatur Artic. 16. Edward 6. 16. Of sin after Baptism NOt every deadly sin willingly committed after Baptism is sin against the holy Ghost and unpardonable Wherefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism After we have received the holy Ghost we may depart from grace given and fall into sin and by the grace of God we may arise again and amend our lives And therefore they are to be condemned which say they can no more sin as long as they live here to deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent 17. Of Predestination and Election PRedestination to life is the everlasting purpose of God whereby before the foundations of the world were laid he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation as vessels made to honour Wherefore they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God be called according to Gods purpose by his Spirit working in due season they through grace obey the calling they be justified freely they be made Sons of God by adoption they be made like the Image of his only begotten Son Iesus Christ they walk religiously in good works and at length by Gods mercy they attain to everlasting felicity As the godly consideration of Predestination and our Election in Christ is full of sweet pleasant and unspeakable comfort to godly persons and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ mortifying the works of the flesh and their earthly members and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation to be enjoyed through Christ as because it doth frequently kindle their love towards God so for curious and carnal persons lacking the Spirit of Christ to have continually before their eyes the sentence of Gods Predestination is a most dangerous downfal whereby the Devil doth thrust them either into desperation or into wretchlesness of most unclean living no less perilous than desperation Furthermore we must receive Gods promises in such wise as they be generally set forth to us in holy Scripture and in our doings that will of God is to be followed which we have expresly declared unto us in the word of God Omnes obligantur ad moralia legis praecepta servanda LEx à Deo data per Mosen licet quoad ceremonias ritus Christianos non astringat neque civilia eis praecepta in aliqua Repub. necessario recipi debeant nihilominus ab obedientia mandatorum quae moralia vocantur nullus quantumvis Christianus est solutus quare illi non sunt audiendi qui sacras literas tantum infirmis datas esse perhibent spiritum perpetuo jactant à quo sibi quae praedicant suggeri asserunt quamquam cum S. Scripturis apertissime pugnent Art Edward 6.19 18. Of obtaining eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ THey also are to be had accursed that presume to say that every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that aw and the light of nature For holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the Name of Iesus Christ whereby men must be saved 19. Of the Church THe visible Church of Christ is a Congregation of faithful men in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacramencs be duly ministred according to Christs Ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same As the Church of Jerusalem Alexandria and Antioch have erred So also the Church of Rome hath erred not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies but also in matters of faith 20. Of the Authority of the Church THe Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies authority in Controversies of Faith And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to Gods Word written neither may it so expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although the Church be a witness and a keeper of holy Writ yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation 21. Of the Authority of General Councils GEneral Councils may not be gathered together without the commandment and will of Princes And when they be gathered together forasmuch as they be an Assembly of men whereof all be not governed with the Spirit and word of God they may erre and sometime have erred even in things pertaining unto God Wherefore things ordained by them as necessary to salvation
into rebuke and the snare of the evil speaker The Gospel JEsus said to Simon Peter Simon Johanna lovest thou me more than these He said unto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee he said unto him feed my lambs He said to him again the second time Simon Johanna lovest thou me He said to him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee he said unto him Feed my sheep He said unto him the third time Simon Johanna lovest thou me Peter was sorry because he said unto him the third time lovest thou me And he said unto him Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee Iesus said unto him Feed my sheep Or else out of the tenth Chapter of John as before in the order of Priests After the Gospel and Creed ended first the elected Bishop shall be presented by two Bishops unto the Archbishop of that Province or some other Bishop appointed by his Commission the Bishops that present him saying MOst reverend Father in God we present unto you this godly and well-learned man to be Consecrated Bishop Then shall the Archbishop demand the Kings Mandate for the Consecration and cause it to be read and the Oath touching the Knowledge of the Kings Supremacy shall be ministred to the persons elected as it is set out in the order of Deacons And then shall be ministred the Oath of due obedience unto the Archbishop as followeth The Oath of due obedience to the Archbishop IN the Name of God Amen I. N. chosen Bishop of the Church or See of N. do profess and promise all due reverence and obedience to the Archbishop and to the Metropolitan Church of N. and to their Successors So help me God through Jesus Christ This Oath shall not be made at the Consecration of an Archbishop Then the Archbishop shall move the Congregation present to pray saying thus to them BRethren it is written in the Gospel of St. Luke that our Saviour Christ continued the whole night in prayer or ever that he did chuse and send forth his twelve Apostles It is written also in the Acts of the Apostles that the Disciples which were at Antioch did fast and pray or ever the laid hands upon or sent forth Paul and Barnabas Let us therefore follow the example of our Saviour Christ and his Apostles first fall to prayer or that we admit and send forth this person presented unto us to the work whereunto we trust the holy Ghost hath called him And then shall be said the Litany as afore in the order of Deacons And after this place That it may please thee illuminate all Bishops c. That it may please thee to bless this our brother elected and to send thy grace upon him that he may duly execute the office whereunto he is called to the edifying of the Church and to the honour praise and glory of thy Name Answer We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. Concluding the Letany in the end with this Prayer ALmighty God the giver of all good things which by thy holy Spirit hast appointed divers Orders and Ministers in thy Church mercifully behold this thy servant now called to the work and ministry of a Bishop and replenish him so with the truth of thy Doctrine and innocency of life that both by word and deed he may faithfully serve thee in this office to the glory of thy Name and profit of thy Congregation through the merits of our Saviour Iesus Christ who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Ghost world without end Amen Then the Archbishop sitting in a Chair shall say to him that is to be Consecrated BRother forasmuch as holy Scripture and the old Canons commandeth that we should not be hasty in laying on hands and admitting of any person to the government of the Congregation of Christ which he hath purchased with no less price than the effusion of his own blood afore I admit you to this administration whereunto you are called I will examine you in certain Articles to the end the Congregation present may have a trial and bear witness how you be minded to behave your self in the Church of God Are you perswaded that you be truly called to this ministration according to the will of our Lord Iesus Christ and the order of this Realm Answer I am so perswaded The Archbishop ARE you perswaded that the holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all Doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation through the faith in Iesus Christ And are you determined with the same holy Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your charge and to teach or maintain nothing as required of necessity to eternal salvation but that you shall be perswaded may be concluded and proved by the same Answer I am so perswaded and determined by Gods grace The Achbishop WIll you then faithfully exercise your self in the said holy Scriptures and call upon God by prayer for the true understanding of the same so as ye may be able by them to teach and exhort with wholsome Doctrine and to withstand and convince the gainsayers Answer I will so do by the help of God The Archbishop BE you ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange Doctrines contrary to Gods Word and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others to the same Answer I am ready the Lord being my helper The Archbishop WIll you deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly righteously and godly in this world that you may shew your self in all things an example of good works unto others that the adversary may be ashamed having nothing to lay against you Answer I will so do the Lord being my helper The Archbishop WIll you maintain and set forwards as much as in you lieth quietness peace and love among all men and such as be unquiet disobedient and criminous within your Diocess correct and punish according to such authority as ye have by Gods Word as to you shall be committed by the ordinance of this Realm Answer I will so do by the help of God The Archbishop WIll you shew your self gentle and be merciful for Christs sake to poor and needy people and to all strangers destitute of help Answer I will so shew my self by Gods help The Archbishop ALmighty God our heavenly Father who hath given you a good will to do all these things grant also unto you strength and power to performe the same that be accomplishing in you the good work which he hath begun ye may be found perfect and irreprehensible at the latter day through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Then shall be sung or said Come holy Ghost c. As it is set out in the order of Priests That ended the Archbishop shall say Lord hear our prayer Answer And let our cry come unto thee ¶ Let us pray ALmighty God and most merciful Father which of thine infinite goodness hast given thy only and most dear beloved Son
Iesus Christ to be our Redeemer and Author of everlasting life who after that he had made perfect our redemption by his death and was ascended into heaven poured down his gifts abundantly upon men making some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Doctors to the edifying and making perfect his Congregation grant we beseech thee to this thy servant such grace that he may evermore be ready to spread abroad thy Gospel and glad tidings of reconcilement to God and to use the authority given to him not to destroy but to save not to hurt but to help so that be as a wise and faithful servant giving to thy family meat in due season may at the last be received into joy through Iesu Christ our Lord who with thee and the holy Ghost liveth and raigneth one God world without end Amen Then the Archbishop and Bishops present shall lay their hands upon the head of the elected Bishop the Archbishop saying TAke the holy Ghost and remember that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee by imposition of hands for God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power and love and soberness Then the Archbishop shall deliver him the Bible saying GIve heed unto reading exhortation and doctrine Think upon these things contained in this book Be diligent in them that the increase coming thereby may be manifest unto all men Take heed unto thy self and unto teaching and be diligent in doing them for by doing this thou shalt save thy self and them that hear thee Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd not a wolf feed them devour them not hold up the weak heal the sick bind togeâ—her the broken bring again the outcasts seek the lost be so merciful that ye be not too remiss so minister discipline that you forget not mercy that when the Shepherd shall come you may receive the immarcescible Crown of glory through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Then the Archbishop shall proceed to the Communion with whom the new Consecrated Bishop with other shall also Communicate And for the last Collect immediately before the Benediction shall be said this Prayer MOst merciful Father we beseech thee to send upon this thy servant thy heavenly blessing and so endue him with thy holy Spirit that he preaching thy Word may not only be earnest to reprove beseech and rebuke with all patience and Doctrine but also may be to such as believe an wholsom example in word in conversation in love in faith in chastity and purity that faithfully fulfilling his course at the latter day he may receive the Crown of righteousness laid up by the Lord the righteous Iudge who liveth and reigneth one God with the Father and the holy Ghost world without end Amen AT THE HEALING THE GOSPEL Written in the XVI Chapter of St. MARK beginning at the 14. verse JESUS appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat and cast in their teeth their unbelief and hardness of heart because they believed not them which had seen that he was risen again from the dead And he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creatures He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned And these tokens shall follow them that believe In my Name they shall cast out devils they shall speak with new tongues they shall drive away serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them †Here the infirm persons are presented to the KING upon their knees and the KING layeth his hands upon them They shall lay their hand on the sick and they shall recover So when the Lord had spoken unto them he was received into Heaven and is on the right hand of God And they went forth and preached every where the Lord working with them and confirming the word with miracles following THE GOSPEL Written in the I. Chapter of St. JOHN beginning at the first verse IN the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and God was the Word The same was in the beginning with God All things were made by it and and without it was made nothing that was made In it was Life and the Life was the Light of men and the Light shined in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not There was sent from God a man whose name was JOHN The same came as a witness to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of the Light †Here they are again presented unto the KING upon their knees and the KING putteth his Gold about their necks That light was the true light which lighteth every man thâ—t cometh into the world He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not He came among his own and his own received him not But as many as received him to them gave he power to be made Sons of God even them that believed on his Name which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor yet of the will of man but of God And the same Word became Flesh and dwelt among us and we saw the Glory of it as the Glory of the only Son of the begotten Father full of grace and truth THE PRAYERS Vers Lord have mercy upon us Resp Lord have mercy upon us Vers Christ have mercy upon us Resp Christ have mercy upon us Vers Lord have mercy upon us Resp Lord have mercy upon us OVr Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heavâ—n Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Amen These Answers are to be made by them that come to be healed Vers O Lord save thy servants Resp Which put their trust in thee Vers Send help unto them from above Resp And evermore mightily defend them Vers Help us O God Our Saviour Resp And for the Glory of thy Name deliver us be merciful unto us sinnners for thy Names sake Vers O Lord hear our prayer Resp And let our cry come into thee O Almighty God who art the Giver of all health and the aid of them that seek to Thee for succour we call upon thee for thy help and goodness mercifully to be shewed unto these thy servants that they being healed of their infirmity may give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen THE grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Ghost be with us all evermore Amen A copy of thacte made for thabrogacion of certayne holy-dayes according to the transumpte late sent by the kyngs hyghnes to all biss hops with his
in God I present unto you the state of the Village of Weston and the Hamlets Itchin Wolston Ridgeway and the part of Bittern Mannor being all of the Parish of St. Maries neer Southampton in the Diocess of Winton as well in his own as in the name of the Inhabitants of the said Village Hamlets c. wherein are many Housholds and much people of all sorts who not only dwell far from the Church but are also divided from the same by the great River of Itchin where the passage is very broad and often dangerous and very many times on the dayes appointed for Common-prayer and that Service of God so tempestuous as the River cannot be passed and so the people go not over at all or if any do yet they both go and return back in great danger and sometimes not the same day Besides in the fairest weather at their return from Church they press so thick into the Boat for haste home that often it proves dangerous and ever fearful especially to women with child old impotent sickly people and to young children many times also they are forced to Baptize their children in private Houses the water not being passable and when they lie sick they are without comfort to their souls and dye without any Ghostly advice or counsel their own Minister not being able to visit them by reason of the roughness of the water and other Ministers being some miles off remote from them And thus much formerly having been presented to your Predecessor he favourably gave leave to the said Richard Smith to erect a Chappel on the East-side of the said River at the only proper Cost and Charges of him the said Richard Smith which Chappel being now finished with intent and purpose that it may be dedicated to the worship of God and that his Holy and Blessed Name might there be honoured and called upon by the said R. Smith his Family and the Inhabitants aforesaid who cannot without great danger pass over unto their Parish Church I in the name of the said Richard Smith and in the names of them all do promise hereafter to refuse and renounce to put this Chappel or any part of it to any prophane or common use whatsoever and desire it may be dedicated and consecrated wholly and only to religious uses for the Glory of God and the Salvation of our Souls In which respect he humbly beseecheth God to accept of this his sincere intent and purpose and he and they are together humble Suiters unto your Lordship as Gods Minister the Bishop and Ordinary of this Diocess in Gods stead to accept of this his Free-will offering and to decree this Chappel to be severed from all common and prophane uses and so to sever it as also by the Word of God and Prayer and other Spiritual and Religious Duties to dedicate and consecrate it to the sacred Name of God and to his Service and Worship only promising that we will ever hold it as an holy Place even as Gods House and use it accordingly and that we will from time to time and ever hereafter as need shall be see it conveniently repaired and decently furnisht in such sort as a Chappel ought to be And that we will procure us some sufficient Clerk being in the Holy Order of Priesthood by your Lordship as Ordinary of that place and by your Successors to be allowed and licens'd and unto him to yield competent Maintenance to the end that he may take upon him the Cure of the said Chappel and duly say divine Service in the same at times appointed and perform all other such offices and duties as by the Canons of that Church and the Laws of the Realm every Curate is bound to perform Post haec Episcopus CAptain Smith is this the Desire of you and your Neighbours Quo affirmato Ille In the Name of God let us begin Orditur igitur à Psalmo 24. THe earth is the Lords and all that is therein c. Alterni vero respondent uterque Sacellanus sic deinceps ad finem Psalmi dicta autem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 paulatim se promovet Episcopus ad portam Capellae atque recitut è Psalmo 122. I Was glad when they said unto me we will go into the House of the Lord. Our feet shall stand in thy Gates O Jerusalem Substitit itaque prae foribus universa multitudo intrante Episcopo Fundatore cum Sacellanis qui genua statim flectunt ubi spectari commodè audirique possint à plebe atque Episcopus infit Let us dedicate and offer up unto God this Place with the same prayer that King David did dedicate and offer up his 1 Chron. 29.10 BLessed be thou O Lord our God and the God of our Fathers for ever and ever c. usque ad finem vers 18 paucis mutatis Deinde MOst glorious God the Heaven is thy Throne and the Earth is thy Footstool what house then can be built for thee or what place is there that thou canst rest in Howbeit we are taught by thy Holy Word that thy will is not to dwell in the dark Cloud but that thy delight hath been ever with the Sons of Men so that in any place whatsoever where two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou art in the midst of them But especially in such places as are set apart and sanctified to thy Name and to the memory of it there thou hast said thou wilt vouchsafe thy gracious Presence after a more special manner and come to us and bless us Wherefore in all Ages of the world thy Servants have separated certain places from all prophane and common uses and hallowed unto thy Divine Worship and Service either by inspiration of thy blessed Spirit or by express Commandment from thine own mouth By inspiration of thy holy Spirit So didst thou put into the heart of thy holy Patriarch Jacob to erect a Stone in Bethel to be an house to thee which act of his thou didst call for and highly allow of By express Commandment from thine own mouth So did Moses make thee the Tabernacle of the Congregation in the Desart which thou didst honour by covering it with a Cloud and filling it with thy Glory And after when it came into the heart of thy Servant David to think it was in no wise fitting that himself should dwell in an house of Cedar and the Ark of God remain but in a Tabernacle thou didst testifie with thine own mouth that in that David was so minded to build a House to thy Name it was well done of him to be so minded though he built it not The material Furniture for which house though his Father plentifully prepared yet Solomon his Son built it and brought it to perfection To which House thou wert pleased visibly to send fire from Heaven to consume the Sacrifice and to fill it with the Glory of thy presence before all the people And after when for the
preached may be the savour of life unto life and as good seed take root and fructifie in the hearts of all that shall hear it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quoque GRant that by thy Holy Word which from this place shall be read the hearers may both perceive and know what things they ought to do and also may have Grace and Power to fulfil the same Sacram etiam Mensam GRant that all they that shall at any time partake at this Table the highest blessing of all thy Holy Communion may be fulfilled with thy Grace and Heavenly Benediction and may to their great and endless Comfort obtain Remission of their sins and all other Benefits of thy Passion Locum Nuptiarum GRant that such persons as shall be here joyned together in the holy estate of Matrimony by the Covenant of God may live together in holy Love unto their lives end Vniversum denique pavimentum GRant to such bodies as shall be here interred that they with us and we with them may have our perfect consummation and bliss both in body and soul in thine everlasting Kingdom Tum flexis genibus ante sacram Mensam pergit porro GRant that this place which is here dedicated to thee by our Office and Ministry may also be hallowed by the sanctifying power of thy holy Spirit and so for ever continue through thy Mercy O blessed Lord God who dost live and govern all things world without end Grant as this Chappel is separated from all other common and profane uses and dedicated to those that be sacred only so may all those be that enter into it Grant that all wandering thoughts all carnal and worldly imaginations may be far from them and all godly and spiritual cogitations may come in their place and may be daily renew'd and grow in them Grant that those thy servants that shall come into this thy holy Temple may themselves be made the Temples of the Holy Ghost eschewing all things contrary to their profession and following all such things as are agreeable to the same When they pray that their prayers may ascend up into Heaven into thy presence as the Incense and the lifting up of their hands be as the morning sacrifice purifie their hearts and grant them their hearts desire sanctifie their spirits and fulfil all their minds that what they faithfully ask they may effectually obtain the same When they offer that their Oblation and Alms may come up as a Memorial before thee and they find and feel that with such Sacrifices thou art well-pleased When they sing that their souls may be satisfied as with marrow and fatness when their mouth praiseth thee with joyful lips When they hear that they hear not as the word of man but as indeed it is the Word of God and not be idle Hearers but Doers of the same Populus interea tacitè ingressus in imis substitit dum haec in Cancellis agerentur quibus finitis sedes quisque suas jussi capessunt atque ad solennem Liturgiam Sacellani se parant Alter Sacellanorum coram sacra mensa venerans sic incipit IF we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth c. Confessionem Absolutionem Dominic 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 recitant c. Psalmos canunt pro tempore accommodos Ps 84.122 132. alternis respondente populo quibus facultas erat libri Lectio prima definitur ex 28 Gen. à ver primo ad finem Hymn Te Deum c. Lectio secunda ex secundo capite S. Joh. à versu 13. ad finem Hymn Psal 100. I Believe in God c. Et post usitatas Collectas hanc specialem addidit Episcopus O Lord God mighty and glorious and of incomprehensible Majesty thou fillest Heaven and Earth with the Glory of thy presence and canst not be contained within any the largest compass much less within the narrow walls of this Room yet forasmuch as thou hast been pleased to command in thy holy Law that we should put the Remembrance of thy Name upon places and in every such place thou wilt come to us and bless us we are here now assembled to put thy Name upon this place and the Memorial of it to make it thy house to devote and dedicate it for ever unto thee utterly separating it from all worldly uses and wholly and only consecrate it to the invocation of thy glorious Name wherein supplications and intercessions may be made for all men thy sacred Word may be read preached and heard the Holy Sacraments the Laver of Regeneration and the Commemoration of the precious death of thy dear Son may be administred thy Praise celebrated and sounded forth thy people blessed by putting thy Name upon them we poor and miserable creatures as we are be altogether unfit and utterly unworthy to appoint any earthly thing to so great a God And I the least of all thy servants no ways meet to appear before thee in so honourable a service yet being thou hast oft heretofore been pleased to accept such poor offerings from sinful men most humbly we beseech thee forgiving our manifold sins and making us worthy by counting us so to vouchsafe to be present here among us in this religious action and what we sincerely offer graciously to accept at our hands to receive the prayers of us and all others who either now or hereafter entring into this place by us hallowed shall call upon thee And give us all grace when we shall come into the house of God we may look to our feet knowing that the place we stand on is holy ground bringing hither clean thoughts and undefiled bodies that we may wash both our hearts and hands in innocency and so compass thine Altar Jam alter Sacellanus denuo exiens venerans ante sacram Mensam incipit Litaniam in fine cujus recitavit hoc ipse Episcopus O Lord God who dwellest not in Temples made with hands as saith the Prophet yet hast ever vouchsafed to accept the devout endeavours of thy poor servants allotting special places for thy Divine Worship promising even there to here and grant their requests I humbly beseech thee to accept of this days duty and service of dedicating this Chappel to thy great and glorious Name Fulfill O Lord I pray thee thy gracious promises that whatsoever prayer in this sacred place shall be made according to thy will may be accepted by thy gracious favour and returned with their desir'd success to thy glory and our Comfort Amen Post benedictionem populi cantatur Psalm 132. conscenditque suggestum M. Robinson Theol. Bac. Fundatoris summo rogatu Episcopus hoc ei tandem concessit geminas sorores ille atque Fundator in uxores duxerant sed utraque defuncta jam tertiis gaudebat thalamis Concionator Thema ejus desumptum è 28. Cap. Gen. vers 16 17. inter caetera doctè egit de omnipraesentia Divina ubivis Locorum tum speciatim pro beneplacito suo
Porta clauditur Prior Sacellanus pergit legendo sententias illas hortatorias ad Eleemosynas interea dum alter Sacellanus singulos Communicaturos adit atque in patinam argenteam oblationes colligit Collecta est summa 4. l. 12 s. 2. d. quam Dominus Episcopus convertandam in Calicem huic Capellae donandum decernit Caeteris rebus ordine gestis demum Episcopus sacram Mensam redit Sacellanis utrisque ad aliquantulum recedentibus lotisque manibus pane fracto vino in Calicem effuso aqua admista stans ait ALmighty God our Heavenly Father c. Eucharistiam ipse primo loco accipit sub utraque specie proximo loco tradit Fundatori quem jam coram sacra Mensa in genua supplicem collocarant dein utrique Sacellano Ad caeteros vero pergentem Episcopum atque panem iis tradentem prior Sacellanus subsequitur Calicem ordine porrigit Cum vinum quod prius effuderat non sufficeret Episcopus de novo in Calicem ex poculo quod in sacra Mensa stabat effundit admistaque aqua recitat clare verba illa consecratoria Finita tandem exhibitione Dominus Episcopus ad Sacrae Mensae Septentrionem in genibus recitante quoque populo ait OUr Father c. O Lord our Heavenly Father c. GLory be to God on high c. Concludit denique cum hac precatione BLessed be thy name O Lord that it hath pleased thee to put into the heart of this thy servant to erect an house to thy worship and service by whose Pains Care and Cost this work was begun and finished Bless O Lord his substance and accept the work of his hands Remember him O our God concerning this wipe not out this kindness of his that he hath shewed for the house of his God and the offices thereof and make them truly thankful to thee that shall injoy the benefit thereof and the ease of it and what is by him well intended make them rightly to use it which will be the best fruit and to God most acceptable Post haec vota populum stans dimitit cum Benedictione hac THe peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and Minds in the Knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and the Blessing of God Almighty the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost be amongst you and remain with you always Amen Consecratio COEMETERII STatim à prandio quod in aedibus suis vicinis Fundator Capellae satis lante appararat Domino Episcopo atque convenarum magnae frequentiae ad rem divinam reversis alter Sacellanorum praeit OUr Father c. Post Responsas Psalmus 90. recitatur alternis Post Psalmum Episcopus cum universa multitudine egreditur Capella atque ad Orientalem Coemeterii partem stans denuo sciscitatur Captain Smith for what have you called us hither again Ille schedulam ut prius humillime porrigit quam praefatus à Registris recitat in haec verba IN the name of Richard Smith of Peer-tree in the County of Southampton Esquire R. Reverend Father in God I present unto you the state of the Village of Weston c. ut prius usque ad the River cannot be passed whereby it often cometh to pass that they have been constrained to bury their dead in the open fields the water not being passable or if they durst venture over yet the dead body was followed with so little Company as was no way seemly And thus much formerly having been presented to your Predecessor the R.R.F. in God James late Bishop of Winton and Petition to him made to give and to grant leave unto the said Richard Smith to enclose a piece of ground for a Burial-place on the east side of the said River he favorably gave licence and granted power unto the said Richard Smith so to do as may appear by an instrument under his Episcopal Seal bearing date the 23 of February in the year of our Lord God according to the Computation of the Church of England 1617. Which place of Burial being now enclosed with a decent Rail of Timber at the only proper cost and charges of him the said Richard Smith with intent and purpose that it might be dedicated and consecrated only and wholly for Christian burial for him the said Richard Smith and his Family and the said inhabitants and none other In which respect I beseech God to accept of this sincere intent and purpose and both he and they are together humble Suiters to your Lordship as Gods Minister the Bishop and Ordinary of this Diocess in Gods stead to accept this his free-will offering and to decree this ground severed from all former common and profane uses and to sever it as by the Word of God and prayer and other special Religious duties to dedicate and consecrate it to be a Coemeterie or place of christian burial as aforesaid wherein their bodies may be laid up until the day of general Resurrection promising that they will ever so hold it for holy ground and use it accordingly applying it to no other use but that only and that they will from time to time and ever hereafter as need shall be see it conveniently repaired and fenced in such sort as a Coemetery or Burying-place ought to be Hoc ipsum vero ab Episcopo paucis interrogatis viva voce confirmant Fundator qui è vicinia Lectio prima desumitur è 23. Gen. Secunda Lectio destinabatur è prima Epist ad Cor. cap. 15. à vers 15. ad finem propter angustias temporis omissa Tum Dominus Episcopus in genua ibi submissus precatur O Lord God thou hast been pleased to teach us in thy holy Word as to put a difference between the soul of a Beast and the spirit of a Man for the soul of a Beast goes down to the earth from whence it came and the spirit of a Man returneth unto God that gave it so to make diverse accompts of the Bodies of Mankind and the Bodies of other living creatures in so much as the Body of Adam was resolved on and afterwards the workmanship of thine own hands and endued with a soul from thine own breath But much more since the second Adam thy blessed Son by taking upon him our nature exalted this flesh of ours to be flesh of his flesh whose flesh thou sufferedst not to see Corruption so that the Body returns to the earth and the soul to him that gave it It shall from thence return again it is but a rest and a rest in hope as saith the Psalmist for it is a righteous thing with God that the Body which was partaker with the soul both in doing and suffering should be raised again from the Earth to be partaker also with the soul of the reward or punishment which God in Mercy or Justice shall reward not to one of them alone but joyntly to them both There being then so
Elect from all the Ends of the Earth and especially those who by a mystical union are flesh of thy flesh and in whose hearts thou hast dwelt by Faith we humbly beseech thee for them whose bodies shall in this place be gathered to their Fathers that they may rest in this hope of Resurection to eternal life through thee O blessed Lord God who shalt change their vile bodies that they may be like thy Glorious body according to the mighty working whereby thou art able to bring all things even death and all into subjection to thy self Holy and blessed Spirit the Lord and giver of life whose Temples the bodies of thy Servants are by thy sanctiying Grace dwelling in them we verily trust that their bodis that have been thy Temples and those hearts in which Christ hath dwelt by Faith shall not ever dwell in corruption but that as by thy sending forth thy Breath at first we received our Being Motion and Life in the beginning of the Creation so at the last by the same Spirit sending forth the same breath in the end of the Consummation Life Being and Moving shall be restored us again so that after our dissolution as thou didst shew thy holy Prophet the dry Bones shall come together again Bone to his Bone and Sinews and Flesh shall come upon them and thou shalt cause thy Breath to enter into them and we shall live and this Corruption shall put on Incorruption and this Mortal shall put on Immortality God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost accept sanctifie and bless this place to that end whereunto according to thine own Ordinance we have ordained it even to bestow the Bodies of thy Servants in till the number of thine Elect being accomplished they with us and we with them and with all other departed in the Faith of thy Holy Name shall have our consummation and Bliss both in body and Soul in thy eternal and everlasting glory Blessed Saviour that didst for this end die and rise again that thou mightest be Lord both of the Living and the Dead whether we live or die thou art our Lord and we are thine living or dying we commend our selves unto thee have mercy upon us and keep us thine for evermore Reintrantes igitur Capellam cantant priorem partem Psal 16. Conscendit Suggestum Magister Mathaeus Wren Thema ei posterior pars vers 17. cap. 2. S. Joan. Zelus domus tuae c. Agit de affectibus in Christo Zelo inter caeteros nec illo falso sed pro Deo nec caeco sed secundum scientiam pro Domo pro Cultu Dei de praesentia Dei praecipue in Templis magno non Morum solummodo nostrorum sed Spei quoque Fidei incremento fulcimentoque Deum Locorum distinctione gaudere confirmat tum exemplo mirifico Jacobi tantopere distinguentis Bethel tum maximo omnium miraculo quo Christus Mercatores e Templo ejecit Enarratis Christi per hoc factum devotionibus concludit in debitam à nobis Templorum reverentiam atque istius Fundatoris Encomium meritissimum Cantatur pars reliqua Vespertinae precationes incipiendo jam à Symbolo Apostolico secundum communem Ecclesiae formulam siniuntur FINIS THE TABLE OF THE Principal Matters A. ALmes incouraged to be given Page 9 74 Articles to be Inquired of in Visitations in 2 E. 6. by Archbishop Cranmer Page 25 to 33 Articles to be Inquired of in the Visitation of London by Bishop Ridley 4 E. 6. Page 33 to 39 Articles of Faith agreed in the Convocation 1552 and 1562. Page 39 88 Ale-houses not to be haunted by Ecclesiastical Persons Page 69 177 Almes how to be distributed Page 75 Ale-house-keepers c. not to sell Drink or Victuals in Service time Page 78 An Admonition to simple Men deceived by malicious Page 83 Archbishops or Bishops the forme of their Consecration Page 159 Articles to be Inquired of in the Visitation the First year of Queen Elizabeth Page 175 Articles for Doctrine and Preaching Page 123 Articles for Administration of Prayer and Sacraments Page 124 Articles for Orders in Ecclesiastical Policy Page 125 Articles for outward Apparel of persons Ecclesiastical Page 126 127 Articles of Enquiry one Book thereof to be used at all Parochial Visitations Page 364 Administration of Sacraments Page 121 B. BIble with the Paraphrase of Erasmus upon the Gospels to be provided in all Churches and by the Parson Page 3 6 68 Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost Page 44 Of Baptisme Page 49 101 Book of the Ceremonies and Prayers of the Church of England Page 51 Books to be Licensed and by whom before they be Printed Page 81 Bishops and Ministers their Consecration Page 135 C. CHildren not to be brought up idly Page 2 3 171 Contentious persons forbidden the Sacrament Page 8 74 Ceremonies to be observed but superstitious ones abrogated Page 8 74 Chantery Priests to teach youth to Read and Write Page 10 Common Prayer the form of bidding thereof Page 10 Communion order thereof and Celebration of the same Page 13 17 18 to 25 Creeds three Page 42 93 Christ alone without Sin Page 44 96 Commandments Moral of the Laws to be kept Page 46 Of the Church and Authority thereof Page 46 98 Councels General their Authority Page 47 99 The Chest of the Poor Page 74 Charmes forbidden Page 78 180 Catechisms to be taught Page 79 Cup in the Sacrament not to be denyed to the Laity Page 102 Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical made Anno 1640 16 Car. 1. Page 335 Confirmation thereof Page 337 Conformity of Preaching for it Page 364 Concerning the Conversation of the Clergy Page 365 Chancellors Patents Page 366 Chancellors alone not to censure any of the Clergy in sundry cases Page 367 Concerning Commutations Page 368 Against vexatious Citations Page 371 D. DEscent of Christ into Hell Page 41 91 Disputations about Religion tending to contention forbiddden Page 80 81 Deacons the Form and manner of ordering them Page 135 Disorders Reformed in the Ministers of the Church Page 118 E. ECclesiastical persons not to spend their time idly Page 4 Epistle and Gospel to be read in English Page 6 Excommunicate persons to be avoyded Page 50 103 Excommunication and Absolution not to be pronounced but by a Priest Page 368 F. FAsting days to be observed Page 6 Of Faith in the Holy Trinity Page 41 91 Of free-will Page 43 94 The Form of bidding the Prayers to be used generally Page 85 False Miracles c. to be inquired Page 177 G. OF Grace Page 43 Goods of Christian Men not common Page 51 106 Grammar of H. 8. to be taught and none other Page 79 H. HOlydays to be kept yet they may in Harvest be laboured in Page 7 73 Homilies to be read for lack of Preachers Page 9 50 76 Hereticks called Millenarii Page 52 Heresie not to be maintained Page 78 179 Of the Holy Ghost Page 92 Of Homilies and their Names Page