before he begins to pray prepareth the bearts of the people with this Preface saying Lift up your hearts and when they reply We lift them up unto the Lord they are thereby admonished to think of nothing but God Let us give thanks unto the Lord. These Verses are but Tables annext to the other of sursum corda and have reference to them Quis gratias agit Deo nisi qui sursum habet corda ad Dominum Who doth give thanks to God but he who hath his heart lift up unto the Lord with Augustine and elsewhere more fully De hoc tanto bono levati cordis non nobis gloriam quasi nostraurm virium tribuimus hoc enim continuo admonemur quia hoc dignum hoc justum est For this so great benefit of our hearts lifted up we ascribe not glory to our selves as proceeding from our own natural power For we are presently admonished It is meet and right so to do Much it is for the honor of this Preface that whereas the East and West in other parcels differed very much yet in this they both agreed as is to be seen in all the Liturgies extant of those ancient times whereof having given you instance for the Latine I shall for brevity sake onely for the Greek produce the Apostolical Constitutions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Bishop Lift up your hearts The People We lift them up unto the Lord The Bishop Let us give thanks unto the Lord The People It is meet and right The Bishop True it is very meet and right to praise thee the true God c. Proper Prefaces In the Church of Rome there were ten proper Prefaces which our Reformers desirous to contract the Office into more ease reduced to five Proper to days of more eminent remark Holy holy holy c. This Hymn was anciently called Trisagium because it consisted of three Holies I finde in antiquity two forms of Hymns under this name One thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holy God holy Mighty holy Immortal have mercy on us This is that Hymn mentioned in the Trullan Councel as the frame 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the ancient Fathers which Balsomon interpreteth to be the Fathers of the Councel of Chalcedon Extant it is in the Liturgy ascribed to Saint Basil but not in that of St. Chrysostom and therefore either that Liturgy must not be St. Chrysostoms who I conceive may best pretend to it or else this Hymn was not used in the Constantinopolitan Church until Proclus his time who upon the event of a Miracle had advice from Heaven to order the singing of it in his Church if there be any faith in those Historians who deliver it for truth The other form of Trisagium is this retained by our Church expresly and almost to a syllable agreeing with that in the Gregorian Service in Saint Chrysostoms Liturgy and before them in the Constitutions The composition is most excellent wherein the Celestial Quire are drawn into consort with the Church joyning as a Chorus in the words of the People magnifying his humanity saying Glory be to thee O Lord most high or rather as in the Original Hosanna to the Son of David Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the Highest for so it is in the Latine Translation set forth 2º Eliz. Osanna in excelsis Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini Osanna in excelsis Saying Take eat this is my Body The recital of these words pass in the common vogue for a Consecration were I Romishly inclin'd I should rather impute unto them the power of Transubstantiation for that a bare Narrative can be qualified to consecrate is certainly new Divinity unknown to Scripture and Antiquity interpreting it Therefore I must adhere in judgement to those learned men who derive Consecration from the word of God and Prayer the very way by which our Saviour himself sanctified those Elements in his first institution Matth. 26. 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 calling upon God for his blessing and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 giving thanks in which action it must be supposed that Christ had more then a general design of saying Grace as we phrase it for those elements as Creatures ordained for common nutriment viz. An intention of invocating Gods blessing upon them in reference to those ends for which he meant by his institution to separate and depute them And though the Primitive Fathers in the Act of Consecration did usually joyn the Narrative of Christs Institution with the words of Blessing and Thanksgiving thereby as it were shewing their commission yet were they far from imagining that the Elements were sanctified any other way then by Prayer if they must be thought as sure none will question it to mean as they said Justin Martyr is express 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Those viands by which our flesh and blood are nourished being blessed by the Prayer and Thanksgiving of the Priest we are taught became thereby the body and blood of Christ who was Incarnate Cyprian Panis ille super substantialis calix benedictione solemni consecratus i. e. That supersubstantial Bread and Wine consecrated by solemn benediction Nyssen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The Eucharist is sanctified by the word of God and Prayer Cyril 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Invocation being made the Bread becomes the Body of Christ Hierome Quid patitur mensarum Minister ut supracosse tumidus efferat ad quorum preces Christicorpus sanguisque conficitur i. e. What aileth this Table-Servant and Deacon that he carryeth himself so loftily above those with whose Prayers the body and blood of Christ is effected in the Eucharist His Convert St. Austin Benedictus sanctisicatur illud quod est in Dominimensa Oratione i. e. The Symbols lying on the holy Table are blessed and sanctified by Prayer Nor do ◠finde in all Antiquity any one genuine piece of a different sence onely St. Ambrose in his de Sacramentis if it be his seemeth to vary Antequam consecretur panis est ubi autem verba Christi accesserint corpus est Christi before consecration it is meer bread but when once Christs words of institution are recited it becomes the body of Christ. Which yet is not directly opposite to what I have delivered before especially taking Ambrose intire for he begins his Chapter thus visscire quia verbis celestibus consecratur Accipe nunc quaesunt verbae Dicit Sacerdos Faec nobis hanc oblationem ascriptam rationabilem acceptabilem quod est figura corporis sanguinis Domini nostri Jesu Christi qui pridie quam pateretur c. i. e. But will you know that the Elements are Consecrated with heavenly words hear the words themselves The Priest saith Make this sacrifice which is the figure of the body and blood of Christ imputable reasonable acceptable for us who the night before he suffered
sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propiciation for our sins After which the Minister shall proceed saying Lift up your hearts Answer We life them up unto the Lord. Minister Let us give thanks unto our Lord God Answer It is meet and right so to do Minister It is very meet right and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee O Lord holy father almighty everlasting God Here shall follow the proper preface according to the time if there be any specially appointed Or else immediately shall follow Therefore with angels c. Proper Prefaces Upon Christmas day and seven dayes after BEcause thou didest give Jesus Christ thine onely son to be born as this day for us who by the operation of the holy Ghost was made very man of the substance of virgin Mary his mother and that without spot of sin to make us clean from all sin Therefore with c. Upon Easter day and seven dayes after BUt thiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious resurrection of thy son Jesus Christ our Lord for he is the very Pascal Lamb which was offered for us and hath taken away the sin of the world who by his death hath destroyed death and by his rising to life again hath restored to us everlasting life Therefore with c. Upon the Ascention day and seven dayes after THrough thy most dearly beloved son Jesus Christ our Lord who after his most glorious resurrection manifestly appeared to all his Apostles and in their sight ascended up into heaven to prepare a place for us that where he is thither might we also ascend and reign with him in glory Therefore with angels c. Upon Whitsunday and six dayes after THrough Jesus Christ our Lord according to whose most true promise the holy ghost came down this day from heaven with a sodain great sound as it had been a mighty winde in the likenesse of fiery tongues lighting upon the apostles to teach them and to lead them to all truth giving them both the gift of divers languages and also boldnesse with servent zeal constantly to preach the Gospell unto all nations whereby we are brought out of darknesse and errour into clear light and true knowledge of thee and of thy son Jesus Christ. Therefore with c. Upon the Feast of Trinity onely IT is very meet right and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to thee O Lord almighty and everlasting God which art one God one Lord not one onely person but three persons in one substance For that which we beleeve of the glory of the father the same we beleeve of the son and of the holy Ghost without any difference or inequality Therefore with c. After which prefaces shall follow immediately THerefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laude and magnifie thy glorious name evermore praysing thee and saying Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts Heaven and earth are full of thy glory glory be to thee O Lord most high Then shall the Minister 1 B. of Edw. 6. turning himself to Gods boord kneel down and kneeling down at Gods boord say in the name of all them that shall receive the Communion this Scot. Lit. Collect of humble accesse to the holy Communion as followeth prayer following WE do not presume to come to this thy table O merciful Lord trusting in our own righteousnesse but in thy manifold and great mercies We be not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbes under thy table But thou art the same Lord whose property is alwayes to have mercy Grant us therefore gratious Lord so to eat the flesh of thy dear son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood that our sinfull bodies may be made clean by his body and our souls washed through his most precious blood and that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us Amen Common Prayer Scot. Lit. Then the Minister standing up shall say as followeth Then the Presbyter standing up shall say the prayer of consecration as followeth but then during the time of Consecration he shall stand at such a part of the holy Table where he may with the more ease and decency use both his hands ALmighty God our heavenly Father which of thy tender mercy didst give thine onely son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the crosse for our Redemption who made there by his one oblation of himself once offered a full perfect and sufficient sacrifice oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world and did institute and in his holy Gospel commandus to continue a perpetual memory of that his precious death until his coming again Hear us O merciful Father we beseech thee Scot. Lit. 1 B. of Edw. 6. And of thy almighty goodnesse vouchsafe so to blesse and sanctifie with thy word and holy Spirit these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine that they may be unto us the body and blood of thy most dearly beloved Son so that we receiving them according c. And with thy holy spirit and word vouchsafe to blesse and sanctifie these thy creatures and gifts of bread and wine that they may be unto us the body and blood of thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ who in the same night that he was c. And grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine according to thy son our Saviour Jesus Christs holy institution in remembrance of his death and passion may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood who in the same night that he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying K Take eat this is my body which is given for you do this in remembrance of me Likewise after supper he took the Cup and when he had given thanks he gave it to them saying Drink ye all of this for this is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for you and for many for remission of sinnes do this as â—â—t as you shall drink it in remembrance of me Scot. Lit. 1 B. of Edw. 6. At these words took bread that Presbyter that officiates is to take the patten in his hand Here the Priest must take the bread into his hands At these words took the cup he is to take the chalice in his hand and lay his hand upon so much be it in the chalice or slaggon as he intends to consecrate Here the Priest shall take the cup into his hands Scot. Lit. 1 B. of Edw. 6. Immediately after shall be said this memorial or Prayer of Oblation as followeth These words before rehearsed are to be said turning still to the Altar without any elevation or shewing the Sacrament to the people Wherefore O Lord and heavenly Father according to the institution of
to allay the heat of the wine with water and partly because that when our Saviours side was pierced with the lance there issued out both water and blood John 19. 34. Draw neer This exhortation with the former should regularly be said before the people ascend into the Chancel for the first I have the suffrage of a very learned Bishop concurring in opinion with me and for the latter these very words Draw neer seem to imply as much which would sound very superfluous and idle where the Communicants already ascended Therefore Bishop Andrews hath affixt this marginal note forte non est opus his verbis quia jam accesserunt Perhaps these words might be better spared because they are already come Again the Rubrick before this invitation confirms this opinion enjoyning it to be said to them that come not to those that are already come to receive the holy communion Now to enquire into the practise of Antiquity First you must know that the laity the people were not permitted so much as to enter the Chancel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is onely lawful for the Clergy to enter the Chancel and there to communicate So also another Canon of another Councel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let no lay man be permitted to come within the Quire but this is with an exception of honour to the Emperour who had a dispensation to enter this holy place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when he had a minde to present his oblations to his Creator I do not think that this is the first Councel which past this Grace to the Emperour because Nazianzen before cited in the last chapter gives so clear an account of the matter of fact I shall not over-charge you with too many proofs in so known a custome which needs no further demonstration then that familiar phrase of Laique Communion so frequent in St Cyprian and the African Fathers which denoted the deposing of a Clergy-man and compelling him to Commuincate amongst the people in a place distinct from the Clergy whence first this distinction grew Bishop Jewel gives this reason That they might not be disturbed in the office of their Ministry I may assigne another because at that time the quire was not susceptible of both states for without dispute the Clergy were then surpassing numerous so as Nazianzen speaks complainingly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were very neer as many as the flock under their cure In the Church of Constantinople there were by imperial determination 60. Priests 100. Deacons 110. Readers and 25. singers The people being thus shut out of the Quire some place they must of necessity be allotted to which the phrase draw neer for it was of ancient usage must have respect this was the Chancel door or entrance into it for the Clergy having communicated the Superiour orders within the Rails at the Communion Table the inferiour within the body of the Quire the priest went down to the Chancel door opened both leaves which before were keept shut upon which occasion St. Chrysostom hath this excellent advertisment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when thou beholdest the two doors of the Cancollum or travers doors opened think with thy self thou then beholdest heaven it self displayed and the Angels descending from above there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a loud voice and thundring noise like a Cryer lifting his hand on high mounted up visible to all men these he inviteth to participate those he driveth away The form of invitation if we may credit the Liturgy which beareth St. Chrysostomes name was this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the fear of God with faith draw neer and the very same is in the Liturgy ascribed to James Certain it is the Priest did not run ambling with the Elements up and down from man to man but that the Communicants came to him and this is further manifest by the constitutions called Apostolical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let every order by it self in course participate of the body of the Lord and of his precious blood with all fear and reverence as approaching to the presence of a king Then shall this general Confession be made The Church very aptly disposeth Confession at the beginning of the Communion service for considering that solemn Pennance of so laudable practise in the Primitive Church is laid aside and the necessity of Auricular confession worthily abolisht reason good some account should be given to the Church and in the Church of our humble acknowledgement of our sins and hearty contrition for them as preparatives necessary to the ensuing duty During the whole time of the Priest his officiating at the Communion setting aside in the very instant of his receiving you finde him but twice upon his knees whereof this is the first at all other times and parts of the service he is ordered to stand and so was the practise of the Primitive Church So the Constitutions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Bishop in a white and shining vestment and standing at the Altar praying So Augustine very often especially where he expostulateth Quis audivit aliquando fidelium stantem Sacerdotem ad Altare dicere in precibus Offero tibi sacrificium Petre vel Paule c. What one of all the faithful ever heard the Priest standing at the Altar say in his prayers I offer sacrifice to thee Peter or thee Paul This posture was taken up by the Christian Church in imitation of the Temple-service where the legal sacrifices were offered by the Priest standing Now the correspondence bewixt the legal and our Evangelical sacrifice being such as is betwixt the substance and the shadow why should we not agree in the Posture also for the Priest performing the Agenda of this office is imployed in several oblations First to offer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the incense of prayers and prayses those of the Congregation Secondly the oblation of our Almes Thirdly the oblation of our selves souls and bodies Lastly the grand sacrifice of all the Lamb of God slain for us and his death represented in the blessed symbols But why then doth he not stand at this prayer also I answer because it is not part of the former oblations but an◠humble confession of his own and the Congregations transgressions Lift up your hearts Of the excellent designe and antiquity of this Preface with its responsory St. Cyprian gives undeniable evidence Quando stamus ad Orationem cogitatio omnis carnalis secularis abscedat nec quicquam tunc animus quam idsolum quod cogitat precatur Ideo Sacerdos ante orationem Praefatione praemissa parat fratrum animos dicendo sursum corda dum responde◠plebs habemus ad Dominum admoneatur nihil se quam Dominum cogitare When we are imployed in prayer all carnal and worldly thoughts should be banisht nor must we minde any thing but what we are about our Prayers and therefore the Priest
c. reciting Christs action at the institution from the Evangelists where the narrative of the institution being continued with the prayer of the Priest the consecration may seem to be compleated by those words though in truth the prayer it was that operated the main and without it the words could have effected nothing and this is the reason why both in the now Canon of the masse and the ancient Liturgies there is alwayes affixt a prayer of Benediction that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mentioned before whose formes I shall here exhibit in reference to my former promise In the Romish Canon thus ut haec oblatio nobis corpus et sanguis fiat dilectissimi filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi that this oblation may become to us the body and blood of thy most beloved son our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Liturgy of St Basil God is invocated that he would send his holy spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon the gifts there present that he would blesse and sanctifie them That of St. Chrysostome more full 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Blesse O Lord this holy bread make it the precious body of thy Christ. Elder then these the Clementine Constitutions Having premised the words of institution a mode observed by all Greek Liturgies herein differing from the Latine he adds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. we beseecb thee that thou wouldest graciously behold these oblations presented before thee thou God that wantest nothing and send down thy holy spirit upon this sacrifice being the commemoration of the Passions of our Lord Jesus to exhibit this bread as the body and this cup as the blood of thy Christ. Now it were I say vain to prefix with the Latines or to affix with the Greeks such an Invocation if the bare affirmative words of our Saviour his institution were consecration all sufficient By the marginal Ascription of the 1 B. of Edw. 6. we may observe from whence the custome is derived for the Minister to take the Elements into his hands upon his pronouncing of the words of institution I humbly offer it to better Judgements whither that direction being expunged by our second Reformers it would not be a safe and as proper a course to begin that action at these words Grant that we receiving these thy creatures c. and to continue the rite until the words of Institution be past For as I said before the words Invocation of Gods blessing joyntly with those of Christs Institution constitute the Consecration Now if the blessing of the symbols be as it is an essential part of Consecration then reason good that with the words whereby it is accommodated and applied the ceremony proper to it that I mean of imposing of hands should be used also neverthelesse I see not how the either precept or use thereof as Bucer suspected can at all officiat to the errour of Transubstantiation considering that the direction referreth not to the words of Institution which the Papists make the great operators in the conversion but to the words took bread and took the cup as is rightly noted in the Scotch Liturgy where the same direction is revived As to the words of Institution I must here note against all who pretend our service is taken out of the Masse-Book that the Church of Rome hath halved them as well as the Communion it self For whereas our Church agreeable to the general manner of all other Liturgies indeed agreeable to St. Paul and his associate St. Luke who supplied what St. Matthew and St. Mark had omitted after these words This is my body continueth which is given for you the Cannon of the Masse chops off the words Quod pro vobis traditur contenting it self with Hoc est corpus meum Though all our Liturgies stand silent in it yet may I not omit what here by the way doth offer it self as observable viz. That at the close of the Eucharistical prayer the ancient manner was for the people to contribute their Amen which the Annotator Mr. Thorndick and some other learned men conceive to be the minde of St. Paul 1 Cor. 14. 16. How shall he that occupieth the roome of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks applying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Consecrating prayer which included Thanksgiving fitly and concinn enough and the practise of the Primitive Fathers gives the same interpretation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Just in Martyr Bread and wine is brought forth and the President with all intention of spirit powreth forth prayers and thanksgivings and all the people acclaim Amen here is evidence clear enough to serve my turn if my translating 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with all intention of Spirit gives check to so many of Smectymnuus as yet survive who will have it according to his ability and thereby advance extempore prayer I must tell them their own Beza renders the phrase quanta potest contentione I must tell them that the words in their native and proper energy can signifie nothing else witnesse Gregory Nazianzen who understood them better then they or I. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Come Let us with all intention of Spirit chant that triumphant ode which sometime the Israelites sung upon the overthrow of the Aegyptians in the red sea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being limited precisely to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 utterly shuts out all arbitrary conceptions To pursue my former purpose one who was baptised by haereticks became somewhat afflicted in his conscience suspecting his baptisme for illegitemate there upon he resorts to Dionisius Alexandrinus desiring that he might be rebaptized Dionisius replied no and assigned this reason for it he might not rebaptise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 One who had been present at the Mystical Thanksgiving and had with the Congregation joyned his Amen The same fashion is extant in all the Greek Liturgies that of the Clementine Constitutions excepted For the Latine Church let St Ambrose speak Ante Consecrationem aliud dicitur post Consecrationem sanguis nuncupatur tudicis Amen Before the Consecration wherewith thanksgiving was joyned it is called somen hat else but after Consecration it is stiled the blood of Christ and thou sayest Amen Having in remembrance his blessed passion This blessed Sacrament is Commemoratio Dominicae passionis a Commemoration of our Saviours passion So was his expresse command when he first instituted this holy Rite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do this in remembrance of me which words import somewhat more then a calling of his passion to our minde a meditating and thinking upon it when we are conversant about that Sacred action as is vulgarly apprehended Sure I am the Primitive Church stretched it further and held her self obliged thereby not onely to a mental but a vocal commemoration therefore witnesse hir Liturgical formulas constantly running after one tenor importing as much 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Making Commemoration of what he suffered for us we give thee thanks
partakers of this holy Communion And as the son of God did vouchsafe to yeeld up his soul by death upon the crosse for your health even so it is your duty to receive the Communion together in the remembrance of his death as be himself commanded Now if you will in no wise thus do consider with your selves how great injury you do unto God and how sore punishment hangeth over your heads for the same And whereas you offended God so sore in refusing this holy banquet I admonish exhort and beseech you that unto this unkindnesse ye will not adde any more Which thing ye shall do if ye stand by as gazers and lookers on them that do communicate and be no partakers of the same your selves For what thing can this be accounted els then a further contempt and unkindnesse unto God Truely it is a great unthankfulnesse to say nay when ye be called but the fault is much greater when men stand by and yet will neither eat nor drink this holy Communion with other I pray you what can this be else but even to have the misteries of Christ in derision It is said unto all Take ye and eat take and drink ye all of this Do this in remembrance of me With what face then or with what countenance shall ye hear these words what will this be else but a neglecting a despising and mocking of the Testament of Christ Wherefore rather then ye should so do depart you hence and give place to them that be godly disposed But when you depart I beseech you ponder with your selves from whom you depart Ye depart from the Lords table ye depart from your brethren and from the banquet of most heavenly food These things if ye earnestly consider ye shall by Gods grace return to a better minde for the obtaining whereof we shall make our humble petitions while we shall receive the holy Communion Common Prayer 1. B. of Edw. 6. And sometime shall be said this also at the discretion of the Curate And if upon the Sunday or holyday the people be negligent to come to the Communion Then shall the Priest earnestly exhort his Parishoners to dispose themselves to the receiving of the holy Communion more diligently saying these or the like words DEarly beloved for as much as our duty is to render to Almighty God our heavenly Father most hearty thanks for that he hath given his Son our Saviour Jesus Christ not onely to die for us but also to be out spiritual food and sustenance as it is declared unto us as well by Gods word as by the holy Sacraments of his blessed body and blood the which being so comfortable a thing to them which receive it worthily c. Dear friends and you especially upon whose souls I have cure and charge on next I do iâ—tâ—nd by Gods grace to offer to all such as shall be godly disposed the most comfortable sacrament of the body and blood of Christ to be taken of them in remembrance of his most fruitful and glorious passion by the which Passion we have obtained remission of our sins and be made partakers of the Kingdom of heaven whereof we be well assured and ascertained if we come to the said Sacrament with hearty repentance for our offences stedfast faith in Gods mercy and earnest minde to obey Gods will and to offend no more wherefore our duty is to come to these holy mysteries with most hearty thanks to be given to almighty God for his infinite mercy and benefits given and bestowed upon us his unworthy servants for whom he hath not onely given his Body unto death and shed his blood but also doth vouchsafe in a Sacrament and mystery to give us his said Body and blood to feed upon Spiritually The which Sacrament being so divine and holy a thing and so comfortable to them which receive it worthily c. Common prayer And so dangerous to them which will presume to take the same unworthily my duty is to exhort you to consider the dignity of the holy mysterie and the great peril of the unworthy receiving thereof and so to search and examine your own consciences as you should come holy and clean to a most godly and heavenly feast so that in no wise you come but in the mariage garment required of God in holy Scripture and so come and be received as worthy partakers of such a heavenly table The way and means thereto is First to cramine your lives and conversation by the rule of Gods Commandments and wherein so ever ye shall perceive your selves to have offended either by will word or deed there bewall your own sinful lives confesse your selves to almighty God with full purpose of amendment of life And if ye shall perceive your offences to be such â—â— be not onely against God but also against your neighbours then ye shall reconcile your selves unto them ready to make restitution and satisfaction according to the uttermost of your powers for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other and likewise being ready to forgive other that have offended you as you would have forgivenesse of your offences at Gods hand for otherwise the receiving of the holy communion doth nothing else but encrease your damnation And because it is requisite that no man should come to the holy Communion but with a full trust in Gods mercy and with a quiet conscience therefore if there be any of you which by the means aforesaid cannot quiet his own conscience but requireth further comfort or counsel then let him come to me or some other discreet and learned minister of Gods word and open his grief that he may receive such shoâ—tly counsel advice and comfort as his conscience may be relieved and that by the ministery of Gods word be may receive comfort and the benefit of absolution to the quieting of his conscience and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness 1 B. of Edw. 6. Requiring such as shall be satisfied with a general confession not to be offended with them that do use to their further satisfying the Auricular and secret confession to the Priest nor those also which think needful or convenient for the quietnesse of their own consciences particularly to open their sins to the Priest to be offended with them that are satisfied with their humble confession to God and the general Confession to the Church But in all things to follow and keep the rule of Charity and every man to be satisfied with his own conscience not judging other mens minds or consciences whereas he hath no warrant of Gods word to the same Common Prayer 1. B. of Edw. 6. Then shall the Minister say this exhortation After the Creed ended shall follow the Sermon or Homily or some one portion of one of the Homilies as they shall be hereafter divided Wherein if the people be not exhorted to the worthy receiving of the holy Sacrament of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ then shall the
Curate give this exhortation to those that be minded to receive the same The Common Prayer DEarly beloved in the Lord ye that minde to come to the holy communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ must consider what Saint Paul writeth to the Corinthians how he exhorteth all persons piligently to try and examine themselves before they presume to eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For as the benefit is great if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood then we dwell in Christ and Christ in us we be one with Christ Christ with us so is the danger great if we receive the same unworthyly For then we be guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Saviour we eat and drink our own damnation not considering the Lords body we kindle Gods wrath against us we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases and sundry kindes of death Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God an hinderer or slanderer of his word an adulterer or be in malice or envie or in any other grievous crime bewail your sins and come not to this holy table lest after the taking of that holy Sacrament the divil enter into you as he entred into Judas and fil you ful of all iniquities and bring you to destruction both of body and soul. Judge therefore your selves brethren that ye be not judged of the Lord. Repent you truely for your sins past Have a lively and stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour Amend your lives and be in perfect charity with all men so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God the father the son and the holy ghost for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our saviour Christ both God and man who did humble him self even to the death upon the crosse for us miserable sinners which lay in darknesse and shadow of death that he may make us the children of God and exalt us to everlasting life And to the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our master and onely saviour Jesu Christ thus dying for us and the innumerable benefits which by his pretious blood-sheding he hath obtained to us he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries as pledges of his love and continual remembrance of his death to our great and endlesse comfort To him therefore with the Father and the holy Ghost let us give as we are most bounden continual thanks submitting our selves wholly to his holy will and pleasure and studying to serve him in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life Amen 1. B. of Edw. 6. In Cathedral Churches or other places where there is dayly Communion it shall be sufficient to read this exhortation above written once in a moneth And in parish Churches upon the week day it may be left unsaid Then so many as shall be partakers of the holy Communion shall tary still in the Quire or in some convenient place nigh the quire B the men on one side and the women on the other side All other that minde not to receive the said holy Communion shall depart out of the quire except the Ministers and Clerks Then shall the Minister take so much Bread and Wine as shall suffice for the persons appointed to receive the holy Communion laying the Bread upon the Corporas or else in the pattin or in some other comely thing prepared for that purpose And putting the wine into the Chalice or else in some fair convenient cup prepared for that use if the Chalice will not serve putting thereto C a little pure and clean water And setting both the Bread and Wine upon the Altar Then the Priest shall say The Lord be with you Answer And with thy Spirit Priest Lift up your hearts c. to the end of the Prefaces Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. Then shall the Minister say to them that come to receive the holy Communion Scot. Lit. this Invitation Here the Priest shall turn him towards those that come to receive the holy Communion and shall say YOU that do truely and earnestly repent you of your sins 1 B. of Edw. 6. to Almighty God and be in love and charity with your nieghbours and intend to lead a new life following the commandements of God and walking from henceforth in his holy wayes D Draw near and take this holy Sacrament to pour comfort make your humble confession to almighty God before this congregation here gathered together in his holy name meekly kneeling upon your knees E Then shall this general confession be made in the name of all those that are minded to receive the holy Communion Scot. Lit. by the Presbyter himself or the Deacon either by one of them Lit. of Q. Eliz. or else by one of the Ministers or by the Priest himself or else by the Minister himself Scot. Lit. both he and all the people all kneeling humbly upon their knees ALmighty God father of our Lord Jesus Christ maker of all things judge of all men we knowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickednesse which we from time to time most grievously have committed by thought word and deed against thy divine majesty provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us we do earnestly repent and be heartily sorry for these our misooings the remembrance of them is grievous unto us the burden of them is intolerable have mercy upon us have mercy upon us most merciful father for thy son our Lord Jesus Christs sake forgive us all that is past and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newnesse of life to the honour and glory of thy name through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Then shall the Minister or the Bishop being present stand up and turning him self to the people Scot. Lit. pronounce the Absolution as followeth say thus ALmighty God our heavenly father who of his great mercy hath promised forgivnesse of sins to all them which with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him have mercy upon you pardon and deliver you from all your sins confirm and strength you in all goodnesse and bring you to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Then shall the Minister also say Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith to all that truely turn to him Come unto me all that travail and be heavie laden and I shall refresh you So God loved the world that he gave his onely begotten son to the end that all that beleeve in him should not perish but have life everlasting Hear also what saint Paul saith This is a true saying and worthy of all men to be received that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners Here also what saint John saith If any man
thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ we thy humble servants do celebrate and make here before thy divine majesty with these thy holy gifts the memorial which thy Son hath willed us to make L having in remembrance his blessed passion mighty resurrection and glorious ascension rendring thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same entirely desiring thy fatherly goodnesse to accept c. as in the prayer after the Elements delivered 1 B. of Edw. 6. Let us pray Scot. Lit. Then shall the Presbyter say As our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught us we are bold to say Our Father c. The Answer But deliver us from evil Amen Then shall the Priest say The peace of the Lord be alway with you The Clerk And with thy spirit The Priest Christ our paschal Lamb is offered up for us once for all when he bare our sinnes on his body upon the Crosse for he is the very Lamb of God that taketh away the sinns of the World wherefore let us keep a joyful and holy feast with the Lord. Scotch Liturgy Common Prayer 1. B. of Edw. 6t  Then shall the Byshop if he be present or else the Presbyter that celebrateth first receive the Communion in both kinds himself and next deliver it to other Byshops Presbyters and Deacons if any be there present that they may help him that celebrateth and after to the People in due order all humbly kneeling Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion in both kindes himself next deliver it to other ministers if any be present that they may help the chief Minister and after to the people in their M hands N kneeling Then shall the Priest first receive the Communion in both kindes himself and next deliver it to other Ministers if any be present there that they may be ready to help the chief minister and after to the people  And when he receiveth himself or delivereth the bread to others he shall say this Benediction And when he delivereth the Bread he shall say And when he delivereth the Sacrament of the Body of Christ he shall say to every one these words    1. B. of Edw. 6. 2. B of Edw. 6 The body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life O The body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee preserve thy body and soul into everlasting life and fake and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving The body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee and feed on him in thine heart by faith with thanksgiving Here the party receiving shall say P Amen      1. B. of Edw. 6.  And the Presbyter or Minister that receiveth the Cup himself or delivereth it to others shall say this Benediction And the Minister that delivereth the Cup shall say And the Minister delivering the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ and giving every one to drink once and no more shall say    1. B. of Edw. 6. 2. B. of Edw. 6. The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life drink this in remembrance that Christs blood was shed for thee and be thankful The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee preserve thy body and soul unto evey lasting life Drink this in remembrance that Christ blood was shed for thee and be thankfull Here the Party receiving shall say Amen    1 B. of Edward 6. If there be a Deacon or other Priest then shall he follow with the Chalice and as the Priest ministreth the Sacrament of the body so shall he for more expedtion minister the Sacrament of the blood in form before written In the Communion time the Clerk shall sing O Lamb of God that takest away the sins c. have mercy upon us O Lamb of God that takest away the sins c. Grant us thy peace Beginning so soon as the Priest doth receive the holy Communion and when the Communion is ended then shall he sing the Post-Communion Sentences of holy Scripture to be said or sung every day one after the holy Communion called the Post Communion Matth. 16. 24. Mar. 13. 13. Luke 1. 68. 12. 37. 40. 47. John 4. 23. 5. 14. 8. 31. 12. 36. 14. 21 23. 15. 7 8 12. Rom. 8. 31 32 33. 13. 12. 1 Cor. 1. 30. 3. 16. 6. 20. Then the Priest shall give thanks to God in the name of all them that have communicated turning him first to the people and saying The Lord be with you The Answer And with thy Spirit The Priest Let us pray Almighty and everlasting God we most heartily c. The Common Prayer Then shall the Minister say the Lords prayer the people repeating after him every petition After shall be said as followeth O Lord and heavenly father we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodnesse mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving most humbly beseeching thee to grant that by the merits and death of thy son Jesus Christ and through faith in his blood we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins all other benefits of his passion Q And here we offer and present unto thee O Lord our selves our souls and bodies to be a reasonable holy and lively sacrifice unto thee humbly beseeching thee that all we which be partakes of this holy Communion may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction And although we be unworthy through our manifold sins to offer unto thee any sacrifice yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service 1 B. of Edw. 6. And command these our prayers and supplications by the ministry of thy holy Angels to be brought up into thy holy Tabernacle before the sight of thy divine Majesty not weighing our merits but pardoning our offences through Jesus Christ our Lord by whom and with whom in the unity of the holy Ghost all honour and glory be unto thee O father almighty world without end Amen Or this Scot. Lit. When all have Communicated he that celebrates shall go to the Lords Table and cover with a fair linen cloth or corporal that which remaineth of the consecrated elements and then say this Collect of thanksgiving as followeth ALmighty and everliving God we most heartily thank thee for that thou doest vouchsafe to feed us which have duâ—ly received these holy mysteries with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood
of thy son our Saviour Jesus Christ and doest assure us thereby of thy favour and goodnesse towarâ— us and that we be very members incorporate in thy mistical body which is the blessed company of all faithful people and be also heires through hope of thy everlasting kingdom by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear son We now most humbly beseech thee O heavenly father so to assist us with thy grace that we may continue in that holy fellowship and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in through Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory world without end Amen Then shall be said or song Scot. Lit. Gloria in Excelsis in English GLory be to God on high and in earth peace good will towards men We praise thee we blesse thee we worship thee we glorifie thee we give thanks to thee for thy great glory O Lord God heavenly king God the father almighty O Lord the onely begotten son Jesu Christ O Lord God lamb of God son of the father that takest away the sins of the world have mercy upon us Thou that takest away the sins of the world have mercy upon us Thou that takest away the sins of the world receive our prayers thou that sittest at the right hand of God the father have mercy upon us For thou onely art holy thou onely art the Lord thou onely O Christ with the holy ghost art most high in the glory of God the father Then the minister or the Bishop if he be present shall let them depart with this blessing THE peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his son Jesu Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God almighty the Father the Son and the holy Ghost be amongst you and remain with you alwayes Amen Scot. Lit. After the Divine service is ended that which was offered shall be divided in the presence of the Presbyter and the Church-wardens whereof one half shall be to the use of the Presbyter to provide him books of holy divinity the other half shall be faithfully kept and imployed on some pious or charitable use for the decent furnishing of that Church or the publick relief of their poor at the discretion of the Presbyter and Church-wardens Collects to be said after the Offertory when there is no Communion every such day one And the same may be said also as often as occasion shall serve after the Collects either of Morning and Evening prayer Communion or Letany by the discretion of the Minister ASsist us mercifully O Lord in these our supplications and prayers and dispose the way of thy servants toward the attainment of everlasting salvation that among all the changes and chances of this mortal life they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help through Christ our Lord Amen OAlmighty Lord and everliving God vouchsafe we beseech thee to direct sanctifie and govern both our hearts and bodies in the wayes of thy laws and in the works of thy commandments that through thy most mighty protection both here and ever we may be preserved in body and soul through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ Amen GRant we beseech thee almighty God that the words which we have heart this day with our outward ears may through thy grace be so graffed inwardly in our hearts that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living to the honour and praise of thy name through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen PRevent us O Lord in all our doings with thy most gracious favour and further us with thy continual help that in all our works begun continued and ended in thee we may glorifie thy holy name and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen ALmighty God the fountain of all wisdom which knowest our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking we beseech thee to have compassion upon our infirmities and those things which for our unworthy nesse we dare not and for our blindnesse we cannot ask vouchsafe to give us for the worthynesse of thy son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen ALmighty God which hast promised to hear the petitions of them that ask in thy sons name We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us that have made now our prayers and supplications unto thee and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will may effectually be obtained to the relief of our necessity and to the setting forth of thy glory through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. T Upon the holy dayes if there be no Communion shall be said all that is appointed at the Communion untill the end of the Homily concluding with the general prayer for the whole state of Christs Church miliant here in earth and one or more of these Collects before rehearsed as occasion shall serve Upon Wednesdayes and Fridayes the English Litany shall be said or sung in all places after such form as is appointed by the Kings Majestyes Injunctions or as is or shall be otherwise appointed by his Highnesse And though there be none to Communicate with the Priest yet these dayes after the Litany ended the Priest shall put upon him a plain Alb or surplesse with a Cope and say all things at the Altar appointed to be said at the celebration of the Lords supper until after the Offertory And then shall adde one or two of the Collects afore written as occasion shall serve by his discretion And then turning him to the people shall let them depart with the accustomed blessing And the same order shall be used all other dayes whensoever the people be customably assembled to pray in the Church and none disposed to Communicate with him Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. And there shall be no Scot. Lit. publick celebration of the Lords Supper except there be a good number to Communicate with the Minister according to his discretion Likewise in Chappels annexed and all other places there shall be no celebration of the Lords Supper except there be some to Communicate with the Priest And in such Chappels annexed where the people hath not been accustomed to pay any holy bread there they must either make some charitable provision for the bearing of the charges of the Communion or else for receiving of the same resort to their Parish Church Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. And if there be not above twenty persons in the Parish of discretion to receive the Communion yet there shall be no Communion except four or three at the least Communicate with the Minister Also that the receiving of the Sacrament of the Blessed Body and blood of Christ may be most agreeable to the institution thereof and to the usage of the Primitive Church In all Cathedral
and Collegiate Churches there shall alwayes some Communicate with the Priest that ministreth And that the same may be also observed every where abroad in the Country some one at the least of that house in every Parish to whom by course after the ordinance herein made it pertaineth to offer for the charges of the Communion or some other whom they shall provide to offer for them shall receive the holy Communion with the Priest The which may be better done for that they know before when their course cometh and may therefore dispose themselves to the worthy receiving of the Sacrament And with him or them who doth so offer the charges of the Communion all other who be then Godly disposed thereunto shall likewise receive the Communion And by this means the Minister having alwayes some to Communicate with him may accordingly solemnize so high and holy mysteries with all the suffrages and due order appointed for the same And the Priest in the week day shall forbear to celebrate the Communion except he have some that will Communicate with him And in Cathedral or Collegiat Churches where be many Ministers and Deacons they shall all receive the Communion with the Minister every Sunday at the least except they have a reasonable cause to the contrary  2 B. of Edw. 6. V Although no order can be so perfectly devised but it may be of some either for their Ignorance and infirmity or else for malice and obstinacy misconstrued depraved and interpreted in a wrong part and yet because brotherly Charity willeth that so much as conveniently may be offences should be taken away therefore we willing to do the same Whereas it is ordained in the Book of Common prayer in the Administration of the Lords Supper that the Communicants kneeling should receive the same which thing being well meant for a signification of the humble and grateful acknowledging of the benefits of Christ given unto the worthy receiver And to avoid the prophanation and disorder which about the holy Communion might else ensue least yet the same kneeling might be thought or taken otherwise we do declare that it is not meant thereby that any adoration is done or ought to be done either unto the Sacramental Bread or wine there bodily received or unto any real and essential presence there being of Christs natural flesh and blood For as concerning the Sacramental Bread and wine they remain still in their very natural substances and therefore may not be adored for that were Idolatry to be abhorred of all faithful Christians And as concerning the natural Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ they are in heaven and not here for it is against the truth of Christs true natural body to be in mo places then one Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. And to take away the superstition which any person hath or might have in the bread and wine it shall suffice that the bread be such as is usual to be eaten at the table with other meats but the best and purest wheat bread that conveniently may be gotten W And if any of the bread and wine remain the Curate shall have it to his own use Scot. Lit. And if any of the Bread and Wine do remain which is consecrated it shall be reverently eaten and drunk by such of the Communicants onely as the Presbyter which celebrates shall take unto him but it shall not be carried out of the Church And to the end there may be little left he that officiates is required to consecrate with the least and then if there be want the words of consecration may be repeated again over more either Bread and Wine The presbyter beginning at these words in the Prayer of consecration Our Saviour in the night that he was betrayed c. For avoiding of all matters and occasion of dissention it is meet that the bread prepared for the Communion be made through all this Realm after one sort and fashion that is to say unleavened and round as it was afore but without all manner of print and something more larger and thicker then it was so that it may be aptly divided in divers peeces and every one shall be divided into two peeces at the least or more by the discretion of the Minister and so distributed And men must not think lesse to be received in part then in the whole but in each of them the whole body of our-Saviour Jesus Christ. Common Prayer 1. B. of Edw. 6. The bread and wine for the Communion shall be provided by the Curate and Church-wardens at the charges of the Parish and the Parish shall be discharged of such sums of money or other duties which hitherto they have payed for the same by order of their houses every Sunday And for as much as the Pastors and Curates within this Realm shall continually finde at their costs and charge in their Cures sufficient bread and wine for the holy Communion as oft as their Parishioners shall be disposed for their spiritual comfort to receive the same It is cherefore ordered that in recompence of such costs and charges the Parishioners of every Parish shall offer every Sunday at the time of the Offertory the just value and price of the holy Loaf with all such money and other things as were wont to be offered with the same to the use of their Pastors and Curates and that in such order and course as they were wont to finde and pay the said holy Loaf Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. And note that every Parishioner shall Communicate at the least three X times in the year of which Easter to be one and shall also receive the Sacraments and Scot. Lit. observe other rites according to the order in this book appointed And yearly at Easter every Parishioner shall reckon with his Parson Vicar Curate or his or their Deputy or Deputies and pay to them or him all Ecclesiastical duties accustomably due then and at that time to be payed Furthermore every man and woman to be bound to hear and to be at Divine service in the Parish Church where they be resident and there with devout Prayer or Godly silence and meditation to occupy themselves There to pay their duties to communicate once in the year at the least and there to take and receive all other Sacraments and rites in this book appointed And whosoever willingly upon no just cause doth absent themselves or doth ungodly in the Parish Church occupy themselves upon proof thereof by the Ecclesiastical laws of the Realm to be excommunicated or suffer other punishment as shall be to the Ecclesiastical Judge according to his discretion seem convenient And although it be read in ancient writers that the people many years past received at the Priests hands the Sacrament of the body of Christ in their own hands and no Commandment of Christ to the contrary yet for as much as they many times conveyed the same secretly away kept it with them and diversly
abused to superstition and wickednesse Least any such thing hereater should be attempted and that an uniformity might be used throughout the whole Realm it is thought convenient the people commonly receive the Sacrament of Christs body in their mouths at the Priests hands Annotations upon CHAP. VII A. The Eucharist whence derived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 different things and had different formes B. Men and women sate separate one from another C. Mixing of water with wine Ancient The reasons for it D. Draw neer when to be said Chancels anciently peculiar to the Clergy The Emperor onely privileged Laique Communion what why Chancels allotted to the Clergy onely The people usulaly received at the Chancel door E. Confession why necessary before the Communion The Priests posture at the Altar standing and why F. Sursum corda Ancient G. So also the Responces H. Proper Prefaces I. Trisagium Ancient Two hymnes so called K. Consecration not performed by the words of Primitive Institution The sense of the Fathers The Ancient custom of saying Amen to the concecration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what in Justin Martyr L. Remembrance of Christs Passion at the Eucharist ought to be as well by verbal commemoration as by mental meditation The ancient formes M. The bread anciently delivered into the Communicants hands N. Kneeling in the act of receiving commended sometime used in Antiquity where practised since the Reformation O. The various formes of delivering the Eelements That of our Church justly preferred before the rest P. The Scotch order for saying Amen by the party receiving commended Singing of Psalms during the Communicating ancient Q. The Roman order defective in the most proper Sacrafice R. The Angelical hymn Difference betwixt an hymn and a Psalm The hymn mis-placed in the Mâ—sse-Book Our order more consonant to Antiquitie The Councel of Carthage cleared S. The Benediction by whom to be given The custome of bowing at it T. The second service when to be read V. A Rubrick unhappily Omitted W. The remains of the Consecrated Elements how anciently disposed X. To Receive thrice in the yevr an ancient practice AND above all things c. That the holy Communion even in the Apostolical age was celebrated at the same both table and time when Christians met for their ordinary repast at meals hath been said before No part of that either spiritual or temporal food was received without some religious application to God relative and directed to the ends for which those Collations were prepared which application whither it concerned the creature destined for bodily or for Mystical refreshment consisted of either two prayers distinct or two distinct members of one prayer The first was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thanksgiving to God for those benefits The second 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Invocation of his blessing upon them To speak appositly to the matter in hand when this application related to the elements seperated for the holy Communion Thanksgiving was made to God the Father much to the same effect of this that is for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Jesus Christ c. And from this very use the Communion contracted the name of Eucharist and not as hitherto hath been commonly supposed from any words constituting Consecration Consecration of the Elements was made indeed with thanksgiving not by it by blessing it was performed by blessing joyned with thanksgiving in one continued form of prayer or by blessing concomitant with thanksgiving in two distinct formes Clear it is though I grant the words were anciently used in a promiscuous sense these two thanksgiving and blessing as distinct things have in Antiquity several designes and also several formes Justin Martyr describing the Eucharist or thanksgiving in his time saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord hath commanded that Withal we should give thanks to God for the Creation of the world and all things therein for the benefit of man And for his delivering us from the misery wherein We were born and overthrowing principalities and powers with a total defeat by him that suffered according to his Counsel For farther illustration of this place you must know that though the Agapae were now for the cause afore specified antiquated in the Greek Church yet in regard the Collations were so very bountiful as the Communion accommodations served there remained fair dole for the poor the Antient form of thanksgiving used at their ordinary meales was in part retained viz. that by which special recognisance was made to God as the Creator Lord and giver of all things After this relating to the creatures deputed for charitable and common use followeth the thanksgiving for the benefits of Christs redemption and passion and as he elsewhere addeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For that God did deigne them the favour of those gifts of bread und wine To the very same purpose is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Clementine Constitutions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. we give thee hearty thanks O our Father for the life thou hast given us by thy Son Jesus Christ c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whom thou sentest to become man for our salvation c. so gradually proceeding through the whole economy of his Mediatorship it concludeth thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We further thank thee O our father for the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed for us and for his precious body The antitypes whereof we now celebrate he having commanded us to shew forth his death Thus have I made it evident whence the word Eucharist is derived and that this thanksgiving was anciently distinct from the consecrating or blessing of the elements whereof the several formes are also as easily to be produced but I shall supersede them for the present having occasion anon to declare them The men on one side and the women on the other side Such was the Primitive practise The Clementine Constitutions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let it be their care speaking of Deacons to see that the people sit on one side with all stilnesse and order and that the women sit apart by themselves Nor did they onely sit in places distinct but in reference to those places had distinct officers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let the door keepers attend upon the entrance of the men and the Diaconisses upon the entrance of the women A little pure and clean water So was the ancient practise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bread is brought forth and wine and water saith the ancient Father This was in opposition to two contrary Sects first the Armenians who held that it was onely lawful to use wine alone without water Secondly against the Hydroparastatae who officiated with water unmixt with wine The reason of this mixture was partly in imitation of our Saviours act in the first institution of the Eâ—charist agreeable to the custome of that hot climate which constantly used
Almighty God and so fulfil his appointment So the Constitutions whereby it is manifest not onely that such commemoration was made but that it was made upon the account of Divine institution In all the Liturgies ascribed to St. James St. Basil St. Chrysostom c. the like commemoration passeth currant For the Latines listen to St. Ambrose Sacerdos dicit ergo memores gloriosissimae ejus passionis ab inferis resurrectionis in coelum ascensionis Offerimus tibi c. The Priest sayes Therefore commemorating his most glorious passion resurrection from the Dead and Ascension into heaven we offer up unto thee c. Agreeable to which is the now Canon of the mass whence it is that the same Ambrose of the words do this in remembrance of me gives this paraphrase Mortem meam praedicabitis resurrectonem meam annunciabitis adventum sperabitis donec iterum ad-veniam ye shall set forth my death declare my resurrection and hope for my coming until I shall come again Indeed St. Paul himself seems so to interpret them saying For as often as ye shall eat this bread and drink this cup ye shew the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11. 26. implying that Annunciation or declaration of Christs passion was usually made at the celebrating the Eucharist which could no otherwise be then by verbal commemoration To the people in their hands so was the celebration observed by Christ himself and so the Primitive custome the scrupulous person mentioned before in Eusebius is said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to stretch out his hand for the receiving of the sacred food So St. Cyprian speaking of persons lapsed who intruded to the Communion before they had performed those solemnities of penance which the Church required saith Plus modo in Dominum manibus et ore delinquunt quam cum Dominum negaverunt They did more heinously offend God with their hands reacht out to take and their mouthes open to devour those pretious symbols then they the Jews did with their tongues when they denyed him To the same purpose this father elsewhere very often so also Clemens Alexandrinus Augustine who not In tract of time some indiscreet persons pretending greater reverence to the mysteries as if they were defiled with their hands were at the cost to provide certain saucers or little plates of gold why not as well golden mouths and stomacks to receive it until they were forbidden by the sixth Councel in Trullo Another abuse the Church of Rome brought in where the Priest puts it into the peoples mouth least a crum should fall beside which favouring Transubstantiation is by our Church discontinued Kneeling The antients made it their study to adorn the blessed Eucharist with all the Appellations of honour they could devise some called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. the perfection of perfections some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the dreadful mysteries some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the exemplar of high mysteries The table on which it was said was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the holy Table 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the mysticnl Table 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the terrible and dreadful Table much cost to slender purpose if after all it be now be discovered they were in the wrong and that this Sacrament hath nothing of that veneration nothing of that dreadfulness which they imputed to it and that it is so same and despicable an Ordinance as will admit of any negligent posture and that kneeling is too good for it Miserable infatuation Good God how well mayest thou say to those missed souls as Augustus to him who entertained him meanly I did not think you and I had been so familiar Blessed Jesus wert thou so gracious to us wretches as to leave and bequeath us this mystery of our eternal redemption and great charter of all thy benefits and shall we dare to receive it in any other then the lowest and humblest posture What is if this be not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not to disdiscern the Lords Body and what the consequence of that in distinction is let all them consider who would avoid it But it may be said that Kneeling was not the gesture of the Primitive Church Confest generally it was not because their fashion was upon Communion days to pray standing Nevertheless the communicant was enjoyned to receive those mysteries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bowing himself after the manner of veneâ—ation and Adoration Now can Augustines words be otherwayes truly interpreted Nemo carnem illam manducat nisi prius adoraverit Let none presume to eat that flesh until he hath done his Obeysance Nor was this Oecumenical and universal practise for Sozomen tells a story of a woman which to please her husband comming to the Communion took the bread when the Priest gave it her and kneeling down as if it had been to secret prayer conveyed it away her maid then by privily stealing a peece of common bread into her hands which she eat instead of the other whence it appeareth that kneeling was not then interdicted A gesture used by the Protestants of Bohemia upon whose custo me mentioned in their Confession the French and Dutch Churches passed this judgement In hoc ritu suam cuique Ecclesiae libertatem salvam relinquendam arbitramur As to this ceremony we hold it fit that every Church be left to her own liberty A gesture which by Beza's own confession olim potuit cum fructis usurpari might in times past have been used with edification In time past why not now as well yea much rather when as the fear of reverting to Popish Idolatry is altogether vain so the danger of Apostatizing from Christ is very great and no way sooner occasioned then by a sitting posture it being observed by the Polish Church that the men who lapsed there into the Arrian haeresie were all such as addicted themselves to that posture at the Communion The body of our Lord c. If you take a view of the elder formes as they stand lateral to the Common prayer you may perceive this constituted by the coupling and uniting of the other two which were before unhappily divorced For the first form in the â— Book excluding the words commemorative of Christs death and passion which those divine Mysteries were ordered to represent as it is the precise formula of the Masse-book so might it be suspected as overserviceable to the Doctrine of Transubstantion to which the Romanists applied it Again in the next Book the Commemoration being let in and the body and blood of Christ shut out that real Presence which all sound Protestants seem to allow might probably be implied to be denied Excellently well done therefore was it of Q. Elizabeth her Reformers to link them both together for between the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist and the Sacramental commemoration of his passion there is so inseparable a league as subsist they cannot unlesse they
consist A sacramental verity of Christs body and blood there cannot be without the Commemoration of his death and Passion because Christ never promised his mysterious yet real presence but in reference to such Commemoration Nor can there be a true Commemoration without the body and blood exhibited and participated because Christ gave not those visible Elements but his body and blood to make that spiritual representation Here the party receiving shall say Amen This order is a peece of Reformation where in the Church of Scotland stands single and alone I call it a peece of Reformation because it is the reviving of a very ancient custome The same is the direction in the Constitutions ascribed to the Apostles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let the Bishop give the Oblation of bread saying The body of Christ and let him that receiveth it say Amen Then the Deacon having the cup and delivering it let him say The blood of Christ the cup of salvation and let him that drinketh say Amen By St. Augustine it should seem to have been of general usage saying Universa Ecclesia accepto sanguine Chirsti dicit Amen The universal Church at the Receiving of the blood of Christ answereth Amen Thus you see upon what tearmes of conformity the Scotch service in this particular stands with the ancient practise Though I have neither rule nor text in any one of the Liturgies I discourse upon engageing me to it yet is it no extravant vagary here to take into consideration the general fashion used in our Church of imploying the Congregation in singing during the time of Communicating whither that time can be better transacted and laid out then in Psalmes sutable to the subject of those blessed Mysteries not falling under dispute must passe in the negative this being so the onely concernment to which I am obliged is to shew that the custome floweth from the prescript of Primitive tradition whereof the ancient Liturgies are evidence enough that especially exhibited in the Constitutions above mentioned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let the thirty third Psalm be said whilst the rest Communicate For the African practise speaks St Augustine Mos caeparat apud Carthagenem ut hymni ad Altare dicerentur de Psalmorum libro sive ante Oblationem sive cum distribueretur populo quod fuisset Oblatum Hunc morem Hilarius Laicus maledica reprehensione ubicunque poterat laterabat asserens fieri non oportere A custome was begun at Carthage that hymns out of Davids Psalms both before the Oblation and at the distribution of it should be sung This fashion one Hillary a lay-man wheresoever he could envied against affirming it ought not to be done And here we offer and present c. This high and eminent place looketh big upon all those false clamors that our service is extracted from the Masse challenging the Authors thereof to exhibit where it is to be found in the Canon of that Masse No to the utter shame of the Romish party our Church upbraideth them that whereas they contend so much for the propriety of the sacrifice of their Masse the whole Canon of that Masse hath not one syllable of this most proper sacrifice this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 indivisible Sacrifice of both bodies and souls a sacrifice enjoyned by Apostolical precept Romans 12. 1. and which did in the Primitive times constitute an illustrious part of the Eucharistical office Glory be to God on high Antiquity called this the Angelical hymn and in truth being Angelical it must be an hymn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Chrysostom Angels and the Celestial Quire send forth hymns they sing not Psalms And so Clemens Alexandrinus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let hymns be onely the prayses of God the reason is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psalmes contain all things both Divine and Moral Hymns onely the praises of God Called it is the Angelical hymn because the first part thereof is the Nativity-Carol mentioned Luke 2. 13. sung by the Angels the rest was composed by Ecclesiastical Doctors some think St. Hillary and the fourth Councel of Toledo seemeth to imply as much But the Constitutions of Clemens perswade me it was of earlier entrance it being there compleatly the same with ours in all materials but disposed in two several Prayers and is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that morning-hymn as I suppose to which Epiphanius a great follower of Clemens relateth in a place formerly cited Part it was of the Missa Catechumenorum in the Masse-book but worthily translated into the Communion service by our discreet Reformers it being formerly mis-laid this being its proper ubi or place for two reasons First because it is an hymn To sing an hymn after the distribution of the Elements is conformity to the mode of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. thou seeâ—t that the last prayer after the Eucharist is celebrated is made in imitation of our Saviours practise Again it is a compound peece made up partly of Donology partly of Prayer and of Prayer addrest to Jesus Christ the Lamb of God now it is improper to apply our selves to Christ before the action of participation is past the reason is because the blessed Eucharist is a sacrifice wherein our Saviour Christ is considered as an immaculate Lamb offered upon the Altar to God the Father for the Remission of our sins And this I take to be the meaning of the third Counsel of Carthage decreeing ut nemo in precibus vel Patrem pro Filio vel Filium prâ— Patre nominet cum altari assistitur semper ad Patrem airigatur oratio That no man name the Father for the Son nor the Son for the Father in publick prayers and when any officiate at the altar viz. before distribution of the Elements that the prayer be alwayes directed to the Father For which I can assigne no other reason but because Christ is then the great sacrifice and the Father is the person to be appeased The Peace of God This benediction is a peculiar of the Bishops office if present because the lesse is blessed of the greater Hebr. 7. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The principal Priest dismisseth the people with his blessing After this pronounced the Deacon usually said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Go in peace when the people received it they bowed down their heads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let the Bishop give the benediction the people bowing down their heads This gesture imports a kinde of adoration Eccles. 50. 23. The Jewes are said to bow down themselves to worship the Lord. So in the Primitive Church the Energumenj were commanded to bow their heads and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that fashion to perform their bodily reverence Upon the holidayes if there be no Communion Anciently upon holy-dayes Communions were constant and consequently oblations wherefore Proclus saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Festival is the poor mans harvest because he
9. 18. The place was private enough being the house of Judas and the Congregation thin enough No Believer there but Ananias So when Paul and Silas baptized the Keeper of the prison Acts 16. 33. The place was a Prison most unfit for publique worship and two the total of the Congregation many other instances might be given were not the labour supervacaneous and needless Descend to the next succeeding times the Councel of Laodicaea hath a Canon concerning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. them which are baptised on their sick beds not disapproving of it but ordeining that if they recover they learn the Christian faith that they may taste the excellency of that Divine gift Not long after this Synod Timothius Bishop of Alexandria a member of the first Constantinopolitan Synod being demanded if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. a Catechmen Possest with a wicked spirit and desireth to be baptised whether or not he may receive that seal The Bishop returneth no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he cannot in the publick and ordinary way of the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. but when he lieth in extremis at the point of death he must be baptised uncontroulable evidences of the charitable dispensation of those tender Fathers in cases of extremity Come to the late Reformation Bucer a learned and sober Divine being intreated to deliver his judgement upon King Edwards first Liturgy passeth this censure upon this private Baptisme In hac constitutione sunt omnia Saencte proposita i. e. in this constitution all things are framed agreeable to piety One would think that Private Baptisme backt with such fortifications might with confidence and assurance enough appear amongst o ther 's of our sacred offices But it hath proved otherwise for of late the assembly of Divines in their Directory tell us possitively that Baptisme is not to be administred in private places or privately but in the place of publick worship and in the face of the Congrecation that it ought not to be so administred ordinarily is the expresse Doctrine of our Church that it ought not absoluly and without regard to cases of necessity to be so administred will be denied by me and many more for whose satisfaction it had been labour well bestowed had those learned Divines who pretend that in the framing of that Directory they consulted not with flesh and blood but with the word of God had they I say produced from that word for to that we all appeal one syllable enforcing the place of Publick worship or a Congregation to be of the absolute necessity of this Sacrament And then one of them shall name the Childe One of them of whom of them certainly that be present as it is in the begining of this paragraph so undoubtly And that may be not onely a lay-man but even a woman as it was rightly objected by those male-contents and truely sensed by King James in the Conference at Hampton-Court whereby a greater liberty was given for Women to baptise then was intended by the Reformers of our Liturgy a Reformation justly called for which was both granted and effected speedily by restreining it to the Minister as our Service-book exhibits it yet this very reformation of out Church her oversight is now made her crime and so made by that very party who were so loud so clamerous for the change this change being part of those most uncharitable cavils which Smectimnuus have vented against our Liturgy N. I baptise thee c. Here is Baptisme soon dispatcht without further adoe Ceremonies and set formes of Prayer are decent helps in the Publick exercises of Religion of the essence of it they are not so that when we are constrained to complement necessity they may be dispensed with in Saoramentis salutaribus necessiitate cogente Deo indulgentiam suam largienti totam credentibus conferunt Divina compendia saith the Martyr excellently i. e. in the celebration of the wholsome Sacraments necessity being cogent and God Almighty dispensing his blessing Divine abridgments and compendiums confer upon beleevers all they desire With what matter was the childe baptised This interrogatory is led in with a Declaration of our Church relating to the quality of it viz. that it is essential to the Sacrament and so is St. Augustines rule Accedit verbum ad elementum fit Sacramentum The word and the Element together constitute the Sacrament And the Element necessary to be ingredient into this Sacrament is water not Lye or Broth be the necessity never so cogent si aquam detrahas non-stat Baptismatis Sacramentum take away the water Baptisme is a meer nullity saith Ambrose This notwithstanding the opinion it is of several of the Remish party that baptisme administred in broth or lye is legitimate enough Nor is it their opinion alone but asserted by one of a clear other perswasion in other points viz. Beza Non minus rite ego quovis alio liquore quam aqua Baptizarim I would baptize every way as well with any other liquor as with water With what words was the child baptised This is another essential of Baptisme the formula Not precise to every word and syllable For the Western and Eastern Churches varied each from other herein The western Ego baptiso te I baptise thee The Greek and Eastern 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 N. let N. be baptised so anciently now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such an one is baptised yet all valid provided the essential words of Christs institution be subjoyned in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Not in the name of the Trinity making onely three names nor three persons as did the Cataphryges or Pepusiani and Paulianists and were by decrees of the Nicene and Constantinopolitan Councel rebaptised Not in the name of the Father by the Son as did the Arians upon the haeresie of inequality Nor yet in the name of Christ alone or into his death as the Eunomians For though mention be made in the Acts of the Apostles of baptising in the name of Christ as Ch. 2 v. 38. and 19. 5. yet must not the Apostles be supposed so to have baptised as excluding the other two persons nor can the word Christ in those places rationally include the Father and Son that is the Person anointing the person anointed and unction wherewith he was anointed as learned Grotius after Ireneus inclines to think For in truth as Beza hath well observed St. Luke doth not there describe the rite and formula of Baptisme but the end and scope of initiating persons into Christianity thereby The expresse precept of our Saviour obliged even the Apostles themselves and all their Ecclesiastical derivatives to such a form of Baptisme as might distinctly and nominally mention the three persons of the glorious Trinity which was so indispenceably necessary as the omission of any one constituted the Baptisme null This nominal
work thou and thy son and thy daughter thy man-servant and thy maid-servant thy cattle and the stranger that is within thy gates for in six dayes the Lord made heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day Wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and halowedit v. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee vi Thou shalt do no murder vii Thou shalt not commit adultry viii Thou shalt not steal ix Thou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy neighbour x. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbous house thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife nor his servant nor his maid nor his Ox nor his Asse nor any thing that is his Question What doest thou chiefly learn by these Commandments Answer I learn two things My duty towards God and my duty towards my neighbour Question What is thy duty towards God Answer My duty towards God is to beleeve in him to fear him and to love him with all my heart with all my minde with all my soul and with all my strength To worship him To give him thanks To put my whole trust in him To call upon him To honour his holy name and his word and to serve him truly all the dayes of my life Question What is thy duty towards thy neighbour Answer My duty towards my neighbour is to love him as my self and to do to all men as I would they should do unto me To love honour and succour my father and mother To honour and obey the King and his Ministers To submit my self to all my governours teachers spiritual Pastours and Masters To order my self lowly and reverently to all my betters To hurt no body by word nor deed To be true and just in all my dealing To bear no malice nor hatred in my heart To keep my hands from picking and stealing and my tongue from evil speaking lying and slaudring To keep my body in temperance sobernesse and chastity Not to cover nor desire other mens goods But learn and labour truely to get mine own living and to do my duty in that state of life unto which it shall please God to call me Question My good childe know this that thou art not able to do these things of thy self nor to walk in the commandments of God and to serve him without his special grace which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer Let me hear therefore if thou canst say the Lords prayer Answer OUr Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our dayly bread And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespasse against us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Amen Question What desirest thou of God in this prayer Answer I desire my Lord God our heavenly father who is the giver of all goodnesse to send his grace unto me and to all people that we may worship him serve him and obey him as we ought to do And I pray unto God that he will send us all things that be needful both for our souls and bodies And that he will be merciful unto us and forgive us our sins and that it will please him to save and defend us in all dangers ghostly and bodily And that he will keep us from sin and wickednesse and from our ghostly enemy and from everlasting death And this I trust he will do of his mercy and goodnesse through our Lord Jesu Christ. And therefore I say Amen So â—e it Question HOw many Sacraments hath Christ ordeined in his Church Answer Two onely as generally necessary to salvation that is to say Baptisme and the supper of the Lord. Question What meanest thou by this word Sacrament Answer I mean an outward and visible signe of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us ordeined by Christ himself as a means whereby we receive the same and a pledge to assure us thereof Question How many parts are there in a Sacrament Answer Two the Outward visible signe and the inward Spiritual Grace Question What is the Outward visible signe or form in baptisme Answer Water wherein the person baptised is dipped or sprinkled with it in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Question What is the inward and spiritual Grace Answer A death unto sin and a new birth unto righteousnesse For being by Nature born in sin and the children of wrath we are hereby made the children of Grace Question What is required of persons to be baptised Answer Repentance whereby they forsake sin and faith whereby they stedfastly beleeve the promises of God made to them in that Sacrament Question Why then are Infants baptised when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them Answer Yes they do perform them by their Suerties who promise and vow them both in their names which when they come to age themselves are bound to perform Question Why was the Sacrament of the Lords supper ordeined Answer For the Continual remembrance of the Sacrifice of the death of Christ and the benefits which we receive thereby Question What is the outward part or signe of the Lords Supper Answer Bread and Wine which the Lord hath commanded to be received Question What is the inward part or thing signified Answer The body and Blood of Christ which are verily and indeed taken and received of the faithful in the Lords Supper Question What are the benefits whereof we are partakers thereby Answer The strengthening and refreshing of our souls by the body and blood of Christ as our bodies are by the bread and wine Question What is required of them which come to the Lords Supper Answer To examine themselves whether they repent them truely of their former sins stedfastly purposing to lead a new life have a lively faith in Gods mercy through Christ with a thankful remembrance of his death and be in Charity with all men So soon as the children can say in their mother tongue the articles of the faith the Lords prayer the ten Commandments and also can answer to such questions of this short Catechisme as the Bishop or such as he shall appoint shall by his discretion appose them in then shall they be brought to the Byshop by one that shall be his Godfather or Godmother that every childe may have a witnesse of his Confirmation And the Bishop shall confirm them on this wise Confirmation Or D laying on of hands Our help is in the name of the Lord.  Answer  Which hath made both heaven and earth  Minister  Blessed is the name of the Lord.  Answer  Henceforth world without end 1 B. of Edw. 6. Minster Minister Lord hear our prayer The Lord be with you Answer Answer And let our cry come unto thee
his executors These words before rehearsed may be said before the Minister begin his Prayer as he shall see cause R The Minister may not forget nor omit to move the sick person and that most instantly to liberality toward the poor S Here shall the sick person make a special confession if he feel his conscience troubled with any weighty matter After which confession the Minister shall absolve him after this sort 1 B. of Edw. 6. and the same form of Absolution shall be used in all private confessions OUr Lord Jesus Christ who hath left power to his Church to absolve all sinners which truly repent and believe in him of his great mercy forgive thee thine offences and by his authority committed to me I absolve thee from all thy sins In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Amen And then the Minister shall say the Collect following Let us pray O Most merciful God which according to the multitude of thy mercies doest so put away the sins of those which truly repent that thou remembrest them no more open thine eye of mercy upon this thy servant who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiveness Renue in him most loving Father whatsoever hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the devil or by his own carnal will and frailness preserve and continue this sick member in the unity of thy Church consider his contrition accept his tears asswage his pain as shal be seen to thee most expedient for him And forasmuch as he putteth his full trust onely in thy mercy impute not to him his former sins but take him unto thy favor through the merits of thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ Amen Then the Minister shall say this Psalm In thee O Lord have I put my trust Glory be to the Father and to the Son c. As it was in the beginning is now c. Adding this 1 B of Edw. 6. Adding this Anthem O Saviour of the World save us which by thy crosse and pretious blood hast redeemed us help us we beseech thee O God Then shall the Minister say THE almighty Lord which is a most strong tower to all them that put their trust in him to whom all things in heaven in earth and under the earth do bow and obey be now and evermore thy defence and make thee know and feel that there is none other name under heaven given to man in whom and through whom thou mapest receive health and salvation but onely the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen 1 B. of Edw. 6. If the sick person desire to be T anointed then shall the Priest anoint him upon the fore head or brest onely making the signe of the crosse saying thus As with this visible oyl thy body outwardly is anointed so our heavenly father Almighty God grant of his infinite goodnesse that thy soul inwardly may be anointed with the holy ghost who is the spirit of all strength comfort reliefe and gladnesse And vouchsafe for his great mercy if it be his blessed will to restore unto thee thy bodily health and strength to serve him and send thee release of all thy pains troubles and diseases both in body and minde And howloever his goodnesse by his divine and unsearchable providence shall dispose of thee we his unworthy Ministers and servants humbly beseech the eternal Majesty to do with thee according to the multitude of his innumerable mercies and to pardon thee all thy sins and offences committed by all thy bodily sences passions and carnal affections who also vouchsafe mercifully to grant unto thee ghostly strength by his holy spirit to withstand and overcome all temptations and assaults of thine adversary that in no wise he prevail against thee but that thou mayest have perfect victory and triumph against the Devil sin and death through Christ our Lord who by his death hath overcome the Prince of death and with the Father and the holy Ghost evermore liveth and reigneth God world without end Amen How long wilt thou forget me Lord. c. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. Edition Lat. Buceri Si videtur commodum dicatur etiam hic Psalmus pro usitata ante haec tempora unctione usque quâ— Domine c. V The Communion of the sick FOR as much as all mortal men be subject to many sodain perils diseases and sicknesses and ever uncertain what time they shall depart out of this life Therefore to the intent they may be alwayes in a readinesse to dye whensoever it shall please almighty God to call them the Curates shall diligently from time to time but specially in the plague time exhort their Parishioners to the oft receiving in the Church of the holy Communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ which if they do they shall have no cause in their sodain visitation to be unquiet for lack of the same But if the sick person be not able to come to the Church and yet is desirous to receive the Communion in his house then he must give knowledge over night or else early in the morning to the Curate signifying also how many be appointed to Communicate with him 1 B. of Edw. 6. And if the same day there be a celebration of the holy Communion in the Church W then shall the Priest reserve at the open Communion so much of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood as shall serve the sick person and so many as shall Communicate with him if there be any And so soon as conveniently he may after the Communion ended in the Church shall go and Minister the same first to those that are appointed to Communicate with the sick if there be any and last of all to the sick person himself But before the Curate distribute the holy Communion the appointed general Confession must be made in the name of the Communicants the Curate adding the Absolution with the Comfortable sentences of Scripture following in the open Communion and after the Communion ended the Collect. Almighty and and everliving God we most hartily thank thee c. But if the day be not appointed for the open Communion in the Church then upon convenient warning given the Curate shall come and visit the sick Person afore-noon Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. And having a convenient Place in the sick mans house where the Curate may reverently Minister and a good number to receive the Communion with the sick person with all things necessary for the same he shall there minister the holy Communion And having a convenient place in the sick mans house where he may reverently celebrate with all things necessary for the same and not being otherwise letted with the Bublick service or any other just impediment he shall there celebrate the holy Communion after such form and sort as hereafter is appointed The celebration of the holy Communion for the sick
O praise the Lord all ye nations laud him all ye people for his merciful kindnesse is confirmed towards us and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever Glory be to the Father c. Lord have mercy upon us without any more repetition Omitted by Bucer Christ have mercy upon us  Lord have mercy upon us  The Priest Omitted by Bucer The Lord be with you  Answer  And with thy Spirit   Mm Common-prayer The Colect 1 B. of Edw. 6. Let us pray ALmighty everliving God maker of mankinde which doest correct those whom thou doest love and chastisest every one whom thou doest receive we beseech thee to have mercy upon this thy servant visited with thy hand and to 〈◊〉 he may take his sicknesse patiently and recover his bodily health if it be thy gratious will and whensoever his soul shall depart from the body it may without spot be presented unto thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The Epistle MY son despise not the correction of the Lord neither faint thou when thou art rebuked of him for whom the Lord loveth him he correcteth yea and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth The Gospel VErily verily I say unto you he that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come unto damnation but he passeth from death unto life 1 B. of Edw. 6. The Preface The Lord be with you Answer And with thy spirit Lift up your hearts c. unto the end of the Canon Common-Prayer At the time of the distribution of the holy Sacrament the Priest shall first receive the Communion himself and after minister to them that be appointed to communicate with the sick 1 B. of Edw. 6. if there be any and then to the sick person and the sick person shall alwayes desire some either of his own house or else of his neighbours to receive the holy Communion with him for that shall be to him a singular great comfort and of their part a great token of charity And if there be moe sick persons to be visited the same day that the Curate doth celebrate in any sick mans house then shall the Curate there reserve so much of the Sacrament of the Body and blood as shall serve the other sick persons and such as be appointed to Communicate with them if there be any And shall immediatly carry it and minister it unto them But if any man either by reason of extremity of sicknese or for lack of warning in due time to the X Curate or for lack of company to receive with him or by any other just impediment do not receive the Sacrament of Christs body and blood then the Curate shall instruct him that if he do truely repent him of his sins and stedfastly beleeve that Jesus Christ hath suffered death upon the crosse for him and shed his blood for his redemption earnestly remembring the benefits he hath thereby and giving him hearty thanks therefore he doth eat and drink the body and blood of our Saviour Christ profitable to his souls health although he do not receive the Sacrament with his mouth Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. When the sick person is visited and receiveth the holy Communion all at one time then the Minister for more expidition shall cut of the form of the visitation at the Psalm In thee O Lord have I put my trust and go streight to the Communion When the sick person is visited and receiveth the holy Communion all at one time then the Priest for more expedition shall use this order at the visitation The Anthem Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Our Father which art in heaven c. And lead us not into temptation Answer But deliver us from evil Amen Let us pray O Lord Look down from heaven c. With the first part of the exhortation and all other things unto the Psalm In thee O Lord have I put my trust c. And if the sick person desire to be anointed then shall the Priest use the appointed prayer without any Psalm Common Prayer In the time of plage sweat or such other like contagious times of sicknesses or diseases when none of the Parish or neighbors can be gotten to Communicate with the sick in their houses for â—eaâ— of the infection upon special request of the diseased the Minister may aloâ—â— Communicate with him The order for the burial of the dead Y The Minister meeting the Corps at the Church stile shall say Or else the Ministers and Clarks shall sing And so go either unto the Church or toward the grave Z I Am the resurrection and the life saith the Lord He that beleeveth in me yea though he were dead yet shall he live And whosoever liveth and beleeveth in me shall not die for ever I Know that my redeemer liveth and that I shall rise out of the â—arth in the last day and shall be covered again with my skin 〈◊〉 shall see God in my flesh yea and I my self shall be hold him not with other but with these same eyes WE brought nothing into this world neither may we carry anything out of this world The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away Even as it pleaseth the Lord so cometh things to passe Blessed he the name of the Lord. When they come at the grave whiles the corps is made ready to be laid into the earth the Minister shall say or the Minister and Clerks shall sing MAn that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live and is full of misesery he cometh up and is cut down like a flour He fleeth as it were a shadow and never continueth in one stay In the midst of life we be in death Of whom may we seek for succor but of thee O Lord which for our sins justly are displeased Yet O Lord God most holy O Lord most mighty O holy and most merciful Saviour deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death Thou knowest Lord the secrets of our hearts shut not up thy merciful eyes to our prayers But spare us Lord most holy O God most mighty O holy and merciful Saviour thou most worthy Judge eternal suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of death to fall from thee Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. Then while the earth shall be cast upon the body by some standing by the Minister shall say Then the Priest casting earth upon the Corps shall say Forasmuch as it hath pleased almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himselfthe soulof our dear brother here departed we therefore commit his body to the ground earth to earth ashes to ashes dust to dust Z in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile Body that it may be like to his glorious Body according to the
not to whole Congregations as in the former instances where the confession is too general to be conceived in all real and a confession at large can at most pretend but to an Absolution at large effectual only to such as truly and sincerely repent If the rich person desire to be anointed Constat hunc ritum nec vetustum esse nec ullo praecepto Dei vel laudato Sanctorum exemplo commendatum saith Buâ—er It is clear this Rite is neither ancient nor commended to the Churches practice by any either precept of God or example of the Primitive Fathers Most true Confest it is as to matter of Fact Apostolical those holy men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 anointed many infirm persons Marc. 6. 13. So also as to matter of precept that St. James appointed the Elders to anoint the sick person but both the one and the other was in order to a miraculous operation in the cure of the diseased and therefore not practicable in these times which pretend to no such gifts Nor was it interpreted then to be a rite so necessary but that the miracle of healing could proceed otherwayes and without it as may be instanced in several cures mentioned in the Acts. And for times succeeding the Apostles no one example occurreth in any genuine Father of any so cured but only of Severus the Emperour by Proculus the Toparch related by Tertullian And were that command of Saint James obligatory to succeeding ages yet can it no wayes authorise the unction of the Church of Rome which is designed for other ends viz. to be a viaticum in the moment of expiration The Communion of the sick The administration of this Sacrament to Christians in extremis and their fatal farewel was reputed by the Primitive Fathers so necessary a dispensation as they indulged it even to such as were excommunicated by the censures of the Church and were not no not in case they recovered admitted to communicate until their full time was elapsed So the first Council of Nice decreed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Concerning Lapsed persons and Penitents 〈◊〉 out of the world let the ancient and Caâ—onical rule be observed that if any â—e in that extremity let him by no meant be deprived of his last most necessary viatieum and provision for a better world As to this Office of our Church Scripta est ad Divinarum Scripturarum regulam quam 〈◊〉 saith Bucer It is framed most agreeable to the rule of holy Scripture The Argentine or Strasburgh exiles had in their Liturgy an Office entituled De Eucharistia ministranda aegrotis Of administring the Eucharist to sick persons Yea Calvin himself pleads much for it Cur caenam Aegrotis non arbitror negandam esse mulâ—ae graves causae me impellunt Many and weighty causes move me to think the Communion should not be denied to sick persons True it is he tells Olivian scis frater alium esse apud nos morem Our usage here at Geneva is otherwise but then adds withall fero quia non est utile centendere I endure it because I know not how to hâ—â—p it So that Geneva her self by Calvins confession was not so well ordred in all things as he wished Then shall the Priest reserve Though circumstances of time place persons and the like add no real grandure to the things themselves to which they relate yet considering the potent influence they have in operating upon human affections they have so much weight as the things themselves for a great part of the honour and respect is deferred to them stand obliged to the rites wherewith they are ceremoniated whence it is that in all religious transactions they make the deepest impression upon our souls which are invested with greatest solemnity Upon this account the Primitive Fathers though passionately indulgent towards and tender of their sick brethren in granting them their spiritual viaticum yet alwayes took a care that the Elements should be consecrated in the Church And indeed if Consecration be of any import if with God it prevaileth any thing effectual towards the making those Elements the body and blood of Christ if in us it createth any greater reverence to those dreadful mysteries then certainly that Consecration must needs excel all others which is made in the full Congregation g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where there is 〈◊〉 â—oâ—course of Reverend Saints plying the Throne of Grace so ardently and so unanimously for a blessing upon those Elements This Rubrique therefore being so consenant to antiquity and passing the censure of Buâ—er without the least reproof had a fair plea for its continuation had not the Eucharist so reserved been abused by superstitious carrying it about in solemn procession and the habitual adoration frequented in the Romish practice moved our Reformers to expunge it This notwithstanding I observe in a Latin Translation of our Liturgy Anno 2. Elâ—â— this Rubrique exactly set down according to the first Liturgy of Edward 6. enjoining the Minister to reserve tâ—ntum quantum sufficit â—groto sufficient for the sick person The wonder iâ— not great if consideration be had of the Primary Relatives of that Translation This is clearly exhibited in the Proclamation prefixt to it for it was set forth by Supreme Authority Constituimus per praesâ—ntes licitum esse c perâ—â—ssum 〈◊〉 authorâ—tate privilegio regali tam Decano sodalitio Ecclesiae Christi in Academia nostra Oxoniae quam Praesidibus Custodibus Rectoribus Magistris Sodaliratibus omnium singulorum Collegiorum Cantaâ—riâ—â—ae Oxoniae Wintâ—niae Etoniae noc modo precandi Latine uti publicâ— in Ecclesiis farellis suis. We ordain by these presents that it shall be lawful and 〈◊〉 â—or Authority and Princely Privilege as well for the 〈…〉 Christ in our University of Oxford as for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Master and Fellows of all and singular the Colleges of Cambridge Oxford Winchester and Eaton to use this form of Latine 〈◊〉 publickly in their Churches and Chapels Whereby it is most eviaâ—nt the Translation was made peculiarly for the service of the Universities and two Colleges of Winchester and Eaton And this is the reason that the Matrimonial Office â— as also the other two of Baptism and Churching of Women 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it are totally omitted in that Translation the state of Matrimony being 〈◊〉 consistent with the fundamental Statutes of those Societies Now this Translation being framed particularly for those Learned Societies they might be the better trusted with the Elements reserved upon a rational presumption that the greateâ— light they enjoyed the less prone and disposed would they be to errour and superstition The Priest 〈◊〉 the Corps The rites of funeral exportation appear in antiquity so various as it is not easie by literal interpretation to determine of them that they are not contradictory By the fourth Council of Carthage it was decreed Ut mortous Ecclesiae Paenitentes efferant That the
ut volebas conatus sum hortari I have used my endeavour as thou didst wish me to perswade the Protector Whence manifest it is that Letter was wrot at the instance of Martin Bucer then in England Now Bucer arrived not in England until Anno 49. though Mr. Fox erroneously renders him here Anno 47. This is apparent by the occanon of his leaving Strasburgh In the year 1548. Charles the fift then Emperour caused at the diet of Ausburgh a form of Religion to be drawn up so modified in accomodation to the both Romish Catholiques and Protestants as he expected both Parties would subscribe unto it and because it was onely intended as the standard of Belief until the Councel of Trent should add to the points contraverted a final determination and no longer it was therefore called the Interim Bucer being called to Auspurgh by the Electors Palatine and Brandenburgh with the Emperours leave to submit to this Interim declared he could not with a safe conscience do it He well know that this declaration once past Strasburgh would be no place of security to him especially taking notice that the Emperour had an old pique and grudge against him as a principal Actor in the Collen Reformation Being thus necessitated to abandon Strasburgh he intimated his condition to a friend of his in England that Friend acquaints the Bishop Cranmer therewith who presently by an express of his own dated October 2. 48. and after by his Secretary Peter Alexander March 14. 49. gives him an earnest invite to England with promises of ample promotion To this friendly call Bucer listens and visits England in the Spring Cum primum venissem are his own words as soon as he came over he caused the Liturgy to be translated for him that he might judge whither or not he might conform to it So that the Liturgy was certainly published before he came over and that was not until 49. Being here and observing some Ceremonies boggled at by nicer palates that Summer he gives Calvin an account thereof desiring him to move the Protector they might not be so strictly urged This was the genuine and true impulsive to Calvin to write that Letter which if dated in October as all the Impressions of his Epistles render it and the context of all circumstances seems to perswade belief it must then of necessity be in October 1549. THE PROCLAMATION EDward by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland defender of the Faith and of the Church of England and Ireland in earth the supream head To all and singuler our loving Subjects greeting For so much as in our high Court of Parliament lately holden at Westminster it was by us with the consent of the Lords spiritual and temporal and Commons there assembled most godly and agreeably to Christs holy institution enacted the most blessed Sacrament of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ should from henceforth be commonly delivered and ministred unto all persons within our Realm of England and Ireland and other our Dominions under both kinds that is to say of bread and wine except necessity otherwise require least every man phantasying and devising a sundry way by himself in the use of this most blessed Sacrament of unity there might thereby arise any unseemly and ungodly diversity Our pleasure is by the advise of our most dear Uncle the Duke of Somerset Governour of our person and Protector of our Realmes Dominions and Subjects and other our Privy Counsel that the said blessed Sacrament be ministred unto our People onely after such form and manner as hereafter by our authority with the advise before mentioned is set forth and declared Willing every man with due reverence and christian behaviour to come to this holy Sacrament and most blessed Communion lest that by the unworthy receiving of so high misteries they become guilty of the body and blood of the Lord and so eat and drink their own damnation but rather diligently trying themselves that they so come to this holy table of Christ and so be partakers of this holy Communion that they may dwell in Christ and have Christ dwelling in them And also with such obedience and conformity to receive this our Ordinance and most godly direction that we may be encouraged from time to time further to travel for the reformation and setting forth of such godly orders as may be most to Gods glory the edifying of our Subjects and for the advancement of true Religion Which the thing we by the help of God most earnestly entended to bring to effect willing all our loving Subjects in the mean time to stay and quiet themselves with this our direction as men content to follow authority according to the bounden duty of Subjects and not enterprising to run afore and so by their rashness become the greatest hinderers of such things as they more arrogantly than godly would seem by their own private authority most hotly to set forward we would not have our Subjects so much to mislike our Judgment so much to mistrust our zeale as though we rather could not discerne what were to be done or would not do all things in due time God be praised we know both what by his Word is meet to be redressed and have an earnest mind by the advise of our most deare Uncle and other of our Privy Councel with all diligence and convenient speed so to set forth the same as it may most stand with Gods glory and edifying and quietness of our people Which we doubt not but all our obedient and loving Subjects will quietly and reverently tarry for God save the King The order of the Communion FIrst the Parson Vicar or Curat the next Sunday or Holy-day or at the least one day before he shall minister the Communion shall give warning to his Parishioners or those which be present that they prepare themselves thereto saying to them openly and plainly as hereafter followeth or such like DEar friends and you especially upon whose souls I have cure and charge upon day next I do entend by Gods grace to offer to all such as shall be thereto godly disposed the most comfortable Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ to be taken of them in the remembrance of his most fruitful and glorious passion by the which passion we have obtained remission of our sinnes and be made partakers of the kingdom of heaven whereof we be assured and ascertain'd if we come to the said Sacrament with harty repentance of our offences stedfast Faith in Gods mercy and earnest mind to obey Gods will and to offend no more wherefore our duty is to come to these holy mysteries with most hearty thanks to be given to Almighty God for his infinite mercy and benefits given and bestowed upon us his unworthy servants for whom he hath not onely given his body to death and shed his blood but also doth vouchsafe in a Sacrament and mystery to give us his said body
and blood spiritually to feed and drink upon The which Sacrament being so divine and holy a thing and so comfortable to them which receive it worthily and so dangerous to them that will presume to take the same unworthily my duty is to exhort you in the mean season to consider the greatness of the thing and to search and examine your own consciences and that not lightly nor after the manner of dissemblers with God But as they which should come to a most godly and heavenly banket not to come but in the marriage garment required of God in Scripture that you may so much as lieth in you be found worthy to come to such a table The waies and means thereto is First that you be truely repentant of your former evil life and that you confess with an unfained heart to almighty God your sins and unkindness towards his Majesty committed either by will word or deed infirmity or ignorance and that with inward sorrow and teares you bewaile your offences and require of Almighty God mercy and pardon promising to him from the bottom of your hearts the amendment of your former life And amongst all others I am commanded of God especially to move and exhort you to reconcile your selves to your neighbours whom you have offended or who hath offended you putting out of your hearts all hatred and malice against them and to be in love and charity with all the world and to forgive other as you would that God should forgive you And if there be any of you whose conscience is troubled and grieved in any thing lacking comfort or counsel let him come to me or some other discreet and learned Priest taught in the Law of God and confess and open his sinne and grief secretly that he may receive such ghostly counsel advise and comfort that his conscience may be relieved and that of us as a Minister of God and of the Church he may receive comfort and absolution to the satisfaction of his mind and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness requiring such as shall be satisfied with a general confession not to be offended with them that doth use to their further satisfying the auricular and secret confession to the Priest nor those also which think needful or convenient for the quietness of their own consciences particularly to open their sinnes to the Priest to be offended with them which are satisfied with their humble confession to God and the general confession to the Church But in all these things to follow and keep the rule of Charity and every man to be satisfied with his own conscience not judging other mens minds or acts whereas he hath no warrant of Gods Word for the same The time of Communion shall be immediatly after that the Priest him self hath received the Sacrament without the varying of any other rite or ceremony in the Masse until other order shall be provided but as heretofore usually the Priest hath done with the Sacrament of the body to prepare less and consecrate so much as will serve the people so it shall yet continue still after the same manner and form save that he shall bless and consecrate the biggest Chalice or some fair and convenient cup or cups full of wine with some water put unto it And that day not drink it all up himself but taking one onely sup or draught leave the rest upon the Altar covered and turn to them that are disposed to be partakers of the Communion and shall thus exhort them as followeth Dearly beloved in the Lord ye comming to this holy Communion must consider what S. Paul writeth to the Corinthians how he exhorteth all persons diligently to trie and examine themselves or ever they presume to eate of this bread and drink of this cup for as the benefit is great if with a truly penitent heart and lively faith we receive this holy Sacrament for then we spiritually eate the flesh of Christ and drink his bloud Then we dwell in Christ and Christ in us we be made one with Christ and Christ with us So is the danger great if we receive the same unworthily for then we become guiltie of the body and blood of Christ our Saviour we eat and drink our own damnation because we make no difference of the Lords body we kindle Gods wrath over us we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases and sundry kindes of death Judge therefore your selves brethren that ye be not judged of the Lord. Let your minde be without desire to sinne Repent you truly for your sinnes past have an earnest and lively Faith in Christ our Saviour be in perfect Charity with all men so shall ye be meet partakers of these holy Mysteries But above all things you must give most humble and hearty thanks to God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for the Redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Jesus Christ both God and man who did humble himself even to the death upon the Cross for us miserable sinners lying in darkness and the shadow of death that he might make us the children of God and exalt us to everlasting life And to the end that we alway should remember the exceeding love of our Master and Saviour Jesus Christ thus doing for us and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood shedding he hath obtained to us he hath left in these holy Mysteries as a pledg of his love and a continual remembrance of the same his own blessed body and precious blood for us spiritually to feed upon to our endless comfort and consolation To him therefore with the Father and the Holy Ghost let us give as we are bound continually thanks submitting our selves wholly to his holy will and pleasure and studying to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the daies of our life Amen Then the Priest shall say to them that be ready to take the Sacrament If any man here be an open Blaspemer Advouterer in malice or envy or any other notable crime and be not truly sorry therefore and earnestly minded to leave the same vices or that doth not trust himself to be reconciled to Almighty God and in charity with all the world let him yet a while bewail his sinnes and not yet come to this holy Table least after the taking of this most blessed bread the Devil enter into him as he did into Judas to fulfill in him all iniquity and to bring him to destruction both of body and soul. Here the Priest shall pause a while to see if any man will withdraw himself and if he perceive any so to do then let him commune with him privily at convenient leasure and see whether he can with good exhortation bring him to grace and after a little pause the Priest shall say You that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sinnes and offences committed to Almighty God and be in love and charity with your neighbours and intend
to lead a new life and heartily to follow the Commandements of God and to walk from henceforth in his holy wayes draw near and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort make your humble Confession to Almighty God and to his holy Church here gathered together in his name meekly kneeling upon your knees Then shall a general Confession be made in the name of all those that are minded to receive the holy Communion either by one of them or else by one of the Ministers or by the Priest himself all kneeling humbly upon their knees Almighty God father of our Lord Jesus Christ Maker of all things Judge of all men we acknowledg and bewail our manifold sinnes and wickedness which we from time to time most grievously have committed by thought word and deed against thy divine Majestie provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us we do earnestly repent and be heartily sorry for these our misdoings The remembrance of them is grievous unto us the burthen of them is intollerable have mercy upon us have mercy upon us most mercifull Father for thy son our Lord Jesus Christs sake Forgive us all that is past and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life to the honour and glory of thy name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Then shall the Priest stand up turning him to the people say thus Our blessed Lord who hath left power to his Church to absolve penitent sinners from their sinnes and to restore to the grace of the heavenly Father such as truely believe in Christ have mercy upon you pardon and deliver you from all sinnes confirme and strengthen you in all goodness and bring you to everlasting life Then shall the Priest stand up and turning him to the people say thus Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith to all that truly turn to him Come unto me all that travail and be heavy laden and I shall refresh you So God loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son to the end that all that believe in him should not perish but have life everlasting Hear what S. Paul saith This is a true saying and worthy of all men to be embraced and received that Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners Hear also what S. John saith If any man sin wee have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous he it is that obtained grace for our sinnes Then shall the Priest kneel down and say in the name of all them that shall receive this Communion this Prayer following WE do not presume to come to this Table O mercifull Lord trusting in our own righteousness but in thy manifold and great mercies we be not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table But thou art the same Lord whose property is alwayes to have mercy Grant us therefore Gracious Lord so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood in these holy Mysteries that we may continually dwell in him and he in us that our sinfull bodies may be made clean by his body and our soules washed though his most precious blood Amen Then shall the Priest rise the people still reverently kneeling and the Priest shall deliver the Communion first to the Ministers if any be there present that they may be ready to help the Priest and after to the other and when he doth deliver the Sacrament of the body of Christ he shall say to every one these words following The body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee preserve thy body unto everlasting life And the Priest delivering the Sacrament of the bloud and giving every one to drink once and no more shall say The bloud of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee preserve thy soul unto everlasting life If there be a Deacon or other Priest then shall he follow with the Challice and as the Priest ministreth the bread so shall he for the more expedition minister the wine in form before written Then shall the Priest turning him to the people let the people depart with this Blessing The Peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and mindes in the knowledge and love of God and of his son Jesus Christ our Lord. To the which the people shall answer Amen Note that the Bread that shall be Consecrated shall be such as heretofore have been accustomed And every of the said consecrated Breads shall be broken in two peices at the least or more by the discretion of the Minister and so distributed And men must not think less to be received in part then in the whole but in each of them the whole body of our Saviour Jesu Christ Note that If it doth so chance that the wine hallowed and consecrate doth not suffice or be enough for them that do take the Communion the Priest after the first cup or Chalice be emptied may go again to the Altar and reverently and devoutly prepare and consecrate another and so the third or more likewise beginning at these words Simili modo postquam coenatum est and ending in these words Qui pro vobis pro multis effundetur in remissionem peccatorum and without any levation or lifting up Imprinted at London the 8th day of March 2º EDW. 6 ti by R. Grafton Anno 1548. Addenda PAge 22. after line 12 begin another Division Thus. Chancellors Commissaries c. As much is it for the both honour and Interest of Christianity That the Professors of that Religion live as well as believe answerable to her Rule Upon this account in the Infancy of the Church for the first three hundred years the first care taken was That morall scandalls should not be committed at all the next was That when committed they should not be known amongst or taken notice of by the Heathens to the infamy of Christianity To this end all Offences of what nature or degree soever Ecclesiastical or Civil had their audience before the Bishop and his Bench of Elders which consistory according to the merit of the cause did admonish correct censure Nor did it take notice of crimes onely but if any contention or brabble chanced to happen between Party and Party the matter was so ordered as it was amicably composed by Arbitration and in case any were refractory and stubborne they were cast out of the Society of Christians Such was the Clergy Discipline before the Supream Magistrates entertained the Christian Faith And although after Constantine Lay-Courts took off Civil Lawes from the Church nisi alteruter Litigatorum aliter postularet unless one of the litigant parties should request to have the cause tried in the Bishops Consistory Yet did the Bishop notwithstanding keep up his Court for the cognizance of crimes Ecclesiastical by which I intend not onely such as are committed by persons Ecclesiastical contrary to Canons but also such others as were of