whereof the Communion bare its part is called in Novella Leonis 112. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Connubial Initiation In order to this Communion I conceive it is that the Office is restreined to the forenoon which in ancient times was performed in the evening for which service lights and torches were part of the solemnity as Learned Grotius hath noted Confess I do that between the Customary excess of riot and licentious dissoluteness frequently attending Nuptial solemnities and this most dreadful Mystery there seemes to be impar congressus a mis-becoming greeting that they are of very different complexions and suit not well together Yet why should the Church in her most solemn and decent establishment give place to or be justled out by accessary abuses Why not rather the abuses themselves reformed so far as they stand separate from the rules of sobriety and Religion Such I am certain was the discipline of the Antient Fathers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is not fit that Christians at weddings should use Balls and Dancing but to dine or sup temperately as becometh Christians The Order of the visitation of the sick The Method and Essentials of this Order is derived from St. James who directeth that in case of sicknesse the Presbyters should be sent for the intention of our Church is that they should come both sent for and unsent for and so was Polycharpus his Order 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let the Presbyters visit all such persons A duty of all most necessary at that time when both body and soul cry aloud for help and present help too or both must perish everlastingly The Minister must help to ransack all the sluts-corners of his patients soul to search narrowly into all his sins which unrepented of defile and pollute that consecrated Temple of the Holy Ghost help him he must by making spiritual applications of exhortation reproof consolation congruous with and suitable to his particular necessities and no time fitter for those applications than this when the carnal lusts and unruly passions languishing with the body they have all advantages for operation upon the soul. Then the Minister shall rehearse the Articles of his Faith It is an excellent saying of St. Augustine Male vivitur si de Deo non recte creditur We live ill yea and dye so too if of God we believe amiss Against male-fidians as well as against nulli-fidians and soâ—i-fidians Heaven gates are certainly kept close barred A most sad speculation it is to cast a reflex upon many myriads of men in their exterior morals very splendid which pass away into eâ—ernity and miscarry for default of a true belief in the main fundamentals of their salvation Whether he be in Charity There is not any duty more enforced in the Gospel than that of Brotherly reconciliation Christs aphorism enforceth it If you forgive not men their trespasses no more will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses Where mercy and forgiveness are made the condition annext to Gods pardoning our sins Again Christ whose followers we must be his practice enforceth it Father forgive them Luke the 23. 34. So he to his very Persecuters and to Steven Lord lay not this sin to their charge what were his last and dying words should properly be ours Lastly The Parable of that servus nequam that unjust and implacable servant enforceth it his doom it was and will certainly be ours to be delivered to the tormenters the Devil and his Angels unless we totally and cordially forgive all that have wronged us The Minister may not forget c. Charity stands upon two legs forgiving and giving the Church having endeavoured by her Minister to raise the first part of this grace in the sick persons comes now to the second shewing mercy and compassion to the poor This is called doing good and they in whom this grace hath abounded are said to be Rich in good works 1 Tim. 6. 17. And the better to excite worldlings to it it is called laying up in store If then our deeds of Charity to the Poor are our goods works and good works are our only moveables which shall follow us to another world no time more seasonable for them than sickness when we are packing up to be gone Confession and Absolution Here the Church approveth of though she doth not command Auricular confession Many times poor soules lye labouring under the pangs of an horrid reflex upon the number or greatness of their sins and the dreadful wrath of God deservedly expected for them In this case no remedy comparable to an humble and sincere confession at large common to all and sometimes restreined to some one particular predominant sin of whose pressure he finds the greatest weight upon which confession mixt with a vehement and earnest plying the Throne of God for mercy it becomes the Minister instantly to interpose to lay before him the inexhaustible treasure of Gods infinite mercies to assure him of his interest therein and upon the hypothesis of his contrition to be serious and unfeigned to give him Absolution Not that at the moment of such Absolution and not before the sinners pardon is sealed in Heaven which is done at the very first minute of his repentance if to the great Critick of hearts as he calls himself the All-seeing God it appeareth cordial but that that Pardon be evidenced to him and manifested by unspeakable comforts usually flowing into a disconsolate soul upon the pronouncing of such Absolution God thereby countenancing and giving reputation both to his word and Ministery But there being two Absolutions mentioned in the former Offices one at Morning Prayer and the other in the Communion service it may be demanded why only this is in the first person I absolve thee The answer is there are three Opinions concerning Absolution The first entertained by a few conceive it Optative precarious or by petition only as praying for the pardon of the sins of the Penitent The second think it Declaratory only that is pronouncing the Penitent absolved by applying Gods promises to the signs of his contâ—ition Lastly some contend that it is Authoritative as deriving power and commission from God not to declare the party absolved but for the Priest to do it in words denoting the first Person All these three opinions our Church seemeth in part to favour the first under these words Almighty God have mercy on you pardon and deliver â—ou c. Absolution for the Communion The second under these words Hath given charge and command to his Ministers to declare and pronounce to his people being Penitent the Absolution and Remission of their sins The last by these words I absolve thee Which Authoritative Absolution is rather proper here because where the Priest absolves in his own person his Absolution is not fitly applicable to any but such as have given him evident tokens of hearty sorrow for their sins such as Divine chastisements usually causeth Extendible it is
hath vouchâ—aâ—ed to call to his holy baptisme and to be made members of his body and of his holy congregation therefore thou cursed spirit remember thy sentence remember thy judgement remember the day to be at hand wherein thou shalt burn in fire everlasting prepared for thee and thy Angels And presume not hereafter to exercise any Tyrany towards these Infants whom Christ hath bought with his most precious blood and by this his holy Baptisme calleth to be of his flock Then shall the Priest say The Lord be with you The people And with thy spirit The Minister Hear now the Gospel written by St. Mark AT a certain time they brought children unto Christ that he should touch them and his disciples rebuked those that brought them But when Jesus sow it he was displeased and said unto them suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them nor for to such belong the kingdome of God Uerily I say unto you whosoever doth not receive the kingdom of God as a little childe be shall not enter therein And when he had taken them up in his armes he put his hands upon them and blessed them After the Gospel is read the Minister shall make this brief exhortation upon the words of the Gospel FRends you hear in this gospel the words of our saviour Christ that be commanded the children to be brought unto him how he blamed those that would have kept them from him how be exhorteth all men to follow their innocency You perceive how by his outward gesture and deed he declared his good will toward them For he unbraced them in his armes he laid his hands upon them and blessed them Doubt not ye therefore but earnestly beleeve that he will likewise favourably receive these present infants that he will imbrace them with the armes of his mercy that he will give unto them the blessing of eternal life and make them partakers of his everlasting kingdome Wherefore we being thus perswaded of the good will of our heavenly father toward these infants declared by his son Jesus Christ and nothing doubting but that he favourably alloweth this charitable work of ours in bringing these children to his holy baptisme let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him and say 1 B. of Edw. 6. And say the prayer which himself hath taught and in declaration of our faith let us recite also the articles contained in our Creed Here the Minister with the Godfathers and Godmothers and people present shall say Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be c. And then shall say openly I beleeve in God the Father Almigihty c. Then shall he adde also this prayer ALmighty and everlasting God heavenly Father we give thee humble thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and faith in thee Encrease this knowledge and confirm this faith in us evermore give thy holy spirit to these infants that they may be born again and be made heires of everlasting salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who liveth and reigneth with thee and thy holy spirit now and for ever Amen Then the Minister shall speak unto the Godfathers and Godmothers on this wise WE beloved friends ye have brought these children here to be baptised ye have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive them to lay his hands upon them to blesse them to release them of their sins to give them the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life Ye have heard also that our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his Gospel to grant all these things that ye have prayed for Which promise he for his part will most surely keep and perform Wherefore after this promise made by Christ these infants must also faithfully for their part promise by you that be their suerties that they will forsake the devil and all his works and constantly beleeve Gods holy word and obediently keep his commandments  1 B. of Edw. 6. Then shall the Minister demande H of the Godfathers and Godmothers these questions following Then shall the Priest demand of the childe which shall be first baptised these questions following first naming the childe and saying I Doest thou forsake the devil and all his works the vain pomp and glory of the world with all covetous desires of the same the carnal desires of the flesh so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them N. Doest thou forsake the devil and all his works  Answer  I forsake them  Minister Answer Doest thou forsake the vain pomp and glory of the world with all the covetous desires of the same I forsake them all Answer  I forsake them Minister Doest thou beleeve in God the Father almighty maker of heaven and earth And in Jesus Christ his onely begotten Son our Lord And that he was conceived by the holy ghost born of the Nirgin Mary that he suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried that he went down into hell and also did rise again the third day that he ascended into heaven and â—itteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty and from thence shall come again at the end of the world to judge the quick and the dead And doest thou beleeve in the holy Ghost the holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the remission of sins the resurrection of the flesh and everlasting life after death Answer All this I stedfastly beleeve Minister Wilt thou be baptised in this faith Answer That is my desire Minister Dost thou forsake the carnal desires of the flesh so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them Answer I forsake them Minister Doest thou beleeve in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth Answer I beleeve Minister Dost thou beleeve in Jesus Christ his onely begotten son our Lord c. Answer I beleeve Minister Doest thou beleeve in the holy Ghost the holy Catholick Church the Communion of saints remission of sins Resurrection of the flesh and everlasting life after death Answer I believe Minister What is thy desire Answer Baptisme Minister wilt thou be baptised Answer I will 1 B. of Edw. 6. The water in the Font shall be changed every moneth once at the least and afore any childe be baptised in the water so changed the Priest shall say at the font these prayers following O most merciful God our Saviour Jesus Christ who hast ordeined the element of water for the regeneration of thy faithful people upon whom being baptised in the river of Jordan the holy Ghost came down in the likenesse of a dove send down we beseech thee the same thy holy spirit to assist us and to be present at this our invocation of thy holy name Sanctifie †this fountain of Baptisme thou that art the sanctifier of all things that by the power of thy word all those that shall be baptised therein may be spiritually regenerated and made the children of everlasting adoption Amen
of Common prayer or Divine service as appeareth by the ancient Liturgies of the Greek and Latine Churches This was done as for other great causes so likewise for retaining an uniformity in Gods worship a thing most beseeming them that are of one and the same profession For by the form that is kept in the outward worship of God men commonly judge of Religion If in that there be a diversity strait they are apt to conceive the Religion to be diverse Wherefore it were to be wished that the whole Church of Christ were one as well in form of publick worship as in doctrine And that as it hath but one Lord and one Faith so it had but one heart and one mouth This would prevent many schismes and divisions and serve much to the preserving of unity But since that cannot be hoped for in the whole Catholick Christian Church yet at least in the Churches that are under the protection of one Soveraigne Prince the same ought to be endeavoured It was not the least part of our late Soveraigne King JAMES of blessed memory his care to work this uniformity in all his Dominions but while he was about to do it it pleased God to translate him to a better kingdome His Majestie that now raigneth and long may he raigne over us in all happinesse not suffering his Fathers good purpose to fall to the ground but treading the same path with the like zeal and pious affection gave order soon after his coming to the Crown for the framing of a Book of Common prayer like unto that which is received in the Churches of England and Ireland for the use of this Church After many lets and hindrances the same cometh now to be published to the good we trust of all Gods people and the increase of true piety and sincere devotion amongst them But as there is nothing how good and warrantable soever in it self against which some will not except so it may be that exceptions will be taken against this good and most pious work and perhaps none more pressed then that we have followed the Service book of England But we should desire them that shall take this exception to consider that being as we are by Gods mercie of one true profession and otherwise united by many bonds it had not been fitting to vary much from theirs our especially coming forth after theirs seeing the disturbers of the Church both here and there should by our differences if they had been great taken occasion to work more trouble Therefore did we think meet to adhere to their form even in the festivals and some other rites not as yet received nor observed in our Church rather then by omitting them to give the Adversary to think that we disliked any part of their service Our first Reformers were of the same minde with us as appeareth by the ordinance they made that in all the Parishes of this Realm the Common-prayer should be read weekly on Suâ—daies and other Festival dayes with the Lessons of the old and new Testament conform to the order of the book of Common prayer meaning that of England for it is known that divers years after we had no other order for common prayer This is recorded to have been the first head concluded in a frequent Councel of the Lords and Barons professing Christ Jesus We keep the words of the history Religion was not then placed in rites and gestures nor men taken with the fancie of extemporary prayers Sure the publick worship of God in his Church being the most solemn action of us his poor creatures here below ought to be performed by a Liturgie advisedly set and framed and not according to the sudden and various fancies of men This shall suffice for the present to have said The God of mercy confirm our hearts in his truth and preserve us alike from prophanenesse and superstition Amen Of Ceremonies why some be abolished and some reteined OF such Ceremonies as be used in the Church and have had their beginning by the institution of man some at the first were of godly entent and purpose devised and yet at length turned to vanity and superstition some entred into the Church by undiscreet devotion and such a zeal as was without knowledge and for because they were winked at in the beginning they grew daily to more and more abuses which not only for their unprofitablenesse but also because they have much blinded the people and obscured the glory of God are worthy to be cut away and clean rejected Other there be which although they have been devised by man yet is it thought good to reserve them still as well for a decent order in the Church for the which they were first devised as because they pertein to edification whereunto all things done in the Church as the Apostle teacheth ought to be referred And although the keeping or omitting of a Ceremony in it selfe considered is but a small thing yet the wilfull and contemptuous transgression and breaking of a common order and discipline is no small offence before God Let all things be done among you saith Saint Paul in a seemly and due order The appointment of the which order pertaineth not to private men therefore no man ought to take in hand nor presume to appoint or alter any publick or common order in Christs Church except he be lawfully called and authorized thereunto And whereas in this our time the mindes of men are so divers that some think it a great matter of conscience to depart from a piece of the least of their Ceremonies they be so addicted to their old customes and again on the other side some be so new fangled that they would innovate all things and so despise the old that nothing can like them but that is new It was thought expedient not so much to have respect how to please and satisfie either of these parties as how to please God and profit them both And yet lest any man should be offended whom good reason might satisfie here be certain causes rendred why some of the accustomed Ceremonies be put away and some reteined and kept still Some are put away because the great excesse and multitude of them hath so increased in these latter dayes that the burden of them was intollerable whereof Saint Augustine in his time complained that they were growen to such a number that the state of a Christian people was in worse case concerning the matter then were the Jews And he counselled that such yoke and burden should be taken away as time would serve quietly to do it But what would saint Augustine have said if he had seen the ceremonies of late dayes used among us whereunto the multitude used in his time was not to be compared This our excessive multitude of ceremonies was so great and many of them so dark that they did more confound and darken then declare and set forth Christs benefits unto us And besides this Christs Gospel
by Riccardus upon Proclus deceive me not it was a fast day it self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in which we were wont to fast till night Now a fast-day could not have a fasted vigil As for St. Mark and Philip and Jacob they fall within the fifty dayes after Easter which priviledged them from having fasts Amongst all the rest onely St. Michael and St. Luke have no fasts Not St. Michael because as ritualists observe the Angels did not enter into their joyes through sufferings Not St. Luke because another day formerly of great esteem in our Church falleth upon the Eve thereof These to be observed for Holy dayes and none other In the Catalogue of the Additional alterations of our Liturgy this Catalogue of Holy-dayes stands charged by Smectymnuus Truth it is in King Edwards Liturgy no such Catalogue expresly occurrs but they have in the Kalendar an establishment tant a mount this Catalogue is extracted from a statute 5. 6. Edw. 6. repealed by Queen Mary and revived by King James 1. Jacob 1 c. 25. And by Act of Parliament requisit it is Holy-dayes should be confirmed the property Parents claim in their children masters in their Servants directs it neither of which being sui juris but subordinate to others their Superiours it would be injurious to them who have the Paramount disposal of them to deprive them of their work with-out their free consent which being done by Parliament where every man either personally or by representation virtually voteth all men are alike concluded none hath reason to complain For which very reason perhaps the Apostles were sparing in instituting holy-dayes especially with a strict cessation from bodily labour wherein masters and Parents challenging an interest their consent was necessarily required And perhaps this may be in part the reason why the Councel of Laodicea can 29. decreeing the observation of the Lords-day in stead of the Sabbath in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That it is fit Christians preferring the Lords day before the Sabbath should rest like Christians on that day addeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if they can that is if their Masters Parents or Superiours will permit them grant I do Zondras interpreteth this additional as referring to the affaires of husbandry and village making its import to be this if they can with safety to the fruits of the earth but I see no necessity but the other may be included also As concerning feastivals of the Church they have rational grounds for their original for Holy-dayes are the sacred records and entries of the most eminent mercies of God conferred upon the Church the Memorials of his most remarkable works for his greatest work-dayes ought to be our capital Holy-dayes tending to mans temporal or eternal benefit which works the prophet David saith ought to be had in ever lasting remembrance and not onely so they are also the annual rent of that publick honour we owe and return to him for those gracious dispensations sometimes reserved by Divine limitation sometimes left to the Churches liberty for Gods Institution puts no absolute restraint upon the Churches freedom nor doth the enjoying of the Lords day to be observed holy exclude all power in the Church to constitute any other The Jews had of humane ordination their feast of Lots Ester 9. 21. their feast of Dedication 1 Maccab. 4. 59. This last honoured with our Saviours presence without the least hint of reproof which certainly we should have heard of had Judas Macchabeus done more then he had warrant for as some suppose Now if the people of God before Christ were dispenced with to superadd as occasions did emerge peculiar dayes of thanksgiving over and besides those of Divine establishment it is not to be presumed that the Church of Christ which pretends to a greater should be abridged of the same liberty indulged to her predecessor sure I am her Catholick both doctrine and practise hath been alwayes a challenge of that immunity What the opinion and usage of the primitive Church in this particular was I shall leave copious occasion to declare in the future considerations of the Festivities in several here I shall onely take notice of a passage of Saint Augustine misapplied by some of another perswasion and then descend to shew the judgement of Protestant Divines in defence of this liberty St. Augustine Epist. 118. ad Januar. speaking of the diversity of customes relating to the festivals and time of celebration of the Eucharist summs up all with an excellent Corollary Totum hoc genus rerum liberas hà bet observationes All these kindes of things have their free observations which free observations some enlarge to every Private Person as if he were at liberty to observe or omit them directly crosse to that fathers scope who speaks not of particular persons but Churches national as is most infallibly evident by the whole context especially where he extolleth it as the chief point of Christian prudence for every man to comply with that mode quo agere videt Ecclesiam ad quamcunque forte pervenerit which is embraced by that Church whereto it shall be his fortune to resort As for the sense of Reformed Churches and Doctors the confession of Auspurge thus Ritus illi servandi sunt qui ad tranquillitatem bonum ordinem in Ecclesia conducunt ut certae feriae certae cantiones piae those customes which advance peace and good order in the Church are to be continued such are set holydayes and sacred hymnes c. The confession of Helvetia thus if the Church do religiously celebrate the memory of the Lords Nativity Circumcision Passion c. according to Christian Liberty we do very well allow of it The confession of Bohemia thus Feasts consecrated to the celebrating of the works of Christ as to his Nativity his Passion c. and such as be dedicated to the remembrance of those Saints of whom there is mention in the holy Scriptures are by us retained at this day The confession of Wirtenberg thus It is lawful for the Bishops with the consent of their Church to appoint holy-dayes Lessons c. As for the Protestant Doctors not to trouble my reader with over-many questions I shall onely fix upon two First Bucer I wish saith he the people could be brought to it to celebrate with the Lords day onely such Feasts wherein the Lords incarnation is solemnized as his Nativity Circumcision c. as also wherein the visitation of the Virgin Mary St. John St. Peter and St. Paul the Martyrs and Angels are commemorated Secondly Zanchy Quanquam liberum est Ecclesiae Christi quos velit praeter Dominicum dies sibi sanctificandos deligere honestius tamen est laudabitius atque utilius eos sanctificare quos etiam vetus atque Apostolica puriorque Ecclesia sanctificare solita fuit i. e. Though the Church hath liberty to make choice of what dayes besides the Lords day she will celebrate yet is
reasonable soul and humane flesh subsisting Equal to the Father as touching his Godhead and inferiour to the father touching his manhood Who although he be God and man yet he is not two but one Christ. Due not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh but by taking of the manhood into God Due altogether not by confusion of substance but by unitie of person For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man so God and man is one Christ. Who suffered for our salvation desâ—â—nded into hell rose again the third day from the dead He ascended into heaven he sitteth on the right hand of the father God almighty from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies and shall give account for their own works And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting and they that have done evil into everlasting fire This is the Catholick faith which except a man beleeve faithfully he cannot be saved Glory be to the father and to the Son c. As it was in the beginning is now c. ⧠Thus endeth the order of Morning and Evening Prayer through the whole year Here followeth the Letany to be used upon Sundayes Wednesdayes and Fridayes and at other times when it shall be commanded by the ordinary Scotch Lit. and without omission of any part of the other dayly service of the Church on those dayes O God the father of Heaven have mercy upon us miserable sinners O God the father of heaven have mercy upon us miserable sinners O God the son redeemer of the world have mercy upon us miserable sinners O God the son redeemer of the world have mercy upon us miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost proceeding from the father and the son have mercy upon us miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost proceeding from the father and the son have mercy upon us miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious Trinity three persons and one God have mercy upon miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious Trinity three persons and one God have mercy upon us miserable sinners Remember not Lord our ofâ—ences nor the offences of our forefatheres neither take thou vengeance of our sins spare us good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most pretious blood and be not angry with us for ever Spare us good Lord. From all evil and mischief from sin from the crafts and assaults of the Devil from thy wrath and from everlasting damnation Good Lord deliver us From all blindnesse of heart from pride vain glory and hypocrisy from envie hatred and malice and all uncharitablenesse Good Lord deliver us From fornication and all other deadly sin and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the Divel Good Lord deliver us From lightening and tempest from plague pestilence and famine from battel and murther and from suddain death Good Lord deliver us From all sedition and privy conspiracy 1. 2. B. of Edw. 6. from the tyranny of the Bishop of Rome and all his detestable enormities from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of heart and contempt of thy word and commandement Good Lord deliver us By the mystery of thy holy incarnation by thy holy nativity and circumcision by thy baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliver us By thy agony and bloody sweat by thy cross and passion by thy precious death and burial by thy glorious resurrection and ascension and by the coming of the holy Ghost Good Lord deliver us In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the hour of death and in the day of judgement Good Lord deliver us We sinners do beseech thee to hear us O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church universally in the right way We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of life thy servant our most gracious King and governour We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to rule his heart in thy faith fear and love and that he may evermore have affiance in thee and ever seek thy honour and glory We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to be his defender and keeper giving him the victory over all his enemies We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops Pastours and ministers of the Church with true knowledge and understanding of thy word and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth and shew it accordingly We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to endue the Lords of the Councel and all the Nobility with grace wisdome and understanding We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to bless and keep the Magistrates giving them grace to execute justice and to maintain truth We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to give to all nations unitie peace and concâ—rd We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to give us a heart to love and dread thee and diligently to live after thy Commandements We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace to hâ—aâ— meekly thy word and to receive it with pure affection and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred and are deceived We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand and to comfort and help the week hearted and to raise up them that fall and finally to beat down Satan under our feet We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to succour help and comfort all that be in danger necessity and tribulation We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to preserve all that travel by land or by water all women labouring of child all sick persons and young children and to shew thy pitiâ— upon all prisoners and captives We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to defend and provide for the fatherless children and widdews and all that be desolate and oppressed We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to forgive our enemies persecutors and slanderers and to turn their hearts We beseech thee to heare us good Lord. That it may please thee to give and
preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth so as in due time we may enjoy them We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to give us true repentance to forgive us all our sins negligences and ignorances and to endue us with the grace of thy holy spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy word We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. Son of God we beseech thee to hear us Son of God we beseech thee to hear us O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world Grant us thy peace O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world Have mercy upon us O Christ hear us O Christ hear us Lord have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Our father which art in heaven c. And lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil Amen The Versicle O Lord deal not with us after our sins The Answer Neither reward us after our iniquities Let us pray O God merciful father that despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart nor the desire of such as be sorrowful mercifully assist our prayers that we make before thee in all our troubles and adversities whensoever they oppresse us And gratiously hear us that those evils which the craft and subtilty of the Devil or man worketh against us be brought to nought and by the providence of thy goodness they may be dispersed that we thy servants being hurt by no persecutions may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church though Jesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise help us and deliver for thy names sake O God we have heard with our ears and our fathers have declared unto us the noble works that thou didst in their dayes and in the old time before them O Lord arise help us and deliver us for thine honour Glory be to the Father and to the Son c. As it was in the beginning is now c. From our enemies defend us O Christ. Gratiously look upon afflictions Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people Favourably with mercy hear our prayers O son of David have mercy upon us Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us O Christ. Gratiously hear us O Christ Graciously hear us O Lord Christ. The Versicle O Lord let thy mercy be shewed upon us The Answer As we do put our trust in thee Let us pray WE humbly beseech thee O father mercifully to look upon our infirmities and for the glory of thy name sake turn from us all those evils that we most righteously have deserved and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy and evermore serve thee in holinesse and purenesse of living to thy honour and glory through our onely mediator and advacate Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A prayer for the Kings majesty O Lord our heavenly father high and mighty King of Kings Lord of Lords the onely ruler of Princes which doest from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon the earth most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious soveraign Lord and so replenish him with the grace of thy holy spirit that he may alway encline to thy will and walk in thy way endue him plentifully with heavenly gifts grant him in health and wealth long to live strengthen him that he may vanquish and overcome all his enemies and finally after this life he may attain everlasting joy and felicitie through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Scot. Lit. A prayer for the holy Clergy ALmighty and everlasting God which only workest great marvails send down upon our Bishops and Curates and all congregations committed to their charge the healthful spirit of thy grace and that they may truely please thee powre upon them the continual dew of thy blessing grant this O Lord for the honour of our advocate and mediator Jesus Christ Amen Scot. Lit. A prayer to be said in Ember weeks for those which are then to be admitted into holy orders and is to be read every day of the week beginning on the Sunday before the day of Ordination ALmighty God the giver of all good gifts who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church give thy grace we humbly beseech thee to all those which are to be called to any office and administration in the same and so replenish them with the truth of thy Doctrine and innocency of life that they may faithfully serve before thee to the glory of thy great name and the benefit of thy holy Church through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A Prayer of Chrysostome ALmighty God which hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee and doest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests fulfil now O Lord the desires and petitioâ—s of thy servants as may be most expedient for them granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life everlasting Amen THe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship 2 Cor. 13. of the holy Ghost be with us all evermore Amen Scot. Litnrgies For Rain if the time require O God Heavenly Father whose gift it is that the Rain doth fall the earth is fruitful beasts encrease and fishes do multiply send us we beseech thee in this our necessity such moderate Rain and showers that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort and to thy honour through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen O God Heavenly Father which by thy son Jesus Christ hast promised to all them that seek thy kingdom and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessary to their bodily sustenance send us we beseech thee in this our necessity such moderate Rain and showers that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort and to thy honour through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen For fair weather O Lord God which for the sin of man didst once drown all the world except eight persons and afterwards of thy great mercy didst promise never to destroy it so again we humbly beseech thee that although we for our iniquities have worthily deserved this plague of rain and waters yet upon our true repentance thou wilt send us such weather whereby we may receive the fruits of the earth in due season and learn both by thy punishment to amend our lives and for thy clemencie to give thee praise and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. In the time of dearth and famine O God heavenly father whose gift it is that the rain doth fall the earth is fruitful beasts increase and fishes do multiply behold we beseech thee the afflicuons of thy people and
of Edw. 6. O think upon thy servant as concerning thy word c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the Beginning c. The Collect. LOrd of all power and might which arâ— the author and giver of all good things graff in our hearts the love of thy name encrease in us true religion nourish us with all goodnesse and of thy great mercy keep us in the same through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle I speak grosly because Rom. 6. verse 19. unto the end The Gospel In those dayes Mark 8. verse 1. unto ver 10. The eight Sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. Thou art my portion O Lord c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. GOd whose providence is never deceived we humbly beseech thee that thou wilt put away from us all hurtful things and give those things which be profitable for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Brethren we are debters Rom. 8. verse 12. unto verse 18. The Gospel Beware of false Prophets Matth. 7. verse 15. unto ver 22. The ninth Sundy after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. O Lord thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. GRant to us Lord we beseech thee the spirit to think and do alwaies such things as be rightfull that we which cannot be without thee may by thee be able to live according to thy will through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Brethren I would not that 1 Cor. 10. verse 1. unto verse 14. The Gospel Jesus said unto his disciples Luke 16. verse 1. unto verse 10. The tenth Sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. Thy hands have made and fashioned me c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning etc. The Collect. LEt thy merciful enrs O Lord be open to the prayers of thy humble servants and that they may obtain their petitions make them to aske such things as shall please thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Concering spiritual things 1 Cor. 12. verse 1. unto verse 12. The Gospel And when he was come near Luke 19. verse 41. unto verse 47. The eleventh Sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. My soul hath longed for thy salvation c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. GOd which declarest thy Almighty power most chiefely in shewing mercy and pitie give unto us abundantly thy grace that we running to thy promises may be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure through Jesu Christ our Lord. The Epistle Brethren as pertaining to the Gospel 1. Cor. 15. ver 1 unto ver 12. The Gospel Christ told this parable Luke 18. verse 9. unto verse 15. The twelfth sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. O Lord thy word endureth for ever in heaven c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God which art alwayes more ready to hear then we to pray and are wont to give more then either we desire or deserve powre down upon us the abundance of thy mercy forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid and giving unto us that that our prayer dare not presume to ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Such trust have we through 2 Cor. 3. verse 4. unto verse 10. The Gospel Jesus departed Mark 7. verse 31. unto the end The thirteenth Sunday after Trinity 1. B. of Edw. 6. Lord what love have I unto thy Law c. Psal. 119. Glory to be the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty and merciful God of whose onely gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service grant we beseech thee that we may so run to thy heavenly promises that we fail not finally to attain the same through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle To Abraham and his seed Gal. 3. ver 16. unto ver 23. The Gospel Happy are the eyes which Luke 10. ver 23. unto ver 38. The fourteenth Sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. Thy word is a Lanthorn unto my feet c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God give unto us the increase of faith hope and charity and that we may obtain that which thou dost promise make us to love that which thou doest command through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle I say walk in the Spirit Gal. 5. verse 16. unto ver 25. The Gospel And it chanced as Jesus went Luk. 17. verse 11. unto verse 20. The fifteenth Sunday after Trinity 1. B. of Edw. 6. I hate them that imagine evil things c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. KEep we beseech thee O Lord thy Church with thy perpetual mercy And because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall keep us ever by thy help and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen The Epistle Ye see how large a letter Gal. 6. verse 11. unto the end The Gospel No man can serve two Matters Mat. 6. verse 24. unto the end The sixteenth sunday after Trinity 1 B. of Edw. 6. I deal with the thing that is lawful and right c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd we beseech thee let thy continual pitie clense and defend thy congregation And because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour preserve it evermore by thy help and goodnesse through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle I desire that you faint not Ephes. 4. verse 13. unto the end The Gospel And it fortuned that Jesus Luke 7. verse 11. to verse 18. The seventeenth Sunday after Trinity 1. B. of Edw. 6. Thy testimonies are Wonderful c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd we pray thee that thy grace may alway prevent and follow us and make us continually to be given to all good works through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle I which am a prisoner of the Lords Ephes. 4. verse 1. unto ver 7. The Gospel It chanced that Jesus went Luke 14 verse 1. unto ver 12. The eighteenth Sunday after Trinity 1. B. of Edw. 6. Righteous art thou O Lord c. Psal. 119. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd we beseech thee grant thy people grace to avoid the infections of the Devil and with pure heart and mind to follow thee
our profession which is to follow the example of our Saviour Christ and to be made like unto him that as he died and rose again for us so should we which are baptised die from sin and rise again unto righteousnesse continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affectioâ—s and dayly proceeding in all vertue and godlinesse of living  1 B. of Edw. 6. The Minister shall command that the children be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed of him so soon as they can say in their vulgar tongue the Articles of the faith the Lords prayer and the ten Commandments and be further instructed in the Catechisme set forth for that purpose accordingly as it is there expressed The Minister shall command that the Crisoms be brought to the Church and delivered to the Priests after the accustomed manner at the purification of the Mother of every childe  And that the children be brought to the Bishop to be c.  And so let the Congregation depart in the name of the Lord.  Note that if the number of children to be baptised and multitude of people present be so great that they cannot conveniently stand at the Church door then let them stand within the Church in some convenient place nigh unto the Church door And there all things be said and done appointed to be said and done at the Church door Q Of them that are to be Baptised in private houses in time of necessity By the Minister of the Parish or any other lawful Minister that can be procured 〈…〉 and Curates shall often admonish the people that they defer not the 〈…〉 infants any longer then the Sunday or other holy day next after the childe be born unlesse upon a great and reasonable cause declared to the Curate and by him approved And also they shall warn that without great cause and necessity they procure not their children to be baptised at home in their houses And when great need shall compel them so to do then Baptisme shall be administred on this fashion Common Prayer 1 2 B. of Edw. 6. Lit. of Q. Eliz. First let the lawful Minister and them that be present call upon God for his grace and say the Lords prayer if the time will suffer And the childe being named by some one that is present the said lawful Minister shall dip it in the water or poure water upon it saying these words First let them that be present call upon God for his grace and say the Lords prayer if the time will suffer And then R one of them shall name the childe and dip him in the water or poure water upon him saying these words I baptise thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost And let them not doubt that the childe so baptized is lawfull and sufficiently baptised and ought not to be baptised again But yet neverthelesse if the childe which is after this sort baptized do afterward live it is expedient that it be brought into the Church to the intent  1 B. of Edw. 6. That if the Priest or Minister of the same Parish did himself baptise that childe the Congregation may be certified of the true form of Baptisme by him privately before used To the entent the Priest may examine and try whither the childe be lawfully baptised or no. And if those that bring any childe to the church c. Or if the childe were baptised by any other lawful Minister that then the Minister of the Parish where the childe was born or Christened shall examin and try whither the childe be lawfully baptised or no. In which case if those that bring any childe to the Church do answer that the same childe is already baptised then shall the Minister examine them further saying  Common Prayer 1 2 B. of Edw. 6. Lit. of Q. Eliz. By whom was the childe baptised By whom was the child baptised Who was present when the child was baptised Who was present when the childe was baptised And because some things essential to this sacrament may happen to be omitted through fear or hast in such times of extremity therefore I demand further of you Whither thy called upon God for Grace and succour in that necessity T With what matter was the childe baptised With what thing or what matter they did baptise the child V With what words was the childe baptised With what words the childe was baptised Whither they think the childe to be lawfully and perfectly baptised Whither think you the childe to be lawfully and perfectly baptised And if the Minister shall proue by the answers of such as brought the childe that all things were done as they ought to be Then shall not he Christen the childe again but shall receive him as one of the flock of the true Christian people saying thus I Certifie you that in this case ye have done well and according unto due order concerning the baptising of this childe which being born in original sin and in the wrath of God is now by the laver of regeneration in baptisme received into the number of the children of God and heires of everlasting life For our Lord Jesus Christ doth not deny his grace and mercy unto such infants but most lovingly doth call them unto him as the holy Gospel doth witnesse to our comfort on this wise AT a certain time they brought children unto Christ that he should touch them and his disciples rebuked those that brought them But when Jesus saw it he was displeased and said unto them Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for to such belongeth the kingdom of God Uerily I say unto you whosoever doth not receive the kingdome of God as a little childe he shall not enter therein And when he had taken them up in his armes he put his hands upon them and blessed them After the Gospel is read the Minister shall make this exhortation upon the words of the Gospel FRiends you hear in this Gospel the words of our saviour Christ that he commanded the children to be brought unto him how he blamed those that would have kept them from him how he exhorted all men to follow their innocency Ye perceive how by his outward gesture and deed he declared his good will toward them For he embraced them in his armes he laid his hands upon them and blessed them Doubt ye not therefore but earnestly beleeve that he hath likewise favourably received this present insant that he hath imbraced him with the armes of his mercy that he hath given unto him the blessing of eternal life and made him partaker of his everlasting kingdom Wherefore we being thus perswaded of the good will of our heavenly father declared by his son Jesus Christ toward this infant let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him and say the prayer which the Lord himself taught and in declaration of our faith let us reâ—â—te
corruption so that the spirit be milde and quiet which is a precious thing in the sight of God For after this manner in the old time did the holy women which trusted in God apparel themselves being subject to their own husbands As Sara obeyed Abraham calling him Lord whose daughters ye are made doing well and not being dismaid with any fear The new married persons the same day of their marriage N must receive the holy Communion O The order for the visitation of the Sick The Minister entring into the sick persons house shall say Peace be in this house and to all that dwell in it Common Prayer 1. B. of Edw. 6. When he cometh into the sick persons presence he shall say kneeling down When he cometh into the sick persons presence he shall say this Psalm Hear my prayer O Lord and consider my desire hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousnesse sake c. Glory be to the Father and to the Son c. As it was in the Beginning c. With this Anthem REmember not Lord our iniquities nor the iniquities of our forefathers spare us good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood and be not angry with us for ever 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 Minister O Lord save thy servant Answer Which putteth his trust in thee Minister Send him help from thy holy place Answer And evermore mightily defend him Minister Let the enemy have none advantage of him Answer Nor the wicked approach to hurt him Minister Be unto him O Lord a strong tower Answer From the face of his enemie Minister Lord hear our 1 B. of Edw. 6. my prayers Answer And let our 1 B. of Edw. 6. cry come unto thee The Minister 1 B. of Ed. 6. Let us pray O Lord look down from heaven behold visit and relieve this thy servant look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy give him comfort and sure confidence in thee defend him from the danger of the enemy and keep him in perpetual peace and safety through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen HEar us almighty and most merciful God and Savior extend thy accustomed goodness to this thy servant which is grieved with sickness visit him O Lord as thou didst visit Peters wives mother and the Captains seruant So visit and restore to this sick person his former health if it be thy will or else give him grace so to take thy visitation that after this painful life ended he may dwell with thee in life everlasting Amen Then shall the Minister exhort the sick person after this form or other like DEarly beloved know this that Almighty God is the Lord of life and death and over all things to them pertaining as youth strength health age weakness and sickness Wherefore whatsoever your sickness is know you certainly that it is Gods visitation And for what cause soever this sickness is sent unto you whether it be to try your patience for the example of other and that your faith may be found in the day of the Lord laudable glorious and honorable to the increase of glory and endless felicity or else it be sent unto you to correct and amend in you whatsoever doth offend the eyes of your heavenly Father know you certainly that if you truly repent you of your sins and bear your sickness patiently trusting in Gods mercy for his dear Son Jesus Christ sake and render unto him humble thanks for his fatherly visitation submitting your self wholly to his will it shall turn to your profit and help you forward in the right way that leadeth unto everlasting life If the person visited be very sick then the Curate may end his exhortation in this place Take therefore in good worth the chastisment of the Lord. For whom the Lord loveth he chastiseth Yea as St. Paul saith he scourgeth every son which he receiveth If ye endure chastisement he offereth himself unto you as unto his own children What son is he that the Father chastiseth not If ye be not under correction whereof all true children are pattakers then are ye bastards and not children Therefore seeing that when our carnal fathers â—o correct us we reverently obey them shall we not now much rather be obedient to our spiritual Father and so live And they for a few days do chastise us after their own pleasure but he doth chastise us for our profit to the intent he may make us partakers of his holiness These words good brother are Gods words and written in holy scripture for our comfort and instruction that we should patiently and with thanksgiving bear our heavenly Fathers correction whensoever by any maner of adversity it shall please his gracious goodness to visit us And there should be no greater comfort to Christian persons then to be made like unto Christ by suffering patiently adversities troubles and sicknesses For he himself went not up to joy but first he suffered pain he entred not into his glory before he was cruâ—ified So truly our way to eternal Joy is to suffer here with Christ and our door to enter into eternal life is gladly to die with Christ that we may rise again from death and dwell with â—â—m in everlasting life New therefore taking your sickness which is thus profitable for you patiently I exhort you in the name of God to remember the profession which you made unto God in your Baptism And forasmuch as after this life there is account to be given unto the righteous Judge of whom all must be judged without respect of persons I require you to examine your self and your state both toward God and man so that accusing and condemning your self for your own faults you may finde mercy at our heavenly Fathers hand for Christs sake and not be accused and condemned â—iâ— that fearful Judgement Therefore I shall shortly rehearse the Articles of our Faith that you may know whether you do believe as a Christian man should or â—o P Then the Minister shall rehearse the Articles of the Eaith saying thus Doest thou believe in God the Father Almighty And so forth as it is in Baptism Then shall the Minister examine Q whether he be in charity with all the world exhorting him to forgive from the bottom of his heart all persons that have offended him and if he have offended other to ask them forgiveness And where he hath done injury or wrong to any man that he make amends to the uttermost of his power And if he have not afore disposed his goods let him then make his will But men must be oft admonished that they set an order for their temporal goods and lands when they be in health and also declare his debts what he oweth and what is owing unto him for discharging of his conscience and quietness of
a merciful God full of compassion long suffering and of great pity Thou sparest when we deserve punishment aâ—d in thy wrath thinkest upon mercy Spare thy people good Lord spare them and let not thine inheritage be brought to confusion hear us O Lord for thy mercy is great and after the multitude of thy mercies look upon us After this in the 1 B. of Edw. 6. followeth the Declaration concerning Ceremonies why some are abolished and some retained Then Certain notes for the more plain explication and decent Ministration of things contained in this book In the saying or singing of mattens c. as in the Rubrick before morning prayer And whensoever the Bishop shall celebrate c. Ibid ubi supra As touching kneeling Crossing holding up of hands knocking upon the breast and other gestures they may be used or left as every mans devotion serveth without blame Also upon Christmas-day Easter-day the Ascention day Whitsunday and the feast of the Trinity may be used any part of the holy Scripture hereafter to be certainly limitted appointed in the stead of the Litany if there be a Sermon or for other great cause the I Curate by his discretion may leave out the Litany Gloria in Excelsis the Creed K the Omely and the Exhortation to the Communion L Imprinted at London in Fleet-street at the signe of the Sun over against the Conduit by Edward Whitchurch the 7. day of March in the year of our Lord 1549. Annotations upon CHAP. XI A The grounds of Thanksgiving after Childebirth why rather for this than other deliverances B Our Church doth not Judaize Difference betwixt our practice and Jewish Purification C What meant by the word Church into which the woman is to come D The woman not enjoined a veil F The 121 Psalm not abused E But deliver us from evil why returned by way of response F Commination how often used in the year G Why read in the Pulpit A discourse of reading-Desks none settled by Rule before the Canons 1603. upon what occasion devised H A Discourse of publick Pennance By whom it was imposed and how long to continue The several motions of it in the Greek Church What meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what and what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Errours noted in the Editions of Zonaras and Balsamon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what Penitential customes in the Western Church Affrica most severe and why The ancient mode of Excommunicating of notorious offenders out of Gratian Discourse upon it Adgeniculi charis Dei in Tertullian Penitents when reconciled in the Latine Church The Ancient Discipline commended and Vote for its restauration I What meant by the word Curate in our Liturgy K Homilies whither part of our Churches Service And whither the Doctrine of our Church L Calvins Epistle to the Protector misdated in all Editions THE Thanksgiving of women after Childebirth when holy Scripture is concerned most graphically to describe sorrow superlative and at the height it assiimilateth it to that of a woman in travail If this sorrow be so excessive how great must the joy be to be delivered from that sorrow commensurate certainly and of adequate proportion and no less must the dues of thankfulness be to the Benefactour the Donor of that Recovery whence a necessity of Thanksgiving of women after chide-birth But cannot this as well be done in private at home in her family or in her closet without putting the Church to the cost of contriving a solemn Office for it considering there are other personal deliverances wherein the dispensations of Gods mercy are as manifest whereof she takes no notice I answer Other Deliverances present themselves in so many scheames some being from fire some from water some from the casual ruine of houses and other things endangering us some from our own precipitations some in warr some in peace c. as it is scarce possible to frame formes enough to suit all emergences and were they framed rarely would they be made use of in regard the occasions to which they relate so seldome occurr and then what would they prove but an unnecessary cumber whereas this Preservation out of Childe-bed pangs observeth one constant shape so as one form is applicable to all and almost dayly provoketh to the duty But it may be further opposed that Thousands are seased with corporal maladies which are accompanied with as great periclitation whom God sometimes even to miracle restoreth to their former strength that those demonstrations of his protection appear very frequent that one forme of Thanksgiving would commodiously enough agree with all yet hath the Church appointed no such Form I answer that our Church in this offer did not so much take measure of the peril as accomodate her self to that note of separation which God himself had put betwixt this and other maladies To conceive and bring forth in sorrow was signally inflicted upon Eve and in her upon all Mothers as a penalty for her first disobedience Multiplying I will multiply thy sorrowes and thy Conception the very breeding fits and nauseous qualmes constitute a part of this chastisement In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children i. e. the very fruit of thy womb which by an almighty Power thou shouldest otherwise have been delivered of without the least sense of pain shall henceforward in the very act of parturition put thee to extremity of Torment so that the sorrows of childe-birth have by Gods express determination a more direct and peculiar reference to Eves disobedience then any other disease whatsoever and though all maladies are the product of that first sin yet is the malediction fixed and apply'd in specification to this alone Now when that which was ordained primarily as a curse for the first sin is converted to so great a blessing God is certainly in that case more to be praised in a set and a solemn Office Churching of women The former word was Purification worthily expunged by our second Reformers this notwithstanding we are charged by some weak Opponents to Judaize in the office a slander certainly a great a sensless one and it will appear no less to any who shall compare the Jewish or Levitical and the English practice together First the Jewish woman was interdicted the Sanctuary forty dayes at least The English woman withdraweth but her moneth No Judaizing there Secondly The Jewish woman was forbidden because unclean expresly so the English woman abstaineth not upon any such account If she did First the customary circuit of the same cause would operate at every return the same effect sequestration from the Congregation in her as it did in the Jewish but our Church commands no such mensurnal forbearance Again the same pollution would as long debar her Infant also as it did the Jewish which must needs take part of the Mothers impurity but our Church not onely aâ—mitteth but commands all Infants where necessity interposeth not into the Church within a week at the farthest So