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
the same being now by us reduced to a setled form We have occasion to repeat somewhat of that which hath passed And how at our very first entry into the Realm being entertained and importuned with Informations of sundry Ministers complaining of the errors and imperfections of the Church here aswell in matter of Doctrine as of Discipline Although We had no reason to presume that things were so far amisse as was pretended because We had seen the Kingdom under that form of Religion which by Law was established in the dayes of the late Queen of famous memory blessed with a peace and prosperity both extraordinary and of many years continuance a strong evidence that God was therewith wel pleased Yet because the importunity of the Complainers was great their affirmations vehement and the zeal wherewith the same did seem to be accompanied very specious We were mooved thereby to make it Our occasion to discharge that duty which is the chiefest of all Kingly duties that is to settle the affaires of Religion and the Service of God before their own Which while We were in hand to do as the contagion of the sicknesse reigning in our city of London and other places would permit an assembly of persons meet for that purpose Some of those who misliked the state of Religion here established presuming more of Our intents then ever we gave them cause to do and transported with humour began such proceedings as did rather raise a scandal in the Church then take offence away For both they used forms of publick serving of God not here allowed held assemblies without authority and did other things carrying a very apparent shew of Sedition more then of Zeal whom We restrained by a former Proclamation in the month of October last and gave intimation of the conference We intended to be had with as much speed as conveniently could be for the ordering of those things of the Church which accordingly followed in the moneth of January last at Our Honour of Hampton Court where before Our Self and our Privie Councel were assembled many of the gravest Bishops and Prelates of the Realm and many other learned men aswell of those that are conformable to the state of the Church established as of those that dissented Among whom what oâ—r pains were what our patience in hearing and replying and what the indifferency and uprightnesse of Our judgement in determining We leave to the report of those who heard the same contenting our Self with the sincerity of our own heart therein But We cannot conceal that the successe of that Conference was such as happeneth to many other things which moving great expectation before they be entred into in their issue produce small effects For We found mighty and vehement Informations supported with so weak and slender proofs as it appeareth unto Us and Our Councel that there was no cause why any change should have been at all in that which was most impugned the book of Common Prayer containing the form of the Publick Service of God here established neither in the doctrine which appeared to be sincere nor in the Forms Rites which were justified out of the practise of the Primitive Church Notwithstanding we thought meet with consent of the Bishops and other learned men there present That some small things might rather be explained then changed not that the same might not very well have been born with by men who would have made a reasonable construction of them but for that in a matter concerning the Service of God We were nice or rather jealous that the publick Form there of should be free not onely from blame but from suspition so as neither the common Adversary should have advantage to wrest ought therein contained to other sense then the Church of England intendeth nor any troublesome or ignorant person of this Church be able to take the least occasion of cavil aginst it And for that purpose gave forth Our Commission under our great Seal of England to the Archbishop of Canterbury and others according to the form which the Laws of this Realm in like case prescribed to be used to make the said explanation and to cause the whole Book of Common Prayer with the same Explanations to be newly printed Which being now done and established anew after so serious a deliberation although We doubt not but all our Subjects both Ministers and ofâ—ers will receive the same with such reverence as appertaineth and conform themselves thereunto every man in that which him concerneth Yet have We thoâ—ght it necessary to make known by Proclamation Our authorizing of the same And to require and enjoyn all men aswel Ecclesiastical as Temporal to conform themselves unto it and to the practise thereof as the onely publick form of serving of God eâ—â—ablished and allowed to be in this Realm And the rather for that all the learned men who were there present as well of the Bishops as others promised their conformitie in the practise of it onely making suit to Us that some few might be born with for a time Wherefore We require all Archbishops Bishops and all other publick Ministers aswell Ecclesiastical as Civil to do their duties in causing the same to be obeyed and in punishing the offenders according to the Laws of the Realm heretofore established for the authorizing of the said Book of Common prayer And We think it also necessary that the said Arch-Bishops and Bishops do each of them in his Province and Diocesse take order that every parish do procure to themselves within such time as they shall think good to limit one of the said books so explained And last of all We do admonish all men that hereafter they shall not expect nor attempt any further alteration in the Common and publick form of Gods Service from this which is now established for that neither will we give way to any to presume that our own judgement having determiÌ„ed in a matter of this weight shal be swaid to alteration by the frivolous suggestions of any light spirit neither are We ignorant of the inconveniencies that do arise in Government by admitting innovation in things once setled by mature deliberation And how necessary it is to use constancy in the upholding of the publike determinations of States for that such is the unquietnesse and unstedfastnesse of some dispositions affecting every yeer new formes of things as if they should be followed in their unconstancy would make all actions of States ridiculous and contemptible whereas the stedfast maintaining of things by good advice established is the weale of all Common-wealths Given at our Palace of Westminster the 5. day of March in the first year of Our reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the seven and thirtieth God save the KING The Preface THere was never any thingby the wit of man so wel devised or so sure established which in continuance of time hath not been corrupted as among other things it may plainly appear
by the common prayers in the Church commonly called divine service The first original and ground whereof if a man would search out by the ancient Fathers he shall finde that the same was not ordained but of a good purpose and for a great advancement of godlinesse For they so ordered the matter that all the whole Bible or the greatest part thereof should be read over once in the year entending the thereby that the Clergy and specially such as were Ministers of the Congregation should by often reading and meditation of Gods word be stirred up to godlynesse themselves and be more able to exhort other by wholsome Doctrine and to confute them that were adversaries to the truth And further that the people by dayly hearing of holy scripture read in the Church should continually more and more in the knowledge of GOD and be the more enflamed with the love of his true Religion But these many yeers passed this godly and decent order of the ancient Fathers hath been so altered broken and neglected by planting in uncertain Stories Legendes Respondes Verses vain Repetitions Commemorations and Synodalls that commonly when any Book of the Bible was begun before three or four Chapters were read out all the rest were unread And in this sort the book of Esay was begun in Advent and the book of Genesis in Septuagesima but they were onely begun and never read through After like sort were other books of holy Scripture used And moreover whereas saint Paul would have such language spoken to the people in the Church as they may understand and have profit by hearing the same the service in this Church of England these many years hath been read in Latine to the people which they understood not so that they have heard with their eares only and their heart spirit and minde have not been edified thereby And furthermore notwithstanding that the ancient fathers have divided the Psames into seven portions whereof every one was called a Nocturn now of late time a few of them hath been daily said and oft repeated and the rest utterly omitted Moreover the number and hardnesse of the rules called the Pye and the manifold changings of the service was the cause that to turn the book only was so hard and intricate a matter that many times there was more businesse to finde out what should be read then to read it when it was found out These inconveniences therfore considered here is set forth such an order wherby the same shall be redressed And for a readinesse in this matter here is drawn out a Kalender for that purpose which is plain and easie to be understanded wherein so much as may be the reading of holy scriptures is so set forth that all things shall be done in order without breaking one peece from another For this cause be cut off Anthems Respondes Invitatories and such like things as did break the continual course of the reading of the scripture Yet because there is no remedy but that of necessity there must be some rules therefore certain rules are here set forth which as they be few in number so they be plain and easie to be understanded So that here you have an order for prayer as touching the reading of holy Scripture much agreeable to the minde and purpose of the old fathers and a great deal more profitable and commodious then that which of late was used It is more profitable because here are left out many things whereof some be untrue some uncertain some vain and superstitious and is ordained nothing to be read but the very pure word of God the holy scriptures or that which is evidently grounded upon the same and that in such a language and order as is most easie and plain for the understanding both of the readers and hearers It is also more commodious both for the shortnesse thereof and for the plainnesse of the order and for that the rules be few and easie Furthermore by this order the Curates shall need none other book for their publick service but this book and the Bible By the means whereof the people shall not be at so great charges for books as in times past they have been And where heretofore there hath been great diversity in saying and singing in Churches within this Realm some following Salisbury use some Hereford use some the use of Bangor some of York and some of Lincoln Now from hence forth all the whole Realm shall have but one use And if any would judge this way more painful because that all things must be read upon the book whereas before by the reason of so often repetition they could say many things by heart if those men will weigh their labour with the profit and knowledge which dayly they shall obtain by reading upon the book they will not refuse the pain in consideration of the great profit that shall ensue thereof And for as much as nothing can almost be so plainly set forth but doubts may arise in the use and practising of the same To appease all such diversitie if any arise and for the resolution of all doubts concerning the manner how to understand do and execute the things contained in this book The parties that so doubt or diversly take any thing shall alway resort to the Bishop of the Diocesse who by his discretion shall take order for the quieting and appeasing of the same so that the same order be not contrary to any thing contained in this book And if the Bishop of the Diocesse be in doubt then he may send for the resolution thereof unto the Arch-Bishop Though it be appointed in the forewritten Preface that all things shall be read and song in the Church in the English tongue to the end that the Congregation may be therby edified yet it is not meant but when men say Morning and Evening prayer privately they may say the same in any Language that they themselves do understand 1. B. of Edw. 6. neither that any man shall be bound to the saying of them but such as from time to time in Cathedral and Collegiat Churches Parish Churches and Chappels to the same annexed shall serve the Congregation And all Priests and Deacons shall be bound to say daily the Morning and Evening prayer either privately or openly except they be let by preaching studying divinity or by some other urgent cause Scotch liturgy of which cause if it be frequently pretended they are to make the Bishop of the Diocesse or the Arch-Bishop of the Province the Judge and allower And the Curate that ministreth in every Parish Church or Chappel being at home and not being otherwise reasonably letted shall say the same in the Parish Church or Chappel where he ministreth and shall toll a Bell thereto a convenient time before we begin that such as be disposed may come to hear Gods word and to pray with him THE PREFACE THE Church of Christ hath in all ages had a prescript form
morning-dresse when colebantun Religiones pie magis quam magnifice Religion was more devout then splendid such expedience there was found of set forms how much more requisite are they in times of peace and rest A matter so clear so convincing as no Christian society that ever pretended to the name of a Church did ever think of their abolition before the late compilers of the Directory Men who with hands lifted up to the most high God did swear to endeavour the reformation of Religion in this Kingdom in worship c. according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches a pretence fair and specious But acting as they did it had been much to our satisfaction had they pleased to produce one example of any Church best reformed which hath not a set form of Common prayer their darling Geneva hath hers approved by Mr. Calvin their beloved Belgia hath hers established by the late Synod at Dort yea their dear confederate Scotland hath hers and are any Churches in their reputation better reformed then these And administration of the Sacraments In the time of the old Testament nothing relating to their Sacraments either that of Circumcision or the Passover was executed either by the Priest or in the place dedicated to holy Assemblies the killing of the paschal Lamb onely excepted Deut. 16. 2. Chron. 35. 6. This notwithstanding certain forms they had for the administration of both For circumcision in the very act thereof the father of the childe usually said blessed be the Lord God who hath sanctified us by his precepts and hath commanded us that we should cause this childe to enter into the covenant of Abraham So for the Passover over the pascal Lamb they sung certain hymnes Lucas Burgensis and Groâ—ius perswade they were the Psalmes of David from 112. to the 119. In the first times of Christianity so far as Apostolick evidences teach Common Prayer never went alone without the celebration of the Eucharist then notified by breaking of Bread Act. 2. 42. 20 7. And though the form of consecrating these Elements be not there delivered yet Jerom Augustine and Gregory affirm it was by the dominical prayer and that our Lord gave order to his Apostles so to do and indeed no prayer was more apt for the service of that Sacrament especially if by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bread spiritually mystical and supersubstantial be intended as many of the Fathers understood it As for the other Sacrament of Baptisme the Practice of those times being immersion and dipping and that of persons of full growth a River or pond was necessarily required and by consequence the place of holy meetings not capable of it And yet for all this even before Fonts or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diving Cisterns were brought to the Church set forms were ordained for the celebration thereof as appeareth manifestly enough by Tertullian Aquam aditurs ibidem sed aliquanto priâ—s in Ecclesia sub Antistitis manu contestamur nos renunciare diâ—â—olo c. i. e. being to step into the water there also what we formerly did in the Church the Priest laying his hand of Benediction upon us we declare that we forsake the Devil his pomps and Angels A thing so fit in the opinion of men not miscarried by byas as Calvin himself enforceth the use thereof with an Oportet Statam esse oportet Sacraementorum celebrationem Publicam item Precum formulam There is no other remedy an established form in celebrating the Sacraments there must be and so also of Common prayers And other rights and Ceremonies Besides Common prayer and Administration of the Sacraments there ever were other Divine offices for several occasions which in respect they were executed in the holy Assemblies were also thought covenient to have their prescript forms assigned them the Church conceiving it to be Christian prudence to leave little arbitrary in sacred exercises Of the Church of England 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word Church is not a name of separation and division but of unity and concord good reason therefore had the Apostle to decree that in it all things should be done decently and in order and order there cannot be where there is no unanimity And because it is impossible to devise one uniform order for the Catholick Church in point of ceremonies mens minds being as various as is the difference of climates therefore it hath been the Catholick practice for every national Church as it is cantonised from others to frame such models of services with rites and ceremonies appendant to them as best sute the temper and disposition of such as are to render obedience to them upon this account in the first and purest times the Churches of the East and West differed much in their Ecclesiastical customes and not onely so but even under the same Patriarchate many subordinate Churches took liberty to vary each from other and some time from the mother Church so the Church of Millain under St. Ambrose had offices differing from that of Rome and so had the Gallican Churches also in the dayes of Gregory the great who took so little offence thereat as he said In unâ fide nil officit Ecclesiae sanctae consuetudo diversa i. e. Provided the unity of faith be preserved customary differences do not put the holy Church to any detriment So then if the Church of England hath her set forms of sacred offices peculiar to herself she assumeth no greater priviledge then others have done before her And as she is in this particular vindicated from singularity so hath she proceeded with semblable prudence in enjoying one common form to all such as call her mother that she may appear to be all of a peace For the worship publickly performed and ni Parochial Assemblies is not to be reputed the worship peculiar of those Congregations but common to the whole National Church whereof they are limbs in which service the spirit of that mystical body being in her subordinate members as the soul in the natural tota in qualibet parte is exercised This service being then the service of the whole National Church why should she not strictly enjoyn to her several members the frame and model thereof lest any should in her name present to God a service she would not own and that the uniformity of her worship in her distinct members as more prevalent with the divine Majesty when all conspire in the same supplications so may argue and demonstrate the mutual and joynt communion all members have one with another An act for uniformity c. To what end a book of Common prayer if it be left arbitrary to use or not to use and arbitrary it is left where there is no penalty enjoyned upon non-conformists true it is ingenuous and obedient sons of the Church need no law to compel them to observe her orders they will obey freely enough of themselves but as meliores
sunt quos dirigit amor i. e. they are the best natured whom love perswades so plures sunt quos corrigit timor they are more numerous whom awe constrains upon which very score necessary it was to call in aid of the civil power which was done here by act of Parliament So that no one order had reason to except against this established form the Clergy were imployed as contrivers of the model The laity from the highest to the lowest all Kings Lords and Commons were interested in the ratification wherby a coercive power in order to conformity was constituted And that the said book with the order of service c. This act is not introductory of a now Liturgy but a reviver of the old that of the fift and sixth of Edward the 6 the remains of which structure are so considerable notwithstanding it hath gone twice to the mending as may worthily give it the denomination of Edward the 6 his Liturgy With one alteration c. It must not be imagined that either the Queen or the Parliament made those alterations for the review of the Liturgy was commited by the Queen to certain Commissioners viz to Mr. Whitehead Doctor Parker after Arch-Byshop of Canterbury Doctor Grindal after Bishop of London Doctor Cox after Bishop of Ely Doctor Pilkinton after Bishop of Durham Doctor May Dean of St. Pauls Doctor Bill Provost of Eaton and Sr. Thomas Smith These adding and expunging where they thought meet presented it to the Parliament who onely established what they had concluded upon As for the several changes Alterations and differences betwixt this Liturgy of ours and that of the 2 of Edward 6. this statute takes not notice of them all but what is defective herein Smectymnuâ—s hath supplyed as shall be observed at their several occurrences To inquire in their visitation c. Diocesan visitations were alwayes of very eminent use in the Ecclesiastical Polity and peculiar of the Episcopal function Indeed none â—o fit to make the scrutiny and lustration as he who is to pronounce the censure upon this account Primitive Bishops held themselves obliged as no disparagement to their Grandure to perform the office in their own persons St. Augustine plead it in bar to Celer's action of unkindnesse against him for not writing sooner Quâ—niam visitandarum Ecclesiarum ad meam Curam pertinentium necessitate profectus sum i. e. Because saith he I was gone a broad upon abusinesse of necessity the visiting of such Churches as were within my cure So the Mareotick Clergy in the defence of Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria against a calumny of his adversaries make mention of his visitation in person and not onely so but also that they themselves were of his train when he went upon that service In after times their work encreasing so as they could not well attend it themselves they had their Periodeutae and Itinerary Vicars to go the circuit for them these acting still agreeable to a series of Articles enjoyned by their Bishops In the beginning of the Reformation when it much concerned the Civil power to act as we say of natural agents ad extremum Potentiae to the utmost of its politick hability King Henry the eighth and Edward the sixt and Queen Elizabeth though I presume upon consultation had with the Clergy assumed and exercised the Authority of framing and imposing a body of Articles for Episcopal visitations which had certainly this very commendable property that they preserved uniformity whereas the leaving them to every arbitrary fancy and the exercise of that liberty by some Bishops of later memoray was in my opinion a probable way of erecting Altar against Altar and creating Schisme in the Church The Queens Majesty may by the like advice c. There was in the Act premised a prohibition with a penalty annext to it that no Parson Vicar or other whatsoever Minister shall use any other rite ceremony order form c. then is mentioned in the Book of Common prayer against this constitution a caveat is entred here whereby the Queen may by the advice of her Commissioners or metropolitan ordain and publish such farther Ceremonies or Rites as may be most for the advancement of Gods glory c. So that upon the entertainment of this exception the rule is corroborated as to all particulars not so exempted and consequently that none might innovate any Rite not expressly enjoyned in the book of Common Prayer then established or Book of Canons legally to be framed afterwards Which clause of reserve was no impowring nor enabling the Queen with any new and upstart authority but onely a declaration of what was resident in her before as inseparably incident to the supream Dominion vested in the Crown Agreeable to which She Anno. 1597. authorised the Clergy then met in Convocation to make and publish certain Canons which she after confirmed under the great Seal of England Other Canons there were made Anno 1571. But being not ratified with royal Authority I suppose they were not obligatory enough to constrain obedience and as concerning these of 1597. the formal words of her heires and successors being omitted in those Ratifications they were supposed onely obligatory during her Reign and that they together with her self breathed their last Whereupon King James in the first year of his reign issued forth a new Commission by his letters Patents to the Convocation then assembled therein giving them full power and Authority to consult and agree upon such Canons c. as they should think necessary which being concluded upon by the Clergy and presented to his Majesty He did for himself his heires and lawful successors confirm them with his royal assent as may be seen more at large in that Ratification Indeed the supremacy of the Civil Magistrate as to confirmation and a cogency of external obedience in Religious and Ecclesiastical affaires is no usurpation upon the Churches right as the Romish party contend against us but hath been approved of in the purest times and therefore whereas they seem to presse us with the objection That our Religion is Parliamentary because some concernments thereof have been Ratified by Act of Parliament Our answer is that Parliaments Enact not without the Royal assent This is onely this that vital spirit which regularly animates those establishments and from such assent the two first general Councels not to insist upon Nationals received their confirmation Eminent is that of Socrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. I therefore so often mention the Emperours in the series of my History though Ecclesiastical because that from the very first of their becoming Christians all Church matters depended upon their pleasure so as the greatest and Oecumenical Councels were then and are still convented by their order and summons As concerning these Canons of our Church Regal assent it was alone which firmed them the Parliament though then sitting not being resorted to nor interposing their Authority an unhappy disjunctive
interim order made to stay the stomacks of earnest longers for the present that very Proclamation which enjoynd it promising somewhat of an higher import which was effected accordingly in the first Liturgy of that King being compiled by the most judicious Bishops and others of that time ratified by Act of Parliament and set forth March 17. 1549. But this Liturgy being as some conceived not throughly racked from the lees of superstition The King and ment desirous to give all reasonable satisfaction to male-contents gave order probably to the same persons or so many of them as were then living that the Book should be faithfully and godly perused explained and made fully perfect and being so reviewed and explained they confirmed it again Anno 5. 6. of Edward 6. as in the statute appeareth Thus have I drawn the line of our Reformation so far as concerneth Publick worship in a known tongue that the Reader may observe all its motions stages and processions from its first rise unto the second Book of Edward 6. wherein our Church some few particulars excepted doth acquiesce Either privatly or openly The act preceding telling us so expresly that open Prayer is such as is made in a Cathedral Church Chappel or Oratory in a consecrated Place we need no Oedipus to unriddle the import of Private or to doubt that it signifieth any thing other then such as is performed at home But why is the Minister bound to say it daily either in publick or at home Some think our Church had under consideration how ignorant and illiterate many Vicars were and ordered thus that they might con in private the better to enable them for the Publick But I am of another perswasion for first the Church I conceive would not as she doth enjoyn them to officiat in publick did she not suppose them already in some tollerable degree fitted for the service Again the words are general not definitively such and such of those mean abilities but all Ministers without exception Now though very many were yet it is no charitable judgement to beleeve them all Dunces And it is apparent that where such ignorance fell under the consideration of authority the phrase doth vary with a particular application to them alone who were guilty of it so it is in the Queens injunctions such such onely not all as are but mean readers shall peruse over before once or twice the Chapters and Homilies to the intent they may read to the better understanding of the people and the more encouragement to Godlinesse So that I rather think the Churches policy was the better to inure and habituate the Clergy to Religious duties But be this so or not so sure of this we are that the Church doth hereby warrant the use of her Liturgy sometimes in places not consecrated This daily service especially which in its original designation was not onely indulged to privat places but private persons in those places I mean for Masters of families and others in the private exercises of Religion This is evident by the ancient Primers which containing the daily service were set forth to be frequented and used as well of the elder People as also of the youth for their common and ordinary prayers as is in the injunction of Henry the 8. prefixt to that of his in the year 1546. Of such ceremonies as have had their beginning by the institution of man Amongst the many exceptions to which this very venerable peece of piety Antiquity hath been exposed the first in order gives a countercheck to Ceremonies of humane institution for told we are that the Common Protestant tenent was alwayes that it is reprovable to add unto Christs intention new-found rites and fantasies of men which being so positively delivered by such a man of abilities as Dr. Amesius were enough to stagger any one whose curiosity leads him not to further search but when the streame of those tenents and practise elicited from them shall appear upon strict examination to be carried with a tide clean contrary certainly nothing but shame can justly attend so bold so confident and withal so groundlesse and false an Assertion Nothing assuredly can be more demonstrative of the Protestant tenents then the confession of their several Churches That of Helvetia first Churches have alwayes used their liberty in rites as being things indifferent which we also do at this day That of Bohemia Humane traditions and ceremonies brought in by a good custom are with an uniform consent to be reteined in the Ecclesiastical assemblies of Christian people at the common Service of God The Gallican Every place may have their peculiar constitutions as it shall seem convenient for them The Belgick we receive those Laws as are fit either to cherish or maintain concord or to keep us in the obedience of God That of Ausburg Ecclesiastical rites which are ordeined by mans authority and tend to qâ—ietnesse and good order in the Church are to be observed That of Saxony For order-sake there must be some decent and seemly ceremonies That of Sweveland Such traditions of men as agree with the Scriptures and were ordeined for good manners and the profit of men are worthily to be accounted rather of God then of man These were the tenents they publickly owned nor did they act different from what they thought ordeining Churches Pulpits prayers before and after Sermon administring the Sacraments in Churches delivering the Communion in the forenoons to women Baptising infants and several other things not one wherof were directly commanded by either Christ of his Apostles Let all things be done among you saith St. Paul in a seemly aâ—d due order The Apostles having their full stock of imployment and a great task set them viz. the planting of the Gospel and conversion of souls had little leasure to intend the ordaining of Holy-dayes or external rites the accidents of publick worship besides prescient and foreknowing they were that several emergences of occasions differences of Climates various dispositions of Ages would not well admit one general uniform order Neverthelesse that the Church might have somewhat of direction in such concernments some rules of universal observation and of expresse relation to Church-meetings and Assemblies the Apostle St. Paul prescribed all within the provision of one Chapter that of 1 Cor. 14 whereof these here mentioned are the close 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let all things be done decently and according to appointment First 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is observing the due and proper scheam and figure that the action requireth as kneeling at prayer and confession of sins standing when we glorifie God or professe our Christian faith c. Secondly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i e according to the orders and injunctions of the Superiours or Governours of the Church for they erre which think the appointment of this order appertaineth to private men herein the Doctrine of our Church in this paragraph is
devotum Deo obsequium Eucharistia resolvit an magis obligat nonne solemnior erit statio tua si ad aram Dei steteris Accepto corpore Domini reservato utrumque salvum est participatio beneficii executio officii So also of dayes of Station many think they must then forbear to come to the prayers of the sacrifices because the station is to be dissolved by the receiving of the body of the Lord what then doth the Eucharist countermand the duty due to God doth it not rather oblige us to it Shall not thy station be the more solemn if performed before Gods Altar the Body of our Lord being taken and reserved both are secured the participation of his blessed Son and the discharge of the duty Here I say some understand by Stations those dayes viz. All Sundayes of the year and all the interval between Easter and Pentecost on which according to primitive custome it was not permitted to kneel at prayers and these dayes were noted as of singlar contrariety to Humiliation The custom is acknowledged and so also is it that statio properly signifieth standing but both these concessions will be improved no further but onely to render their interpretation a specious fallacy For to my reading statio is never by any Author of those early ages applied in reference to that custom not in Tertullian I am certain no not withstanding his ad aram Dei steterts For not to reinforce the absurdity of one word denoting in the same Author two things so contradictory as fasting and feasting Tertullian tells us statio is of military extraction de miluari exemplo nomen accipit it borroweth its name from military example if so then not derived from the pretended custome of standing Now the military mode was this so many Souldiers were ordered to be upon the respctive guards there were they to continue compleatly armed and on horse-back ready to receive any impression of an assaulting enemy in that posture were they to abide anciently from morning to night until Paulus Aemylius observing it to be to great a burthen both for horse and man appointed these gards should at noon be relieved with fresh both men and horses Now because according to the martial discipline none was permitted to depart the gard until the time presixt Christians who on the dayes of Humiliation tied themselves as strictly to Religious duty did aptly enough impose upon those dayes the name of Stations And this will conclude sufficiently for the figurative against the proper sense of Stations Further to illustrate Tertullian by Tertullian elsewhere remonstrating the mischievous consequences of unequal yokes where a Christian woman marcheth with an Infidel â—e delivereth himself thus Si statio facienda sit maritus eo Die conducat ad Balnea si jejunia observanda sunt maritus cadem die convivium exerceat If a station be to be kept the husband may the same day lead her to the Baths If a solemn fast must be observed the husband may the same day make a feast where statio must necessarily denote a day of Humiliation For Tertullians designe is to shew that the Church and the Husband may be at crosse purposes and to command things contrary to each other And the Bath being as the mode was then applied to Luxury was as opposite to humiliation as a feast to a fast But here it seemes say some Tertullian did not consider both these under a real identity but as different things for else one instance would have served To which I answer true it is Tertullian doth somewhat distinguish them the difference being this that stations signified the lesse and jejunia the more solemn fasts these continued from morning to night and they onely to the ninth hour or three in the after-noon whence it is that Tertullian calls them in a scoff stationum semi-jejunia Half-fasted stations Having thus I hope made a clear prospect into Tertullians dark minde in reference to these stations the construction of the former passage is very facile viz. That whereas many were scrupulous of coming to the Eucharist upon wednesdayes and Fridays lest the receiving of the Elements should prove a breaking of their Fasts which were to be continued untill three in the after-noon Tertullian tells them they were in the wrong and that the Eucharist is so far from dissolving the duty of Fasting as it makes the work more valuable in Gods sight But if they would not credit him then there is another expedient will salve both sores viz. The taking of the Body and reservation of it to be eaten at home ante omnem cibum Fasting as he in the same book doth hint whereby neither the Fast will be interrupted nor the other duty neglected To forgive our enemies c. Amongst all the inordinate lusts of our corrupt nature no one is so unreformable so obstinate so stubborn as hatred and therefore our Saviour at his Sermon upon the mount that excellent summary of Christian institution administreth more expressly towards the mortification of this immortal passion Blesse them that curse you a precept whereby the keen edge of revenge is not onely blunted but turned the contrary way A precept by way of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and additional explication of the fift Petition of the Lords prayer For lest we should imagin the whole duty of charity towards our neighbour lodged in a bare remission of the injury and an indisposition to revenge he extends his discipline to an higher pitch commanding us not onely to forgive our enemies but to love them yea to blesse i. e. to wish all the good we can to those which curse us for seeing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are put heare as termes contradistinct as Grotiâ—s hath noted aright and seeing that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never doth nor considering the simples whereof it is composed can import any malediction but what is attended with imprecation and cursing I cannot conceive so meanly of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this place to think with this learned man it implieth no more but benignis verbis compellare to Speak our Execrators fair but that it intendeth a serious praying for an accumulation of all blessings upon them so I am sure did the Primitive Fathers understand it For in the prayer for all states which was their Litany and very neer resembleth ours one Petition was for those that hate us and persecute us as is evident by the Constitutions ascribed to Clemens which I the more confidently rely upon because Justin martyr tells Trypho the Jew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For you and all men whatsoever who are maliciously minded against us we send forth our Prayers This I cannot but note in recommendation of our Churches Charity in this Petition towards the great enemies of her Religion she Praying in this excellent and solemn form even for those who do as solemnly curse her The Jews first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Execrating
fulfil the same through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle I beseech you therefore brethren Rom. 12. ver 1. unto ver 6. The Gospel The father and mother of Jesus Luk. 2. verse 41. unto the end The second Sunday after the Epiphany 1 B. Edw. 6. The fool hath said in his heart c. Psal. 14. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God which â—ost govern all things in heaven and earth mercifully hear the supplications of thy people and graunt us thy peace all the dayes of our life The Epistle Seeing that we have divers gifts Rom. 12. ver 6. unto ver 16. The Gospel And the third day was there Joh. 2. verse 1. unto ver 12. The third Sunday after the Epiphany 1 B. of Edw. 6. Lord who shall dwell in thy tabernacle c. Psal. 15. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God mercifully look upon our infirmities and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us through Christ our Lord. The Epistle Be not wise in your own opinions Rom. 12. verse 16. unto the end The Gospel When he was come down Matth. 8. verse 1. to verse 14. The fourth sunday after the Epipiphany 1. B. Edw. 6. Why do the Heathen so furiously rage together c. Psal. 2. Glory be to the father c. As it was in the begining c. The Collect. GOd which knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers that for mans â—railnesse we cannot alwayes stand uprightly grant to us the health of body and soul that all those things which we suffer for sinne by thy help we may well passe and overcome through Christ our Lord. The Epistle Let every soul submit himself Rom. 13. verse 1. unto ver 8. The Gospel And when he entred into a ship Mat. 8. verse 23. unto the end The fifth Sunday after the Epiphanie 1. B. of Edward 6. The Lord hear thee in the day of thy trouble c. Psal. 20. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd we beseech thee to keep thy Church and houshold continually in thy true religion that they which no leau only upon hope of thy heavenly grace may evermore be defended by thy mighty power through Christ our Lord. The Epistle Put upon you as the elect of God Colos. 3. verse 12. unto verse 18. The Gospel The kingdom of heaven Mat. 13. verse 24. unto ver 31. The 6. Sunday if there be so many shal have the Psalm Collect Epistle and Gospel that was upon the fift Sunday The Sunday called Septuagesima 1 B. of Edw. 6. The Lord is my Shepheard c. Psal. 23. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. OLord we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people that we which are justly punished for our offences may be mercifuly delivered by thy goodnesse for the glory of thy name through Jesus Christ our Saviour who liveth and reigneth world without end The Epistle Perceive ye not how that they which 1 Cor. 9. 24. ver 24. unto the end The Gospel The kingdom of heaven is like Mat. 20. verse 1. unto ver 17. The Sunday called Sexagesima 1 B. of Edw. 6. The earth is the Lord c. Psal. 24. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd God which seest that we put not our trust in anything that we do mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversitie through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epistle Ye suffer fooles gladly 2 Cor. 11. verse 19 unto ver 32. The Gospel When much people were gathered Lu. 8. verse 4. unto verse 16. The Sunday called Quinquagesima 1 B. of Edw. 6. Be thou my judge O Lord c. Psal. 26. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. O Lord which doest teach us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth send thy holy ghost and powre into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity the very bond of peace and all vertues without the which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee grant this for thy onely son Jesus Christs sake The Epistle Though I speak with tongues of men 1 Cor. 13. verse 1 unto the end The Gospel Jesus took unto him the twelve Mat. 4. verse 31. unto the end I. The first day of Lent 1 B. of Edw. 6. O Lord rebuke me not in thine indignation Psal. 6. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God which 〈◊〉 nothing that thou hast 〈◊〉 and dost forgive the sinns of all them that be penitent create and make in us new conâ—ritâ— hearts that we worthily lamenting our sins and knowledging our wretchednesse way obtain of theâ— the God of all mercy perfect remission and forgivenesse through Jesus Christ. The Epistle Turn you unto me with Joel 2. verse 12. unto ver 18. The Gospel When ye fast be not sad Matth. 6. verse 16. unto ver 22. The first Sunday in Lent 1 B. of Edw. 6. Blessed is he whose unrighteousnesse is forgiven c. Psa. 32. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. LOrd which for our sake didst fast forty dayes and forty nights give us grace to use such abstinence that our flesh being subâ—tied to the spirit we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousnesse and true holinesse to thy honour and glory which livest and raignest c. The Epistle We as helpers exhort you 2 Cor. 6. verse 1. unto verse 11. The Gospel Then was Jesus led away Luk. 18. verse 1. unto ver 12. The second Sunday in Lent 1 B. of Edw. 6. Out of the deep have I called c. Psal. 130. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. ALmighty God which doest see that we have no power of our selves to help our selves keep thou us both outwardly in our bodies inwardly in our souls that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul through Jesus Christ c. The Epistle We beseech you brethren 1 Thes. 4. verse 1. unto ver 9. The Gospel Jesus went thence Matth. 15. verse 21. unto verse 29. The Third Sunday in Lent 1 B. of Edw. 6. Give sentence with me O Lord c. Psal. 45. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. WE beseech thee almighty God look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants and stretch forth
relate to the holy Ghost were added by the Constantinopolitan fathers and some say framed by Gregory Nyssen but I see no full evidence for it As for the Publick use of this Creed in the dayly offices of the Church Durandus Polydor Virgil and some late Authors fixt the first original upon Marcus and Damasus Bishops of Rome But Walfridus Strabo who flourished 850. and therefore likelier to know the truth then his juniors delivereth no such thing referring us to the third Concel of Toledo celebrated Anno 589. And this Councel tells us whence she had it decreeing ut per omnes Ecclesias Hispaniae Galliciae secundùm forman Orient alium Ecclesiarum Concilii Constantinopolitani Symbolum recitetur that throughout all Churches of Spain and Gallicea according to the mode of whom of the Western No but of the Eastern Churches the Constantinopolitan Creed should be rehearsed Certainly had the use thereof been in the Church of Rome at this time the Councel would not have rambled unto the East for a president And confest it is by all Romanists generally that from the Greeks they had not onely the Creed it self but also the first hint of making it an Auctory to the Liturgy If so then it will be taken tardè to enter very late and very short of Damasus his time For Vossius from Theodorus Lector proveth evidently the Greeks themselves had it not very many years before this Councel Macedonius an Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople being violently expelled by Anastasius the Emperour to make way for Timotheus an heritick of the Eutychian Sect no soonor was Timotheus settled in his See but presently at the entreaty of his friends he ordered that the Constantinopolitan Creed should be said at every Church meeting or time of publick Prayer to the discredit of Macedonius as if he were disaffected to it whereas until that time it was onely rehearsed once a year when the Bishop Catechised on Maundy Thursday Thus Theodorus and this was about the year 511. which being the first hint we have in all antiquity of this or any other symbol represented as Parcel of the publick Liturgy we will give those Ritualists leave to say their pleasure and we will have the like liberry to think what we list But though the Church Primitive was â—low in imploying it as we now do they having designed it for other very Religious intents yet can that be no competent bar to us but we may both this and others dispose as we do to the best improvement of our faith and edification of the Common interest of the Church After the Creed if there be no Sermon In the Primitive service no Creed interposing the Sermon immediatly followed the Gospel and was an usual explication upon it whence I conceive the name Postil is derived quasi post illa Evangelia Postil being nothing but a discourse upon and subsequent to the Gospel These Popular discourses had in Antiquity various appcllations in the earliest times 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the most usual so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word of exhortation Acts 13 14. So in Clemens his constitutions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 next let the Presbyters exhort the people then they called them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 homilies then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sermons Among the Latines St Cyprian especially Tractatus a tract is most familiar in Augustine and Ambrose disputatio a disputation frequently occurreth because therein they usually undertook the confutation of either Heathens Jews or hereticks Lastly Sermo a Sermon was then also in use Regularly and of courses the ancient form of bidding of prayers will here fall under cognisance and the rather because some thing like it is established by the Canons of our Church It s original extraction claiming precedency of consideration I shall begin with that The Agenda of Religion in our Church before the Reformation were performed it is well known in Latin a Language very inâ—difying to a non-intelligent people That so many so much interested and concerned in those sacred offices should not be totally excluded as idle spectators or fit for nothing but now and then to return an Amen to they knew not what this expedient was devised The people were exhorted to joyn in prayers according to certain heads dictated to them by the Minister in the English tongue observing the method and materials of the then Prayer for all States so that of all the service then used this onely could properly be called Common-Prayer as being the onely form wherein the whole Congregation did joyn in consort and therefore the title of it in the Injunctions of Edw. 6. Anno 1547. is The form of bidding the Common-prayers Now because it was made by Allocution or speaking to the people agreeing with what the Primitive Church called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was called Bidding of prayers Thus in short as to the ground of this ancient form will you now see the form it self behold it here After a laudable custom of our Mother holy Church ye shall kneel down moving your hearts unto Almighty God and making your special prayers for the three Estates concerning all Christian people i. e. for the Spiritually the Temporalty and the soules being in the paines of Purgatory First for our holy Father the Pope with all his Cardinals for all Arch-Bishops and Bishops and in special for my Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury your Metropolitan and also for my Lord Bishop of this Diocesse and in general for all Parsons Vicars and Parish Priests having cure of souls with the Ministers of Christs Church as well Religious as not Religious Secondly ye shall pray for the unity and peace of all Christian Realms and especially for the Noble Realm of England for our Sovereign Lord the King c. and for all the Lords of the Councel and all other of the Nobility which dwell in the Countries having protection and governance of the same That Almighty God may send them grace so to govern and rule the Land that it may be pleasing unto Almighty God wealth and profit to the Land and salvation to their souls Also ye shall pray for all those that have honoured the Church with light lamp vestment or Bell or with any other ornaments by which the service of Almighty God is the better maintained and kept Furthermore ye shall pray for all true travellers and tillers of the earth that truely and duely done their duty to God and holy Church as they be bound to do Also ye shall pray for all manner of fruits that be done upon the ground or shall be that Almighty God of his great pitty and mercy may send such wedderings that they may come to the sustenance of man Ye shall pray also for all those that be in debt or deadly sin that Almighty God may give them grace to come out thereof and the sooner by our prayer Also ye shall pray for all those that be sick or diseased either in
Pulpet or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 standing upon some advanced place as the constitutions have it his manner was not onely to instruct the people what they were to do upon Religious occasions as when to attend when to pray when to bow their heads to the Benediction when to stand upright when and who to depart but also to call upon them to pray in such manner and form as he dictated to them as is evident by that Prayer for the Catechumens lately cited out of St Chrysostom where the Deacon all along premiseth every particular of that prayer The fift thing observable from the Canon is the kisse of Peace for that is meant by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereof before The last is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. the second oblation which is the next thing offereth it self in our service and is called the Offertory The Offertory The whole action of the sacred Communion is elemented of nothing but sacrifices and oblations So in our Church so in the Apostolick which should be the grand examplar to all and though our Church varieth somewhat in the mode from the first original yet in the Substance her practice is conformable These sacrifices and oblations we may cast into four partitions and finde them all in the primitive and in our own service I shall name them all but insist onely upon the first as incident to my present purpose The first is the bringing of our gifts to the Altar that is the species and elements of the sacred symbols and withal some overplus according to our abilities for relief of the poor And this elemosinary offering is a sacrifice so called Phillip 4. 18. and Hebr. 13. 16. and declared to be well pleasing to God pleasing to God though extended to the poor these have a warrant of Atturney from God himself to receive our Almes He that hath pitty on the poor lendeth to the Lord. Prov. 19. 17. So that when we come together to Break bread in the Scripture notion that is to communicate we must break it to the hungry to God himself in his poor members as ever we expect a share in that last venice Come ye blessed c. These acts of mercy being onely set down as the reason of that venite Come ye blessed c. for I was an hungry and ye gave me to eat c. Matth. 25. 35. The second sacrifice is the Consecration of the Elements and presenting them up to God by the Prayers of the Minister and Congrâ—gation whereby they become that Sacrament for which they are set apart and deputed The third is the sacrifice of prayers and prayers unto God which are stiled sacrifices Psal. 50. 23. and 141. 2 Heb. 5 7. 13. 15. The fourth is the Oblation of our selves of our souls and bodies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aliving holy and reasonable sacrifice Rom. 12. 1. Now to restrain my discourse as I promised to the sacrifice of Almes-deeds it will be necessary to take notice of the Apostolick and primitive practise in this concerment and thereby to observe the agreeablenesse of our own Rule with it First then we are not ignorant I hope that the Apostolick custom of communicating was at their Agape's and Love-feasts These feasts were a joynt and liberal collation of all the Assembly every man contributing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as God had blessed him the rich for the poor Out of the offerings brought so much as was thought convenient for the Sacrament was taken by the party who officiated and the remains were deputed both for the refreshment of the Congregation and also for relief of the poor and these oblations were by the Apostles constitution to be set apart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every Lords-day Of these Feasts St. Jude in his Epistle makes mention speaking of spots in the Christians Love-feasts and not long after him Ignatius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is not suffered to celebrate the Agape without leave from the Bishop Of the mode Tertullian is most expresse Modicam unusquisque stipem menstruâ Die vel cum velit si modo possit apponit Haec quasi deposita pietatis sunt inde non epulis nec potaculis nec ingratis voratrinis dispensatur sed egenis alendis humandisque pueris puellisque re ac parentibus destitutis etateque domitis senibus item naufragis si qui in metallis si qui in insulis vel in custodiis duntaxat ex causa Dei fiunt Some little modicum or portion of contribution every man once a moneth or oftener if he can and will layeth aside for this purpose These collations are the pledges of piety nor are they disposed to the satisfying of our gluttenous appetites but for the relief or burial of the poor or Orphans or aged or shipurackt persons or for the maintenance of such as suffer imprisonment or exile for the cause of Christ. But abuses of excesse having crept into these feasts the junketings comeslations and mealing together were soon laid aside and where they were so though the Sacrament had nothing but of religious import yet the eleemosinary Oblations still continued For Justin Martyr rendring the practise of his time tells us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They that are well to passe if they are so disposed every man as he pâ—easeth offereth somewhat of that he hath and this collection is deposited with the chief President who therewith relieveth Orphants Widows such as are sick or in want upon the like cause such also as are in prison or travailers which come from far Countries and to this usage I conceive Clemens Alexandrinus had an eye where he said many resorted to hear the word of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 knowing that Christians communicated to the needy things necessary To the same effect St. Syprian Thou art rich and wealthy and dost thou beleeve thou canst rightly celebrate the Lords Supper who doest not minde the Poor-mans box who appearest in the Lords house empty without the sacrifice of Almes deeds nay who takest thy share of that sacrifice which the poor man himself offered Not to trouble you with multiplying more Authorities in so clear a matter it may suffice once for all to reminde you that upon this very account the sacred mysteries gained in the Primitive Church so frequently to be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sacred gifts or offerings But though Almes-giving be a necessary duty yet doth not God accept it from all but in these Oblations he respects the men not the gifts there are some Cains of whose sacrifices he will none and therefore in the Primitive Church such persons as had misdemeaned themselves or scandalized Religion St. Cyprian positively orders prohibeantur offerre let them be kept back from offering so also for such as harboured malice against their brethren the Counsel of Carthage ordemed neque in sacrario neque in Gazophylacio recipiantur eorum Oblationes
that their offerings should be accepted of neither at the Altar nor in the Church treasury Now although the elements of bread and wine are provided by an establishment of our Church differing from the ancient custome yet can there be no reason shewed why we should prescribe and cast away that most necessary sacrifice of Almes which though at first introduced as concomitant with the former yet hath sufficient interest in Religion to entitle it self to a place in the course of the grand sacrifice and the Church hath very fitly assigned it this place as Preambulatory to the Prayers ensuing it being properly stiled by St. Chrysostom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wing of prayer upon which wing the prayers of Cornelius ascended up into Heaven Acts 10 2. As to the sentences of this Offertory they which differ in the Scottish service from ours are taken out of Bishop Andrews his notes upon the Book of Common prayer Who goeth a warfare This with the four succeeding sentences 7 8 9 10. have a peculiar reference to the ministery by which plain it is that our Church intended a double Offering one Elemosynary Almes for the poor Another Oblatory for the maintenance of the Clergy In the earliest times of Christianity such spontaneous oblations were the onely income of the Church with no other alimony did the ministry subsist This collection was first weekly 1 Cor. 16. 2. next in flux of time and in the African Church menstrua die once a moneth The depositary and Trustee of these Offerings was in chief the Bishop who had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the power over affaires of the Church to dispose them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the consent of the Presbyters and Deacons The imployment of these mensurna divisiones or monthly dividends was quadrupartite One portion to the Bishop whence St. Cyprian speaketh often de quantitate sua propria of his own proper share Another to the inferiour Clergy who not the people who offered as Mr. Selden hath mistaken were therefore called Sportulantes fratres Bretheren of the Dole The third was for sacred utensils and reparation of Gods house And the last for the relief of the poor strangers prisoners and the like as hath been said before And though Christian Princes restored in after-times to God his own and indowed the Church with Tithes yet did not these oblations cease thereupon that had been a favour with a mischief these Offerings advancing an Ecclesiastical intrade far exceeding the Decimal availes as appeareth by St. Cyprian No all along Oblations both spontaneous and such as custom had established continued together with tithes even unto our dayes which some of the Reverend Clergy finde to be a woful truth Is it not so when having lost the benefit by a long disuse they still groan under the burthen it hath laid upon them For upon this very account consideration being anciently had to the great harvest such Oblations did then in some parts annually import some livings were estimated in the Kings Books at a rate so high as now those wonted oblations are withdrawn amount to the utmost value of them to the great grievance of the incumbent who is to answer his first fruits and other payments to the Exchequer at that great proportion Again to manifest that the Clergy hath not totally lost their interest in these oblations insignificant it is not that when a Personage is demised intire the Lessee even in these our dayes doth covenant to receive all Obventions Oblations c. The Church-Wardens or some other The ancient mode was an exact pursuance of the text deliverd by our Saviour Matth. 5. 23. which implieth that the gifts should be brought to the Altar there were they presented by the people and there received by the Priest Gregory Nazianzen sets it down very expresly speaking of Valens the Emperours offering 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. when the time was come for him to bring his gifts to the holy table which he was to do himself none would as the custome was receive them The like hath Theodoret concerning Theâ—odsius but not so full and more conformable to this usage was the order in the beginning of the Reformation by which the Parishioners were enjoyned themselves to put their Almes into the poor mans chest which then was placed neer the High Altar Bishop Andrews faultâ—th the Church-wardens going up and down to receive the Almes Sapit hac collectio per singula capita Genevensem morem This collecting Almes by the poll savours of the Geneva mode whence it is that the Scottish Rubrick was rectified in this particular as in others conformable to his notes Offering dayes appointed Antiently offering dayes appointed were Quaelibet dies Dominica alii dies festi solemnes quorum vigiliae jejunantur every Lords-day and all high festivals whose Eves were fasted Such were those solemn dayes called lately in the Court Collar-dayes because then the Knights of the Garter attended the King in their St. Georges Collars when the fashion was for the King and his Nobles to offer But these are not the offering dayes intended by this Rubrick but those mentioned in the Statute 37. H. 8. c. 12. viz. The feasts of Easter of the nativity of Saint John Baptist the feast of St. Michael the Arch-Angel and the Nativity of our Lord. These feasts aforesaid being ordered by that Kings injunctions Anno 1536. To be taken for the four general offering dayes quarterly payment of such oblations I finde to have been in use long before for in a parchment M. S. of Constitutions made by a Synod held in Exeter by Peter Quivel Bishop of that Diocesse Anno 1287. it is thus decreed Statuimus quod omnis adult us viz. quatuordecim annorum quater in Anno scilicet Natali Domini Paschali festivitate festivitate Dedicationis suae Ecclesiae parochialis vel festivitate omnium Sanctorum Ecclesiam suam Parochialem suis oblationibus veneretur We ordain that every one of 14. years old shall quarterly viz. at the feasts of Christs Nativity of Easter of the Dedication of their Parish Church and of all Saints shall honour their Church with Oblations Nor is it impertinent here to minde you that the Reformation begun by Hermannus that pious but unfortunate Bishop of Colen commandeth that the four offering dayes in a year be kept But it is not expressed what they were The former statute of H. 8. declaring so explicitly what the offering dayes were it also helpeth us to understand the import of accustomed offerings for it commandeth all Citizens and inhabitants of London to pay their Tithes that is 16. d. ob for every 10. s. rent of their houses quarterly viz. at the feasts above specified and though the Statute seemeth to have a peculiar relation to London yet custom hath in other Cities established a not much different proportion If to any the word offerings may seem to import other dues
distinction being observed lawful it was for them to superadde some characteristical notes more graphically explaining them so was this word Christ annext to the second Person in the Apostles times so in Justin Martyr the form is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the name of the Father of all things the Lord God and of Jesus Christ who was crucified under Pontius Pilate and of the holy Ghost who foretold by the Prophets all things concerning Christ. But if they which bring the Infants c. This is a very prudent and Christian Injunction derived as I conceive from the fift Councel of Carthage Placuit de infantibus quoties non inveniuntur firmi testes qui eos sine coninversia Baptisatos esse dicant sine ulla offensione posse eos Baptisari it is decreed concerning infants whensoever there want witnesses to assure that they were before baptised that without further scruple they shall be baptised CHAP. IX Common Prayer A The order of Confirmation or laying on of hands upon children baptised and able to render an account of their faith according to the Catechisme following 1 2 B. of Edvv. 6. Lit. of Q. Eliz. Confirmation wherein is contained a Catechism for Children TO the end that Confirmation may be ministred to the more â—defying of such as shall receive it according onto St. Pauls doctrine who teacheth that all things should be done in the Church to the edification of the same it is thought good that none hereafter shall be confirmed but such as can say in their mother tonge the Articles of the faith the Lords prayer and the ten Commandments and can also answer to such questions of this short Catechisme as the Bishop or such as he shall appoint shall by his discretion appose them in And this order is most convenient to be observed for divers considerations First because that when children come to the years of discretion and have learned what their Godfathers and Godmothers promised for them in Baptisme they may then themselves with their own mouth and with their own consent openly before the Church ratifie and confirm the same and also promise that by the grace of God they will evermore endevour themselves faithfully to observe and keep such things as they by their own mouth and confeâ—sion have assented unto Secondly for as much as Confirmation is ministred to them that be baptised that by imposition of hands and prayer they may receive strength and defence against all temptations to sin and the assaults of the world and the devil it is most meet to be ministred when children come to that age that partly by the frailty of their own flesh partly by the assaults of the world and the devil they begin to be in danger to fall into sundry kindes of sin Thirdly for that it is agreeable with the usage of the Church in times past whereby it was ordeined that Confirmation should be Ministred to them that were of perfect age that they being instructed in Christs religion should openly professe their own faith and promise to be obedient unto the will of God B And that no man shall think that any detriment shall come to the children by deferring of their Confirmation he shall know for truth that it is certain by Gods word that children being baptised 1 B. of Edw. 6. if they depart out of this life in their infancy have all things necessary for their salvation and be undoubtedly saved C A Catechisme that is to say An instruction to be learned of every childe before he be brought to be confirmed of the Bishop Question What is your name Answer N. â—r M. Question Who gave you this name Answer My Godfathers and godmothers in my baptisme wherein I was made a member of Christ the childe of God and an inhertour of the kingdom of heaven Question What did your Godfathers and Godmothers then for you Answer They did promise and â—ow three things in my name First that I should forsake the devil and all his works the pomps and vanities of the wicked world and all the sinful Justs of of the flesh Secondly that I should beleeve all the articles of the christian faith And thirdly that I should keep Gods holy will and commandements and walk in the same all the dayes of my life Question Doest thou not think that thou art bound to beleeve and do to as they have promised for thee Answer Yes verily And by Gods help so I will And I heartily thank our heavenly father that he hath called me to this state of salvation through Jesus Christ our Saviour and I pray God to give me his Grace that I may continue in the same unto my lives end Question Râ—hearse the Articles of thy belief Answer I Beleeve in God the father almighty maker of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ his onely son our Lord which was conceived by the holy ghost born of the virgin Mary suffered under Ponce Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into hell the third day he rose again from the dead He ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the father almighty From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead I beleeve in the holy ghost The holy Catholick Church The Communion of Saints The forgivenesse of sins The resurrection of the body And the life everlasting Amen Question What doest thou chiefly learn in these articles of thy belief Answer First I learn to beleeve in God the Father who hath made me and all the world Secondly in God the son who hath redeemed me and all mankinde Thirdly in God the holy ghost who sanctifieth me and all the elect people of God Question You said that your Godfathers and Godmothers did promise for you that you should keep Gods Commandments Tell me how many there be Answer Ten. Question Which be they Answer THE same which God spak in the xx Chapter of Exodus saying I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage i Thou shalt have none other Gods but me ii Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven image nor the likenesse of any thing that is in heaven above or in the earth beneath nor in the water under the earth Thou shalt not â—ow down to them nor worship them For I the Lord my God am a jealous God and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me and keep my Commandments iii. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vain iiii Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day Sir dayes shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt do no manner of
adult immediately succeeded the very act of baptizing and dipping And if the Primitive Church held her self obliged to preserve it upon the score of Apostolical usage and to tender it to such as were of full growth much more reason have we to continue it with whom Paedo-Baptisme is almost the sole practice Baptism as the Apostle St. Peter describeth it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Answer or rather Interrogatory of a good conscience towards God that is a question how the party stands disposed towards God not unlike our Interrogatory Doest thou for sake the Devil c. To take of the supposed vanity of this Interrogatory administred to Infants who are in no capacity to reply the Church their most tender Mother hath devised this expedient of assigning sureties to undertake in their behalf what Christianity requireth from them They being thus charitably provided for in the minority of their intellectuals extream rational it is that the Church exact from them and that they render to her an account when they come to riper years what progress they have made in learning the Elements of the christian faith exceeding proper it is they enter new security to her that they will by Gods grace make good those stipulations and promises which their sureties undertook before in their behalf and that after all these they may receive the Churches Benediction administred to them by the Bishop their spiritual Father There is not any thing wherein the late pretended Reformers amuse me more then in this particular I hear them declare That all who are baptized in the name of Christ â—o renounce and by their Baptisme are bound to fight against the Devil the World and the Flesh. And yet by abolishing of sureties they render Infants unable to make such Abrenunciation or take such an engagement by their proxies and do not any where throughout all their appointments require from persons baptized when they become adult any such actual promise Where is then this Renunciation and obligation entred against those common Enemies these men talk of If they say they are mental supposed and impli'd I answer that is not enough the Church must take cognizance of all her members that they are all of a piece that they agree in the unity of profession which she can not unless they give her not only some verbal account of their knowledge in the principles of Religion but also explicite promises to live agreeable to those principles And therefore it surpasseth my understanding with what colour of reason they can admit such persons to the highest degree of christian Society the blessed communion who never engaged to conform to the Rules of Christianity Have all things necessary for their Salvation The outward Essentials of Baptisme are the Element water and the words of Institution I baptize thee in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost These without more adoe constitute a seal all-sufficient to initiate children within the Gospel covenant no absolute necessity have they as children of any thing else But though as children they want nothing necessary for their Salvation yet have they not all things necessary for years more adult when of another Sacrament the principles of Christianity oblige them to participate and require from them no procurated but a personal and actual faith repentance obedience and what else their Baptismal engagement tyed them to perform And until they have given better security for all these in confirmation the Church regularly precludeth to them all advenues to higher mysteries so that this excellent ceremony is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the cement which doth sodder both Sacraments together whence anciently they who were admitted to it were said to be consummated signaculo Dominico by the Lords signature And semblably 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the perfecting uâ—ction is it called by another which consummation Janus-like looked both ways Backward to Baptisme of which Sacrament it was the finishing and closing ceremony and so the party confirmed was consummated as to that Forward to the Eucharist whereof it was the initiatory and preparing rite and so he was made perfect as to that confirmation giving him a right 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to participate of the Sacrament of perfection as the ancients styled it A Catechisme that is to say an Instruction Our Church gives here the notation of the word Catechisme telling us it is an Instruction and so it is an Instruction in the first rudiments of Christianity the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews goes as high in its advancement as possibly he can with him it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the laying of the first foundation Chap. 6. v. 1. implying that as a foundation is to the Superstructure so is catechizing to the sublimer mysteries of our Religion and what an edifice is without a foundation our Saviours parable speaks plainly enough And this may be sufficient to preserve it not only from scorn and contempt but in an high esteem seeing it is suppodaneous the Pedestal to support noblet truths for as St. Hierome excellently Non contemnend a sunt parva sine quibus magna constare non possunt nothing be it never so small is to be slighted when it is the fine qua non that without which greater things cannot stand Nor may it be omitted as another argument of its worth that St. Augustine St. Cyril St. Athanasius Gregorius Nyssenus Origen Clemens Alexandrinus eminent Fathers yea St. Paul himself were catechists in their respective times Now because a Catechisme doth necessarily suppose a Catechist and a Catchumen the Instructer and Instructed of both which there is so frequent mention in antiquity requisite it will be to take them into a more curious and choice consideration and the rather because I finde very learned men have hitherto failed in a true apprehension of them the more excusable because controversie having hitherto so little intermedled in this matter occasion was not offered for search into a more distinct cognizance of them First then Catechists taken in a proper and separate notion as they constituted an order severed and apart from others were certi quidam homines qui Scholam Christianae Institutionis exercebant as Vicecomes describeth them certain men which kept a School for christian Institution but whether those certain men were lay or Clergy or what they were he determineth not The Annatator and Mr. Thorndike very learned men both seem to affirm them Presbyters for where Clemens Alexandrinus demandeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whom shall the Presbyter lay hands upon whom shall he bless They understand him as if he meant the solemnity with which the catechists dismist those that were catechized And in confirmation of this interpretation the Dr. produceth Eusebius who saith of Constantine that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He made profession and then was vouchsafed those Prayers which were given by imposition of hands But I conceive neither of those places are
not O Lord into Judgement with thy servant Answer For in thy sight no living creature shall be justified Priest From the gates of hell Answer Deliver their souls O Lord. Priest I believe to see the goodness of the Lord. Answer In the land of the living Priest O Lord graciously hear my Prayer Answer And let my cry come unto thee Let us pray O Lord with whom do live the Spirits of them that be dead and in whom the souls of them that be elected after they be delivered from the burthen of the flesh be in joy and felicity Grant unto this thy servant that the sins which he committed in this world be not imputed unto him but that he escaping the gates of hell and pains of eternal darkness may ever dwell in the region of light with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the place where is no weeping sorrow nor heaviness when that dreadful day of the general resurrection shall come make him to rise also with the just and righteous and receive this body again to glory then made pure and incorruptible set him on the right hand of thy Son Jesus Christ among thy holy and elect that then he may hear with them these most sweet and comfortable words Come ye blessed of my Father possess the kingdom which hath been prepared for you from the beginning of the world Grant this we beseech thee O merciful Father through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer Amen Minister ALmighty God with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord and in whom the souls of them that be elected after they be delivered from the burden of the flesh be in joy and felicity we give thee hearty thanks for that it hath pleased thee to deliver this N. our brother out of the Miseries of this sinful world beseeching thee that it may please thee of thy gratious goodnesse shortly to accomplish the number of thine elect and to hasten thy kingdom that we with this our brother and all other departed in the true faith of thy holy name may have our perfect consummation and blisse both in body and soul in thy eternal and everlasting glory Amen The Collect. O Merciful God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life in whom whosoever beleeveth shall live though he die and whosoever liveth and beleeveth in him shall not die eternally who also taught us by his holy Apostlâ— Paul not to be â—orâ—y as men without hope for them that sleep in him We meekly beseech thee O father to raise us from the death of sin unto the lâ—â—e of righteousnesse that when we shall depart this life we may rest in him as out hope is this our brother doth and that at the general resurrection in the last day  1 B. of Edw. 6. We may be found acceptable in thy sight and receive that blessing which thy well beloved son shall then pronouce to all that love and fear thee saying come ye blessed children of my Father receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the World grant this we beseech thee O merciful Father through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer Amen Both we and this our Brother departed receiving again our bodies and rising again in thy most gratious favour may with all thine Elect saints obtain eternal joy Grant this O Lord God by the means of our Advocate Jesus Christ which with thee and the holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God for ever Amen 1 B. of Edw. 6. BB The Celebration of the holy Communion when there is a burial of the dead Like as the heart desireth the water brooks c. Psal. 42. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. The Collect. O merciful God c. as in the last Collect of the Common-Prayer The Epistle I would not brethren that you should be ignorant c. 1 Thes. 4. The Gospel Jesus said unto his Disciples and to the Jews c. John 6. Annotations upon CHAP. X. A. The Matrimoniael Office very necessary Marriage ought to be blessed by a Minister Our Saviour and the Primitive Fathers did it Set forms anciently used B. Times prohibited for Marriage upon what Law founded The Directory as guilty of Popery therein as our Church C. Marriage anciently celebrated ad ostium Ecclesiae D. Mutual consent of both Parties necessary Espousals what E The giving of the Woman ancient F. The excellence of the English mode in receiving the Wife from the Priest G. The right hand a Symbole of fidelity H. A Ring why given by the man The ancient use of Rings I. Why the Ring is laid upon the Book K. Why the Ring is put upon the 4th finger the usual reason rejected L With my Body I thee worship what meant by it M. The blessing ought to be by imposition of hands N. why the married couple to communicate O. The visitation of the sick a necessary Office P. A sound faith how necessary Q. Charity very necessary to a dying man R. So also Almes-giving S. Absolution how commendable and comfortable The several kinds of absolution T. Extreme unction why laid aside V. Communion of the sick vindicated Calvin for it W. Reservation of the consecrated Elements anciently very laudable X. The various customs of bearing the Corps to Church Copiatae what Why Hymns sung all along as the corps was born Y. The Resurrection of our bodies ought to be the chief of our Meditations upon funeral occasions Z In sure and certain hopes c. What meant by it AA Prayer for the Dead in the Romish Church implyeth not Purgatory The mind of the Breviary opened Trentals what BB. Communion at Burials ancient why now laid aside The Original of Oblations Doles at Funerals and Mortuaries THe solemnization of Matrimony In all solemn Leagues and federal Pacts even Ethnique Theology hath alwayes interested and engaged Religion upon this account amongst them they were no less solemnly firm'd by oaths than by seals affixt and where made between one King and one Common wealth and another the counter-parts were usually deposited in the Temples of their Gods What contract what confederacy can be imagined more noble more sacrosanct than that between Man and Wife Other leagues are the products of reason of State self and earthly interest That which constitutes this is a congenial disposition and harmony of hearts wherein natures grand intention of specifical propagation is limited knit and restreined to one by an indissoluble tye of Love But what can be said more in honour of it than this That though it be not a Sacrament in the most proper sence it is yet made by the Apostle the relative parallel of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great mystery Ephes. 5. 32. and superlative Sacrament of 〈◊〉 union with his Church If then this Ordinance be a league so supereminent if all purposes of high consequence are to be blessed by the
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