gifts with the Wismen applying the most remarkable occurrents of that day as inciâ—ements to rejoyce upon it Consonant is that of St. Basil who reckoning the special events on Christs Nativity saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The stars from heaven came to behold him the Magicians among the Gentiles made hast to adore him Ash-Wednesday and Lent Ash-Wednesday hath in antiquity two names First it is called Dies cinorum in reference to the Penitents whereof more under the title of Commination who were this day sprinckled with Dust and Ashes Secondly Caput jejunii the top of the Fast or first day of Lent Instituted it was by Gregory the Great the occasion this Lent commencing according to the former mode on the Sunday after Quinquagessima lasted six weeks or forty dayes from these substract six Sundayes which were never to be fasted there remained thirty six Lenten dayes the just tenth of the year abating the fraction of five dayes for multiply 360 by 10 the quotient will be 36. so then God by this observation received from the Christians a tenth as well of their time as of their fruits this was one designe of Lents original Now St. Gregory that the Churches practise might be more agreeable to the great exemplar of our Saviours 40. dayes the quotient observed by Moses and Elias abstinence in the wildernesse added these four dayes to compleat the number of 40. dayes But though by this rule the Church conformed nigher to the pattern of our Saviour as to the Number of 40. yet in the appointment of that time she varied from his copy Christ fasting immediatly after his baptisme she fasting before Baptisme and great reason had she so to do there were in those dayes many persons adult of full growth who became converts to Christianity and had besides original many actual sins to account for these could not be cleansed by the water of Baptisme unlesse they were first rinsed in the water of contrition therefore to these repentance was as necessary a requisite before baptisme as faith for as St. Basil saith exellently 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Repentance must lâ—ad the way to Faith whereas our Saviour being without sin had no need of Repentance to precede his baptisme in this respect this Quadragesimal fast whose chief end is humiliation and Repentance was very aptly premised before Easter the grand time designed for that Sacrament as a preparation to it And not in this respect alone but in several others for at that great solemnity Penitents were to be restored to a neerer Communion with the faithful did they shew any evident signes of Godly sorrow or contrition which the Scleragogy and hard treatment of so long a time of fasting and humiliation was most like to create And as Penitents were at that time to be reconciled to the faithful so were the faithful then also more then ordinarily to be reconciled to God Easter being the most solemn time alloted for the celebration of the Lords supper whereof the Jewish Passeover was a Type As for the first Institution uncertain it is from whom to derive it St. Hierom ascends to Apostolical Tradition Nos unam Quadragesimam toto Anno jejunamus secundum traditionem Apostolicam We observe in the whole year one Quadragesimal Fast according to Apostolical tradition Not strictly so I conceive but according to the latitude of the Language or conception of those times wherein the same Hierom tells us Unaquaeque Provintia praecepta majorum lâ—ges Apostolicas arbitratur every Province accounts the Precepts of their Ancestors as Apostolical Ordinances But though its derivation possibly will not reach so far yet considering that Origen Tertullian and the Councel of Laodicea mention it it must be allowed for very ancient For the manner how it was in general observed leaving particular dayes to be spoken to in their proper order the Councel of Laodicea informs us of these four particulars First 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That no consecration of the Sacrament be made in Lent but onely on the Sabbath and Lords-day This was done upon this account The consecration of the Bread and Wine was as those Fathers supposed an action more properly ally'd to the nature of a Festival then of a Past and it being the custom at that time to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper every day that there might be wherewith to supply the concernments of that Service and also for a Viaticum to Penitents and others in theâ—r fatal last it was thought meet that upon the Sabbaths and Lords Dayes there should be consecrated such a surplusage to be reserved as might be sufficient for those intents which consecrated Elements so received were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foreconsecrated By this Canon the different nay contâ—ary customs of the East and West may be observed the first keeping the Sabbath as a Festival the second as a Fast yea the Trullan Councel magisterially enough decreeth that the 66. Canon of the Apostles which is penal to all such as fast on the Sabbath day shall be of force 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the very Church of Rome her self For which cause saith Balsamon that Church doth disclaim this for an Oecumenical Councel The second particular is Canon 50. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That it is meet to fast all Lent eating dry-meats These dry-meats we may safely presume were Bread water and Salt for so Epiphanius deciphereth them at the end of his Panarium If so it may be positively concluded that Wine Whit-meats Oyl and Fish as well as Flesh were within the interdict of the ancient Abstinence The third is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That the Birth dayes of the holy Martyrs be not celebrated in Lent But that their commemoration be transferred to the Sabbaths and Lords dayes whether this was extended to all other Festivals as well as the Birth-dayes of Martyrs I cannot say sure I am the day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Annuntiation which alwayes falls in Lent was observed under the sixth General Counsel The last 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That there must no Marriages nor Birth-dayes be celebrated during the time of Lent At what hour this Fast was to determine and when the people were to take their repast this Synod hath no decree in which point I observe in the Primitive Church a diversity betwen the Quadragesimal the Lent Fast and that of Wednesdayes and Fridays The Lent as all extraordinary and high Fasts were protended and reached to the evening thereof Expectas vesperam ut cibum oapias saith Basil of Lent Fast thou waitest for the Evening that thou maist refresh thy self The weekly Fast determined at the ninth hour or three in the afternoon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Epiphanius All the year long and Wednesdays and Fridayes they brake not their fasts until three in the afternoon But this distinction was not entertained in the Catholik Church until after
Curate give this exhortation to those that be minded to receive the same The Common Prayer DEarly beloved in the Lord ye that minde to come to the holy communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ must consider what Saint Paul writeth to the Corinthians how he exhorteth all persons piligently to try and examine themselves before they presume to eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For as the benefit is great if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood then we dwell in Christ and Christ in us we be one with Christ Christ with us so is the danger great if we receive the same unworthyly For then we be guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Saviour we eat and drink our own damnation not considering the Lords body we kindle Gods wrath against us we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases and sundry kindes of death Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God an hinderer or slanderer of his word an adulterer or be in malice or envie or in any other grievous crime bewail your sins and come not to this holy table lest after the taking of that holy Sacrament the divil enter into you as he entred into Judas and fil you ful of all iniquities and bring you to destruction both of body and soul. Judge therefore your selves brethren that ye be not judged of the Lord. Repent you truely for your sins past Have a lively and stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour Amend your lives and be in perfect charity with all men so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God the father the son and the holy ghost for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our saviour Christ both God and man who did humble him self even to the death upon the crosse for us miserable sinners which lay in darknesse and shadow of death that he may make us the children of God and exalt us to everlasting life And to the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our master and onely saviour Jesu Christ thus dying for us and the innumerable benefits which by his pretious blood-sheding he hath obtained to us he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries as pledges of his love and continual remembrance of his death to our great and endlesse comfort To him therefore with the Father and the holy Ghost let us give as we are most bounden continual thanks submitting our selves wholly to his holy will and pleasure and studying to serve him in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life Amen 1. B. of Edw. 6. In Cathedral Churches or other places where there is dayly Communion it shall be sufficient to read this exhortation above written once in a moneth And in parish Churches upon the week day it may be left unsaid Then so many as shall be partakers of the holy Communion shall tary still in the Quire or in some convenient place nigh the quire B the men on one side and the women on the other side All other that minde not to receive the said holy Communion shall depart out of the quire except the Ministers and Clerks Then shall the Minister take so much Bread and Wine as shall suffice for the persons appointed to receive the holy Communion laying the Bread upon the Corporas or else in the pattin or in some other comely thing prepared for that purpose And putting the wine into the Chalice or else in some fair convenient cup prepared for that use if the Chalice will not serve putting thereto C a little pure and clean water And setting both the Bread and Wine upon the Altar Then the Priest shall say The Lord be with you Answer And with thy Spirit Priest Lift up your hearts c. to the end of the Prefaces Common Prayer 1 B. of Edw. 6. Then shall the Minister say to them that come to receive the holy Communion Scot. Lit. this Invitation Here the Priest shall turn him towards those that come to receive the holy Communion and shall say YOU that do truely and earnestly repent you of your sins 1 B. of Edw. 6. to Almighty God and be in love and charity with your nieghbours and intend to lead a new life following the commandements of God and walking from henceforth in his holy wayes D Draw near and take this holy Sacrament to pour comfort make your humble confession to almighty God before this congregation here gathered together in his holy name meekly kneeling upon your knees E Then shall this general confession be made in the name of all those that are minded to receive the holy Communion Scot. Lit. by the Presbyter himself or the Deacon either by one of them Lit. of Q. Eliz. or else by one of the Ministers or by the Priest himself or else by the Minister himself Scot. Lit. both he and all the people all kneeling humbly upon their knees ALmighty God father of our Lord Jesus Christ maker of all things judge of all men we knowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickednesse which we from time to time most grievously have committed by thought word and deed against thy divine majesty provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us we do earnestly repent and be heartily sorry for these our misooings the remembrance of them is grievous unto us the burden of them is intolerable have mercy upon us have mercy upon us most merciful father for thy son our Lord Jesus Christs sake forgive us all that is past and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newnesse of life to the honour and glory of thy name through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Then shall the Minister or the Bishop being present stand up and turning him self to the people Scot. Lit. pronounce the Absolution as followeth say thus ALmighty God our heavenly father who of his great mercy hath promised forgivnesse of sins to all them which with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him have mercy upon you pardon and deliver you from all your sins confirm and strength you in all goodnesse and bring you to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Then shall the Minister also say Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith to all that truely turn to him Come unto me all that travail and be heavie laden and I shall refresh you So God loved the world that he gave his onely begotten son to the end that all that beleeve in him should not perish but have life everlasting Hear also what saint Paul saith This is a true saying and worthy of all men to be received that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners Here also what saint John saith If any man
abused to superstition and wickednesse Least any such thing hereater should be attempted and that an uniformity might be used throughout the whole Realm it is thought convenient the people commonly receive the Sacrament of Christs body in their mouths at the Priests hands Annotations upon CHAP. VII A. The Eucharist whence derived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 different things and had different formes B. Men and women sate separate one from another C. Mixing of water with wine Ancient The reasons for it D. Draw neer when to be said Chancels anciently peculiar to the Clergy The Emperor onely privileged Laique Communion what why Chancels allotted to the Clergy onely The people usulaly received at the Chancel door E. Confession why necessary before the Communion The Priests posture at the Altar standing and why F. Sursum corda Ancient G. So also the Responces H. Proper Prefaces I. Trisagium Ancient Two hymnes so called K. Consecration not performed by the words of Primitive Institution The sense of the Fathers The Ancient custom of saying Amen to the concecration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what in Justin Martyr L. Remembrance of Christs Passion at the Eucharist ought to be as well by verbal commemoration as by mental meditation The ancient formes M. The bread anciently delivered into the Communicants hands N. Kneeling in the act of receiving commended sometime used in Antiquity where practised since the Reformation O. The various formes of delivering the Eelements That of our Church justly preferred before the rest P. The Scotch order for saying Amen by the party receiving commended Singing of Psalms during the Communicating ancient Q. The Roman order defective in the most proper Sacrafice R. The Angelical hymn Difference betwixt an hymn and a Psalm The hymn mis-placed in the Mâ—sse-Book Our order more consonant to Antiquitie The Councel of Carthage cleared S. The Benediction by whom to be given The custome of bowing at it T. The second service when to be read V. A Rubrick unhappily Omitted W. The remains of the Consecrated Elements how anciently disposed X. To Receive thrice in the yevr an ancient practice AND above all things c. That the holy Communion even in the Apostolical age was celebrated at the same both table and time when Christians met for their ordinary repast at meals hath been said before No part of that either spiritual or temporal food was received without some religious application to God relative and directed to the ends for which those Collations were prepared which application whither it concerned the creature destined for bodily or for Mystical refreshment consisted of either two prayers distinct or two distinct members of one prayer The first was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thanksgiving to God for those benefits The second 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Invocation of his blessing upon them To speak appositly to the matter in hand when this application related to the elements seperated for the holy Communion Thanksgiving was made to God the Father much to the same effect of this that is for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Jesus Christ c. And from this very use the Communion contracted the name of Eucharist and not as hitherto hath been commonly supposed from any words constituting Consecration Consecration of the Elements was made indeed with thanksgiving not by it by blessing it was performed by blessing joyned with thanksgiving in one continued form of prayer or by blessing concomitant with thanksgiving in two distinct formes Clear it is though I grant the words were anciently used in a promiscuous sense these two thanksgiving and blessing as distinct things have in Antiquity several designes and also several formes Justin Martyr describing the Eucharist or thanksgiving in his time saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord hath commanded that Withal we should give thanks to God for the Creation of the world and all things therein for the benefit of man And for his delivering us from the misery wherein We were born and overthrowing principalities and powers with a total defeat by him that suffered according to his Counsel For farther illustration of this place you must know that though the Agapae were now for the cause afore specified antiquated in the Greek Church yet in regard the Collations were so very bountiful as the Communion accommodations served there remained fair dole for the poor the Antient form of thanksgiving used at their ordinary meales was in part retained viz. that by which special recognisance was made to God as the Creator Lord and giver of all things After this relating to the creatures deputed for charitable and common use followeth the thanksgiving for the benefits of Christs redemption and passion and as he elsewhere addeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For that God did deigne them the favour of those gifts of bread und wine To the very same purpose is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Clementine Constitutions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. we give thee hearty thanks O our Father for the life thou hast given us by thy Son Jesus Christ c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whom thou sentest to become man for our salvation c. so gradually proceeding through the whole economy of his Mediatorship it concludeth thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We further thank thee O our father for the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed for us and for his precious body The antitypes whereof we now celebrate he having commanded us to shew forth his death Thus have I made it evident whence the word Eucharist is derived and that this thanksgiving was anciently distinct from the consecrating or blessing of the elements whereof the several formes are also as easily to be produced but I shall supersede them for the present having occasion anon to declare them The men on one side and the women on the other side Such was the Primitive practise The Clementine Constitutions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let it be their care speaking of Deacons to see that the people sit on one side with all stilnesse and order and that the women sit apart by themselves Nor did they onely sit in places distinct but in reference to those places had distinct officers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let the door keepers attend upon the entrance of the men and the Diaconisses upon the entrance of the women A little pure and clean water So was the ancient practise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bread is brought forth and wine and water saith the ancient Father This was in opposition to two contrary Sects first the Armenians who held that it was onely lawful to use wine alone without water Secondly against the Hydroparastatae who officiated with water unmixt with wine The reason of this mixture was partly in imitation of our Saviours act in the first institution of the Eâ—charist agreeable to the custome of that hot climate which constantly used
The Lords Prayer alwayes part of the Communion Office F The ten Commandments with their Responces a laudable part of our Service G Epistles their ground H Glory be to thee O Lord is ancient use I standing up at the Gospel very ancient why appointed what posture antiently used at the Lessons read and Word preached Africa differed from other Churches K The Nicene Creed Creeds enlarged in Articles as Heresies sprung up The Ancients observed no strict formula's The Hierosolymitan Creed compared with other parcels of Antiquity No Creed in the ancient Service of the Eastern Church till Anno 511. nor till after that in the Service of the Western L Postils why so called Bidding of Prayers before the Sermon The original ground of them An ancient form thereof Preachers varied therein Bidding and Praying all one in effect Prayer before the Sermon in the Primitive Church St. Ambrose his form The people also prayed for the Preacher In the first times many preached one after another in one Forenoon The ancient Homilies avoid thorny subtilties and nice questions King James his Order recommended to present practice M A discourse upon the 18 Canon of the Council of Laodicea The order of Divine Service then The Prayer for the Caâ—echumens begun the Service It s formula out of Chrysostome The Communion did not begin in the Eastern Church upon the dismission of the Catechumens The several dismissions of that Church All comprehended in the Missa Catachumenon of the Western Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 N Four offerings at the Communion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alms a constant concomitant not accepted from all Differences in the Offertory Sentences betwixt the Scotch Service and ours whence derived O Two offerings intended by our Church Oblations how distributed in the Primitive Church Sportulantes fratres who Mr. Seldens mistake Oblations ceased not upon the payment of Tythes P Oblations anciently brought to the Altar The Chest for Alms where placed in the beginning of the Reformation Q Offering-dayes what Collar-dayes at Court Hermanus R Prayer for the whole state of Christs Church Many ancient Formula's thereof S Dypticks Rolls not Tables T Commemoration of the Dead Innocent at first but after abused V Two sorts of Dead commemorated The commemoration anciently used after the Elements were consecrated Why the Order transposed by our Reformers pag. 171 172. CHAP. VII A The Eucharist whence derived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 different things and had different forms B Men and women sate separate one from another C Mixing of water with wine Ancient The reasons for it Dy Draw neer when to be said Chancels anciently peculiar to the Clergy The Emperor onely priviledged Laique Communion what Why Chancels allotted to the Clergy onely The people usually received at the Chancel door E Confession why necessary before the Communion The Priests posture at the Altar standing and why F Sursum corda Ancient G So also the Responces H Proper Prefaces I Trisagium Ancient Two Hymns so called K Consecration not performed by the words of Primitive Institution The sense of the Fathers The Ancient custom of saying Amen to the consecration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what in Justin Martyr L Remembrance of Christs Passion at the Eucharist Ought to be as well by verbal commemoration as by mental meditation The ancient formes M The bread anciently delivered into the Communicants hands N Kneeling in the act of receiving commended sometime used in Antiquity where practised since the Reformation O The various forms of delivering the Elements That of our Church justly preferred before the rest P The Scotch order for saying Amen by the party â—â—â—â—â—ing commended Singing of Psalms during the Communicating ancient Q The Roman order defective in the most proper Sacrifice R The Angelical Hymn Difference betwixt an Hymn and a Psalm The Hymn mis-placed in the Masse-book Our order more consonant to Antiquity The Council of Carthage cleared S The Benediction by whom to be given The custom of bowing at it T The second service when to be read V A Rubrick unhappily omitted W The remains of the Consecrated Elements how anciently disposed X To receive thrice in the year an ancient practice CHAP. VIII A Baptism how called in Antiquity why 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Illumination Barnabas his Epistle corrected Why the Laver of Regeneration a dissent from Mr. Selden and Dr. Hamond about its derivation B Sacrament what whence derived Sacramentum and Jusjurandum differ Baptism most properly a Sacrament why the office in order of place after the Communion C Easter and Whitsuntide why anciently times allotted for Baptism D Rivers the first Foâ—ts Baptisteries when erected the Directory felo de se. E Sanctifying of water what it meaneth F Two signings with the Cross anciently relating to Baptism one before and the other after why the Cross used in our Church after Baptism G The form of ancient Exorcism H Interrâ—gatories moved to Infants vindicated by the Primitive practice and parallel with the civil usages of others I Abrenunciation ancient several modes observed therein K Imposition of names why used at Baptism L Dipping not necessary England noted of singularity in that particular inconveniences thereof Many baptized in the same Baptisteries Women and men had several rooms in one Baptistery Diaconisses their office at the Baptising of women M Triple mersion ancient why ordained single mersion or aspersion the rule of our Church N White vestments ancient O Two Unctions anciently distinguished four several wayes P The Rubrique explained concerning the Cross. The first original ground of that Ceremony Miracles wrought with it Why miracles ceased why Timotheus and Epaphroditus cured without them Dr. Reinolds a friend to the Cross after the explanation of it The Cross not operative demonstrated by K. James his â—nâ—itting it in the Charismal office Q Private Baptism proved lawful by several Authorities R The former Rubrique allowed of womens Baptising S Necessity dispenceth with accidental formalities T Water a necessary element Beza his errour V What are the essential words of Baptism W Children to be baptized where the testimony is doubtful p. 237. CHAP. IX A Confirmation in what sense a Sacrament The closing ceremony of Baptisme Why very expedient at this time The Directory defective towards her own Principles B Confirmation by what names anciently called C The necessity of Catechising What Catechists were a dissent from Learned men Catechists not Presbyters Usually lay-men Women Catechised by women and why an especial reason for it in the Greek Church Sanctimonial Catechumens what not the same with Audientes as is commonly supposed in what sense sometimes called Audientes Lent set apart for Catechising Competents what The excellency of our Catechisme K. James his most judicious direction D The language of the hand what Imposition of hands denoteth E Confirmation peculiar to the Apostles and their Successors Bishops VVhy so Never performed by Presbyters VVhat
the rest As for Innocents day that Homily upon Matth. 2. which if not Origens is yet very Ancient speaketh expresse Horum memoria semper ut dignum est in Ecclesia celèbratur secundum integrum ordinem sanctorum ut primorum martyrum pro Domino occisorum The memory of the Innocents also is alwayes as fit it is celebrated in the Church accoring to the order of the Saints as of those who were first slain for the Lord. This juncto of Festivals are not here placed as evidences of the times of the Death or sufferings of those Persons For if tradition faileth not St. Stephen was stoned in August and St. John died ' on the feast of St. John Baptist Durandus and from him other Ritualists why these feasts rather then others were ordered to accompany Christs nativity assigneth this reason There is saith he a threefold martyrdom In will and deed In will but not indeed In deed but not in wil. The first was undergone by St. Stephen the second by St. John the third by the Innocents And who fitter to attend our Saviour then his Martyrs for if right-dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of all his Saints then most precious certainly to him must the death of them be who not onely die in but for him This reason of Durandus is founded upon the tradition that St. John was miraculously preserved in a Chaldron of boyling Oyl to which he was condemned at Rome might I interpose mine own thoughts I should rather conceive that St. Stephen had the first place because he was the Proto-Martyr of Christianity St. John the second because his death falling upon the Festival of another John the Baptist and reason good they should be honoured with dayes apart no day could be assigned to this John more proper that he might be nigh his Master he being the disciple whom Jesus loved And the Innocents might well pretend to the third because as St. Cyprian saith Nativitas Domini à Martyriis Infantium statim caepit the slaughter of the Innocents was the first considerable consequent of his birth Nor wil I omit what else seemeth a specious exposition upon the Original of these three viz that Martyrium Amor Innocentia Martyrdom Love and Innocence are first to be magnified as wherein Christ is most honoured The feast of Circumcision I dare not affix any remote antiquity to this holy-day The first mention of it under this title occurreth in Ivo Carnotâ—nsis who lived about the year 1090. a little before St. Bernard and who hath a Sermon upon it under the name of the Octave of Christs nativity we finde it in Isidorus 4000. before The reason why it was not then observed was as I conceive because it fell upon the Kalends of January which were Solemnized among the Heathens with such disorder revellings and prophane appendants of Idolatry that St. Chrysostom called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Devils festival and the sixt general Councel absolutely interdicted the observation of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we decree that the Feast called the Calends be utterly taken away from the custome and society of the faithful The Epiphany This feast hath several appellations amongst the Greek Fathers sometimes it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so Gregory Nazianzen the day of sacred illumination this being in the Eastern Church a day as signal for Baptism as Easter or Pentecost in the Western Sometimes it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The manifestations of God so Horolog Grac. upon the 6. of January place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is consest this word very often imports Christs Birthday 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now is the Festival of the Theophany or Christs nativity saith Nazianzen yet sometimes they are evidently distinguished as in that imperial constitution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The Nativity of Christ and the Theophany c. are to be accounted for Holy-dayes Most clear is that of Epiphanius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The first festival is that of Christs birth the next is that of the Theophany where not onely this feast is manifestly differenced from the Nativity but the feast of Circumcision as I said before remarkably excluded But of all the names most usuall and most frequently applied to it is this of Epiphany which though the Egyptians and such as were under the Patriarchate of Alexandria communicated both to the Nativity and Baptism of Christ possest with an opinion that he was baptised upon the Aniversary of his Birth yet in other places it past onely currant for the day of his Baptisme St. Chrysostom puts a question to himself in these tearms 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How comes it to passe that not the day of Christs Birth but of his Baptisme is called the Epiphany and he resolveth it thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because his Birth was obscure but at his Baptisme he manifestly appeared to all men The like hath St. Hierom Epiphaniorum Dies huc usque venerablils est non ut quidam putant natalis in carne tunc enim absconditus est non apparuit The day of the Epiphany is at this day venerable I mean not Christs Nativity as some suppose for then he rather hid himself and appeared not By what hath been already said the day is without all question of no late edition Now for the grounds upon which the solemuity is founded St. Augustine delivereth them to be four sive quod in Caelo stella ortus sui nuncium praebuit sive quod in Cana Galilaeae in convivio nuptiali aquam convertit in vinum sive quod in Jordanis undis aquas ad reparationem humani generis suo Baptismo consecravit sive quod de quinque panibus quinque millia hominum satiavit Either because a star in the heavens became the Nuncio of his birth or because he turned water into wine at the Marriage feast or because being Baptised in the river of Jordan he consecrated the water for the regeneration of man or because he sâ—d five thousand men with five loaves The three first causes our Church seems to own in the conformity of her Divine offices the Collect for the day mentions the coming to the wisemen to worship our Saviour by the convoy of the Star and the Gospel is a narrative of the Story The second Lesson at Evening service being John the 2. recounts the miracle wrought at the Marriage feast And the second Lesson for Morning Prayer being Luk. 3. 22. is a relation of his Baptism But as for the first though it be delivered by St. Augustine quoted before and by Isidorus after him to have been a con-cause of this dayes Solemnity yet I finde the Greek fathers of another judgement these celebrating the coming of the wisemen and appearing of the star on the day of Christs nativity So Nazianzen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 follow the guide the star and offer thy