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but utterly frivolous and vain. But fuch alterations as were tendered to us (by what perfons, under what pretences, or to what purpose foever tendered) as feemed to us in any degree requifite or expedient, we have willingly, and of our own accord affented unto; not enforced fo to do by any ftrength of argument, convincing us of the neceflity of making the faid alterations; for we are fully perfuaded in our judgment, (and we here profefs it to the world) that the Book, as it ftood before established by law, doth not contain in it any thing contrary to the Word of God, or to found doctrine, or which a godly man may not with a good conscience ufe and fubmit unto, or which is not fairly defenfible against any that shall oppose the fame; if it fhall be allowed fuch juft and favourable conftruction, as in common equity ought to be allowed to all human writings, efpecially fuch as are fet forth by authority, and even to the very best tranflations of the Holy Scripture itself.

Our general aim therefore in this undertaking was not to gratify this or that party in any of their unreasonable demands; but to do that, which to our beft understandings we conceived might moft tend to the prefervation of peace and unity in the Church, the procuring of reverence, and exciting of piety and devotion, in the publick Worfhip of God, and the cutting off occafion from them that feek occafion of cavil or quarrel against the Liturgy of the Church. And as to the feveral variations from the former Book, whether by alteration, addition, or otherwise, it shall fuffice to give this general account; That most of the alterations were made, either firft, for the better direction of them that are to officiate in any part of divine fervice, which is chiefly done in the Calendars and Rubricks: or fecondly, for the more proper expreffing of fome words or phrafes of ancient ufage, in terms more fuitable to the language of the prefent times, and the clearer explanation of fome other words and phrafes, that were either of doubtful fignification, or otherwise liable to mifconftruction: or thirdly, for a more perfect rendering of fuch portions of Holy Scripture as are inferted into the Liturgy; which, in the Epiftles and Gofpels especially, and in fundry other places, are now ordered to be read according to the laft tranflation; and that it was thought convenient that fome Prayers and Thanksgivings, fitted to efpecial occafions, fhould be added in their due places; particularly for thofe at Sea, together with an Office for the Baptifm of fuch as are of Riper Years; which, although not fo neceffary when the former Book was compiled, yet by the growth of Anabaptifm, through the licentioufnefs of the late times crept in amongst us, is now become neceffary, and may be always useful for the baptizing of Natives in our Plantations, and others converted to the faith. If any man, who shall defire a more particular account of the feveral alterations in any part of the Liturgy, fhall take the pains to compare the prefent Book with the former, we doubt not but the reafon of the change may easily appear.

And having thus endeavoured to discharge our duties in this weighty affair, as in the fight of God, and to approve our fincerity therein, (fo far as lay in us) to the confciences of all men; although we know it impoffible (in fuch variety of apprehenfions, humours, and interefts, as are in the world) to pleafe all; nor can expect that men of factious, peevish, and perverfe fpirits, fhould be fatisfied with any thing that can be done in this kind by any other than themfelves; yet we have good hope, that what is here prefented, and hath been by the Convocation of both Provinces with great diligence examined and approved, will be alfo well accepted and approved by all fober, peaceable, and truly confcientious fons of the Church of England.

THE

Concerning the SERVICE of the CHURCH.

HERE was never any thing by the wit of man fo well devifed, or so fure 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 firft original and ground whereof, if any man would fearch out by the ancient Fathers, he fhall find, that the fame was not ordained but of a good purpofe, and for a great advancement of godlinefs. For they fo ordered the matter, that all the whole Bible, (or the greateft part thereof) fhould be read over once every year; intending thereby, that the Clergy, and efpecially fuch as were Minifters in the congregation, fhould (by often reading, and meditation in God's word) be stirred up to godlinefs themfelves, and be more able to exhort others by wholesome doctrine, and to confute them that were adverfaries to the truth; and further, that the people (by daily hearing of the holy fcripture read in the Church) might continually profit more and more in the knowledge of God, and be the more inflamed with the love of his true Religion.

But thefe many years paffed, this godly and decent order of the ancient Fathers hath been to altered, broken, and neglected, by planting in uncer tain ftories, and legends, with multitude of refponds, verfes, vain repetitions, commemorations and fynodals; that commonly when any book of the bible was begun, after three or four chapters were read out, all the reft were unread. And in this fort the book of Ifaiah was begun in Advent, and the book of Genefis in Septuagefima; but they were only begun, and never read through: After like fort were other books of holy Scripture ufed. And moreover, whereas St. Paul would have fuch language spoken to the people in the church, as they might understand, and have profit by hearing the fame; the fervice in this Church of England thefe many years hath been read in Latin to the people, which they understand not; io that they have heard with their ears only, and their heart, spirit, and mind have not been edified thereby, And furthermore, notwithstanding that the ancient Fathers have divided the Pfalms into feven portions, whereof every one was called a Nocturn: Now of late time a few of them have been daily faid, and the reft utterly omitted. Moreover, the number and hardnefs of the rules called the Pie, and the manifold changings of the service, was the cause, that to turn the book only was fo hard and intricate a matter, that many times there was more bufinefs to find out what should be read, than to read it when it was found out.

Thele inconveniences therefore confidered, here'is fet forth fuch an Order, whereby the fame fhall be redrefied. And for a readiness in this matter, here is drawn out a Calendar for that purpofe, which is plain and eafy to be understood; wherein (fo much as may be) the reading of holy Scripture is fo fet forth, that all things fhall be done in order, without breaking one piece from another. For this caufe be cut off anthems, refponds, invitatories, and fuch like things as did break the continual courfe of the reading of the Scripture.

Yet, becaufe there is no remedy, but that of neceffity there must be some rules; therefore certain rules are here fet forth; which, as they are few in number, fo they are plain and eafy to be understood. So that here you have an Order for Prayer, and for the reading of the holy Scripture, much agreeable to the mind and purpose of the old Fathers, and a great deal more profitable and commodious, than that which of late was ufed. It is more profitable, because here are left out many things, whereof fome are untrue, dome uncertain, fome vain and fuperftitious; and nothing is ordained to

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CONCERNING THE SERVICES OF THE CHURCH.

be read, but the very pure Word of God, the holy Scripture, or that which is agreeable to the fame; and that in fuch a language and order as is most eafy and plain for the understanding both of the readers and hearers. It is alfo more commodious, both for the fhortnefs thereof, and for the plainnefs of the order, and for that the rules be few and easy.

And whereas heretofore there hath been great diverfity in faying and finging in Churches within this realm; fome following Salisbury ufe, fome Hereford ufe, and fome the ufe of Bangor, fome of York, fome of Lincoln; now from henceforth all the whole realm shall have but one use.

And forafmuch as nothing can be fo plainly fet forth, but doubts may arife in the ufe and practice of the fame; to appeafe all fuch diversity (if any arife) and for the refolution of all doubts, concerning the manner how to underftand, do, and execute the things contained in this book; the parties that fo doubt, or diversly take any thing, fhall alway resort to the Bishop of the Diocefe, who by his difcretion thall take order for the quieting and appealing of the fame; fo that the fame order be not contrary to any thing contained in this book. And if the bishop of the diocese be in doubt, then he may fend for the refolution to the archbishop.

"TH HOUGH it be appointed, That all things fhall be read and fung in "the Church in the English tongue, to the end that the congregation "may be thereby edified; yet it is not meant, but that when men fay Morning and Evening Prayer privately, they may fay the fame in any language that they themfelves do understand.

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"And all priefts and deacons are to fay daily the Morning and Evening "Prayer either privately or openly, not being let by fickness, or fome "other urgent caufe.

"And the Curate that miniftereth in every parish church or chapel, being at home, and not being otherwise reasonably hindered, fhall fay "the fame in the parish church or chapel where he miniftereth, and fhall "caufe a bell to be tolled thereunto a convenient time before he begin, "that the people may come to hear God's Word, and to pray with him."

OF CEREMONIES,

Why some be abolished, and some retained.

OF fuch Ceremonies as be used in the Church, and have had their be

ginning by the inftitution of man, fome at the firft were of godly intent and purpofe devised, and yet at length turned to vanity and fuperftition; fome entered into the Church by indifcreet devotion, and fuch 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 unprofitablenefs, but also because they have much blinded the people, and obfcured 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 it is thought good to retain them ftill, as well for a decent order in the Church (for the which they were firft devifed) as because they pertain 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 itself confi dered, is but a fmall thing; yet the wilful and contemptuous tranfgreffion and breaking of a common order and difcipline is no fmall offence before God. "Let all things be done among you," faith St. Paul," in a feemly

and due order:" The appointment of which order pertaineth not to private men; therefore no man ought to take in hand, nor prefume to appoint or alter any public or common Order in Chrift's Church, except he be lawfully called and authorized thereunto.

And whereas in this our time, the minds of men are fo diverfe, that fome think it a great matter of confcience to depart from a piece of the leaft of their Ceremonies, they be fo addicted to their old cuftoms; and again on the other fide, fome be fo new-fangled, that they would innovate all things, and fo defpife the old, that nothing can like them, but that is new: it was thought expedient, not fo much to have refpect how to pleafe and fatisfy either of thefe parties, as how to please God, and profit them both. And yet left any man fhould be offended, whom good reafon might fatisfy, here be certain caufes rendered, why fome of the accustomed Ceremonies be put away, and fome retained aad kept ftill.

Some are put away, because the great excefs and multitude of them hath fo increased in thefe latter days, that the burthen of them was intolerable; whereof St. Auguftine in his time complained, that they were grown to fuch a number, that the estate of Christian people was in worfe cafe concerning that matter than were the Jews. And he counfelled that fuch yoke and burthen should be taken away, as time would ferve quietly to do it. But what would St. Auguftine have faid, if he had feen the Ceremonies of late days ufed among us; whereunto the multitude ufed in his time was not to be compared? This our exceffive multitude of Ceremonies was fo great, and many of them fo dark, that they did more confound and darken, than declare and fet forth Chrift's benefits unto us. And befides this, Chrift's gofpel is not a Ceremonial law (as much of Mofes' law was) but it is a Religion to ferve God, not in bondage of the figure or fhadow, but in the freedom of the Spirit; being content only with thofe Ceremonies which do ferve to a decent order and godly discipline, and fuch as be apt to ftir up the dull mind of man to the remembrance of his duty to God, by fome notable and special fignification, whereby he might be edified. Furthermore, the moft weighty caufe of the abolishment of certain Ceremonies was, That they were fo far abufed, partly by the fuperftitious blindness of the rude and unlearned, and partly by the unfatiable avarice of fuch as fought more their own lucre, than the glory of God, that the abuses could not well be taken away, the thing remaining ftill.

But now as concerning thofe Perfons, which peradventure will be of fended, for that fome of the old Ceremonies are retained ftill: If they confider that without fome Ceremonies it is not pofiible to keep any order, or quiet difcipline in the Church, they fhall eafily perceive juft caufe to reform their judgments. And if they think much, that any of the old remain, and would rather have all devised anew: then fuch men granting fome Ceremonies convenient to be had, furely where the old may be well ufed, there they cannot reafonably reprove the old only for their age, without bewraying of their own folly. For in fuch a cafe they ought rather to. have reverence unto them for their antiquity, if they will declare themfelves to be more ftudious of unity and concord, than of innovations and new fangleness, which (as much as may be with true fetting forth of Chrift's Religion) is always to be efchewed. Furthermore, fuch fhall have no juft caufe with the Ceremonies referved to be offended. For as those be taken away which were moft abufed, and did burthen men's confciences without any caufe; fo the other that remain, are retained for a difcipline and order, which (upon just causes) may be altered and changed, and therefore are not to be efteemed equal with God's law. And moreover, they be neither dark nor dumb Ceremonies, but are so set forth, that every man may understand what they do mean, and to what ufe they do ferve.

So that it is not like that they in time to come fhould be abufed as others have been. And in thefe our doings we condemn no other nations, nor prefcribe any thing but to our own people only: For we think it convenient, that every country fhould ufe fuch Ceremonies as they fhall think beft to the setting forth of God's honour and glory, and to the reducing of the people to a moft perfect and godly living, without error and fuperftition; and that they fhould put away other things, which from time to time they perceive to be moft abufed, as in men's ordinances it often chanceth diverfly in divers countries.

THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK.*

THE Order how the Pfalter is
appointed to be read.
The Order how the reft of the holy
Scripture is appointed to be read.
Table of Proper Leffons and Pfalms.
The Calendar, with the Table of
Lefons.

Tables and Rules for the Feafts and
Fafts throughout the whole Year.
The Order for Morning Prayer.
The Order for Evening Prayer.
The Creed of St. Athanafius.
The Litany.

Prayers and Thanksgivings upon
feveral Occafions.

Collects, Epiftles, and Gofpels, to be
ufed at the Miniftration of the holy
Communion throughout the Year.
Miniftration of the holy Communion.
Baptifm both Publick and Private.
Baptifm for thofe of Riper Years.
The Catechifm: with the Order for
Confirmation of Children.

Solemnization of Matrimony.
Visitation and Communion of the
Sick.

Order for the Burial of the Dead.
Thanksgiving of Women after
Child-Bearing.

A Commination, or denouncing of
God's Anger and Judgments
against Sinners.
The Pfalter.

Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea.
The Form or Manner of Making,
Ordaining, and Confecrating, of
Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.
A Form of Prayer for the Fifth
Day of November.

AForm of Prayer for the Thirtieth
Day of January.

A Form of Prayer for the Twenty-
ninth Day of May.

A Form of Prayer for the Twenty..
fifth Day of October.
Articles of Religion.

I The Order how the Psalter is appointed to be Read.+

THER

HE Pfalter fhall he read through once every Month, as it is there ap. pointed, both for Morning and Evening Prayer. But in February it fhall be read only to the 28th or 29th day of the Month.

The contents of Edw. VIth's fecond edition of the Common Prayer Book, printed by Grafton, A. D. 1549, are as follow: "i. A preface. ii. A table and kalendar for pfalines and leffons, with neceffary rules perteienyng to the fame iii. The ordre for matyns and evenfong throughout the yere. in. The introites, collects, epittles, and gofpolies, to bee ufed at the celebration of the Lordes supper and holy communion through the vere with proper pfa'mes and lefions for divers feattes and daies. v. The Supper of the Lorde and holy communion, commonly called the Maffe. vi. Of Baptifine bothe publique and private. vii. Of Confirmacion, where alfo is a catechifme for children. viii. Of Matrimony. ix Of vifitacion of the ficke, and communion of the fame. x. Of Buriall. xi. The purification of women. xii. A declaration of Scripture, with certain praiers to bee ufed the first daie of Lent, commonly called Afh-wednenilaie. xiij. Of Ceremonies omitted or retcigned. xiij. Certein notes for the more plain explication and decent miniftracion of thinges conteined in this Boke."

+ In Edward's and James's Books the directions for reading the Pfalter differ from the prefent order in the following particulars:-"The Pfalter fhall be red through once every moneth, and becaufe that fome monthes be longer then fome other be, it is thouglit good to make them even by

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