A FORM OF PRAYER, WITH THANKSGIVING To Almighty God for having put an end to THE GREAT REBELLION by the Restitution of the KING and ROYAL FAMILY. And the Restauration of the GOVERNMENT after many years' Interruption: Which unspeakable Mercies were wonderfully Completed upon the 29th of May, in the year, 1660. And in Memory thereof, that Day in every Year is by Act of Parliament Appointed to be for ever kept Holy. By His Majesty's special Command. LONDON, Printed by the Assigns of John Bill deceased: And by Henry Hills, and Thomas Newcomb, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1685. JAMES R. THe Form of Prayer with Thanksgiving heretofore appointed for the Twenty Ninth of May, relating in several Passages of it to the Birth and Person of Our most dearly beloved Brother, King Charles the Second, and so upon occasion of his Death being necessarily to be Altered; And it being now by Our special Command to the Bishops so Altered and Settled to Our Satisfaction, as a perpetual Office of Thanksgiving for the Standing Mercies of that Day: Our Express Will and Pleasure is, That it be forthwith Printed and Published as here it followeth; to be used henceforth upon every Twenty Ninth of May in all Churches, and Chapels within Our Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales in such manner, as is therein Directed. Given at Our Court at Whitehall the Twenty Ninth Day of April, 1685. In the First Year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command, Sunderland. ¶ THe Act of Parliament Made in the Twelfth and Confirmed in the Thirteenth Year of King Charles the Second, For the Observation of the Twenty Ninth Day of May yearly, as a Day of Public Thanksgiving, is to be Read publicly in all Churches at Morning Prayer, immediately after the Nicene Creed on the Lord's Day next before every such Twenty Ninth of May, and Notice to be given for the due observation of the said Day. ¶ The Office used hither to upon this Day, ever since it was by Act of Parliament Established, relating in several Passages to the Birth and Person of King Charles the Second; It is thought fit, now upon occasion of his Death, to alter it as followeth. ¶ The Service shall be the same with the usual Office for Holy days; except where it is in this Office otherwise appointed. ¶ If this day shall happen to be Ascension-Day, or Whit-sunday, the Collects of this Office are to be added to the Offices of those Festivals in their proper places; And if Monday or Tuesday in Whitsun Week or Trinity Sunday, the proper Psalms here appointed for this Day, instead of those of ordinary course, shall be also used, and the Collects added as before; And in all these cases the rest of this Office shall be omitted: But if it shall happen to be any other Sunday, this whole Office shall be used, as it followeth, entirely. And what Festival soever shall happen to fall upon this Solemn Day of Thanksgiving, the following Hymn appointed instead of Venite exultemus shall be constantly used. The Order for Morning Prayer. ¶ Morning Prayer shall begin with these Sentences. TO the Lord, our God belong Mercies and Forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him: Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his Laws, which he set before us. Dan. ix. 9, 10. It ●●e of the Lords Mercies that we were not consumed: because his compassions fail not. Lam. iii. 22. ¶ Instead of Venite exultemus, shall be said or sang this Hymn following; One verse by the Priest, and another by the Clerk and People. MY song shall be always of the loving kindness of the Lord: Psal. lxxxix. 1. with my mouth will I ever be showing forth his truth from one generation to another. The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works: Psal. cxi. 4. that they ought to be had in remembrance. Who can express the noble acts of the Lord; Psal. cvi. 2. or show forth all his praise? The works of the Lord are great: Psal. xci. 2. sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. The Lord setteth up the meek: Psal. cxlvii. 6. and bringeth the ungodly down to the ground. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement: Psal. ciii. 6. for all them that are oppressed with wrong. For lie will not always be chiding: 9 neither keepeth he his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins: 10. nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. For look how high the Heaven is in comparison of the Earth: Psal. ●iii. 1●. so great is his Merry toward them that sent him. Yea like as a father pitieth his own children: 13. even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him. Thou, O God, ha●● wo●●d us: Psal. lxvi. 9 thou hast tried us, even as silver is tried. Thou suffered'st men to ride over our heads, 11. we went through fire and water: but thou hast brought us out into a wealthy place. Oh, Psal. lxxi. 18. how great troubles and adversities hast thou shown us: and yet didst thou turn and refresh us, yea and broughtest us from the deep of the earth again. Thou didst remember us in our low estate, Psal. cxxxvi. 23, 24. and redeem us from our enemies: for thy mercy endureth for ever. Lord, Psal. lxxxy. 1. thou art become gracious unto thy land: thou hast turned again the captivity of jacob. God hath showed us his goodness plenteously: Psal. lix. 10. and God hath let us see our desire upon our enemies. They are brought down and fallen: Psal. xx. 8. but we are risen and stand upright. There are they fallen, all that work wickedness: Psa. xxxvi. 12. they are cast down, and shall not be able to stand. The Lord hath been mindful of us, Psal. cxv. 12. and he shall bless us: even he shall bless the house of Israel, he shall bless the house of Aaron. He shall bless them that fear the Lord▪ 13. both small and great. O that Men would therefore praise the Lord for his Goodness: Psal. cvii 21. and declare the Wonders that He doth for the Children of Men. That they would offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving: 22. and tell out his Works with Gladness. And not hid them from the children of the Generations to come: Ps. lxxullj. 4. But show the Honour of the Lord, his mighty and wonderful Works that he hath done. That our Posterity may also know them, 6. and the Children that are yet unborn: 7. and not be as their forefathers, a faithless and stubborn Generation. Give thanks, Psal: lxviii. 26. O Israel, unto God the Lord, in the Congregations: from the ground of the Heart. Praised be the Lord daily: 19 Even the God who helpeth us, and poureth his benefits upon us. O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end: Psal. seven. 9 but establish thou the righteous. Let all those that seek thee, be joyful and glad in thee: and let all such as love thy salvation, Psal. xl. 19 say always, The Lord be praised. Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the beginning, etc. ¶ Proper Psalms. CXXIV. CXXVI. CXXIX. CXVIII. ¶ Proper Lessons. The first, 2 Sam. 19 v. 9 or Num. xuj. Te Deune. The second, the Epistle of St. Judas. Jubilate Deo. ¶ The Suffrages next after the Creed shall stand thus. Priest. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us. Answer. And grant us thy salvation. Priest. O Lord, save the King. Answer. Who putteth his trust in thee. Priest. Send him help from thy holy place. Answer. And evermore mightily defend him. Priest. Let his enemies have no advantage against him. Answer. Let not the wicked approach to hurt him. Priest. Due thy Ministers with righteousness. Answer. And make thy chosen people joyful. Priest. Give peace in our time, O Lord. Answer. Because there is no other, that fighteth for us but only thou, O God. Priest. Be unto us, O Lord, a strong Tower. Answer. From the face of our Enemies. Priest. O Lord, hear our Prayer. Answer. And let our cry come unto thee. ¶ Instead of the first Collect at Morning Prayer shall these two which follow be used. O Almighty God, who art a strong Tower of Defence unto thy servants against the Face of their Enemies; We yield thee Praise and Thanks, for the Wonderful Deliverance of these Three Kingdoms from THE GREAT REBELLION and all the Miseries and Oppressions consequent thereupon, under which they had so long groaned. We acknowledge it thy Goodness, that we were not utterly delivered over as a Prey unto them: Beseeching thee still to continue such thy Mercies towards us; that all the World may know, That thou art our Saviour and Mighty Deliverer, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Lord God of our Salvation, who hast been exceedingly gracious unto this Land, and by thy miraculous Providence didst deliver us out of our miserable Confusions, by Restoring to us, and to his own just and undoubted Rights, our then most gracious Sovereign Lord, thy Servant King Charles the Second, (notwithstanding all the power and malice of his Enemies) and by placing him in the Throne of this Kingdom; thereby restoring also unto us the public and free Profession of thy true Religion and Worship, together with our former Peace, and Prosperity, to the great Comfort and joy of our hearts: We are here now before thee, with all due Thankfulness, to acknowledge thine unspeakable Goodness herein, as upon this day, showed unto us, and to offer up our Sacrifice of Praise for the same, unto thy great and glorious Name; humbly beseeching thee, to accept this our unfeigned though unworthy Oblation of ourselves: Vowing all holy Obedience in Thought, Word and Work unto thy Divine Majesty; and promising in thee and for thee all loyal and dutiful Allegiance to thine Anointed Servant now set over us, and to His Heirs after him: Whom We beseech thee to bless with all Increase of Grace, Honour and Happiness in this World, and to Crown him with Immortality and Glory in the World to come, for jesus Christ his sake, our only Lord and Saviour. Amen. ¶ In the end of the Litany, (which shall always this day be used) after the Collect, We humbly beseech thee, O Father, etc. shall this be said which next followeth. ALmighty God, who hast in all Ages showed forth thy Power and Mercy in the miraculous and gracious Deliverances of thy Church, and in the Protection of righteous and religious Kings and States, professing thy holy and eternal Truth, from the malicious Conspiracies and wicked Practices of all their Enemies: We yield unto thee from the very bottom of our hearts unfeigned Thanks and Praise, as for thy many great and public Mercies, so especially for that signal and wonderful Deliverance by thy wise and good Providence, as upon this day, completed and vouchsafed to our then most gracious Sovereign King Charles the Second, and all the Royal Family: And in Them and with Them to this whole Church and State, and all Orders and Degrees of Men in both, from the unnatural Rebellion, Usurpation and Tyranny of ungodly and cruel men, and from the sad Confusions and Ruin thereupon ensuing. From all these O gracious and merciful Lord God, not our merit, but thy Mercy; Not our foresight, but thy Providence; Not our own Arm, but thy Right Hand, and thine Arm, and the Light of thy Countenance did Rescue and Deliver us; even because thou hadst a Favour unto us. And therefore not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name be ascribed all Honour, Glory and Praise, with most humble and hearty Thanks, in all Churches of the Saints: Even so, Blessed be the Lord our God, who alone doth wondrous things; And blessed be the Name of his Majesty for ever, though jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour. Amen. ¶ In the Communion-Service, immediately before the reading of the Epistle shall these two Collects be used, instead of the Collect for the King and the Collect of the day. O Almighty God, who art a strong Tower of Defence unto thy Servants against the Face of their Enemies; We yield thee Praise and Thanks for the Wonderful Deliverance of these three Kingdoms from THE GREAT REBELLION, and all the Miseries and Oppressions consequent thereupon, under which they had so long groaned. We acknowledge it thy Goodness that we were not utterly delivered over as a Prey unto them: Beseeching thee still to continue such thy Mercies towards us; that all the World may know, that thou art our Saviour and mighty Deliverer, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Lord God of our Salvation, who hast been exceedingly gracious unto this Land, and by thy miraculous Providence didst deliver us out of our miserable Confusions, by Restoring to us, and to his own just and undoubted Rights, our then most gracious Sovereign Lord, thy Servant King Charles the Second, (notwithstanding all the power and malice of his Enemies) and by placing him in the Throne of this Kingdom; thereby restoring also unto us the public and free Profession of thy true Religion and Worship, together with our former Pence, and Prosperity, to the great Comfort and joy of our hearts: We are here now before thee, with all due Thankfulness to acknowledge thine unspeakable Goodness herein, as upon this day, showed unto us, and to offer up our Sacrifice of Praise for the same, unto thy great and glorious Name; humbly beseeching thee to accept this our unfeigned though unworthy Oblation of ourselves: Vowing all holy Obedience in Thought, Word, and Work unto thy Divine Majesty; and promising in thee and for thee all lo●●● and dutiful Allegiance to thine Anointed Servant now set over us, and to his Heirs after him: Whom we beseech thee to bless with all increase of Grace, Honour and Happiness in this World, and to crown him with Immortality and Glory in the World to come, for jesus Christ his sake our only Lord and Saviour. Amen. ¶ The Epistle. 1 S. Pet. II. 11.— 17. ¶ The Gospel. S. Matth. XXII. 16.— 22. ¶ In the Offertory shall this Sentence be read. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven, S. Matth. seven. 21. ¶ After the Prayer For the whole state of Christ's Church, etc. this Collect following shall be used. ALmighty God and heavenly Father, who of thine infinite and unspeakable Goodness towards us, didst in a most extraordinary and wonderful manner disappoint and overthrow the wicked Designs of those traitorous, heady and high minded men, who under the pretence of Religion, and thy most holy Name, had contrived and well nigh effected the utter Destruction of this Church and Kingdom: As we do this day most hearty and devoutly adore and magnify thy glorious Name for this th●ne Infinite gracious Goodness already vouchsafed to us; so we most humbly beseech thee to continue thy Grace and Favour towards us, hiding and covering us under the shadow of thy wings, that no such dismal Calamity may ever again fall upon us. To this end send forth thy light and thy truth, for the discovery of these depths of Satan, this Mystery of iniquity. Infatuate and defeat all the secret Counsels of the ungodly. Abate their Pride, assuage their Malice, and confound their Devices. Strengthen the hands of our gracious King James, and all that are put in Authority under him, with judgement and justice, to cut off all such workers of iniquity, as turn Religion into Rebellion, and Faith into Faction; that they may never again prevail against us, nor triumph in the ruin of the Monarchy and thy Church among us. Protect and defend our Sovereign Lord the King, with the whole Royal Family, from all Treasons and Conspiracies. Be unto him a Helmet of Salvation, and a strong Tower of Defence against the Face of all his Enemies. As for those that are implacable, cloth them with Shame and Confusion, but upon himself and his Posterity let the Crown for ever flourish. So we that are thy People and the Sheep of thy pasture shall give thee thanks for ever, and will always be showing forth thy praise from Generation to Generation, through jesus Christ our only Saviour and Redeemer; to whom with thee O Father, and God the Holy Ghost, be Glory in the Church throughout all Ages, world without end. Amen.