DEVOTIONS Of the ANCIENT CHURCH In Seven Pious PRAYERS with Seven ADMINISTRATIONS. Collected for a private use, and now at the desire of some judicious persons, made public. Luke. 5. 39 No man having drunk old wine, straightway desires new: for he saith, the Old is better. LONDON. Printed for R. Royston, at the Angel in Ivy-lane. 1660. The PREFACE. THat there may be good use of a set form of Prayer, cannot be gainsaid without the censure of the Ancient and present reformed Churches, condemning the judgement and practice of the most eminent Divines, not only the Episcopal but Mr. Rogers, Mr. Egerton, Mr. Heldersham Dr. Gouge, Dr. Preston, Dr. Sibbs with others, which also appears by that book conceived to be of Mr Cartwrights penning) entitled The form of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, agreeable to God's word, and the use of the reformed Churches, wherein is enjoined a constant use of the Lords Prayer, both after the Minister's prayer before Sermon, ●●d in each other service, Baptism, Communion, etc. and 〈◊〉 title of Common Prayer (now slighted) is there often ●●●ned. such as have been and are reputed otherwise. And if so, why not the old, (being taken out of the most Ancient Liturgies,) unless that must be its reproach, which with Jeremiah (cap. 6. 6.) is its reputation. The matter is granted by all to be holy and good, and if a formality be the only bar to its reassuming, why might not each party for unitysake hearken to some accommodation? to suppress the whole is to blur the compilers of it, some of whom suffered Martyrdom by the Sea of Rome: but a review, in the exchange of some few expressions for the better reception of it in an after age, may be a friendly office. Such as observe no form do frequently in sacred administrations fall into impertinencies, where each Minister takes his own, there cannot but be an inequality of those performances, in several congregations, and the refusing to submit to any but our own, argues a too much valuing of ourselves, and too little of that humility and lowliness of mind which best becomes the Ministers of the Gospel. The framing of a new Liturgy (which some of both parties have been attempting) will not attain its desired end, by the present much lamented disaffection between them, that what the one shall commend the other will dislike: and an equal mixture of a new composure with the old, will be but as the putting of a new piece to an old Garment, whereby the rent will be the worse; so that there can be no such probable way of healing up the breach among us in this particular, as by some prudent consideration of that which was framed by our forefathers, and with which most of us have been educated, for which submitting one to another in circumstantials, we have the examples of St. Paul, and other of the Apostles. And it is some evidence, such are the stronger in knowledge on either side, who upon this exigency are the most apt to yield in them, and those the weaker that stand most upon them, rather hazarding the shipwreck of the whole, then permit the casting overboard some goods of the least value: zeal is an excellent virtue, but without a bridle may run the person headlong upon dangerous inconveniences, as there extremity is to be condemned, who will have none of the old at all; so is theirs not justifiable, who will have all (i. e. every particular rite and circumstance) or none, a moderation between both is the more prudential. In this book is the matter of the whole, only with some diversity in the form, method, and dispensing with a few causelessly offensive passages. Many short prayers found in the same service or administration, (for which St. Augustine commends the Liturgies) and others prudently appointed for some special days, and annual commemorations are here (with the several Exhortatives) in satisfaction of a very weak objection, drawn into one body. And if the Lord's Prayer do appear once in each, I suppose it will be judged very convenient, by which, with the Creed and Ten Commandments (in the old form constantly repeated,) the fundamentals of religion were preserved in the memories of the vulgar, which, by these late years neglect have been almost worn out of them, and in the younger sort (who have never, or very rarely heard of them) there is found a grosser ignorance then in the elder. This caveat is only entered, that if the Reader do sometimes meet with an exchange or omission of any rite or clause in either, let him not conclude them to be removed by a writ of error, but be looked upon as innocent honourable persons, offering themselves to die for the peace of their Country. And as the aim of all our endeavours ought to be for the restauration of that Primitive union, when the Church was of one heart and one soul: so it will be the prudence of us, (notwithstanding our judgements are still firm for the old form, without the least alteration) to show it in our meekness of compliance accordingly for that end: It being one of the best evidences of a true son of the Church of England, to be willing to bear with somewhat cross to his own opinion, for the peace of his Mother. In a word, most of these particulars following were drawn up by the Author long ago for a private use, and though they be now printed, (which was desired by such whose judgements are sufficiently known to be for the Liturgy of the Church of England,) yet in regard the principal Administrations are still too frequently so confined, it is possible they may not transgress that intended limit of them: and the experimental acceptation which they found then with the moderate sort of both parties in the hearing, gives the like probability now in the reading. Howsoever being thus barely presented without any presumptuous proposal for the public use, as a copy for others to write after, I know no cause of censure it can incur in the publishing, unless it be for observing that advice of St. Paul, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Contents of the Book. Divers brief prayers used by the Church at each, are here drawn into one. 1. A Prayer for the Morning, page 1. 2. A Prayer for the Evening, pag. 6. Consisting of the ancient Collects or prayers appointed for each Sunday in the year. 3. A prayer for the Morning, pag. 9 4. A prayer for the Evening, pag. 13. Composed of the like used upon the Festivals of the Apostles and Evangelists. 5. A most profitable prayer, pag. 19 Meditations upon our Saviour's Incarnation, Birth, circumcision, passion; resurrection; ascension; &c. used by the Church upon those and the like Festivities. 6. A heavenly prayer, pag. 23. Full of faith, containing the articles of it, and full of Charity, in praying for all degrees of men, and all sorts of blessings for them, called heretofore the Litany, drawn (without the responds) into one continued Prayer. 7. An excellent prayer, pag. 28. Psalm. 95. O come let us sing, etc. pag. 34. We praise thee O God, etc. pag 35. Luk. 1. 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, etc. pag. 37. Psalm. 100 O be joyful in the Lord, etc. pag. 38. Luk. 1. 46. My soul doth Magnify the Lord, etc. pag. 39 Psalm. 98. O sing unto the Lord a new song, etc. pag. 40. Luk. 2. 29. Lord now letest thou thy servant departed, etc. pag. 41. Psam. 67. God be Merciful unto us and bless us, etc. pag. 41. The Creed. I believe in God, etc. pag. 42. The Nicen Creed. I believe in one God, etc. pag. 43. The Creed of Athanasins (commonly so called) Whosoever will be saved, etc. pag. 45. The Ten Commandments. 49. Some Choice sentences out of Scripture used at the beginning of prayer, etc. pag. 51. Prayers for rain, fair wether, in time of dearth and famine, in time of war, in time of any common plague or sickness, and thanksgivings for the return of each, pag. 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 A thanksgiving of Women after Childbirth, pag. 59 The Seven administrations. 1. Baptism. pag. 63. 2. Communion. pag. 75. 3. Visitation of the sick. pag. 91. 4. Catechism, pag. 117. with confirmation. pag. 128. 5. A day of fasting or Humiliation, pag. 131. 6. Matrimony. pag. 141. 7. An Exhortation at the Burial, pag. 153. Some prayers used upon the Fifth of November. pag. 161. A prayer formerly used by the Speaker of the house of Commons in Parliament. pag. 169. A prayer for the Parliament used in the house, pag. 174. The substance of the Ancient manner of Ordination in the Church of England. pag. 177. The Articles of the Church of England. An Advertisement. PAge 80, 81, 82. some Prayers (at the Communion) in relation to the Nativity, Resurrection and Ascension of our Saviour. Pentecost; Trinity-Sunday, are intended only for their proper festivals, but may be used at the discretion of the Minister. Page 27. line 18. read glory and triumph into thy kingdom of Heaven, p. 29. l. 21. deal any hurt by; p. 31. l. 13. deal in their lawful affairs, p. 118. l. 4. r. and I hearty thank our Heavenly Father, that he hath called me to this state of salvation through Jesus Christ our Saviour, p. 123. l. 27. r. be merciful unto us, and p. 199. deal 100 DEVOTIONS OF THE ANCIENT CHURCH. A Prayer for the Morning. I. ALmighty God, and in thy Son Jesus Christ our most merciful Father, we acknowledge we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too much the corrupt desires of our own hearts, and have offended against thy holy laws, by leaving undone those things which we ought to have done, and doing those things which we ought not to have done. So that in us dwelleth no good thing: We beseech thee to have mercy upon us who are miserable offenders, to spare us who do confess our faults, and restore us who are penitent for them, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous and sober life, to the glory of thy holy name. And, O Lord, in regard we hear out of thy word, that thou desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live, and hast given power and commandment to thy Ministers to declare and pronounce to thy people being penitent, the forgiveness and remission of their sins; And that thou wilt pardon all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe thy holy Gospel: We beseech thee to grant us true repentance, and thy holy Spirit, that those things may please thee which we do at this present, and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy, so that at the last we may come to thy eternal joy, where our lips shall be opened, and our mouth continually show forth thy praise, in giving glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Ghost world without end. And O Lord our heavenly Father, who art the author of peace, and lover of concord, in the knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom, mercifully hear us now we call upon thee: defend us, thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies, that we surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries, but by thy being with us, and showing thy mercy upon us, and granting us thy salvation, thy chosen people may be still joyful in thee, peace may be given and continued in our time. O Lord, and thy inheritance, even thy people may be blessed and saved, and taught to put their trust in thee, there being no other that fighteth for us, but only thou our God; and do thou make clean our hearts within us, that thy holy Spirit be not taken from us: And seeing, O Lord, thou hast safely preserved us hither to this day, defend us in the same with thy mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin; neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our do may be ordered by thy Governance, to do always that which is righteous in thy sight: And we humbly beseech thee O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities, and for the glory of thy names sake, turn from us all those evils, that we most righteously have deserved, and grant that in all our troubles, we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to the honour and glory of thy name. And O Lord, who art the Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist; to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful unto them that truly repent, we beseech thee to save and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices, that we being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee who art the only giver of all victories: And seeing thou hast given us grace, at this time with one accord, to make our common supplications unto thee, and dost promise, that when two or three be gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests: fulfil now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world, knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting Through Jesus Christ our Lord in whose name and words we further pray, saying, OUr Father which art in heaven hallowed by thy name: Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory for ever, Amen. A Prayer for the Evening. II. ALmighty God, from whom all holy desires, all good Counsels, and all just works do proceed, give unto thy servants that peace, which the world cannot give, that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness. And we beseech thee O Lord to lighten our darkness and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night following, and grant that by thy preventing us in all our do with thy most gracious favour, and furthering us with thy continual help, we may in all our works begun, continued, & ended in thee, glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy mercy attain everlasting life. And seeing thou hast by thy holy Apostle taught us to make prayers and supplications and give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee, most mercifully to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy divine Majesty, beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church, with the Spirit of truth unity and concord; And grant that all they, that do confess thy holy name, may agree in the truth of thy holy word, and live in unity and godly love. We beseech thee for such as are in authority over us, that under them we may be godly, and quietly governed; And grant to the Magistrates that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of God's true religion and virtue; Give grace (O heavenly Father) to all Bishops, Pastors and Ministers of thy word, that they may both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments; and to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and specially to us here present, that with meek heart, and due reverence, we may hear and receive thy holy word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives: And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, which in this transitory life be in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. And thou, O Lord, who hast promised to hear the petitions of them that ask in thy Son's name, we beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ear to us, that have made now our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessities, and to the setting forth of thy glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name and words we further pray, OUr Father which art in heaven hallowed by thy name: Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our trespass, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen. A Prayer for the Morning. III. ALmighty and Everlasting God, which hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hair, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our blessed Saviour. And give us grace, that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life when the true light, thy Son Christ Jesus hath come to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when he shall come in his glorious Majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead, we may through him rise to immortal life. And we beseech thee, to lighten our hearts by thy gracious visitation, to raise up thy power and come among us, and with thy great might secure us, that whereas through our sins and wickedness, we be sore let and hindered, thy bountiful grace and mercy (through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord:) may speedily deliver us. And mercifully receive the prayers of thy people, which call upon thee, and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power from thee, to fulfil the same, that so under thy governance (who rulest all things in heaven and earth,) they may have peace continued to them all days of their lives. And seeing, O Lord, thou knowest our infirmities, look favourably upon us, and in all our dangers and necessities, stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us. Thou seest how we are set in the midst of many and great perils, that for man's frailness we cannot always stand uprightly: Grant us the health both of body and soul, that all those things which we suffer for sin, by thy help we may overcome. And we beseech thee to keep thy Church and household, continually in thy true religion, that they which do lean only upon hope of thy heavenly grace, may evermore be defended by thy mighty power, and though we be justly punished for our offences, yet we may mercifully be delivered by thy goodness to the glory of thy name. And O Lord which seest, that we put not our trust in any thing we do, and that thou hast taught us, that all our do without charity are nothing worth; send thy holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity; the very bond of peace and all virtue, without the which, whosoever liveth, is counted dead before thee: And seeing we hear thou wilt forgive the sins of all them that be penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee the God of all mercy, a present remission and forgiveness; And may through thy grace, continually use such abstinence, that our corrupt flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness and true holiness, to thy honour and glory. And O Lord, which dost see that we have no power of ourselves, to help ourselves, keep thou us this day, both outwardly in our bodies, and 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. We beseech the thus, to look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty in the defence of us, against all our enemies; that we which for our evil deeds are worthily punished, by the comfort of thy grace, may mercifully be relieved, and by thy great goodness may be governed and preserved ever more, both in body and Soul, unto thy eternal kingdom, (through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name and words, we call upon thee, saying, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, etc. A Prayer for the Evening. FOUR ALmighty God, and our most merciful Father, who hast given thy only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life, give us the grace, that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves, to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life. And as thou dost show unto all men that be in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return unto the way of righteousness, grant unto all them that be admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion, that they may eschew those things that be contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as be agreeable to the same. And, O Lord, which dost make the minds of all faithful men to be of one will; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise, that among the sundry and manifold dangers of the world, our hearts may surely be there fixed, where true joys are to be found; And as from thee all things do come, so grant us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration, we may think the things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding, who art the strength of all that put their trust in thee, may perform the same. And because the weakness of our mortal nature, can do no good thing without thee; grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy commandments, we may please thee both in will and deed. Lord, make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy name: And in regard thou never failest to help and govern them, whom thou dost bring up, in thy steadfast love, but art the Protector of all that put their trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that finally we may not lose the things eternal. And grant that the course of this world here may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy congregation may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness. And seeing thou hast prepared for them that love thee, such good things as pass all men's understanding, power into our hearts such love towards thee, that we loving thee in all things may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire. And O Lord, who art the God of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things, grafted in our hearts the love of thy name; increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, and because thy providence is never deceived, we humbly beseech that thou wilt put away from us all hurtful things, and grant those things, which be profitable for us, and that we may have thy Spirit to think, and do always such things as be righteous, that we which cannot be without thee, may by thee be able to live according to thy will. And let thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants, and that we may obtain our petitions, move us to ask only such things, which may please thee. And as thou dost declare thy Almighty power most chief in showing mercy and pity, so give unto us abundantly thy grace that we flying to thy promise, may be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure. And O merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service: grant we beseech thee, that we may so run to thy heavenly promises, that we fail not finally to attain them; and give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; And we beseech the to keep thy Church with thy perpetual mercy: and because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation. And let thy continual pity cleanse, and defend thy congregation: and because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; Let thy grace always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works, and careful to avoid the infections of the Devil, the world and the flesh, and with pure heart and mind, to follow thee the only God. And for as much as without thee we are not able to please thee, grant that the working of thy mercy, may in all things direct and rule our hearts. And let thy bountiful goodness keep us from all things that may hurt us, that we being ready both in body and in soul, may with free hearts accomplish those things, that thou wouldst have done. And we beseech thee to grant unto thy faithful people pardon and peace; and keep thy household the Church in continual godliness, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind and through thy protection they may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy name, O Lord. Be ready to hear our devout prayers, who art our refuge and strength, that those things we ask faithfully, we may obtain effectually. Absolve thy people from their offences, that through thy goodness, we may be delivered from the bonds of all those sins, which by our frailty we have committed. And stir up the wills of thy faithful people that they plenteouslly bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee, be plenteously rewarded in thy eternal glory. And take us we beseech thee, into thy care and protection this night following, that we may be preserved from all dangers, which we are subject unto. And in regard we find thou art always more ready to hear, than we to pray, and art wont to give more, then either we desire, or deserve: Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid; and giving unto us that which for our own sake our prayers could not presume to ask, but only for the infinite merits of thy Son, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, our Lord, in whose name we further pray, saying; Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, etc. A most profitable Prayer. V O Most holy Lord God, seeing we hear, that what is recorded in holy Scripture of thy Apostles and Saints, was written for our instruction and imitation; give us grace so to be followers of them, as they were of thy Son Christ Jesus. Thou didst incline the heart of thy Apostle Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of thy Son, and followed him without delay; grant unto us all, that we being called by thy holy word, may forthwith give over ourselves, obediently to follow thy holy Commandments. And as thou didst confirm the faith of Thomas thy Apostle, whom thou didst suffer to be doubtful of thy Son's resurrection; so grant unto us, that we may so perfectly, and without all doubt believe in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in thy sight may never be reproved. And as thou didst choose thy faithful servant Mathias, in the place of the traitor Judas, to be numbered with the Twelve Apostles; so grant still, that thy Church being always preserved from false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true Pastors. And seeing thou hast instructed thy Church with heavenly doctrine in thy Gospel, by the labour and care of St. Mark, and the other Evangelists, give us grace, that we be not like children carried away with every blast of vain doctrine, but finally be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel: and grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; whom truly to know is everlasting life; as thou hast taught Philip and the other Apostles. And, O Lord, as thou didst earnestly command thy Apostle Peter, to feed thy flock, make we beseech thee all Bishops and Pastors, diligently to preach thy holy word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory: And as thy holy Apostle James, leaving his Father and all that he had without delay, was obedient to the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him; so, we forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy commandments, that as he preached what he was taught from thee, so we may believe what he preached, and love what we do believe. And let the example of Matthew, who readily obeyed thy blessed Sons call from the receipt of custom, to be an Apostle and Evangelist, be our imitation, in forsaking all covetous desires and inordinate love of riches, and to follow thy Son Jesus Christ, who is God blessed for ever. Grant us to love our enemies by the example of thy Martyr Stephen, who prayed for his persecutors; and cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church, that it being lightened by the doctrine of thy Apostle and Evangelist John, may attain to thy everlasting gifts. And seeing we read, those young innocent children of Bethlehem did show forth thy praise, not in speaking as witnesses; but in dying for thy name's sake, mortify and kill all vices in us, that in our conversation, our life may express thy faith, which with our tongues we do confess. And as thou wert pleased to teach the world through the preaching of thy blessed Apostle Paul; grant we beseech thee, that we which have his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may follow and fulfil the holy doctrine, which he hath taught us; whom (with Barnabas) as thou didst endue with singular gifts of the Holy Ghost, so let us not be destitute of thy manifold gifts, nor yet of grace, to use them always to thy glory. And seeing thou hast ordained and constituted the services of all Angels and men in a wonderful order, mercifully grant, that they which always do thee service in Heaven, may by thy appointment succour and defend us in earth. And as thou didst call Luke the Physician, whose praise is in the Gospel, throughout the Churches, to be a Physician of the Soul, may it please thee, by the wholesome medicines of his doctrine, to heal all the diseases of our Souls; and thus, O Lord, seeing thou hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head corner stone; and that thou hast knit together thy Elect in one Communion, and fellowship in the mystical body of thy Son. We beseech thee, grant that we may so be joined together in unity of spirit, by the doctrine of thy Apostles; that we may be made an holy Temple acceptable unto thee; as also, that we may so follow thy holy Saints, in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour; in whose name and words we further call upon thee saying, Our Father which art in Heaven, etc. A Heavenly Prayer. VI O Most holy and merciful God, We do here humbly and thankfully acknowledge thy infinite love in the great work of our redemption by thy Son Jesus Christ, the glad tidings of whose incarnation, Conception of our Saviour. thou wert pleased to make known unto us by the message of an Angel: We beseech thee, pour thy grace into our hearts, that as we are brought to the knowledge of his conception; so by his Cross and Passion, we may be translated unto the glory of his Resurrection: Thou wert graciously pleased to give him thy only begotten Son to take our nature upon him; and to be born of a pure Virgin: Grant Birth. that we being regenerate and made thy children by Adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy holy Spirit, through the same our Lord Jesus: Thou didst also make thy blessed Son to be circumcised and obedient Circumcision. to the law for man; grant us the true circumcision of the heart, that our hearts, and all our members mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, may in all things obey thy blessed will: And as thou wert pleased by the leading of a Star to manifest thy only begotten Epiph●●y. Son, to the Gentiles; mercifully grant, that we which know thee now by faith, may after this life have Presenting in the ●emple. the fruition of thy glorious Godhead. And as he was presented in the Temple in the substance of our flesh: So grant that we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean minds. And as by thy providence, thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way to the manifestation of thy Son our Saviour, by preaching of repentance: make us so to follow his doctrine, and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching, and after his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake. And, O Lord, who of thy tender love towards man hast sent our Saviour Jesus Christ, not only to take upon him our flesh, but to suffer death upon the Cross; mercifully Passion. grant, that we may both follow the example of his great humility and patience, and be made partakers of his Resurrection: And we beseech thee, graciously to behold this thy family, for the which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and thus to be given up into the hands of wicked men. And not only us, but the whole body of thy Church, which by thy Spirit is governed and sanctified, and all estates of men, in thy holy Congregation, for whom we beseech thee to receive our supplications and prayers, which we now offer before thee for them, that every member of the same in his vocation and Ministry, may truly and godly serve thee: And, O Lord, who hast made all men, nor wouldst the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live, have mercy upon all Jews, Turks, Infidels and Heretics; and take from them all ignorance and hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word; and so fetch them home (blessed Lord) to thy flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites, and be made one fold under one shepherd, Jesus Christ. And merciful God, which through thy only begotten Son Jesus Christ, hast overcome death, and by his resurrection, Resurrection. opened unto us the gate of everlasting life: We humbly beseech thee, that as by thy special grace preventing us, thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect: And as thou didst give him, not only to die for our sins, but to rise again for our justification; grant us, so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness; that we may always serve thee in pureness of living, and truth: And as thou didst give him both a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life; give us the grace, that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit; and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life. And like as we do believe thy only begotten Son our Lord, to have ascended with Ascension. great glory, into the Heaven; so we beseech thee grant us, that we may also in heart and mind thither ascend also, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee, and the Holy Ghost. And do not leave us comfortless; but, (according to thy promise) send us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us; and exalt us unto the same place, whither our Saviour is gone before. And as thou didst after our Saviour's Ascension teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by thy sending them the light of thy Holy Spirit: Sending the holy Spirit. Grant us by the same spirit to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort, through the merits of Christ Jesus. And seeing thou hast given us grace, thus by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of Trinity. the Divine Majesty, to worship the unity: We beseech thee, that through the steadfastness of this faith, we may evermore be defended from all adversities through Jesus Christ our Saviour; who liveth and reigneth with the in the unity of the self same Spirit, one God, world without end, Amen. An Excellent Prayer. VII. O Almighty and Everliving Lord God: God the Father, God the Son, God the holy Ghost, holy blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons and one God have mercy upon us. Remember not our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers, neither take thou vengeance of our sins, but spare us good Lord, spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever. Preserve us from all evil and mischief, from sin, from the crafts and assaults of the Devil, from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation. Deliver us from all blindness of heart, from pride, vain glory, and hypocrisy, from envy, hatred and malice, and all uncharitableness: from fornication and all other sins, the wages of which is death, and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh and the Devil, keep us from any hurt by lightning and tempest, from the plague, pestilence and famine, from battles and murder and from sudden death; deliver us from all sedition, and privy conspiracy, all false doctrine, and heresy, hardness of heart and contempt of thy word and commandments: And these things we beseech of thee, for and through the mystery of thy holy incarnation, thy holy nativity and circumcision, thy baptism, fasting and temptation: through thine agony and bloody sweat, thy cross and passion, thy precious death and burial, thy glorious resurrection and ascension, and the coming of the holy Ghost. And, O Lord God, we do beseech thee, that it would please the to rule and govern thy holy Church universal in the right way. Illuminate all Bishop's Pastors and Ministers of the Church with true knowledge and understanding of thy word, and that both by preaching and living, they may set it forth and show it accordingly. Be pleased to bless and keep the Magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth: And Bless and keep all thy people; give us all hearts to love and dread thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments, That we may have increase of grace to hear meekly thy word, and receive it with pure affection, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. We beseech thee to give unto all Nations, unity, peace and concord; bring into the way of truth, all such as have erred, and are deceived; strengthen such as do stand, comfort and help the weakhearted, raise up them that fall, and finally beat down Satan under our feet. Be pleased O Lord, to secure help and comfort all that be in danger, necessity and tribulation; preserve all that in their lawful affairs travel by land or water; all women labouring with child, all sick persons and young children; and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives: defend and provide for the fatherless children and widows, and all that are desolate and oppressed; and let it please thee to have mercy upon all men. Forgive our enemies, persecutors and slanderers, and turn their hearts. And we beseech the to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so as in due time we may enjoy them; and deal not with us after our sins, nor reward us after our iniquities, but give us true repentance, forgive us all our sins, negligences and ignorances': endue us with the graces of thy holy Spirit, to amend our lives according to thy holy word. And O merciful father that despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desires of such as be sorrowful, mercifully assist our prayers that we make before thee in all our troubles and adversities whensoever they oppress us, and graciously hear us, that those evils which the craft and subtlety of the devil or man worketh against us, be brought to nought, and by the providence of thy goodness they may be dispersed, that we thy servants being hurt by no persecutions may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church. And seeing we have heard with our ears and our fathers have declared unto us the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them. We beseech thee in the midst of these our divisions and distractions, to arise and help us by thy power, and deliver us for the honour of thy name defend us from all our enemies, and let thy mercy be showed upon us, as we do put our trust in thee. Good Lord, we beseech thee to hear us, and graciously look upon our afflictions, pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts, favourably with mercy forgive the sins of thy people, and grant us what else thou knowest more necessary for us, even for Jesus Christ his sake, who is the Son of God, and Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world; in whose blessed name and words, we conclude our imperfect prayers, saying as he himself hath taught us, OUr Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name: Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the Glory, for ever, Amen. These particulars following having been in the people's memories, and still are, it is good to preserve them so, by an often rehearsal in their due time and place; most of them being either select places out of holy Scripture, or containing the necessary points of faith to be believed by us. Psalm 95. (a) This was wont to precede the reading of the Psalms. O Come let us sing unto the Lord: let us hearty rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving: and show ourselves glad in him with Psalms. For the Lord is a great God: and a great King above all Gods. In his hands are all the corners of the earth: and the strength of the hills is his also. The Sea is his, and he made it: and his hands prepared the dry land. O come let us worship and fall down: and kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hands. To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts: as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness. When your fathers tempted me: proved me and saw my works. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said: it is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways. Unto whom I swore in my wrath: that they should not enter into my rest. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, etc. (b) This is both a hymn and a Creed; and if 1200. years' continuance in the Church may not be a suflicient plea for the keeping its place after the first Chapter out of the old Testament in the morning, the Ten Commandments (much neglected) may be read in the room of it. WE praise thee O God: we knowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens and all the powers therein. To thee Cherubin, and Seraphin: continually do cry. Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of sabbath. Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee. The noble army of martyrs praise thee. The holy Church throughout all the world doth knowledge thee. The Father of an infinite majesty. Thine honourable, true and only Son. Also the Holy Ghost the comforter. Thou art the King of glory O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man: thou didst not abhor the virgin's womb. When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge. We therefore pray thee help thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints in glory everlasting. O Lord save thy people, and bless thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up for ever. Day by day: we magnify thee. And we worship thy Name: ever world without end. Vouchsafe (O Lord,) to keep us this day without sin. O Lord have mercy upon us: have mercy upon us. O Lord let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in thee. O Lord in thee have I trusted, let me never be confounded. Luke 1. 68 (c) This or the next were wont to be read after the second lesson or chapter out of the New Testament in the morning. BLessed be the Lord God of Israel: for he hath visited and redeemed his people. And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us: in the house of his servant David. As he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets: which have been since the world began. That we should be saved from our enemies: and from the hands of all that hate us. To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers: and to remember his holy covenant. To perform the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham: that he would give us. That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies: might serve him without fear. In holiness and righteousness before him: all the days of our life. And thou child shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people: for the remission of their sins. Through the tender mercy of our God: whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us. To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Or Psalm 100 O Be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song. Be ye sure that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves, we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and speak good of his name. For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting: and his truth endureth from generation to generation. Luke 1. 46. (d) This or the next were used to be read after the first chapter at the Evening. MY soul doth magnify the Lord: & my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his hand-maiden. For behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that f●● him, throughout all generations. He hath showed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy, hath helped his servant Israel: as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham, and his seed for ever. Or Psalm 98. O Sing unto the Lord a new song: for he hath done marvellous things. With his own right hand, and with his holy arm: hath he gotten himself the victory. The Lord declared his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shown in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel: and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God. Show yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands sing, rejoice, and give thanks. Praise the Lord upon the harp: sing to the harp with a Psalm of thanksgiving. With trumpets also and shawms: O show ●our selves joyful before the Lord the King. Let the Sea make a noise, and all that therein is: the round world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord: for he is come to judge the earth. With righteousness shall he judge the world: and the people with equity. Luke 2. 29. (e) This or the next were wont to be read at the Evening after the second chapped. LOrd now lettest thou thy servant departed in peace: according to thy Word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel. Or Psalm 67. GOd be merciful unto us, and bless us: and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us. That thy way may be known upon earth: thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee. O let the nations rejoice and be glad: for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Let the people praise thee, O God: let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase: and God, even our own God shall give us his blessing. God shall bless us: and all the ends of the world shall fear him. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen. The repetition of this ancient doxology had this pious intention, viz. to keep the mystery of the blessed Trinity in the minds of the vulgar, who else may be in danger to forget it. Which with the other (according to the rule) were to be read by the Minister alone, and not interchangeably by the people, though the common practice had prevailed otherwise. The Creed. (f) This was wont to be read after the second chapter, both at morning and evening. I Believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth: and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, which was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, he descended into Hell, the third day he risen again from the dead, he ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the Resurrection of the Body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The Nicene Creed. (g) This was used to be read in the morning. I Believe in one God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible, and in one Lord Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made: who for us men, and for our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he risen again according to the Scriptures and ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic Church: I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. The Creed of Athanasius, commonly so called. (h) This was appointed to be read about thirteen times in the year to the people, if it were now read once a month, it were very convenient. WHosoever will be saved: before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled: without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity. Neither confounding the persons: nor dividing the substance. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son: and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one: the glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son: and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate: and the Holy Ghost uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible: and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal: and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals: but one eternal. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated: but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty: and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighty's: but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods: but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord: and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords: but one Lord. For like as we be compelled by the Christian verity: to acknowledge every person by himself to be God and Lord. So are we forbidden by the Catholic Religion: to say there be three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none: neither created nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone: not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father, and of the Son: neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers, one Son, not three Sons: one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity, none is afore or after other: none is greater or less than another. But the whole three persons be coeternal together: and coequal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid: the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved: must thus think of the Trinity. Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation: that he also believe rightly in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right faith is, that we believe and confess: that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man. God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds: and man of the substance of his mother born in the world. Perfect God, and perfect man: of a reasonable soul, and humane flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father as touching his Godhead: and inferior to the Father touching his manhood. Who although he be God and man: yet he is not two, but one Christ. One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh: but by taking the manhood into God. One altogether, not by confusion of substance: but by unity of person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man: so God and man is one Christ. Who suffered for our salvation, descended into Hell: risen again the third day from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty: from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies: and shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting: and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the Catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved. The Ten Commandments. GOd spoke these words, and said, I am the Lord thy God, Thou shalt have none other Gods but me. 2. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down to them; nor worship them: for I the Lord thy 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 show mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 3. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain. 4. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days 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 work, thou and thy son, and thy daughter, thy manservant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made Heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it. 5. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 6. Thou shalt do no murder. 7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 8. Thou shalt not steal. 9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his. At the beginning of Prayer, as a preparative of the people's attentions and affections, there were divers choice sentences out of holy Scripture, some of which were to be read at the discretion of the Minister, and then the known solemn exhortation accordingly, which are still in their memories. A Sorrowful spirit is a sacrifice to God: despise not (O Lord) humble and Psal. 51. contrite hearts. Rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God, because he is gentle and merciful, he is patiented and of Joel 2. much mercy, and such a one that is sorry for your afflictions. To thee (O Lord God) belongeth mercy Dan. 9 and forgiveness, for we have gone away from thee, and have not harkened to thy voice, whereby we might walk in thy laws which thou hast appointed for us, Correct us, O Lord, and yet in thy judgement, Jer. 10. not in thy fury, lest we should be consumed and brought to nothing. Amend your lives: for the kingdom of God is at hand. Matt. 3. I will go to my Father, and say unto him, Luk. 15. Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and against thee: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. Enter not into judgement with thy servants, Psalm 143. O Lord: for no flesh is righteous in thy sight. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. 1 John 1. And as the Apostles, by the command of our Saviour gathered up the crumbs that remained, that nothing was lost, of which they filled twelve baskets, so these twelve short Prayers composed for several seasonable occasions may not be omitted. For rain, if the time require it. O God heavenly Father which by thy son Jesus Christ hast promised to all them that seek thy kingdom, and the righteousness thereof, all things necessary to their bodily sustenance: send us we beseech thee, in this our necessity, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort, and to thy honour, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For fair weather. O Lord God, which for the sin of man didst once drown all the world except eight persons, and afterward of thy great mercy didst promise never to destroy it so again: we humbly beseech thee, that although we for our iniquities, have worthily deserved this plague of rain and waters, yet upon our true repentance thou wilt send us such weather, whereby we may receive the fruits of the earth in due season, and learn both by thy punishment to amend our lives, and for thy clemency to give thee praise and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. In time of dearth and famine. O God heavenly Father, whose gift it is that the rain doth fall, the earth is fruitful, beasts increase, and fishes do multiply: behold, we beseech thee, the afflictions of thy people, and grant that the scarcity and dearth (which we do now most justly suffer for our iniquity) may through thy goodness be mercifully turned into cheapness and plenty, for the love of Jesus christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour, etc. In time of war. O Almighty God, King of all Kings, and governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful unto them that truly repent: save and deliver us (we humbly beseech thee) from the hands of our enemies, abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices, that we being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee, which art the only giver of all victory, through the merits of thy only Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. In time of any common plague or sickness. O Almighty God, which in thy wrath in the time of King David, didst slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand, and yet remembering thy mercy didst save the rest, have pity upon us miserable sinners, that now are visited with great sickness and mortality, that like as thou didst then command thine Angel to cease from punishing, so it may now please thee to withdraw from us this plague and grievous sickness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or this. O God whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive, receive our humble petitions: and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy lose us, for the honour of Jesus Christ's sake, our only mediator and advocate. Amen. A thanksgiving for rain. O God our Heavenly Father, who by thy gracious providence, dost cause the former and the latter rain to descend upon the earth, that it may bring forth fruit for the use of man: we give thee humble thanks, that it hath pleased thee in our greatest necessity, to send us at the last a joyful rain upon thine inheritance, and to refresh it when it was dry, to the great comfort of us thy unworthy servants, and to the glory of thy holy Name, through thy mercies in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A thanksgiving for fair weather. O Lord God, who hast justly humbled us by thy late plague of immoderate rain and waters, and in thy mercy hast relieved and comforted our souls by this seasonable and blessed change of weather, we praise and glorify thy holy Name for this thy mercy, and will always declare thy loving kindness from generation to generation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A thanksgiving for plenty. O Most merciful Father, which of thy gracious goodness hast heard the devout prayers of thy Church, and turned our dearth and scarcity into cheapness and plenty: we give thee humble thanks for this thy special bounty, beseeching thee to continue this thy loving kindness unto us, that our land may yield us her fruits of increase, to thy glory, and our comfort, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A thanksgiving for peace and victory. O Almighty God, which art a strong tower of defence unto thy servants, against the face of their enemies: we yield thee praise and thanksgiving for our deliverance from those great and apparent dangers wherewith we were compassed: we acknowledge it thy goodness, that we were not delivered over as a prey unto them, beseeching thee still to continue such thy mercies toward us, that all the world may know that thou art our Saviour and mighty deliverer, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A thanksgiving for deliverance from the plague. O Lord God, which hast wounded us for our sins, and consumed us for our transgressions, by thy late heavy and dreadful visitation, and now in the midst of judgement remembering mercy, hast redeemed our souls from the jaws of death: we offer unto thy fatherly goodness, ourselves, our souls and bodies, which thou hast delivered, to be a living sacrifice unto thee, always praising and magnifying thy mercies in the midst of the congregation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or this. WE humbly acknowledge before thee (O most merciful Father) that all the punishments which are threatened in thy law, might justly have fallen upon us, by reason of our manifold transgressions and hardness of heart: yet seeing it hath pleased thee of thy tender mercy, upon our weak and unworthy humiliation to assuage the noisome pestilence, wherewith we lately have been sore afflicted, and to restore the voice of joy and health into our dwellings; we offer unto thy divine Majesty the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, lauding and magnifying thy glorious Name for such thy preservation and providence over us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Thanksgiving for women after Childbirth. O Almighty God, we bless and praise thy name, that thou hast of thy goodness given safe deliverance unto this woman thy servant, and hast preserved her from the great pain and peril of Childbirth; grant we beseech thee, most merciful Father, that she through thy help may both faithfully live and walk in her vocation according to thy will in this life present, and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. After which, this blessing may be pronounced to her. AS thy help hath been hitherto in the name of the Lord who hath made Heaven and earth, even so the Lord himself still be thy keeper and thy defence upon thy right hand, the Lord preserve thee from evil; yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul, the Lord preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, from this time forth, for evermore. Amen. Seven ADMINISTRATIONS. 1. Baptism. 2. Communion. 3. Visiting the Sick. 4. Catechism with Conformation. 5. Day of fasting or Humiliation. 6. Matrimony. 7. An Exhortation at the Burial. BAPTISM. Well-beloved in the Lord, Hear the words of the Gospel written by St. Mark in the Tenth Chapter. AT a certain time they brought Children to Christ, that he should touch them; and his Disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was displeased, and said unto them, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbidden them not, for to such belongeth the Kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever doth not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child, he shall not enter therein. And when he had taken them up in his arms, he put his hands upon them and blessed them. Friends, you hear in this Gospel the words of our Saviour Christ, that he commanded the children to be brought unto him: how he blamed those that would have kept them from him, how he exhorted all men to follow their innocence. You perceive how by his outward gesture, and deed, he declared his good will toward them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them and blessed them. Doubt you not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he will likewise favourably receive these present Infants, that he will embrace them with the arms of his mercy, that he will give unto them the blessing of Eternal life, and make them partakers of his everlasting Kingdom. Wherefore we being thus persuaded of the good will of our Heavenly Father towards these infants, declared by his Son Jesus Christ, and nothing doubting, but that he favourably alloweth this charitable work of ours in bringing these Children to his holy Baptism, let us proceed accordingly in it. Well-beloved friends, ye have brought these children here to be Baptised, ye have heard the gracious promise made by Christ unto them; which he for his part will most surely keep and perform, wherefore these Infants must also faithfully for their part by you that be their sureties profess the faith of Christ, and promise that they will forsake the Devil and all his works, and constantly believe Gods holy word, and obediently keep his commandments. Minister. Dost thou in the name of this Child, promise to forsake the Devil and all his works; the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same; the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them? Answer. I will forsake them all. Minister. Dost thou in the name of this Child, profess this Faith, to Believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; and that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, descended into Hell, and also did rise again the third day; that he ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead: And dost thou, in the name of this child, believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic Church; the communion of the Saints, the Remission of sins, the Resurrection of the flesh, and everlasting life after death? Answer. All this I steadfastly believe. Minister. Wilt thou be Baptised? And do you dedesire in the name of this Infant, that he may be Baptised in this faith? Answer. That is my desire. Now, dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men be conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour Christ saith, none can enter into the Kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and born anew. I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy, he will grant to these children, that thing which by nature they cannot have, that they may be baptised with water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Church, and be made lively members of the same; that our Lord Jesus Christ, would vouchsafe to receive them; to lay his hands upon them; to bless them, and release them of their sins; to give them the Kingdom of Heaven, and everlasting life. Let us Pray. ALmighty and everlasting God, which of thy great mercy didst save Noah, and his family in the Ark from perishing by water, and also didst safely lead the children of Israel thy people through the red Sea; figuring thereby thy holy baptism; and by the baptism of thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ, didst sanctify the flood Jordan, and all other waters to the mystical washing away of sin; we beseech thee for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt mercifully look upon these children, sanctify them, and wash them with the Holy Ghost, that they being delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the Ark of Christ's Church, and being, steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in Charity, may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally they may come to the land of Everlasting life, there to reign with thee, world without end. And O Lord, who art the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succour, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead, we call upon thee for these Infants, that they coming to thy holy baptism, may receive remission of their sins, by spiritual regeneration. Receive them (O Lord:) as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, ask, and you shall have, seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: So give now unto us that ask, let us that seek find, open the gate unto us that knock, that these Infants may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy Heavenly washing; and may come to thy Eternal Kingdom: And O Heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks, that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and faith in thee: Increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore: Give thy Holy Spirit to these Infants, that they may be born again, and be made heirs of everlasting Salvation; and as the way to attain it, grant that the old Adam in these children, may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in them; and that all things belonging to the Spirit, may live and grow in them: That they may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the Devil, the world, and the flesh: And grant, that whosoever is here dedicated to thee, by our office and ministry, may also be endowed with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy. And seeing we hear thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood, and gave commandment to his Disciples, that they should go and teach all Nations, and baptise them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; regard we beseech thee, the supplication of thy congregation; and grant that these thy servants which shall be baptised in this water, may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and only Saviour, Amen. N. I Baptise thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, Amen. We receive this child into the Congregation of Christ's Flock * If they that bring the Children do desire it, the Minister may add viz. and do sign him with the sign of the Cross. that so hereafter he may not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner, against Sin, the world, and the Devil, and to continue Christ's faithful Soldier, and servant unto his lives end, Amen. Seeing now, dear beloved Brethren, that these children have received the Sacrament of Regeneration, and thus visibly grafted into the body of Christ's Congregation, Let us give thanks unto God for these benefits, and with one accord make our prayers unto Almighty God, that they may lead the rest of their life, according to this beginning. OUr Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven: Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us: And lead us not into temptation, but deilver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen. We yield thee hearty thanks most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to make this infant partaker of this Sacrament of Regeneration, and thus to receive him for thy child by adoption, and to incorporate him into thy holy congregation. And humbly, we beseech thee to grant, that he being dead unto Sin, and living unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death, may crucify the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of Sin. That as he is thus made partaker of the death of thy Son, so he may be partaker of his resurrection; So that finally with the residue of thy holy Congregation, he may be inheritor of thine everlasting Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. An exhortation to the Parents (Godfathers) or sureties. For as much as these children have promised by you, to forsake the Devil and all his works, to believe in God, and to serve him; you must remember that it is your parts and duties, to see that these infants be taught, so soon as they shall be able to learn, what a solemn vow promise and profession they have made by you: And that they may know these things the better, you shall call upon them to hear Sermons, and chief you shall provide, that they may learn the Creed, the Lords Prayer, and the Ten Commandments in the English tongue; and all other things, which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health; and that these children may be virtuously brought up, to lead a godly and Christian life, remembering always that Baptism doth represent unto us our profession, which is to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto him, that as he died and risen again for us; so should we which are baptised, die from sin, and rise again unto righteousness, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and Godliness of living. THe Grace of our Lord jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all everrmore, Amen. Now in case of necessity, as when the child is in danger of death, the lawful Minister may briefly call upon God for his Grace, and the child being named by some one that is present, may only, cast Water upon the Child, and use the Form of words in Baptism, saying, N. I Baptise thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen. And let no man doubt but the Child so Baptised is lawfully and sufficiently Baptised, and ought not to be Baptised again. THE COMMUNION. The Exhortation before it. Dear Beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the holy Communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider what St. Paul writeth to the Corinthians, how he exhorteth all persons diligently, 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, and Christ with us:) So is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily; for than we be guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Saviour: we eat and drink our own judgement, not considering the Lords body. We kindle God's wrath against us: We provoke him to plague us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death. Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God, and hinderer or slanderer of his word; an adulterer, or be in malice, or envy, or in any other grievous crime, bewail your sins, and come not to this holy Table, lest the devil enter into you as he entered into Judas, and fill you full of all iniquities and bring you to destruction both of body and soul. Judge therefore yourselves, brothers, that ye be not judged of the Lord. Repent you truly of your sins past; have a lively and steadfast 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 himself; even to the death upon the Cross, for us miserable sinners, which lay in darkness and shadow of death; that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us unto everlasting life. And to the end we should always remember the exceeding great love of our Master and only Saviour Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits, which by his precious blood shedding, 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 endless comfort. To him therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, let us give as we are bounden, continual thanks, submitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasure; and studying to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. You that thus do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and be in love and charity with your neighbours, and intent to lead a new life, following the Commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; you may draw near, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort, according to these comfortable words of our Saviour, to all that truly turn unto him: Come unto me all ye that are weary Mat. 11. 28. and heavy laden, and I will refresh you: So God loved the world, that he John. 3. 16. gave his only begotten Son, to the end, that all that believe in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life: Or, that of St. Paul; This is a faithful 1 Tim. 2. 5. saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Or, that of St. John, If any man sin, we have an 1 John. 2. 1, 2. advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins. In confidence of whose mercy, let us make an humble and penitent confession of our sins before Almighty God, ask pardon for them, and his efficacious blessing upon this his own ordinance: meekly kneeling upon our knees. Let us Pray. ALmighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men; we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, 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. But we do earnestly repent, and are hearty sorry, for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us: the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father, for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake: forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honour and glory of thy name. And (O Lord:) we do not presume to come to this thy table, trusting in our own righteousness; but in thy manifold and great mercies: We be not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: We beseech thee therefore gracious Lord, who of thy great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them, which with hearty repentance and true faith, turn unto thee; have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm, and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life. And O Lord, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy holy spirit, that we may perfectly love thee and worthily magnify thy holy name. And seeing it is meet, right and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places, lift up our hearts, even lift them up unto the Lord, in giving thanks, unto our Lord God, holy, Almighty, and Everlasting Father, for all thy mercies and blessings: So do we now more specially praise thee, for thy Son and our Saviour's incarnation, who by the operation of the holy Ghost, was made very man, of the substance of the Virgin Mary his Mother, and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. But chief we are bound to praise thee, for the glorious resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord: for he is the very Paschall Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sins of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again, hath restored to us everlasting life; Who also after his most glorious resurrection, manifestly appeared to all his Apostles, and in their sight, ascended up into heaven, to prepare a place for us, that where he is, thither might we also ascend and reign with him in glory: And we do also praise thee, for that according to his most true promise unto them, the holy Ghost came down from heaven, with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of fiery tongues lighting upon the Apostles, to teach them, and to lead them into all truth, giving them both the gifts of divers languages, and also boldness with servant zeal, constantly to preach the Gospel unto all nations whereby we are, and have been brought out of darkness and error, into the clear light, and true knowledge of thee and thy Son, which art one God, one Lord, not one only person, but three persons in one substance; by whom we have been taught that what we believe of the glory of the Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference or inequality. For these inestimable benefits, we do with Angels, and Arch▪ Angels, and with all the company of heaven, laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most High. And, O Heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy, didst give thy only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world, and did institute; and in his holy Gospel, command us to continue a perpetual memory of that his precious death, until his coming again; hear us, O most merciful Father, we beseech thee, and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood: that we may so spiritually eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood: and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us; and hereafter dwell with him in his Kingdom of glory; even for Jesus Christ his sake, our only Lord and Saviour, Amen. After this Prayer, the Minister taking the Bread into his hand may stand up, and say these words following. Our Lord Jesus, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his Disciples, saying, Take, Eat, this is my Body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. And taking the Cup into his hand may say. Likewise after Supper, he took the Cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this, for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me. After the Minister hath received the Communion himself, he may say thus in delivering the Bread and Cup to the several Communicants. The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy Body and Soul into everlasting life: And take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee: and feed on him in thine heart by faith with thanksgiving. The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy Body and Soul into everlasting life, and drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for thee, and be thankful. After the Communion is done, this Hymn at the discretion of the Minister, may be said, which hath been of great Antiquity in the Church. GLory be to God on high, and in earth Peace, good will towards men: We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks unto thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus, O Christ, Lord God, Lamb of God,. Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us, thou that takest away the sins of the world receive our Prayers; thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us; for thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord, thou only O Christ, with the Holy Ghost art most High, in the glory of God the Father. Let us Pray. OUr Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name: Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the Glory, for ever, Amen. O Lord and Heavenly Father, we thy humble servants, entirely desire thy Fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we (and all thy whole Church) may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here, we offer and present unto thee (O Lord:) ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we which be partakers of this Holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace and Heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice: yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences. And seeing, O Lord, thou hast now vouchsafed (by our duly receiving these holy mysteries,) to seed us with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us, and that we be very members incorporate in thy mystical body, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and be also heirs through hope of thy everlasting Kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear Son. We most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, so to assist us with thy grace that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works, as thou hast prepared for us to walk in. And do thou so dispose the ways of thy servants, towards the attainment of everlasting salvation, that among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help. And we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy Commandments, that through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul. And grant, that the words which we have heard this day, with our outward ears, may through thy grace, be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us, the fruit of good living, to the honour and praise of thy name. And now, O Lord, who art the fountain of all wisdom, which knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in ask, and who hast promised to hear the petitions of them that ask in thy Son's name, we beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us, that have made now our Prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things, which we have faithfully asked, according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour, and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end, Amen. The Peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen. THE VISITATION of the SICK. An Exhortation after this Form or the like. DEarly beloved, know this, that Almighty God is the Lord of life and death, and over all things to them pertaining, as youth, strength, health, age, weakness and sickness: wherefore whatsoever your sickness is, know you certainly, that it is God's visitation. And for what cause soever this sickness is sent unto you, whether it be to try your patience for the example of others, and that your faith may be found in the day of the Lord, laudable, glorious and honourable, to the increase of glory and endless felicity, or else it be sent unto you, to correct and amend in you, whatsoever doth offend the eyes of your heavenly Father: know you certainly, that if you truly repent you of your sins, and bear your sickness patiently, trusting in God's mercy, for his dear Son Jesus Christ his sake, and render unto him humble thanks for his fatherly visitation, submitting yourself wholly unto his will, it shall turn to your profit, and help you forwards in the right way that leadeth unto everlasting life. If the person visited be very sick, than the Minister may end his exhortation in this place, or else proceed as followeth. Take therefore in good worth the chastisement of the Lord: For whom the Lord loveth he chastiseth; yea, as St. Paul saith, he scourgeth every son which he receiveth. If ye endure chastisement, he offereth himself unto you, as unto his own children. What son is he, that the Father chastiseth not? If ye be not under Correction (whereof all true children are partakers:) then are ye bastards, and not children. Therefore, seeing that when our carnal Fathers do correct us, we reverently obey them: shall we not much rather be obedient to our spiritual Father, and so live? And they for a few days do chastise us, after their own pleasure: but he doth chastise us for our profit, to the intent that he may make us partakers of his holiness. These words (good brother) are God's words, and written in holy Scripture for our comfort and instruction, that we should patiently and with thanksgiving, bear our heavenly Father's correction, whensoever by any manner of adversity, it shall please his gracious goodness to visit us. And there should be no greater comfort to Christian persons, then to be made like unto Christ, by suffering patiently adversities, troubles and sicknesses. For he himself went not up to joy, but first he suffered pain, he entered not into his glory, before he was crucified: so truly our way to eternal joy, is to suffer here with Christ, and our door to enter into eternal life, is gladly to die with Christ, that we may rise again from death, and dwell with him in everlasting life. Now therefore taking your sickness which is thus profitable for you, patiently; I exhort you in the name of God, to remember the profession, which you made unto God in your Baptism. And for as much as after this life, there is an account to be given unto the righteous Judge, of whom all must be judged without respect of persons: I require you to examine yourself, and your state, both toward God and man; so that accusing and condemning yourself for your own faults, you may find mercy at our heavenly Father's hand for Christ's sake, and not be accused and condemned in that fearful judgement. Therefore, I shall first shortly rehearse the articles of our faith, that you may know whether you do believe, as a Christian man should, or no. Here the Minister may rehearse the Articles of the faith, saying thus. Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, etc. And so forth, as it is in Baptism. And the Minister may do well to ask him whether he be in charity with all the world, exhorting him to forgive from the bottom of his heart all persons that have offended him; and if he have offended other, to ask them forgiveness; and where he hath done injury or wrong to any man, that he make amends to the uttermost of his power. And if he have not afore disposed of his goods, that he then make his will, as also to exhort him to be charitable to the poor according to his ability. And if the sick person feeling his conscience troubled with any weighty matter, shall make a special confession of it, and shall desire to receive a declaration of forgiveness in the name of Christ from the Minister: he may do it after this manner. OUr Lord Jesus Christ, who hath given power and commandment to his Ministers to declare remission of sins to all which truly repent and believe in him; of his great mercy forgive thee thine offences: and in his name, and by his authority committed to me, I pronounce unto thee forgiveness of all thy sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. After which the Minister may pray after this manner. ALmighty Everlasting God, maker of mankind, which dost correct those whom thou dost love, and chastisest every one whom thou dost receive, we beseech thee to have mercy upon this thy servant, visited with thy hand, and to grant that he may take his sickness patiently, and recover his bodily health, (if it be thy gracious will:) or otherwise whensoever his soul shall departed from the body, it may be without spot presented unto thee: and seeing according to the multitude of thy mercy, thou dost so put away the sins of those that repent, that thou remember'st them no more: open thine eye of mercy upon this thy servant, who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiveness. Renew in him (most loving Father) whatsoever hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the Devil, or by his own carnal will and frailness. Preserve and continue this sick member in the unity of the Church; consider his contrition, accept his tears, assuage his pain, as shall seem to thee most expedient for him. And for as much as he puts his trust only in thy mercy, impute not unto him his former sins, but take him unto thy favour; send him help from thy holy place, and evermore mightily defend him; let the enemy have no advantage of him, nor the wicked approach to hurt him. O Lord, look down from Heaven, behold, visit, and relieve this thy servant: look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy, give him comfort and sure confidence in thee: defend him from the danger of the enemy, and keep him in perpetual peace and safety. And we beseech thee to extend thy accustomed goodness to him who is grieved with sickness; visit him, O Lord, as thou didst visit Peter's wife's mother, and the Captain's servant: so visit and restore to this sick person his former health (if it be thy will:) or else give him grace, so to take this visitation, that after this painful life ended, he may dwell with thee in life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord; in whose name and words we call upon thee, saying, OUr Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil: for thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen. Here, if the sickness of the person can permit it, the whole 71. Psalms containing seasonable matter may be read unto him. IN thee, O Lord, have I put my trust, let me never be put to confusion: but rid me, and deliver me in thy righteousness, incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong hold, whereunto I may always resort: thou hast promised to help me, for thou art my house of defence, and my castle. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For thou O Lord God, art the thing that I long for: thou art my hope even from my youth. Through thee have I been holden up ever since I was born: thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb, my praise shall be always of thee. I am become as it were a monster unto many: but my sure trust is in thee. O let my mouth be filled with thy praise: that I may sing of thy glory and honour all the day long. Cast me not away in the time of age: forsake me not when my strength faileth me. For mine enemies speak against me, and they that lay wait for my soul, take their council together, saying: God hath forsaken him, persecute him, and take him, for there is none to deliver him. Go not far from me, O God: my God, haste thee to help me. Let them be confounded and perish, that are against my soul: let them be covered with shame and dishonour, that seek to do me evil. As for me, I will patiently abide always: and will praise thee more and more. My mouth shall daily speak of thy righteousness and salvation: for I know no end thereof. I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God: and will make mention of thy righteousness only. Thou (O God) hast taught me from my youth up until now: therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works. Forsake me not, O God, in mine old age, when I am grey headed, until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to all them that are yet for to come. Thy righteousness (O God) is very high, and great things are they that thou hast done: O God, who is like unto thee? O what great troubles and adversities hast thou shown me, and yet didst thou turn and refresh me: yea, and broughtest me from the deep of the earth again. Thou hast brought me to great honour: and comforted me on every side. Therefore will I praise thee and thy faithfulness (O God) playing upon an instrument of music: unto thee will I sing upon the harp, O thou holy one of Israel. My lips will be fain when I sing unto thee: and so will my soul whom thou hast delivered. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded and brought unto shame that seek to do me evil. The BLESSING. THe Almighty Lord, which is a most strong tower to all them that put their trust in thee, to whom all things in Heaven and earth, and under the earth do bow and obey, be now and evermore thy defence, and make thee to know and feel that there is none other name under Heaven given to man, in whom, and through whom thou mayest receive health and salvation; but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour & glory for ever, Amen. THE CATECHISM. Question. WHen was your name given you? Answer. At my Baptism. Question. What was then promised for you? Answer. These three things: first, that I should forsake the Devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of the wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh: Secondly, that I should believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith. And thirdly, that I should keep Gods holy will and Commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life. Question. Dost thou not think thou art bound to believe and do what was promised for thee? Answer. Yes verily: and with Gods help so I will, and I pray God give me his grace, that I may continue in the same unto my lives end. Question. Rehearse the Articles of thy belief. Answer. I Believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth: and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; which was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell, the third day he risen 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 believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting, Amen. Question. What dost thou chief learn in these Articles of thy belief? Answer. First, I learn to believe in God the Father, who hath made me and all the world. Secondly, in God the Son, who hath redeemed me and all mankind. Thirdly, in God the Holy Ghost, who sanctifieth me, and all the Elect people of God. Question. How many Commandments be there? Answer. Ten. Question. Which be they? Answer. THe same which God spoke in the twenty 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 thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: for I the Lord thy 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 show mercy unto thousands of 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 guiltless that taketh his name in vain. iv Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days 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 work, thou and thy son and thy daughter; thy manservant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made Heaven and earth, the Sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. V Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. VI Thou shalt do no murder. VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery. VIII. Thou shalt not steal. IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his servant, nor his Maid nor his Ox, nor his Ass, nor any thing that is his. Question. What dost thou chief learn by these commandments? Answer. I learn two things: my duty towards God, and my duty towards my neighbour. Question. What is thy duty towards God? Answer. My duty towards God, is to believe in him, to fear him, and to love him with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, and with all my strength. To worship him, to give him thanks, to put my whole trust in him, to call upon him, to honour his holy name, and his word, and to serve him truly all the days of my life. Question. What is thy duty towards thy neighbour? Answer. My duty towards my neighbour, is to love him, as myself, and to do to all men, as I would they should do unto me. To love, honour, and secure my father and Mother. (To honour and obey the King, or supreme Magistrate, and his Ministers.) To submit myself to all my Governors, teachers, spiritual pastors, and Masters. To order myself lowly, and reverently to all my betters, to hurt no body, by word nor deed. To be true and just in all my dealing. To bear no malice, nor hatred in my heart. To keep my hands from stealing, and my tongue from evil speaking, lying and slandering. To keep my body in temperance, soberness and chastity. Not to covet or desire other men's goods; but to learn and labour truly to get mine own living, and to do my duty in that state of life, unto the which it shall please God to call me. Question. My good child, know this, that thou art not able to do these things of thyself, nor to walk in the commandments of God, and to serve him without his special grace, which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer. Let me hear therefore, if thou canst say the Lord's Prayer. Answer. OUr Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory for ever, Amen. Question. What desirest thou of God in this prayer? Answer. I desire my Lord God, our heavenly Father, who is the giver of all good, to send his grace unto me, and to all people, that we may worship him, serve him, and obey him, as we ought to do. And, that he would send us all things, that be needful both for our souls and bodies. And that he will forgive us our sins; and save and defend us, in all dangers ghostly and bodily; and that he will keep us from all sin and wickedness, and from our ghostly enemy, and from everlasting death. And this I trust he will do of his mercy and goodness through our Lord Jesus Christ. And therefore I say Amen, So be it. Question. How many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church? Answer. Two only, as generally necessary to salvation: that is to say, Baptism, and the supper of the Lord. Question. What meanest thou by this word Sacrament? Answer. I mean an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us, ordained by Christ himself, as a means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us thereof. Question. How many parts be there in a Sacrament? Answer. Two: the outward visible sign, and the inward spiritual grace. Question. What is the outward visible sign, or form in Baptism? Answer. Water: wherein the person baptised, is dipped or sprinkled with it. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Question. What is the inward and spiritual Grace? Answer. A death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness: For being by nature borne in sin and the children of wrath, we are hereby * i e. Sacramentally. made the children of grace. Question. What is required of persons to be baptised? Answer. Repentance, whereby they forsake sin: and faith; whereby they steadfastly believe the promises of God, made to them in the Sacrament. Question. Why then are infants baptised, when by reason of their tender age, they cannot perform them. Answer. Yes, they do perform them by their sureties, who promise and vow them both in their names: which when they come to age, themselves are bound to perform. Question. Why was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ordained? Answer. For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and the benefits which we receive thereby. Question. What is the outward part or sign of the Lords Supper? Answer. Bread and wine, which the Lord hath commanded to be received. Question. What is the inward part or thing signified? Answer. The body and blood of Christ, which are verily and indeed taken, and received of the faithful in the Lord's Supper. Question. What are the benefits whereof we are partakers thereby? Answer. The strengthening and refreshing of our souls, by the body and blood of Christ, as our bodies are by the bread and wine. Question. What is required of them which come to the Lords Supper? Answer. To examine themselves, whether they repent them truly of their former sins, steadfastly purposing to lead a new life: have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death, and be in charity with all men. CONFIRMATION of Children upon their repeating this Catechism, was an Ancient and laudable custom, who thereby took upon themselves the profession and performance of that which had been promised in their names at Baptism, (which Calvin and other Divines of the Reformed Churches in his time, did much lament the disuse of, and wished it were restored,) the substance of which was as followeth. The Prayer for the Children before CONFIRMATION. ALmighty and everliving God, who hast vouchsafed to admit these thy servants to the Sacrament of regeneration by water and the holy Ghost, and given them the seal of forgiveness of sins; and who have now in their own persons professed what had been before promised in their names: strengthen them, we beseech thee with thy Holy Ghost, the comforter, and daily increase in them the manifold gifts of grace, the spirit of wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength; the spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fulfil them with the spirit of thy holy fear, Amen. After this Prayer, the Bishop laying his hand on each Child, sayeth. DEfend O Lord, this Child with thy Heavenly grace, that he may continue thine for ever, and daily increase in thy holy spirit more and more, until he come unto thy everlasting Kingdom, Amen. The Prayer after Confirmation. ALmighty and everliving God, which maketh us both to will and to do those things that be good and acceptable unto thy majesty, we make our humble supplications unto thee for these children, upon whom (after the example of the holy Apostles) we have laid our hands, to certify them (by this sign) of thy favour and gracious goodness towards them, let thy fatherly hand we beseech thee ever be over them, let thy holy spirit ever be with them, and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of thy word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God, world without end, Amen. The Blessing to the Children. THe blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you for ever, Amen. Upon a day of FASTING or HUMILIATION. This (taken out of that which was called the Commination against Sinners) may be useful upon a private day of Fasting or Humiliation; the exhortation being as followeth. WE read in the book of Deuteronomy, and other places of Scripture, of divers curses solemnly pronounced against notorious and impenitent sinners; to the end, that being admonished of the great indignation of God against them, they may be the rather called to earnest and true repentance, and may walk more warily in these dangerous times, and flee from such vices, for which God may justly suffer his wrath to break forth against us. And therefore seeing (as David also beareth witness,) Psalm 119. 21. That all they be accursed which do err and go astray from the Commandments of God; let us, remembering the dreadful judgement hanging over our heads, and being always at hand, return unto our Lord God, with all contrition and meekness of heart: bewailing and lamenting our sinful life, knowledging and confessing our offences, and seeking to bring forth worthy fruits of repentance. For now Mat. 3. 10. is the axe put unto the root of the trees, so that every tree which bringeth not good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire. It is a fearful thing to fall into the Heb. 10. 31. hands of the living God: he shall pour down rain upon the sinners, snares, fire Psal. 11. 6. and brimstone, storm and tempest, this shall be their portion to drink. For lo, the Lord is come out of his place, Isa. 26. 26. to visit the wickedness of such as dwell upon the earth. But who may abide the Mal. 3. 2. day of his coming? Who shall be able to endure, when he appeareth? His fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, Mat. 3. 12. and gather his wheat into the barn: but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. The day of the Lord 1 Thes 5. 2. cometh as a Thief in the night, and when men shall say, peace, and all things are safe, then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as sorrow cometh upon a woman travelling with child, and they shall not escape. Then Rom. 2▪ 4. shall appear the wrath of God in the day of vengeance, which obstinate sinners, through the stubbornness of their heart, have heaped unto themselves, which despised the goodness, patience, and long sufferance of God, when he called them contivally to repentance. Then shall they call upon me, Prov. 1. 28. (saith the Lord) but I will not hear; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me, and that, because they hated knowledge, and received not the fear of the Lord, but abhorred my counsel, and despised my correction. Then shall it be too late to knock, when Mat. 2● 10. the door shall be shut, and too late to cry for mercy, when it is the time of justice. O terrible voice of most just judgement, which shall be pronounced upon them, when it shall be said unto them, Go ye cursed Mat. 4. 1. into the fire everlasting, which is prepared for the Devil and his Angels. Therefore brethren, take we 2 Cor. 6. 2. heed betime, while the day of salvation lasteth, for the night cometh, when none can work: let Joh. 9 4. Joh. 12 35. us while we have the light, believe in the light, and walk as the children of the light, that we be not cast into the utter darkness, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mat. 25 30. Let us not abuse the goodness of God, which calleth us mercifully to amendment; and of his endless pity, promiseth us forgiveness of what is past, if with a whole mind and true heart, we turn unto him. For though our sins be as red as scarlet, Isa. 1. 18. they shall be as white as snow, and though they be like purple, yet shall they be as white as wool. Turn you (saith the Lord) from all your wickedness, and your sins shall Ezek. 18. 30. not be your destruction. Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done, make you new hearts and a new spirit. Wherefore will ye die, O ye house of Israel, seeing that I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth? Saith the Lord God. Turn ye then, and ye shall live. Although we have sinned, yet have 1 John 2. 1, 2. we an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he it is, that obtaineth grace and pardon for our sins. For he was wounded for our offences, and smitten for our wickedness. Isa. 53. 5 Let us therefore return unto him, who is the merciful receiver of all true penitent sinners, assuring ourselves, that he is ready to receive us, and most willing to pardon us, if we come to him with faithful repentance; if we will submit ourselves unto him, and from henceforth walk in his ways; if we will take his easy yoke, and light Mat. 11 29. burden upon us, to follow him in lowliness, patience, and charity, and be ordered by the governance of his holy spirit, seeking always his glory, and serving him duly in our vocation, with thanksgiving. This if we do, Christ will deliver us from the curse of the law, and from the extreme malediction, which shall light upon them, that shall be set on the left hand; and he will set us on his right hand, Mat. 25 33. and give us the blessed benediction of his Father, commanding us to take possession of his glorious Kingdom: unto the which he vouchsafe to bring us all for his infinite mercy, Amen. This Psalm being the fifty-first, may be also fitly read. Miserere mei Deus. HAve mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: according to the multitude of thy mercies, do away mine offences. Wash me throughly from my wickedness; and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged. Behold I was shapen in wickedness: and in sin hath my mother conceived me. But lo! thou requirest truth in the inward parts: and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly. Thou shalt purge me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear of joy, and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Turn thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. O give me the comfort of thy help again: and establish me with thy free spirit. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health: and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness. Thou shalt open my lips (O Lord,) my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee: but thou delightest not in offering. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart (O God) shalt thou not despise. O be favourable and gracious unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the offerings and oblations: then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar. A PRAYER. TUrn us, O good Lord, and so shall we be turned: be favourable, O Lord, be favourable to thy people which turn unto thee, with weeping and fasting, and praying: for thou art a merciful God, full of compassion, long suffering, as also of great pity. Thou sparest when we deserve punishment, and in thy wrath thinkest of mercy. Spare thy people good Lord: spare them, and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion: but after the multitude of thy mercies, so look upon us. We beseech thee to hear our prayers, and to have mercy on such, as do penitently confess their sins unto thee, that they whose consciences by sin are accused, by thy merciful pardon, may be absolved. And, O Lord, which hast compassion of all men, and wouldst not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from sin and be saved: mercifully forgive us our trespasses, receive and comfort us, which be grieved and wearied with the burden of our sins. Thy property is to have mercy, to thee only it appertaineth to forgive sins. Spare us therefore good Lord, spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed: enter not into judgement with thy servants, which be vile earth and miserable sinners: but so turn thine ire from us, which meekly acknowledge our vileness, and truly repent us of our faults. So make haste to help us in this world, that we may ever live with thee in the world to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom with thee and thy holy spirit, be all honour and glory now and ever, Amen. MATRIMONY. Well-beloved, the ancient laudable order of our Church was, that as often as there was a marriage, there should be a Sermon, wherein ordinarily the duties of man and wife should be declared according to holy Scripture; but if there were no Sermon, it was left to the Minister to make this or some short exhortation. I shall therefore accordingly, first let you know what the holy Scripture doth say, as touching the duties of husbands towards their wives, and wives towards their husbands. SAint Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians, the fifth Chapter, Ephes. 5. 25. doth give this commandment to all married men: Ye husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church, and hath given himself for it, that he might so sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it unto himself, a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself, for no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular love his wife, even as himself. Likewise the same St. Paul writing to the Colossians, speaketh thus Colos. 3. 9 to all men that be married. Husband's love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Hear also what St. Peter the Apostle of Christ, which was himself 1 Pet. 3. 7. a married man, saith unto all men that are married. Ye husbands dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered. Hitherto ye have heard the duty of the husband toward the wife: now hear the wife's duty towards the husband, even as it is plainly set forth in holy Scripture. Saint Paul (in the forenamed Epistle to the Ephesians) teacheth you thus: Ye women submit yourselves Ephes. 5. 22. unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church, and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ: so let the wives be to their own husbands in all things. And again, he saith: Let the wife reverence her husband. And (in his Epistle to the Colossians) St. Paul giveth you this short lesson: Ye wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. St. Peter also, doth instruct you very godly, thus saying; Let wives be subject to their own husbands, so that if any obey not the word, they may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives, while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear: whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaited hair, and wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel: but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is a precious thing in the sight of God. For after this manner (in the old time) did the holy women, which trusted in God, adorn themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well, and not being dismayed with any fear. These are your duties, which if you shall observe, that blessing in the 128. Psalms may be your portion. BLessed are all they that fear the Lord, and walk in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands, O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be. Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine upon the walls of thine house. Thy children like the olive branches, round about thy table. Lo, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord from out of Zion shall so bless thee that thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all thy life long. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children and peace upon Israel. Dear beloved friends, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of his congregation, to join together this man and this woman, in holy matrimony, which is an honourable estate instituted of God in paradise, in the time of man's innocency; signifying unto us the mystical union, that is betwixt Christ and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul, to be honourable among all men, and therefore is not to be enterprised, nor taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts, and appetites like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained. One was the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and praise of God. Secondly it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication, that such persons as have not the gist of continency, might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body. Thirdly, for the mutual society, help and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity, into the which holy state, these two persons present, come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together; let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace. And also speaking to the persons that shall be married, he may say. I require and charge you, as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgement, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you do know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together, in matrimony, that ye confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as be coupled together, otherwise then God's word doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is their matrimony lawful. N. Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health, & forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both shall live? The man answereth I will. Then the Minister sayeth unto the woman. N. Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live? The woman answereth. I will. Then the Minister sayeth, Who giveth this woman to be married to this man? And the Minister receiving the woman of her fathers, or friends hands, causeth the man to take the woman by the right hand, saying; I. N. Take thee N. to my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us departed, according to God's holy ordinance, and thereto I plight thee my troth. Then they lose their hands, and the woman taking again the man by the right hand, sayeth; I. N. Take thee N. to my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey till death us departed, according to God's holy ordinance, and thereto I give thee my troth. Then again losing their hands, the man may give unto the woman a Ring, and put it upon the fourth finger of her left hand, saying; With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee * i e. I give thee my personal honours. worship, & with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen. Then may the Minister join their right hands together, and say; Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder: Forasmuch as N. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same (by giving and receiving of a Ring, and) by joining of hands: I pronounce them to be man and wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Let us pray. O Eternal God, Creator and preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life; send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name, that as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws. And, O Lord, seeing it is by thy gracious gift mankind is increased, give that thy blessing of children to these two persons, and grant them to live so long together in godly love and unity, that they may see their children's children, and peace upon Israel. O Lord bless them, and sow the seed of eternal life in their minds, that whatsoever in thy holy word, they shall profitably learn, they may indeed fulfil the same. Look, (O Lord) mercifully from Heaven upon this thy servant, and thy handmaid which do put their trust in thee, send them help from thy holy place, and evermore defend them, be unto them a tower of strength from the face of their enemies. And as thou didst send thy blessing upon Abraham and Sarah, to their great comfort; so vouchsafe to send thy blessing upon these thy servants, that they obeying thy will, and always being in safety under thy protection, may abide in thy love unto their lives end. And, O God, which by thy mighty power hast made all things of nought, which also (after other things set in order) didst appoint, that out of man (created after thine own image and similitude) woman should take her beginning, and knitting them together, didst teach, that it should never be lawful to put asunder those, whom thou by Matrimony hast made one; O Lord, which hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage, and unity betwixt Christ and his Church; look mercifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife, according to thy word, as Christ did love his Spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh: and also that this woman may be loving and amiable to her husband as Rachel; wise as Rebecca; faithful and obedient as Sarah; and in all quietness, sobriety and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit thy everlasting Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name and words we conclude our imperfect prayers; saying, Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven; give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us: and lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever, Amen. The Blessing. ALmighty God, which at the beginning did create our first Parents Adam & Eve, and did sanctify and join them together in marriage; pour upon you the riches of his grace: sanctify and bless you, that you may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love to your lives end. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve and keep you. The Lord mercifully look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life, that in the life to come you may have life everlasting, Amen. AN EXHORTATION AT THE BURIAL. FOr as much as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy, to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of a resurrection by our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change their vile bodies who do sleep in him, that they may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself. And now while the body is interring, it will be seasonable and profitable for us to hear some portions out of Scripture, which may put us in mind of our mortality, and of the resurrection. 'Tis the speech of Job, Man that Job 14. 1, 2. is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he flieth also as a shadow, and continueth not. I know that my redeemer liveth, and Job 19 25, 26. that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another's, though my reins be consumed within me. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. The speech of our Saviour, I am John 11 25, 26. the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. The speech of Saint Paul; We 1 Tim. 6. 2. brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Saint John saith, I heard a voice from Heaven, saying unto me, writ, Rom. 14. 23. blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord: from henceforth, yea saith the Spirit, that they rest from their labours. But no place is more seasonable to be read now unto you, then that of Saint Paul, 1 Cor. 15. 20. which chief concerneth the resurrection: Christ is risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. 20 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 21 For as in Adam all died, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every 22 man in his own order. Christ the 23 first fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father, 24 when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies 25 under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death. For he 26 hath put all things under his feet; but 27 when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all 28 things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do, which 29 are baptised for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptised for the dead? And why stand 30 we in jeopardy every hour? I protest 31 by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men, I have fought with 32 beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink, for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications 33 corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not, for some 34 have not the knowledge of God, I speak this to your shame. But some man will say, how are the dead raised up? And 35 with what body do they come? Thou fool, 36 that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body which 37 shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain. But God giveth it a body, as it hath pleased 38 him: and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one 39 kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and 40 bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, & the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, 41 and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead, it 42 is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonour, 43 it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is 44 sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body; and there is a spiritual body. And so 45 it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul, the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first, which is spiritual: 46 but that which is natural, and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthly: the second 47 man is the Lord from heaven, heavenly. As is the earthly, such are they that are 48 earthly: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And 49 as we have born the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, 50 that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God: neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold I show you a mystery: we shall not all 51 sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, 52 at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall he changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, 53 and this mortal, must put on immortality. So when this corruptible 54 shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is thy 55 sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength 56 of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, 57 which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work 58 of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Well-beloved, seeing we all know, that with God do live the spirits of them that departed hence in the Lord, and that the souls of them that be elected, after they be delivered from the burden of the flesh, be in joy and felicity: let us labour hereafter so to live in his fear, that when he shall be pleased to accomplish the number of his elect, and to hasten his kingdom, or shall deliver us out of the miseries of this sinful world, we may by his gracious goodness (with all those departed in the true faith of his holy name) have our perfect consummation & bliss, both in body & soul in his eternal and everlasting glory. And seeing we have heard that our Lord Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall not die eternally; who also hath taught us by his holy Apostle Paul, not to be sorry, as men without hope, for them that sleep in him; let us endeavour so to be here raised from the death of sin, to the life of righteousness, that when we shall departed this life, we may rest in him, as our hope is, this our brother doth, and at the general resurrection, at the last day we may be sound acceptable in his sight, and receive that blessing which his well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear him; saying, Come ye blessed children of my Father, receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Which God of his mercy grant us all. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Ghost, be with us all, now, and evermore, Amen. Prayers for the Fifth of November. These Prayers following, framed or approved by the reverend Bishops of that age, do demonstrate how causelessly that conjunction of Prelacy and Popery hath been of late years continued to their reproach. Prayers and Thanksgivings for the happy deliverance of his Majesty, the Queen, Prince, and States of the Parliament, from the most traitorous and bloody intended Massacre by Gunpowder, November 5. 1605. I. ALmighty God, who hast in all ages shown 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, against the wicked conspiracies, and malicious practices of all the enemies thereof: we yield unto thee from the very ground of our hearts all possible praise and thanks for the wonderful, and mighty deliverance of our gracious Sovereign King James, the Queen, the Prince, and all the Royal branches, with the Nobility, Clergy, and Commons of this Realm assembled together in Parliament, by Popish treachery appointed as sheep to the slaughter, and that in most Barbarous and Savage manner, no age yielding example of the like cruelty intended towards the Lords anointed, and his people. Can this thy goodness, O Lord, be forgotten, worthy to be written in a pillar of Marble, that we may ever remember to praise thee for the same, as the fact is worthy a lasting monument, that all posterity may learn to detest it? From this unnatural conspiracy, not our merit, but thy mercy, not our foresight, but thy providence hath delivered us, not our love to thee, but thy love to thine anointed servant, and thy poor Church, with whom thou hast promised to be present to the end of the world. And therefore not unto us, not unto us, Lord, but to thy Name be ascribed all honour and glory in all Churches of the Saints, throughout all generations: for thou Lord hast discovered the snares of death, thou hast broken them, and we are delivered; be thou still our mighty protector, and scatter our cruel enemies, which delight in blood: infatuate their counsel, and root out that Babylonish and Antichristian sect, which say of Jerusalem, down with it, down with it, even to the ground. And to that end strengthen the hands of our gracious King, the Nobles and Magistrates of the land with judgement and justice to cut off these workers of iniquity, (whose Religion is rebellion, whose faith is faction, whose practice is murdering of souls and bodies) and to root them out of the confines and limits of this Kingdom, that they may never prevail against us, and triumph in the ruin of thy Church, and to give us grace by true and serious repentance, to avert these and the like judgements from us. This Lord we earnestly crave at thy merciful hands, together with the continuance of thy powerful protection over our dread Sovereign, the whole Church, and these Realms, and the speedy confusion of our implacable enemies, and that for thy dear Sons sake, our only mediator and advocate. II. ALmighty God and heavenly Father, which o● thy everlasting providence and tender mercy towards us, hast prevented the extreme malice and mischievous imagination of our enemies, revealing and confounding their horrible and devilish enterprise plotted against our Sovereign Lord the King, his Royal house, and the whole State of this Realm, for the subversion thereof, together with the truth of thy Gospel and pure Religion amongst us, and for the reducing into this Church and land of Popish superstition and tyranny: we most humbly praise and magnify thy glorious name, for thine infinite gracious goodness in this our marvellous deliverance; we confess it was and is thy mercy, thy mercy alone, (most merciful Father) that we are not consumed, that their snare is broken, and our soul is escaped. For our sins cried to Heaven against us, and our iniquities justly called for judgement upon us: but thy great mercy towards us hath exalted itself above judgement, not to deal with us after our sins, to give us over (as we deserved) to be a prey to our enemies, but taking our correction into thine own hands, to deliver us from their bloodthirsty malice, and preserve from death and destruction our King and State, with thy holy Gospel and true Religion amongst us. Good Lord give u● true repentance, and unfeigned conversion unto thee, to prevent further judgements: increase in us more and more a lively saith and fruitful love in all obedience, that thou mayest continue thy loving favour with the light of thy Gospel, to us and our posterity for evermore. Make us now and always truly thankful in heart, word and deed, for all thy gracious mercies, and this our special deliverance. Protect and defend our Sovereign Lord the King, with the Queen and all the Royal progeny, from all treasons and conspiracies, preserve them in thy faith, fear and love, under the shadow of thy wings against all evil and wickedness, prosper their reign with long happiness on earth, and everlasting glory following in the kingdom of Heaven. Bless the whole State and Realm with grace and peace, that with one heart and mouth we may praise thee in thy Church, and always sing joyfully, that thy merciful kindness is ever more and more towards us, and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever, through Jesus Christ our only Saviour and Redeemer, Amen. III. ETernal God, and our most mighty protector, we thy people of this land, confess ourselves, above all the Nations of the earth, infinitely bound unto thy heavenly majesty for thy many unspeakable benefits conferred and heaped upon us, especially for planting thy Gospel among us, and placing over us a most gracious King, a faithful professor and defender of the same; both which exasperated the enemies of true religion, and enrage their thoughts to the invention of most dreadful designs: all which notwithstanding it hath pleased thee hitherto either to prevent or overthrow, at this time principally thou hast most strangely discovered an horrible and cruel plot and device, for the massacring as well of thy dear servant and our dread Sovereign, as of the chief States assembled in thy fear, for the continuance of thy truth and good of this Realm. We humbly present ourselves at thy feet, admiring thy might and wisdom, and acknowledging thy grace and favour, in preserving them and the whole Realm by their safety, beseeching thee for thy Son Jesus Christ his sake to continue still thy care over us, and to shield our gracious King under the shadow of thy wings, that no mischievous attempt may come near, nor the sons of wickedness may hurt him, but that under him we may still enjoy this his peaceable government, with the profession of the Gospel of thy Son Christ Jesus, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, etc. iv O God, infinite in power and of endless mercy, we give thee all possible thanks, that it hath pleased thee so miraculously to discover, and defeat the mischievous plots of thine and our enemies: thou hast delivered our dread Sovereign from the snare of the fowler, and his Nobles from the fire and the fury of the wicked: he shall rejoice in thy salvation, and we his people shall triumph in this thy wonderful deliverance, thy Gospel shall prosper, and thine adversaries shall be confounded. And multiply (good Lord) we beseech thee, thy great goodness towards our gracious King, and his kingdoms, from this time forth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. A Prayer used by the Speaker of the Commons House of Parliament. I. O GOD, most great and glorious which dwellest in the Heavens over all, yet humblest thyself to behold the things that are done upon the earth: we, the people and sheep of thy pasture, assembled by thy providence, to the performance of this high service, whereupon, the honour of thy name, the beauty of thy Church amongst us, the glory of our King, and wealth of our State doth depend, knowing, that without thee, we can do nothing: do, at this time, with fear and reverence, in the beginning of our consultations, first look up unto thee (from whom wisdom and happy success doth come) praying thee, to look down from Heaven upon us with the eye of thy mercy; to draw near unto us with the presence of thy grace: to prepare us all with counsel and understanding; and to be precedent, and director of all our conferences: that those things may be propounded, conceived, allowed, and confirmed, which may best please thee, and most directly and sound uphold the honour of thy Name, the sincerity of thy worship; the safety of our King; and peace of thy people: even for thy Son our Lord's sake. And that we may not ourselves, be any hindrance to the obtaining of these our desires, either by means of any Sin formerly committed, or of any corruption yet remaining in us: we humbly pray thee, to forgive our sins, and blot out all our iniquities: and to stand reconciled unto us, in an everlasting covenant of peace, as if we had never sinned against thee. And, because our hearts by nature are not fit for good cogitations; create a new heart, and renew a right spirit in us: remove far from us all vainglorious humour, of commending our own wit; all covetous humour of advancing our private profit, all envious humour of disgracing other men's gifts; all malicious humour of hurting any man's person: and (finally) all froward humour of opposing ourselves, against just; needful, and godly things, by whomsoever propounded. Furnish us with knowledge, wisdom, and zeal by sending down thy spirit into our hearts, that we may understand, discern, prefer, and set forward all things tending to the advancement of thy glory, and such as may be thought worthy our assent and furtherance. And, because all good things are not of equal goodness, nor all needful things of equal necessity: let our care and zeal be equally proportioned to the degrees of things in goodness and necessity different. And therefore; first, make us careful of the glory of thy Name (which is the high end of all thy counsels and works, & aught to be the last end, and first respect of all our purposes and do.) And therein, let our especial care be, to provide for the continuance of thy word, and religious practice of thy worship, by the ministry and means that Christ hath planted in his Church: next, let the good of this whole Island move our care and zeal; which consisting in the safety and honour of the King, and the enacting and executing of good laws; let us be wisely careful, and faithfully zealous for the person of our King, whom thou the King of King's haste in mercy set over us. And because no Law can be good, that is not agreeable to thy law, which containeth the fundamental equity of all laws: in making laws to govern thy people, let us always have an eye unto thy law: not digressing from the holy equity thereof: and what through thy mercy, we shall here profitably enact: we pray thee, through the whole Kingdom it may be truly executed, that our great labour may not be disgraced with little fruit. And forasmuch as we all and every one of us have, in this place, with wonder and astonishment, and without any merit of ours, found a most evident assurance of thy mercy and goodness, in a miraculous deliverance from the greatest danger, by popish treachery that ever was attempted or threatened, towards our King, our State and Us: give us (good Lord) hearts above the hearts of men, to offer unto thee in the same place, a daily sacrifice of thanksgiving in the highest measure; together with a fervent and incessant zeal, care, and diligence in all our proceed, for the settling of the peace and happy estate of thy Church amongst us: the preservation of our King; his royal progeny; ourselves, and our posterity: and for the preventing, suppressing, and final rooting out of the spring, issue, and fruit of all such hellish and popish hearts, intentions, and practices: to the everlasting praise and glory of thy blessed name. Hear us, we pray thee (O Father of mercy) in these our most humble and needful petitions: forgive and answer us, according to thy fatherly and great goodness, for Jesus Christ his sake, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, three persons, and one God, be all praise, glory, and power, now, and for ever, Amen. A Prayer for the Parliament, used also in the House. II. ALmighty God, which by thy holy Prophet David art most truly said to stand in the congregation of Princes, and givest judgement in the midst of the mighty men of the world, and through whose authority Princes do reign, Lawmakers do discern just things, Lords bear rule, and all Judges of the earth execute judgement, and for that cometh of thee all counsel and equity, all understanding and strength: grant unto us here gathered together in thy name, that wisdom which is always assistant to thy seat, to give knowledge to our feeble and ignorant minds. Send down (we beseech thee) the same wisdom out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy majesty, that it may be now with us, and labour with us, whereby we surely knowing what is acceptable unto thee, may be led through it to the debating, weighing, and final determining of those matters, by the which thy blessed Name may be glorified, thy Catholic Church of England confirmed and increased, the King's assurance established, the common tranquillity of this Realm safely maintained, and last of all, all estates and people thereof, in true obedience and charity united and knit together. Grant this, O God, for thy only Son's sake Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. The Ancient manner of ORDINATION, In the CHURCH of ENGLAND. Received and observed by the most Eminent Divines since the Reformation. The prudence and excellency of which constitution, these particulars following do demonstrate to any ingenuous and Reader. THere were four times in the year ordinarily appointed for it, Prayer and Fasting of the whole Church was to precede it, which times being known, the persons ordained might be the more assured of the benefit of it. There was to be a strict examination of the persons to be presented, both for their learning, virtuous, and godly conversation, and a great charge laid upon him that did present them, to take good heed they were apt and meet to exercise their Ministry duly to the honour of God, and the edifying of his Church; and a principal person of the Ministry (whose office it was) did affirm it publicly, that he had enquired of them, and examined them, and conceived them so to be. Upon the day of Ordination, both of Deacons, and those admitted unto the Ministry of Priesthood, (or Presbyters) there was to be a Sermon, declaring the duties and office of Ministers, the necessity of such orders in the Church, and how the people ought to esteem of them in their vocation. At the entrance into each, the people were asked if any of them knew any impediment or notable crime in any of them now presented, for the which they ought not to be admitted, and were desired in the name of God to come forth and declare it: and if any were objected, the person accused was not to be ordained until such time as he had fully cleared himself of it. The place where it was to be done, was in the face of the Church or congregation on the Lord's day, or some other day of public meeting; the manner of the Ordination as followeth. First for the Deacons. THey were first commended unto God by the prayer of the whole congregation; then some fitting portions out of holy Scripture were read before them, containing their duties, viz. 1 Tim. 3. from the 8. ver. to the end of the Chapter. Acts 6. from the 2. to the 8. After this the office of a Deacon was declared unto them, many serious questions asked them, some in matter of belief, as whether they did believe they had an inward call by the motion of the Holy Ghost, to take upon them that office and ministration; and that their outward was according to the will of Christ, that they did believe all the Canonical books of holy Scripture. Some in matter of practice, as whether they would frame their own lives and the lives of their families as examples unto others, and would reverently obey their Governors and superiors, harkening to their admonitions, etc. To these there were solemn engagements for them accordingly, in the presence of the congregation. The manner of Ordaining was thus, The Deacons being upon their knees, the Bishop laid his hands severally upon the head of each of them, saying, Take thou Authority to execute the office of a Deacon in the Church of God committed unto thee, In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen. Then was delivered to each of them the New Testament, saying, Take thou authority to read the Gospel in the Church of God, and to preach the same, if thou be thereto ordinarily commanded. And as an initiation of them, one of them by appointment did read a portion out of the Gospel that day. The oath of Supremacy administered unto each, and the seasonable and sitting prayers both before imposition of hands, and after, and that they were that day to receive the Communion, may be found in the book itself, of which is here intended only a summary; thus much for the inferior office of the Deacon, upon the experience and trial of whom in it for the space of a year, (except for reasonable causes it should be thought otherwise,) and being found faithful and diligent, they might be admitted unto the higher ministries in the Church, viz. unto the order of Priesthood or Presbyters, which followeth. The ordination of Presbyters. NOw secondly, for the manner of ordering of those admitted into the Ministry of Priesthood or Presbyters, it was thus; after the Sermon or exhortation, wherein their office and duty was to be shown unto them, they were solemnly presented by a principal person, for that end, the consent and approbatition of the people was asked in these words following. Good people, these be they whom we purpose, God willing, to receive this day unto the holy office of Priesthood, and after due examination, we find not to the contrary, but that they be lawfully called to their function and ministry, and that they be persons meet for the same: but yet if there be any of you which knoweth any impediment or notable crime of any of them, for the which he ought not to be received into this holy ministry, now in the name of God declare the same, etc. And if any were objected, the person was not to be ordained till he had cleared himself of it. Those that were to be ordained, were first commended (as before) unto God, by the prayers of the whole congregation, of which this was one, viz. That God, who is the giver of all good things, and by his holy spirit had appointed divers orders of Ministers in his Church, would be pleased mercifully to behold these his servants now called to that office, that he would replenish them, so with the truth of doctrine and innocency of life, that both by word and good example they might faithfully serve him in this office, to the glory of his name and profit of his Church or congregation, etc. After Prayer some select portions out of holy Scripture, containing their duties were read before them, viz. Acts 20. 17. to the 36. From Mileto Paul sent messengers to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church, etc. or 2 Tim. 3. 1. to the 8. If a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desires a worthy work, a Bishop must be blameless, etc. Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. containing the Apostles commission from our Saviour, or John 10. 11. to 17. chap. 20. 19 to 24. And then an Ancient Hymn said or sung, as may be seen more at large in the book of Ordination. These things premised, then followed the Ordination itself: first, a grave solid exhortation and admonition directed to the persons to be ordained, with divers serious questions and solemn engagements taken of them; and I conceive 'tis more profitable to have things of this nature punctually set down without any variation, whereby all come to be a like obliged, and each may have an often serious review of what was charged upon him, and engaged by him, then to have them left to the ordainers sudden transient expressions, which cannot be well called to mind by either, and for the same causes a set form of Prayer at these solemnities is the most prudent. The Exhortation given by the Bishop to the persons ordained. YOu have heard brethren, as well in your private examination, as in the exhortation, and in the holy lessons taken out of the Gospel, and of the writings of the Apostles, of what dignity, and of how great importance this office is (whereunto ye be called.) And now we exhort you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ to have in remembrance into how high a dignity, and to how chargeable an office ye be called, that is to say, the messengers, the watchmen, the pastors and the stewards of the Lord, to teach, to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lords family, to seek for Christ's sheep that be dispersed abroad, and for his children which be in the midst of this naughty world, to be saved through Christ for ever. Have always therefore printed in your remembrance, how great a treasure is committed to your charge: for they be the sheep of Christ, which he bought with his death, and for whom he shed his blood. The Church and congregation whom you must serve, is his spouse and his body. And if it shall chance the same Church, or any member thereof, to take any hurt or hindrance by reason of your negligence, ye know the greatness of the fault, and also of the horrible punishment which will ensue. Wherefore consider with yourselves the end of your ministry towards the children of God, towards the spouse and body of Christ, and see that you never cease your labour, your care and diligence, until you have done all that lieth in you, according to your bounden duty, to bring all such as are or shall be committed unto your charge, unto that agreement in faith and knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ, that there be no place left among you, either of error in religion, or for viciousness in life. Then, forasmuch as your office is both of so great excellency, and of so great difficulty, ye see with how great care and study ye ought to apply yourselves, as well that you may show yourselves kind to that Lord who hath placed you in so high a dignity, as also to beware that neither you yourselves offend, neither be occasion that other offend. Howbeit, ye cannot have a mind and a will thereto of yourselves, for that power and ability is given of God alone. Therefore ye see how ye ought and have need earnestly to pray for his holy Spirit. And seeing that you cannot by any other means compass the doing of so weighty a work pertaining to the salvation of man, but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of the holy Scripture, and with a life agreeable unto the same: ye perceive how studious ye ought to be in reading and in learning the Scriptures, and in framing the manners, both of yourselves, and of them that specially pertain unto you, according to the rule of the same Scriptures: and for this self same cause, ye see how ye ought to forsake and set aside (as much as you may) all worldly cares and studies. We have good hope, that you have well weighed and pondered these things with yourselves long before this time, and that you have clearly determined, by God's grace, to give yourselves wholly to this vocation, whereunto it hath pleased God to call you, so that (as much as lieth in you) you apply yourselves wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and studies this way, and to this end. And that you will continually pray for the heavenly assistance of the Holy Ghost from God the Father, by the mediation of our only mediator and Saviour Jesus Christ, that by daily reading and weighing of the Scriptures, ye may so wax riper and stronger in your ministry: and that ye may so endeavour yourselves from time to time, to sanctify the lives of you and yours, and to fashion them after the rule and doctrine of Christ: and that ye may be wholesome and godly examples and patterns for the rest of the Congregation to follow: and that this present congregation of Christ here assembled, may also understand your minds and wills in these things: and that this your promise shall more move you to do your duties, ye shall answer plainly to these things, which we in the name of the congregation shall demand of you touching the same. First demand. Do you think in your heart that you be truly called according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the order of this Church of England, to the ministry of Priesthood? Answer. I think it. Second demand. Be you persuaded that the holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you determined with the said Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to teach nothing (as required of necessity to eternal salvation) but that you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the Scripture? Answer. I am so persuaded, and have so determined by God's grace. Third demand. Will you then give your faithful diligence, always so to minister the doctrine and Sacraments, and the discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded, and as this realm hath received the same, according to the commandments of God, so that you may teach the people committed to your cure and charge, with all diligence to keep and observe the same. Answer. I will so do by the help of the Lord. Fourth demand. Will you be ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines, contrary to God's word, and to use both public and private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as to the whole, within your cures, as need shall require, and occasion be given? Answer. I will, the Lord being my helper. Fifth demand. Will you be diligent in prayers, and in reading of the holy Scriptures, and in such studies as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside the study of the world and the flesh? Answer. I will endeavour myself so to do, the Lord being my helper. Sixth demand. Will you be diligent to frame and fashion your own selves, and your families according to the doctrine of Christ, and to make both yourselves and them (as much as in you lieth) wholesome examples and spectacles to the flock of Christ? Answer. I will apply myself, the Lord being my helper. Seventh demand. Will you maintain and set forwards (as much as lieth in you) quietness, peace, and love among all Christian people, and specially among them that are, or shall be committed to your charge? Answer. I will so do, the Lord being my helper. vl demand. Will you reverently obey your Ordinary, and other chief Ministers, unto whom the government and charge is committed over you, following with a glad mind and will, their godly admonitions, and submitting yourselves to their godly judgements. Answer. I will so do, the Lord being my helper. Then the Bishop said. Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do all these things, grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same, that he may accomplish his work which he hath begun in you, until the time he shall come at the latter day to judge the quick and the dead. After this exhortation and these demands, the Congregation was desired secretly in their prayers to make humble supplications to God for the v things, viz. that the persons might have grace to perform what they had promised and had been exhorted unto, for the which, there was a certain space kept in silence. And then the Bishop prayed in this wise. ALmighty God, and Heavenly Father, which of thine infinite love and goodness towards us, hast given to us thy only and most dear beloved Son Jesus Christ to be our redeemer, and author of everlasting life, who after he had made perfect our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent abroad into the world his Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Doctors, and Pastors, by whose labour and ministry, he gathered together a great flock in all the parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of thy holy Name. For these so great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants here present, to the same office and ministry of salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks, we worship and praise thee, and we humbly beseech thee, by the same thy Son, to grant unto all, which either here, or elsewhere call upon thy Name, that we may show ourselves thankful to thee for these and all other thy benefits, and that we may daily increase and go forwards, in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the holy Spirit. So that a● well by these thy Ministers, as by t●em to whom they shall be appointed Ministers, thy holy Name may be always glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through the same thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, which liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same holy Spirit, world without end, Amen. After this prayer the Bishop with the Ministers present did lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that received orders, the receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and the Bishop in the name of the rest of the Ministers assisting him in it, did say▪ * The sense of these words, and the fitness of the use of them here upon this occasion, see the late arch. Bishop of Armaghs' judgement as the neglect in that ordination which gives no power or authority, either in these words, or any other, to the likesense. Ordinat of Presby. ters, p. 136. Receive the holy Ghost: whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven: and whose sins thou dost retain, they are retained: and be thou a faithful dispenser of the word of God, and of his holy Sacraments. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, Amen. Then was delivered to every one of them the Bible in his hand, the Bishop saying, Take thou authority to preach the word of God, and to minister the holy Sacraments in the Congregation, where thou shalt be so appointed. After this was done there was a prayer that the Lord would send upon those persons thus ordained, his heavenly blessing, that they might be clad about with all justice, and that his word spoken by their mouths, may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain, and that the people committed to their charge may have grace to hear, and receive the same as his most holy word and the means of their salvation, and that in all their words and deeds they may seek his glory, and the increase of his kingdom, etc. And it was also ordered that there should be a Communion, and that all that were ordained, should receive it together with the ordainers, and to remain in the same place where hands were laid upon them till they had received the Communion. Now thus weighing and well considering the whole proceed of this constitution. Let any moderate prudent person judge, if there were any just cause to have laid it wholly aside, but that upon second thoughts there is more cause it were restored to the general satisfaction both of people and Ministry. And for the form of Consecrating a Bishop, it was very grave and Solemn, the substance of which was as followeth. THe person Elected to that office was commended accordingly to God by the prayers of the Congregation, that he might have grace duly to execute the office whereunto he is called to the edifying of the Church, and to the honour and glory of his name. Wherein the principal prayer is the same which was used in the ordaining of Priests or Presbyters, with this difference, in the former, thus, behold this thy servant now called to the office of Priesthood, and in this, called to the work and Ministry of a Bishop. The portions read out of holy Scripture are the same also, as 1 Tim. 3. 1. to vers. 8. John. 10. 1. to vers. 17. only a third added John. 21, 15. to vers. 18. The Bishop Elected was presented by two Bishops, as a godly and well learned man to be consecrated accordingly, divers solemn engagements were demanded, viz. for the reading of the Scriptures, prayers, preaching, the withstanding of false doctrines, an exemplary godly li●e, maintaining of peace and quietness, correcting of the unquiet, to be gentle, merciful and charitable to the poor and needy, etc. As may be seen more at large in the Book. Then the prayer before, imposition of hands was this. ALmighty God, and most merciful Father, which of thine infinite goodness hast given thy only and most dea● beloved Son Jesus Christ ●o be our Redeemer and Author of everlasting life, who after that he had made perfect our Redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, poured down his gifts abundantly upon men, making some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Pastors and Doctors, to the edifying and making perfect his Congregation: grant, we beseech thee, to this thy servant such grace, that he may evermore be ready to spread abroad thy Gospel, and glad tidings of reconcilement to God, and to use the authority given unto him, not to destroy, but to save, not to hurt, but to help: so that he, as a wise and faithful servant giving to thy family meat in due season, may at the last be received into joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee, and the holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God world without end, Amen. Then the Archbishop and Bishops present, laid their hands upon the head of the Elected Bishop, saying, Take the holy Ghost, and remember that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee, by imposition of hands: for God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and soberness. Then the Archbishop delivereth to him, the Bible saying, Give heed unto reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon these things contained in this book. Be diligent in them, that the increase coming thereby, may be manifest unto all men. Take heed unto thyself, and unto teaching, and be diligent in doing them: for by doing this thou shalt save thyself, and them that hear thee. Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf: feed them, devour them not: hold up the weak, heal the sick, bind together the broken, bring again the outcasts, seek the lost, be so merciful, that ye be not too too remiss: so minister discipline, that you forget not mercy, that when the chief Shepherd shall come, ye may receive the immarcescible crown of glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Lastly there was a Communion and the new consecrated Bishop, did communicate with the rest. When there was one special prayer conceived for him as followeth. MOst merciful Father, we beseech thee, to send down upon this thy servant thy heavenly blessing, and so endue him with thy holy Spirit, that he preaching thy word, may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech, and rebuke, with all patience and doctrine, but also may be, to such as believe, an wholesome example, in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in chastity, and purity: that faithfully fulfilling his course, at the latter day he may receive the crown of righteousness laid up by the Lord the righteous Judge, who liveth and reigneth, one God with the Father and the holy Ghost, world without end, Amen. Whereby it is evident if there were any negligence in the Bishop in preaching or other labours, in the work of the Ministry, the constitution was not defective in the exhortations of him, and prayers for him accordingly, nay it rather lays more upon him, than it doth upon the Presbyters. To conclude, let the Reader take a view of the thirty sixth Article of religion of the Church of England, and let him judge if they had not very good cause to approve as they there do this book of ordination, and to declare that all such as have been, or shall be ordered accordingly, to be rightly and lawfully ordered, and whether it had not been much better, upon the disputes concerning it, to have had some moderate accommodation, than a total suppression of it. The Lord give us moderate spirits, and a right understanding in all things. ARTICLES AGREED UPON By the ARCH-BISHOPS and BISHOPS of both Provinces, and the whole CLERGY; In the Convocation holden at LONDON, in the year 1562. For the avoiding of diversities of opinions, and for the establishing of Consent touching true RELIGION. THE TABLE. 1 OF faith in the Trinity. 2 Of Christ the Son of God. 3 Of his going down into hell. 4 Of his Resurrection. 5 Of the Holy Ghost. 6 Of the sufficiency of the Scripture. 7 Of the old Testament. 8 Of the three Creeds. 9 Of the Original sin. 10 Of freewill. 11 Of justification. 12 Of good works. 13 Of works before justification. 14 Of works of supererogation. 15 Of Christ alone without sin. 16 Of sin after Baptism. 17 Of Predestination and Election. 18 Of obtaining salvation by Christ. 19 Of the Church. 20 Of the authority of the Church. 21 Of the authority of the general counsels. 22 Of Purgatory. 23 Of ministering in the congregation. 24 Of speaking in the congregation. 25 Of the Sacraments. 26 Of the unworthiness of the Ministers. 27 Of Baptism. 28 Of the Lord's Supper. 29 Of the wicked which eat not the body of Christ. 30 Of both kinds. 31 Of Christ's one oblation. 32 Of the marriage of Priests. 33 Of excommunicate persons. 34 Of Traditions of the Church. 35 Of Homilies. 36 Of consecration of Ministers. 37 Of civil Magistrates. 38 Of Christian men's goods. 39 Of a Christian man's oath. 40 Of the Ratification. ARTICLES OF RELIGION. I. Of Faith in the holy Trinity. THere is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, the maker and preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. II. Of the Word or Son of God, which was made very man. THe Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and eternal God of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manh●●d were joined together in one person, neve● to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men. III. Of the going down of Christ into Hell. AS Christ died for us, and was buried: so also is it to be believed, that he went down into Hell. iv Of the Resurrection of Christ. CHrist did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to judge all men at the last day. V Of the Holy Ghost. THe Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, Majesty and Glory, with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God. VI Of the sufficientcy of the holy Scriptures for salvation. HOly Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an Article of the faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the holy Scripture, we do understand those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church. Of the names and numbers of the Canonical BOOKS. GEnesis. Exodus. Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomium. Joshue. Judges. Ruth. The 1. Book of Samuel. The 2. Book of Samuel. The 1. Book of Kings. The 2. Book of Kings. The 1. Book of Chronicles The 2. Book of Chronicles The 1. Book of Esdras. The 2. Book of Esdras. The Book of Hester. The Book of Job. The Psalms. The Proverbs. Ecclesiastes, or Preacher. Cantica, or songs of Solo. 4. Prophets the greater. 12. Prophets the less. And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine, such are these following. The 3. Book of Esdras. The 4. Book of Esdras. The Book of Tobias. The Book of Judeth. The rest of the Book of Hester. The Book of Wisdom. Jesus the son of Sirach. Baruch the Prophet. The song of the three Children. The Story of Susanna. Of Bell and the Dragon. The prayer of Manasses. The 1. book of Maccabees The 2. book of Maccahees All the books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and account them Canonical. VI Of the Old Testament. THe old Testament is not contrary to the new, for both in the old and new Testament, everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, being both God and man. Wherefore they are not to be heard, which feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses, as touching Ceremonies and Rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any Common wealth: yet notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments, which are called moral. VIII. Of the three Creeds. THe three Creeds, Nice Creed, Athanasius Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostles Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed: for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture. IX. Of original birth or sin. ORiginal sin standeth not in the following of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk) but it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit, and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated, whereby the lust of the flesh, called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh, is not subject to the law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptised, yet the Apostle doth confess, that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin. X. Of freewill. THe condition of man after the fall of Adam, is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself by his own natural strength and good works to faith and calling upon God: wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will. XI. Of the Justification of man. WE are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification. XII. Of good works. ALbeit that good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God's judgement, yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith, in so much that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known, as a tree discerned by the fruit. XIII. Of works before Justification. WOrks done before the grace of Christ, and the inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ, neither do they make men meet to receive grace, (or as the School-authors say) deserve grace of congruity: yea, rather for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin. XIV. Of works of supererogation. VOluntary works besides, over and above God's commandments, which they call works of supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety. For by them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake then of bounden duty is required: whereas Christ saith plainly, when ye have done all that are commanded to you, say, we are unprofitable servants. XV. Of Christ alone without sin. CHrist in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things (sin only except) from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in his spirit. He came to be a Lamb without spot, who by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world: and sin (as St. John saith) was not in him. But all we the rest (although baptised, and born again in Christ) yet offend in many things, and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. XVI. Of sin after Baptism. NOw every deadly sin willingly committed after Baptism is sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may departed from grace given, and fall into sin, and by the grace of God (we may) arise again, and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned, which say they can no more sin as long as they live here, to deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent. XVII. Of Predestination and Election. PRedestination to life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel, secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. Wherefore they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God, be called according to God's purpose by his Spirit working in due season: they through grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the Image of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length by God's mercy they attain to everlasting felicity. As the godly consideration of Predestination and our Election in Christ is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the spirit of Christ mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation, to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: so for curious and carnal persons, lacking the spirit of Christ, to have continually before their eyes the sentence of God's predestination, is a most dangerous downfall, whereby the Devil doth thrust them either into desperation, or into wretchlesness of most unclean living, no less perilous than desperation. Furthermore, we must receive God's promises in such wise as they be generally set forth to us in holy Scripture: and in our do that will of God is to be followed, which we have expressly declared unto us in the word of God. XVIII. Of obtaining eternal salvation only by the Name of Christ. THey also are to be had accursed, that presume to say that every man shall be saved by the law or sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that law, and the light of nature. For holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the name of Jesus Christ whereby men must be saved. XIX. Of the Church. THe visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered, according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same. As the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch have erred: so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of ceremonies, but also in matters of faith. XX. Of the authority of the Church. THe Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in controversies of faith: and yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God's word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore although the Church be a witness and a keeper of holy Writ, yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation. XXI. Of the authority of general Counsels. GEneral Counsels may not be gathered together without the commandment and will of princes. And when they be gathered together (forasmuch as they be an assembly of men, whereof all be not governed with the spirit and word of God) they may err, and sometime have erred, even in things pertaining unto God. wherefore things ordained by them as necessary to salvation, have neither strength nor authority, unless it may be declared that they be taken out of holy Scripture. XXII. Of Purgatory. THe Romish doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, worshipping and adoration, as well of Jmages, as of Relics, and also invocation of Saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the word of God. XXIII. Of ministering in the congregation. It is not lawful for any man to take upon him the office of public preaching, or ministering the Sacraments in the Congregation, before he be lawfully called, and sent to execute the same. And those we ought to judge lawfully called and sent, which be chosen and called to this work by men, who have public authority given unto them in the Congregation, to call and send Ministers into the Lord's vineyard. XXIV. Of speaking in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people understandeth. IT is a thing plainly repugnant to the word of God, and the custom of the Primitive Church, to have public prayer in the Church, or to minister the Sacraments in a tongue not understanded of the people. XXV. Of the Sacraments. SAcraments ordained of Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian men's profession: but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace and Gods good will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him. There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism, and the supper of the Lord. Those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have grown, partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures: but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lords Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God. The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about, but that we should duly use them And in such only, as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation: but they that receive them unworthily purchase to themselves damnation, as S. Paul saith. XXVI. Of the unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinder not the effect of the Sacraments. ALthough in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the word and Sacraments: yet forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name, but in Christ's, and do minister by his commission and authority, we may use their ministry both in hearing the word of God, and in the receiving of the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from such, as by faith, and rightly do receive the Sacraments ministered unto them, which be effectual, because of Christ's institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil men. Nevertheless, it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church, that enquiry be made of evil Ministers, and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences: and finally being found guilty, by just judgement be deposed. XXVII. Of Baptism. Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not Christened: but it is also a sign of Regeneration or new birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church: the promises of the forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God, by the holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed: faith is confirmed, and grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptism of young children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ. XXVIII. Of the Lord's Supper. THe Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another: but rather it is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death. Insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, the bread which we break, is a partaking of the body of Christ: and likewise the Cup of blessing is a partaking of th● blood of Christ. Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of Bread and wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by holy writ: but it is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions. The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is Faith. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped. XXIX. Of the wicked which eat not the body of Christ in the use of the Lords Supper. THe wicked, and such as be void of a lively faith, although they do carnally and visibly press with their teeth (as S. Augustine saith) the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ: yet in no wise are they partakers of Christ, but rather to their condemnation do eat and drink the sign or Sacrament of so great a thing. XXX. Of both kinds. THe Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the Lay-people. For both the parts of the Lords Sacrament, by Christ's ordinance and commandment, aught to be ministered to all Christian men alike. XXXI. Of the one oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross. THe offering of Christ once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual, and there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifices of Masses, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits. XXXII. Of the marriage of Priests. BIshops, Priests, and Deacons, are not commanded by God's law, either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage: Therefore it is lawful also for them, as for all other Christian men, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve better to godliness. XXXIII. Of excommunicate persons, how they are to be avoided. THat person which by open denunciation of the Church, is rightly cut off from the unity of the Church, and excommunicated, aught to be taken of the whole multitude of the faithful as an Heathen and Publican, until he be openly reconciled by Penance, and received into the Church by a Judge that hath authority thereto. XXXIV. Of the traditions of the Church. IT is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly like, for at all times they have been divers, and may be changed according to the diversity of countries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's word. Whosoever through his private judgement, willingly and purposely doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, aught to be rebuked openly, (that other may fear to do the like) as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate, and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren. Every particular or national Church, hath authority to ordain, change, and abolish Ceremonies or Rites of the Church, ordained only by man's authority, so that all things be done to edifying. XXXV. Of Homilies. THe second Book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we have joined under this Article, doth contain a godly and wholesome Doctrine, and necessary for these times, as doth the former book of Homilies, which were set forth in the time of Edward the sixth: and therefore we judge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers diligently and distinctly, that they may be understanded of the people. ¶ Of the names of the Homilies. 1 OF the right use of the Church. 2 Against peril of Idolatry. 3 Of the repairing and keeping clean of Churches 4 Of good works, first of Fasting. 5 Against gluttony and drunkenness. 6 Against excess of apparel. 7 Of prayer. 8 Of the place and time of Prayer. 9 That common Prayers and Sacraments ought to be ministered in a known tongue. 10 Of the reverend estimation of God's word. 11 Of alms-doing. 12 Of the Nativity of Christ. 13 Of the Passion of Christ. 14 Of the Resurrection of Christ. 15 Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. 16 Of the gifts of the holy Ghost. 17 For the Rogation days. 18 Of the state of Matrimony. 19 Of Repentance. 20 Against Idleness. 21 Against rebellion. XXXVI. Of consecration of Bishops and Ministers. THe book of Consecration of Archbishops, and Bishops, and ordering of Priests, and Deacons, lately set forth in the time of Edward the sixth, and confirmed at the same time by authority of Parliament, doth contain all things necessary to such Consecration and ordering: neither hath it any thing that of itself is superstitious and ungodly. And therefore, whosoever are consecrated or ordered according to the Rites of that book, since the second year of the afore-named King Edward, unto this time, or hereafter shall be consecrated, or ordered according to the same Rites, we decree all such to be rightly, orderly, and lawfully consecrated and ordered. XXXVII. Of the civil Magistrates. THe Queen's Majesty hath the chief power in this Realm of England, and other her Dominions, unto whom the chief government of all estates of this Realm, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil, in all causes doth appertain, and is not, nor aught to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction. Where we attribute to the Queen's Majesty the chief government, by which Titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended, we give not to our Princes the ministering, either of God's word, or of the Sacraments, the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testify: but that only prerogative which we see to have been given always to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself, that is, that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evil doers. The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England. The Laws of the Realm may punish Christian men with death, for heinous and grievous offences. It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the Magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars. XXXVIII. Of Christian men's goods, which are not common. THe riches and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability. XXXIX. Of a Christian man's oath. AS we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and james his Apostle, So we judge that Christian Religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the Magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the Prophets teaching▪ in justice, judgement and truth. LX. The Ratification. THis Book of Articles before rehearsed, is again approved, and allowed to be holden and executed within the Realm, by the assent and consent of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England, France and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, etc. Which Articles were deliberately read, and confirmed again by the subscription of the hand of the Archbishop and Bishops of the upper House, and by the subscription of the whole Clergy in the neither House in their Convocation, in the year of our Lord God, 1571. THE END. Books Newly Printed. Ecclesiae Anglicanae Suspiria. The tears, sighs, complaints and prayers of the Church of England in four Books by J. Gauden D. D. Folio. The Refuter Refuted or Dr. Hammonds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 defended by a third person, 4.