Metrical Psalms and Hymns. the Puritans, and was bound up with the Prayer Books, and often with the Bibles. In 1643 another version by Rous was recommended by the Presbyterians. In 1644 Barton published another, by authority of Parliament. The first edition of the Scottish Metrical Version of the Psalms appeared in 1651, formed from the versions of Barton and Rous, wherever it was well executed.1 The 'New Version,' intended to remedy the ruggedness of metre of the The New old versifiers, was the joint production of two Irishmen, in the reign of William and Mary, Dr. Nicholas Brady, chaplain to their Majesties, and Nahum Tate, or Teat, the poet-laureat. This was licensed by King William in 1696. Custom has now sanctioned the use of Hymns, without the necessity of obtaining a royal licence, or any privilege for a particular book. The proposal has often been made, however, that a Hymnal should be authorized by Convocation. But the general feeling is in favour of at least this measure of liberty, and that the selection of a Hymn Book may be allowed to each congregation. 1 Lathbury, Hist. of Prayer Book, pp. 313 sq. Version: Hymns. CHAPTER I. THE ORDER FOR DAILY MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER. SECT. I.-The Offices of Matins and Evensong from the Sarum Breviary. OUR Order of Daily Prayer is chiefly formed from the corresponding Offices of the Sarum Breviary:1 the Morning Prayer from those of Matins, Lauds, and Prime; and the Evening Prayer from those of Vespers and Compline. Previously to the Reformation, these Offices had been so arranged that, with the nominal distinction of the ancient seven hours of prayer, the actual Public Worship consisted of the two Services, Morning and Afternoon,2 the High Mass forming a third or principal Service towards midday. To show in the most convenient way the origin of this part of our Book of Common Prayer, the Morning and Evening Offices for the first Sunday in Advent are given as examples of the Service used in the Church of England befc. the Reformation. 1 The Daily Offices of the Western Church most probably owe their origin to early Eastern formularies. See Freeman, Principles of Divine Service, I. p. 152. 2 This was the custom of the earliest age, and down to about the fourth century.—Ib. p. 149. In the Greek Church, with eight canonical hours, prayers are for the most part said three times daily: Matins, Lauds, and Prime, by aggregation, early in the morning; Tierce, Sext, and the Liturgy, later; Nones, Vespers, and Compline, by aggregation, in the evening.-7, p. 150. |