Act of uni

the 13 & 14

C. 2.

is not the same with that which the aforesaid canons do refer to ; so that so far forth the said canons as to this matter are not now in force.

6. In the preface to the book of common prayer, concerning formity of the service of the church, (which was also nearly the same in the 2d and in the 5th of Ed. 6.)-There was never any thing by the wit of man so well devised, or so sure established, which in continuance of time hath not been corrupted; as among other things, it may plainly appear by the common prayers in the church, commonly called divine service. The first original and ground whereof, if a man would search out by the ancient fathers, he shall find that the same was not ordained but of a good purpose, and for a great advancement of godliness. For they so ordered the matter, that all the whole Bible (or the greatest part thereof) should be read over once every year; intending thereby, that the clergy, and especially such as were ministers in the congregation, should by often reading and meditation in God's word be stirred up to godliness themselves, and be more able to exhort others by wholesome doctrine, and to confute them that were adversaries to the truth; and further, that the people, by daily hearing of holy scripture read in the church, might continually profit more and more in the knowledge of God, and be the more inflamed with the love of his true religion.

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But these many years passed, this godly and decent order of the ancient fathers hath been so altered, broken, and neglected, by planting in uncertain stories and legends, with multitude of responds, verses, vain repetitions, commemorations, and synodals; that commonly when any book of the Bible was begun, after three or four chapters were read out, all the rest were unread. And in this sort the book of Isaiah was begun in advent, and the book of Genesis in septuagesima; but they were only begun, and never read through: after like sort were other books of holy scripture used. And moreover, whereas St. Paul would have such language spoken to the people in the church, as they might understand and have profit by hearing the same; the service in this church of England these many years hath been read in Latin to the people, which they understand not; so that they have heard with their ears only, and their heart, spirit, and mind have not been edified thereby. And furthermore, notwithstanding that the ancient fathers have divided the psalms into seven portions, whereof every one was called a nocturn; now of late time, a few of them have been daily said, and the rest utterly omitted. Moreover, the number and hardness of the rules called the pie, and the manifold changings of the service, was the cause that to turn to the book only was so hard and intricate a matter, that

many times there was more business to find out what should be read, than to read it when it was found out.

These inconveniences therefore considered, here is set forth such an order, whereby the same may be redressed. And for a readiness in this matter, here is drawn out a kalendar for that purpose, which is plain and easy to be understood; whereof (so much as may be) the reading of holy scripture is so set forth, that all things shall be done in order, without breaking one piece from another. For this cause be cut off anthems, responds, invitatories, and such like things, as did break the continual course of the reading of the scripture.

Yet because there is no remedy, but that of necessity there must be some rules, therefore certain rules are here set forth which as they are few in number, so they are plain and easy to be understood. So that here you have an order for prayer, and for the reading of the holy scripture, much agreeable to the mind and purpose of the old fathers, and a great deal more profitable and commodious, than that which of late was used. It is more profitable, because here are left out many things, whereof some are untrue, some uncertain, some vain and superstitious, and nothing is ordained to be read but the very pure word of God, [245 ] the holy scriptures, or that which is agreeable to the same; and that in such a language and order as is most easy and plain for the understanding both of the readers and hearers. It is also more commodious, both for the shortness thereof and for the plainness of the order, and for that the rules be few and easy.

And forasmuch as nothing can be so plainly set forth, but doubts may arise in the use and practice of the same; to appease all such diversity (if any arise), and for the resolution of all doubts concerning the manner how to understand, do, and execute the things contained in this book, the parties that so doubt, or diversely take any thing, shall alway resort to the bishop of the diocese, who by his discretion shall take order for the quieting and appeasing of the same; so that the same order be not contrary to any thing contained in this book. And if the bishop of the diocese be in doubt, he may send for the resolution thereof to the archbishop.

And although it be appointed, that all things shall be read and sung in the church in the English tongue, to the end that the congregation may be thereby edified; yet it is not meant, but that when men say morning and evening prayer privately, they may say the same in any language that they themselves do understand.

Stories and legends] That is, concerning the lives of the saints; of whom there being such a number in the church of Rome, few days are free from the stories and legends they relate of them. Gibs. 263.

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Respond] 'A short anthem sung, after reading three or four verses of a chapter; after which, the chapter proceeds. Gibs. 263. Commemorations] The service of a lesser holiday falling in with a greater. Id.

Synodals] Constitutions made in provincial or diocesan synods, and published in the parish churches. Id.

Nocturn] So called from the ancient christians rising in the night to perform them. Id.

Pie] A table to find out the service belonging to each day; which becomes very difficult, by the coincidence of many offices on the same day. Id.

Invitatories] Some text of scripture, adapted and chosen for the occasion of the day, and used before the venite; which also itself is called the invitatory psalm. Id.

In the English tongue] By Art. 24. It is a thing plainly repugnant to the word of God, and the custom of the primitive church, to have publick prayer in the church, or to minister the sacraments, in a tongue not understanded of the people.

And by the 2 & 3 Ed. 6. c. 1. it is provided, that it shall be lawful to any man that understandeth the Greek, Latin, and Hebrew tongue, or other strange tongue, to say and have the prayers of mattens and evensong in Latin or any such other tongue, saying the same privately, as they do understand. § 5.

And for the encouragement of learning in the tongues, in the universities of Cambridge and Oxford, it shall be lawful to use and exercise in their common and open prayer in their chapels (being no parish churches) or other places of prayer, the mattens, evensong, litany, and all other prayers (the holy communion, commonly called the mass, excepted) prescribed in the said book, in Greek, Latin or Hebrew. $6.

And by the 13 & 14 C. 2. c. 4. it is provided, that it shall be lawful to use the morning and evening prayer, and all other prayers and service prescribed in and by the said book, in the chapels or other public places of the respective colleges and halls in both the universities, in the colleges of Westminster, Winchester, and Eton, and in the convocations of the clergies of either province, in Latin. § 18.

And by the same statute, the bishops of Hereford, St. David's, Asaph, Bangor, and Llandaff, and their successors, shall take order that the said book be translated into the British or Welsh tongue, to be used in Wales where the Welsh tongue is commonly used; and at the same time an English book shall be had there likewise, that such as understand the same may have recourse thereunto, and such as do not understand the same may by conferring both tongues together the sooner attain to the knowledge of the English tongue. § 27.

And by the 5 El. c. 28. The bishops are in like manner re

quired to cause the Old and New Testament to be translated in to Welsh, and to have one English and one Welsh copy in every such respective place.

By the 13 & 14 C. 2. c. 4. (which is the last act of uniformity) it is enacted as follows: Whereas by the neglect of ministers in using the order of common prayer during the time of the late troubles, great mischiefs and inconveniences have arisen; for the prevention thereof in time to come, and for settling the peace of the church, the king (according to his declaration of the five and twentieth of October 1660) granted his commission under the great seal, to several bishops and other divines, to review the book of common prayer, and to prepare such alterations and additions as they thought fit to offer: And afterwards the convoca- [247] tions of both the provinces being by his majesty called and assembled, his majesty hath been pleased to authorize and require the presidents of the said convocation, and other the bishops and clergy of the same, to review the said book of common prayer, and the book of the form and manner of the making and consecrating of bishops, priests, and deacons; and that after mature consideration, they should make such additions and alterations in the said books respectively, as to them should seem meet and convenient, and should exhibit and present the same to his majesty in writing, for his further allowance or confirmation: since which time, they the said presidents, bishops, and clergy of both provinces have accordingly reviewed the said books, and have made some alterations to the same which they think fit to be inserted, and some additional prayers to the said book of common prayer to be used upon proper and emergent occasions; and have exhibited and presented the same unto his majesty in writing in one book, intitled The book of common prayer and administration of the sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the church, according to the use of the church of England; together with the psalter or psalms of David, appointed as they are to be sung or said in churches; and the form and manner of making, ordaining, and consecrating of bishops, priests, and deacons. All which his majesty having duly considered, hath fully approved and allowed the same, and recommended to this present parliament, that the said books of common prayer, and of the form of ordination and consecration of bishops, priests, and deacons, with the alterations and additions which have been so made and presented to his majesty by the said convocations, be the book which shall be appointed to be used by all that officiate in all cathedral and collegiate churches and chapels, and in all chapels of colleges and halls in both the universities, and the colleges of Eton and Winchester, and in all parish churches and chapels throughout the kingdom, and by all that make or consecrate bishops, priests,

21

or deacons in any of the said places, under such sanctions and and penalties as the houses of parliament shall think fit. § 1.

Now in regard that nothing conduceth more to the settling of the peace of the nation, nor to the honour of our religion and the propagation thereof, than an universal agreement in the public worship of God; and to the intent that every person within this realm may certainly know the rule to which he is to conform, in public worship and administration of sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the church of England, and the manner how, and by whom bishops, priests, and deacons are and ought to be made, ordained, and consecrated; be it enacted by the king's [248] most excellent majesty, by the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and of the commons, in this present parliament assembled, That all and singular ministers in any cathedral, collegiate, or parish church or chapel, or other place of public worship, shall be bound to say and use the morning prayer, evening prayer, celebration and administration of both the sacraments, and all other the public and common prayer, in such order and form as is mentioned in the said book, intitled as aforesaid, and annexed and joined to this present act; and that the morning and evening prayers therein contained, shall upon every Lord's day and upon all other days and occasions, and at the times therein appointed, be openly and solemnly read by all and every minister or curate, in every church, chapel, or other place of public worship as aforesaid. § 2.

Granted his commission under the great seal] Which bore date March 25. 1661, and was directed to twelve bishops and twelve presbyterian divines: with nine assistants on each side, to supply the places of the principals, when they should be occasionally absent. In virtue of which commission, the commissioners met frequently at the Savoy, and disputations were held, but nothing concluded. Gibs. 275.

Or other place of public worship] By the 22 G. 2. c. 33. All commanders, captains, and officers at sea, shall cause the public worship of Almighty God, according to the liturgy of the church of England, to be performed in their respective ships; and prayers and preachings by the chaplains shall be performed diligently. Art. 1.

And by the rubrick before the service at sea : The morning and evening service to be used daily at sea, shall be the same which is appointed in the book of common prayer.

Pro

In such order and form as is mentioned in the said book] vided, that in all those prayers, litanies, and collects, which do any way relate to the king, queen, or royal progeny, the names be altered and changed from time to time, and fitted to the present occasion, according to the direction of lawful authority.