THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK. ii. A Table and Kalendar for Psalms and Lessons, with necessary rules iii. The Order for Matins and Evensong, throughout the year. iv. The Introits, Collects, Epistles and Gospels, to be used at the celebration of the Lord's Supper and holy Communion through the year, with proper Psalms and Lessons, for divers feasts and v. The Supper of the Lord and holy Communion, commonly called vii. Of Baptism, both public and private. viii. Of Confirmation, where also is a Catechism for children. xiii. A declaration of Scripture, with certain prayers to be used the first day of Lent, commonly called Ashwednesday. xiv. Of Ceremonies omitted or retained d. xv. Certain notes for the more plain explication and decent ministra- 6. The Order how the rest of the holy Scripture is appointed to be read. 7. A Table of proper Lessons and Psalms. 8. Tables and Rules for the Feasts and 9. The Calendar, with the Table of 10. The Order for Morning Prayer. 11. The Order for Evening Prayer. 12. The Creed of S. Athanasius. 14. Prayers and Thanksgivings upon seve- 15. The Collects, Epistles, and Gospels, to be used at the Ministration of the holy Communion, throughout the Year. 16. The Order of the Ministration of the 17. The Order of Baptism both Publick 18. The Order of Baptism for those of 23. Thanksgiving for Women after Child- 24. A Commination, or denouncing of Notes," &c., will be found printed on This is the same as that of Elizabeth, but it is followed by a Proclamation. THE PREFACE. THERE was never any thing by the wit of man so well devised, or so surely 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 in the year 1, intending thereby, that the Clergy, and specially such as were Ministers of the congregation, should (by often reading and meditation of God's word) be stirred up to godliness themselves, and be more able also to exhort other 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) should continually profit more and more in the knowledge of God, and be the more inflamed with the love of his true religion. But these many years passed, this godly and decent order of the ancient fathers hath bee[n] so altered, broken, and neglected, by planting in uncertain stories, Legends, Responds P, Verses, vain repetitions, Commemorations, and Synodals, that commonly when any book of the Bible was begun, before a three or four chapters were read out, all the rest were unread. And in this sort, the book of Esaie was begun in Advent, and the book of Genesis in Septuagesima: but they were only begun, and never read through. a of the Greek and Latin Churches. This was done, as for other great causes, so likewise for retaining an uniformity in God's worship; thing most beseeming them that are of one and the same profession. For by the Form that is kept in the outward worship of God, men commonly judge of Religion. If in that there be a diversity, straight they are apt to conceive the religion to be diverse. Wherefore it were to be wished, that the whole Church of Christ were one as well in form of Public Worship, as in doctrine: and that as it hath but one Lord, and one faith, so it had but one heart, and one mouth. This would prevent many schisms and divisions, and serve much to the preserving of unity. But since that cannot be hoped for in the whole Catholic Christian Church; yet, at least, in the Churches that are under the Charles II. 1662. AN ACT FOR THE UNIFORMITY OF [The same as that of Elizabeth, 1559.] AN ACT FOR THE UNIFORMITY OF PUBLICK PRAYERS, AND Administration of Sacraments, and other rites and ceremonies: And for establishing the Form of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating Bishops, Priests, and Deacons in the Church of England. xiv. Carol. II. [See The Introduction.] CONCERNING THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH". THERE was never, &c. |