importance of their office; that since they are thy ambassadors, they may in all their actions have a due regard to the excellency of their character, and faithfully, diligently, and prudently transact those great affairs thou hast intrusted to their management: that since they are thy ministers, they may have always imprinted in their remembrance, how great a treasure is committed to their charge, the sheep of Christ, which he bought with his death, and for whom he shed his blood; that the church and congregation whom they serve is the spouse and body of Christ: that since they are the stewards of thy mysteries, they may feed and provide for thy family, seek thy sheep that are dispersed abroad, and thy children which are in the midst of this naughty world, that they may be saved through Christ: that since they are labourers in thy vineyard, they may never cease, by their care and diligence, to bring all such as are committed to their charge unto that agreement in faith and knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ, that there may be no place left for error in religion, or for viciousness of life. That since their employment is laborious and difficult, they may constantly pray for the heavenly assistance of the Holy Ghost from thee, O Father, by the mediation of our blessed Redeemer and Saviour Jesus Christ; that by daily reading and weighing of the Scriptures they may wax riper and stronger in their ministry, and so fashion their lives, and those of their families, after the rules and doctrine of Christ, that they may be wholesome and godly examples for the rest of the congregation to follow, and be able to give a good account of their stewardship at the tribunal of Christ; to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

FOR BISHOPS.

O THOU great shepherd, and bishop of our souls, most glorious Jesu, bless all holy and religious prelates, especially the bishops of our church. O God let abundance of thy grace and benediction descend upon their heads, that by a holy life, by a true and catholic belief, by a resolute confession of thy name, and by a fatherly care, and great sedulity and watchfulness over their flock, they may glorify thee our God, the great lover of souls, and set forward the salvation of their people, and of others by their example, and at last, after a plentiful conversion of souls, they may shine like the stars in glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHAP. IX.

THE VIGILS.

Q. What do you mean by Vigils?

A. Those Fasts which the church hath thought fit to establish before certain Festivals, in order to prepare our minds for a due observation of the ensuing solemnity: that so our joy may not degenerate into sensuality, nor be expressed by intemperance, nor evaporate into lightness and vanity; but that we may use God's good creatures with moderation and thankfulness, with bowels of mercy to those that are in want, and raise our souls to such a relish of spiritual enjoyments, that it may be our meat and drink to do the will of our heavenly Father.

Q. Why are these Fasts called Vigils?

A. From the Latin word Vigilia, signifying watchings: it being the custom in the primitive times, to pass great

part of the night that preceded certain holy days in devotion and religious exercises; and this even in those places which they set apart for the public worship of God. But when these night meetings came to be so far abused, that no care could prevent several disorders and irregularities, the church thought fit to abolish them, and these night watches were converted into Fasts, still keeping the former name of Vigils.

Q. What was probably the original of these Vigils or night watches among Christians?

A. Some are inclined to found this practice upon several texts of Scripture understood literally, where watching is enjoined as well as prayer, particularly upon that conclusion our Saviour draws from the parable of the ten virgins watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.* And further they urge our Saviour's own example, who continued all night in prayer alone; and that of St. Paul and Silas, who at midnight prayed and sang praises unto God. And what wonder if in this sense it was practised and recommended by the Christians of the first age, who generally apprehended that the end of the world was near at hand, and that their blessed master would quickly summon them to appear before his dreadful tribunal, and that at midnight the cry would be made, behold the bridegroom cometh! The fervour and pious zeal of those times might easily dispose them, under such thoughts, to abridge themselves of sleep, and to employ part of the night in prosecuting the affairs of their eternal salvation, that if possible the coming of the Son of Man might find them actually engaged in the expectation of it. And were the children of light as wise in their

a

* Mat. xxiv. 42. xxv. 13. Mark xiii, 35. Luke vi. 12. Acts xvi. 25. Mat. xxv. 6.

C

generation as the children of this world, they would sometimes borrow from the night for the exercise of their devotion; when the others, to gratify their passions, can dedicate whole nights to their business or pleasure.

Q. What further account is there of the original of Vigils?

d

A. Others, with greater probability, have referred the rise of the night watches to the necessity Christians were under of meeting in the night, and before day, for the exercise of their devotions in common, by reason of the malice and persecution of their enemies, who endeavoured their destruction when they discovered them to be Christians. Thus the disciples of our Lord were assembled together in the evening, the doors being shut for fear of the Jews, when our Saviour appeared to them, and shewed them his hands and his side. When St. Peter was delivered out of prison by an angel in the night, he found the church of Jerusalem assembled in the house of Mary the mother of John, surnamed Mark, performing the public offices of religion. St. Paul at Troas continued his speech until midnight, and then administered the sacrament to the disciples, who came together to break bread.

f

Q. Before what Festivals hath the church appointed these Fasts that are called Vigils?

A. Before the Nativity of our Lord, the Purification and Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, Easter-day Ascension-day, Pentecost, St. Matthias, St. John Baptist, St. Peter, St. James, St. Bartholomew, St. Matthew, St. Simon and St. Jude, St. Thomas, St. Andrew, and all Saints. And if any of these feasts fall upon a Monday, then the Vigil or Fast-day shall be kept upon the Saturday, and not upon the Sunday next before it.

John xx. 19.

e

Acts xii. 12.

f Acts xx. 7,

11.

Q. Why have not the rest of the Festivals Vigils annexed to them?

A. Because they chiefly fall between Christmas and Epiphany, or between Easter and Whitsunday, which were always esteemed such seasons for rejoicing, that the church did not think fit, but very rarely, to intermingle with them any days of fasting and humiliation. And in the feast of St. Michael and all Angels, one reason for the institution of Vigils ceases; which was to conform us to the example of the saints, who through sufferings and mortifications entered into the joy of their master; but these ministering spirits were created in the full possession of bliss.

Q. What are those acts of public worship which these Vigils were designed to prepare us for?

A. Joining in those prayers and praises which are offered up to God by his ministers upon such occasions. Hearing God's holy word, and those explanations of it, and instructions from it, which are commonly called sermons, made by an order of men established, among other ends, to instruct us in our duty. Receiving the blessed Sacrament, which is called the Eucharist, because a thankful acknowledgment of blessings received; a very fit employment for all Festivals, as well as the proper Christian worship for the Lord's day.

Q. Where are those acts of public worship performed? A. In the church, the house of God, so called upon the account of its peculiar relation to him, being solemnly dedicated and set apart for his public worship and service, and upon the account of God's peculiar presence, not only by the administration of his word and sacraments, but by reason of the attendance of his holy angels to observe our behaviour and deportment; it being by the retinue of these administering spirits, that the