but in the freedom of spirit, being content only with those ceremonies which do serve to a decent order and godly discipline, and such as be apt to stir up the dull mind of man to the remembrance of his duty to God, by some notable and special signification, whereby he might be edified. Furthermore, the most weighty cause of the abolishment of certain ceremonies was, that they were so far abused, partly by the superstitious blindness of the rude and unlearned, and partly by the unsatiable avarice of such as sought more their own lucre than the glory of God, that the abuses could not well be taken away, the thing remaining still. But now, as concerning those persons which peradventure will be offended for that some of the old ceremonies are retained still; if they consider, that without some ceremonies it is not possible to keep any order or quiet discipline in the church, they shall easily perceive just cause to reform their judgments. And if they think much that any of the old do remain, and would rather have all devised anew, then such men (granting some ceremonies convenient to be had) surely where the old may be well used, there they cannot reasonably reprove the old, (only for their age,) without bewraying of their own folly. (For in such a case they ought rather to have reverence unto them for their antiquity, if they will declare themselves to be more studious of unity and concord than of innovations and newfangleness, which (as much as may be with the true setting forth of Christ's religion) is always to be eschewed. Furthermore, such shall have no just cause with the ceremonies reserved to be offended; for as those be taken away which were most abused, and did burden men's consciences without any cause, so the other that remain are retained for a discipline and order, which (upon just causes) may be altered and changed, and therefore are not to be esteemed equal with God's law. And moreover, they be neither dark nor dumb ceremonies, but are so set forth that every man may understand what they do mean, and to what use they do serve: so that it is not like that they, in time to come, should be abused as the other have been. And in 'these all our doings we condemn no other nations, nor prescribe any thing but to our own people only. For we think it convenient that every country should use such ceremonies as they shall think best to the setting forth of God's honour and glory, and to the reducing of the people to a most perfect and godly living, without error or superstition; and that they should put away other things, which from time to time they perceive to be most abused, as in men's ordinances it often chanceth diversely in diverse countries. t Certain Notes for the more plain Explication and decent Ministration of Things contained in this Book. In the saying or singing of Matins and Evensong, baptizing and burying, the Minister, in parish churches and chapels annexed to the same, shall use a surplice; and in all cathedral churches and colleges, the Archdeacons, Deans, Provosts, Masters, Prebendaries, and Fellows, being Graduates, may use in the quire, beside their surplices, such hoods as pertaineth to their several degrees, which they have taken in any university within this realm: but in all other places, every Minister shall be at liberty to use any surplice or no. It is also seemly, that Graduates, when they do preach, shall use such hoods as pertaineth to their several degrees. ¶ And whensoever the Bishop shall celebrate the holy communion in the church, or execute any other public ministration, he shall have upon him, beside his rochette, a surplice or albe, and a cope or vestment; and also his pastoral staff in his hand, or else borne or holden by his chaplain. As touching kneeling, crossing, holding up of hands, knocking upon the breast, and other gestures, they may be used or left, as every man's devotion serveth, without blame. ¶ Also upon Christmas Day, Easter Day, the Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, and the feast of the Trinity, may be used any part of holy scripture hereafter to be certainly limited and appointed, in the stead of the Litany. ¶ If there be a sermon, or for other great cause, the Curate, by his discretion, may leave out the Litany, Gloria in Excelsis, the Creed, the Homily, and the Exhortation to the Communion. FINIS. Imprinted at London, in Fleet-street, at the sign of the Sun, over against the Conduit, by Edward Whitchurche. The fourth day of May, the year of our Lord 1540. The King's Majesty, by the advice of his most dear uncle the Lord Protector, and other his highness' council, straightly chargeth and commandeth, that no manner of person do sell this present book unbound above the price of two shillings and two pence the piece. And the same bound in paste or in boards, not above the price of three shillings and eight pence the piece. GOD SAVE THE KING. These Notes, &c. are not printed in the edition of 1552. P། P¶The Form and Manner of making and consecrating Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. ANNO DOMINI M.D.LII. THE PREFACE. IT is evident unto all men, diligently reading holy scripture, and ancient authors, that from the apostles' time there hath been these orders of Ministers in Christ's church; Bishops, Priests, and Deacons: which offices were evermore had in such reverent estimation, that no man, by his own private authority, might presume to execute any of them, except he were first called, tried, examined, and known to have such qualities as were requisite for the same; and also, by public prayer, with imposition of hands, approved and admitted thereunto. And therefore, to the intent these orders should be continued, and reverently used and esteemed in this church of England, it is requisite that no man (not being at this present Bishop, Priest, nor Deacon) shall execute any of them, except he be called, tried, examined, and admitted, according to the form hereafter following. And none shall be admitted a Deacon, except he be twenty-one years of age at the least; and every man which is to be admitted a Priest shall be full twentyfour years old; and every man which is to be consecrated a Bishop, shall be fully thirty years of age. And the Bishop, knowing, either by himself or by sufficient testimony, any person to be a man of virtuous conversation, and without crime, and after examination and trial, finding him learned in the Latin tongue, and sufficiently instructed in holy scripture, may, upon a Sunday or holyday, in the face of the church, admit him a Deacon, in such manner and form as hereafter followeth. p This article, on the Form and Manner of making and consecrating Bishops Priests, and Deacons, is printed in the edition of 1552 only. The Form and Manner of Ordering of Deacons. ¶ First, when the day appointed by the Bishop is come, there shall be an Exhortation, declaring the duty and office of such as come to be admitted Ministers, how necessary such orders are in the church of Christ, and also how the people ought to esteem them in their vocation. ¶ After the Exhortation ended, the Archdeacon, or his deputy, shall present such as come to the Bishop to be admitted, saying these words, REVEREND Father in God, I present unto you these persons present, to be admitted Deacons. The Bishop. Take heed that the persons whom ye present unto us be apt and meet, for their learning and godly conversation, to exercise their ministry duly, to the honour of God, and edifying of his church. The Archdeacon shall answer, I have inquired of them, and also examined them, and think them so to be. And then the Bishop shall say unto the people, BRETHREN, if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment or notable crime in any of these persons presented to be ordered Deacons, for the which he ought not to be admitted to the same, let him come forth in the name of God, and shew what the crime or impediment is. ¶ And if any great crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall surcease from ordering that person, until such time as the party accused shall try himself clear of that crime. ¶ Then the Bishop, commending such as shall be found meet to be ordered to the prayers of the congregation, with the Clerks and people present, shall say or sing the Litany as followeth, with the prayers. The Litany and Suffrages. O God the Father, of heaven have mercy upon us miserable sinners. TO God the Father, of heaven: have mercy upon us miserable sinners. : O God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy upon us TO God the Son, Redeemer of the world: have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God, the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son have mercy upon us miserable sinners. TO God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son have mercy upon us miserable sinners. : O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one God have mercy upon us miserable sinners. : ¶O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one God: have mercy upon us miserable sinners. Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; neither take thou vengeance of our sins: spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever. Spare us, good Lord. From all evil and mischief; from sin, from the crafts and assaults of the Devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation, Good Lord, deliver us. From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness, Good Lord, deliver us. From fornication, and all other deadly sin; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the Devil, Good Lord, deliver us. From lightnings and tempests; from plague, pestilence, and famine; from battle and murder, and from sudden death, Good Lord, deliver us. From all sedition and privy conspiracy; from the tyranny of the bishop of Rome, and all his detestable enormities; from all false doctrine and heresy; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word and commandment, Good Lord, deliver us. By the mystery of thy holy incarnation; by thy holy nativity and circumcision; by thy baptism, fasting, and temptation, Good Lord, deliver us. By thine agony and bloody sweat; by thy cross and passion; by thy precious death and burial; by thy glorious resurrection and ascension; and by the coming of the Holy Ghost, Good Lord, deliver us. |