The Prayer Book Interleaved

HERE of long Time there hath been had in this Realm of England 'and in Wales divers Forms of Common Prayer, commonly called the Service of 'the Church; that is to say, The Use of 'Sarum, of York, of Bangor, and of Lin'coln; and besides the same now of late 'much more divers and sundry Forms and 'Fashions have been used in the Cathedral 'and Parish Churches of England and 'Wales, as well concerning the Mattens 'or Morning Prayer and the Evensong, 'as also concerning the Holy Communion, 'commonly called the Mass, with divers 'and sundry Rites and Ceremonies con'cerning the same, and in the Administra'tion of other Sacraments of the Church: 'And as the Doers and Executors of the 'said Rites and Ceremonies, in other 'Form than of late Years they have been 'used, were pleased therewith: So other 'not using the same Rites and Ceremonies 'were thereby greatly offended: And 'albeit the King's Majesty, with the 'Advice of his most entirely beloved 'Uncle the Lord Protector, and other 'of his Highness Council, hath heretofore 'divers Times assayed to stay Innovations 'or new Rites concerning the Premisses; 'yet the same hath not had such good 'Success as his Highness required in 'that Behalf; whereupon his Highness, 'by the most prudent Advice aforesaid, 'being pleased to bear with the Frailty 'and Weakness of his Subjects in that 'Behalf, of his great Clemency hath not 'been only content to abstain from Punish'ment of those that have offended in 'that Behalf, for that his Highness taketh 'that they did it of a good Zeal; but also 'to the Intent a uniform, quiet, and godly 'Order should be had concerning the Premisses, hath appointed the Arch'bishop of Canterbury, and certain of 'the most learned and discreet Bishops, 'and other learned Men of this Realin, 'to consider and ponder the Premisses; ' and thereupon having as well Eye and Respect to the most sincere and pure 'Christian Religion taught by the Scripture, as to the Usages in the Primitive 'Church, should draw and make one convenient and meet Order, Rite and Fa'shion of common and open Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, to be had and used in his Majesty's Realm 'of England and in Wales; the which

'at this Time, by the aid of the Holy 'Ghost, with one uniform Agreement is 'of them concluded, set forth and deliver'ed to his Highness, to his great Comfort 'and Quietness of Mind, in a Book in'tituled The Book of the Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, ' and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, after the Use of the Church of England. Wherefore the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons, 'in this present Parliament assembled, 'considering as well the most godly 'Travel of the King's Highness, of the 'Lord Protector, and of other his Highness Council, in gathering and collecting 'the said Archbishop, Bishops and learn'ed Men together, as the godly Prayers, 'Orders, Rites and Ceremonies in the 'said Book mentioned, and the Considera'tions of altering those Things which 'be altered, and retaining those Things 'which be retained in the said Book, but also the Honour of God and great Quietness, which by the Grace of God 'shall ensue upon the one and uniform 'Rite and Order in such Common Prayer 'and Rites and external Ceremonies to be used throughout England and in 'Wales, at Calice and the Marches of 'the same, do give to his Highness most 'hearty and lowly thanks for the same :' And humbly prayen, that it may be ordained and enacted by his Majesty, with the Assent of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That all and singular Person and Persons that have offended concerning the Premisses, other than such Person and Persons as now be and remain in Ward in the Tower

of London, or in the Fleet, may be pardoned thereof; and that all and singular Ministers in any Cathedral or Parish Church or other Place within this Realm of England, Wales, Calice, and the Marches of the same, or other the King's Dominions, shall from and after the Feast of Pentecost next coming, be bounden to say and use the Mattens, Evensong, Celebration of the Lord's Supper, commonly called the Mass, and Administration of each of the Sacraments, and all their common and open Prayer, in such Order and Form as is mentioned in the same Book, and none other or otherwise. And albeit that the same be so godly and good, that they give Occasion to every honest and conformable Man most willingly to embrace them, yet lest any obstinate Person who willingly would disturb so godly Order and Quiet in this

An Act for the Uniformity of Common Prayer, and Service in the

Church, and Administration of the Sacraments.

PRIMO ELIZABETHÆ.

WHE

WHERE at the death of our late Sovereign, tioned, and set forth in the said Book, or shall Lord King Edward the Sixth, there re-wilfully, or dbstinately standing in the same, mained one uniform order of Common Service, and Prayer, and of the Administration of Sacraments, Rites and Ceremonies in the Church of England, which was set forth in one Book, Intituled, The Book of Common Prayer, and Admin stration of Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies in the Church of England, authorized by Act of Parliament holden in the fifth and sixth years of our said late Sovereign Lord King Edward the Sixth, Intituled, An Act for the Uniformity of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments; The which was repealed, and taken away by Act of Parliament, in the first year of the Reign of our late Sovereign Lady Queen Mary, to the great decay of the due honour of God, and discomfort to the professors of the truth of Christ's Religion:

Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament, That the said Statute of Repeal, and every thing therein contained, only concerning the said Book, and the Service, Administration of Sacraments, Rites, and Ceremonies contained or appointed in, or by the said Book, shall be void and of none effect, from and after the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming: and That the said Book, with the order of Service, and of the Administration of Sacraments, Rites and Ceremonies, with the alterations and additions therein added and appointed by this Statute, shall stand, and be, from, and after the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist, in full force and effect, according to the tenour and effect of this Statute: Any thing in the foresaid Statute of Repeal to the contrary notwithstanding.

And further be it Enacted by the Queen's Highness, with the assent of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That all, and singular Ministers in any Cathedral, or ParishChurch, or other place within this Realm of England, Wales, and the Marches of the same, or other the Queen's Dominions, shall from and after the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist, next coming, be bounden to say and use the Mattins, Evensong, celebration of the Lord's Supper, and Administration of each of the Sacraments, and all the Common and open Prayer, in such order and form as is mentioned in the said Book, so Authorized by Parliament in the said fifth and sixth years of the Reign of King Edward the Sixth; with one alteration, or addition of certain Lessons to be used on every Sunday in the year, and the form of the Litany altered, and corrected, and two sentences only added in the delivery of the Sacrament to the Communicants, and none other, or otherwise: and, That if any manner of Parson, Vicar, or other whatsoever Minister that ought or should sing, or say Common Prayer mentioned in the said Book, or minister the Sacraments, from, and after the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming, refuse to use the said Common Prayer, or to minister the Sacraments in such Cathedral or Parish-Church, or other places, as he should use to minister the same, in such order and form, as they be men

use any other Rite, Ceremony, Order, Formu, or manner of celebrating of the Lord's Supper openly, or privily, or Mattins, Evensong, Administration of the Sacraments, or other open Prayers, than is mentioned, and set forth in the said Book, [Open Prayer in, and throughout this Act, is meant that Prayer, which is for others to come unto, or hear, either in Common Churches, or private Chapels, or Oratories, commonly called the Service of the Church] or shall preach, declare, or speak any thing in the derogation, or depraving of the said Book, or any thing therein contained, or of any part thereof, and shall be thereof lawfully convicted, according to the Laws of this Realm, by verdict of twelve men, or by his own confession, or by the notorious evidence of the fact, shall lose, and forfeit to the Queen's Highness, Her Heirs, and Successors, for his first offence, the profit of all his Spiritual Benefices, or Promotions, coming, or arising in one whole year next after his conviction: And also that the person so convicted shall for the same offence suffer imprisonment by the space of six months, without Bail or Mainprise: And if any such person, once convict of any offence concerning the premisses, shall after his first Conviction eftsoons offend, and be thereof in form aforesaid lawfully convict; That then the same person shall for his second offence suffer imprisonment by the space of one whole year, and also shall therefore be deprived ipso facto of all his Spiritual_Promotions; and, That it shall be lawful to all Patrons, or Donors of all and singular the same Spiritual Promotions, or of any of them, to present, or collate to the same, as though the person, or persons so offending were dead: and That, if6 any such person or persons, after he shall be twice convicted in form aforesaid, shall offend against any of the premisses the third time, and shall be thereof, in form aforesaid, lawfully convicted; That then the person so offending, and convicted the third time shall be deprived ipso facto of all his Spiritual Promotions, and also shall suffer imprisonment during his life: And if the person, that shall offend, and be convicted in form aforesaid, concerning any of the premisses, shall not be Beneficed, nor have any Spiritual Promotion; That then the same person so offending, and convict, shall for the first offence suffer imprisonment during one whole year next after his said conviction, without Bail or Mainprise: And if any such person not having any Spiritual Promotion, after his first conviction, shall eftsoons offend in any thing concerning the premisses, and shall in form aforesaid be thereof lawfully convicted; That then the same person shall for his second offence suffer imprisonment during his life.

And it is Ordained, and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any person, or persons whatsoever, after the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming, shall in any Enterludes, Plays, Songs, Rhimes, or by other open words declare, or speak any thing in the derogation, depraving, or despising of the same Book, or of any thing therein contained, or any part thereof, or shall by open fact, deed, or by

Realm should not go unpunished, that it may also be ordained and enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that if any Manner of Parson, Vicar, or other whatsoever Minister, that ought or should sing or say Common Prayer mentioned in the said Book, or minister the Sacraments, shall after the said Feast of Pentecost next coming refuse to use the said Common Prayers, or to minister the Sacraments in such Cathedral or Parish Church, or other Places as he should use or minister the same, in such Order and Form as they be mentioned and set forth in the said Book; or shall use, wilfully and obstinately standing in the same, any other Rite, Ceremony, Order, Form or Manner of Mass openly or privily, or Mattens, Evensong, Administration of the Sacraments, or other open Prayer than is mentioned and set forth in the said Book: (Open Prayer, in and throughout this Act, is meant that Prayer which is for other to come unto or hear, either in common Churches or private Chapels or Oratories, commonly called the Service of the Church); or shall preach, declare, or speak any Thing in the Derogation or Depraving of the said Book, or any Thing therein contained, or of any Part thereof; and shall be thereof lawfully convicted according to the Laws of this Realm, by Verdict of Twelve Men, or by his own Confession, or by the notorious Evidence of the Fact, shall lose and forfeit to the King's Highness, his Heirs and Successors, for his first Offence, the Profit of such one of his Spiritual Benefices or Promotions as it shall please the King's Highness to assign or appoint, coming and arising in one whole Year next after his Conviction: And also that the same

Person so convicted shall for the same Offence suffer Imprisonment by the Space of Six Months, without Bail or Mainprise: And if any such Person once convict of any such Offence concerning the Premisses, shall after his first conviction eftsoons offend and be thereof in Form aforesaid lawfully convict, that then the same Person shall for his second Offence suffer Imprisonment by the Space of One whole Year, and also shall therefore be deprived ipso facto of all his Spiritual Promotions; and that it shall be lawful to all Patrons, Donors, and Grantees of all and singular the same Spiritual Promotions, to present to the same any other able Clerk, in like Manner and Form as though the Party so offending were dead: And that if any such Person or Persons, after he shall be twice convicted in Form aforesaid, shall offend against any of the Premisses the third Time, and shall be thereof in Form aforesaid lawfully convicted, that then the Person so offending and convicted the third Time, shall suffer Imprisonment during his Life: And if the Person that shall offend and be convict in Form aforesaid concerning any of the Premisses, shall not be beneficed, nor have any Spiritual Promotion, that then the same Person so offending and convict shall for the first Offence suffer Imprisonment during Six Months, without Bail or Mainprise: And if any such Person not having any Spiritual Promotion, after his first Conviction shall eftsoons offend in any Thing concerning the Premisses, and shall in Form aforesaid be thereof lawfully convicted, that then the same Person shall for his second Offence suffer Imprisonment during his Life.

The Preamble and fifth section of the Act of Parliament enforcing Edward's Second Prayer-book are as follows:

WHERE there hath been a very godly order set forth by the 'Authority of Parliament, for Common 'Prayer and Administration of the Sacra'ments to be used in the Mother Tongue 'within the Church of England, agreeable 'to the Word of God and the Primitive 'Church, very comfortable to all good 'People desiring to live in Christian Con'versation, and most profitable to the 'Estate of this Realm, upon the which 'the Mercy, Favour and Blessing of

'Almighty God is in no wise so readily 'and plenteously poured as by Common and often preaching of the Gospel, with 'Prayers, due using of the Sacraments, 'the Devotion of the Hearers: And yet 'this notwithstanding, a great Number 'of People in divers Parts of this Realm, following their own Sensuality, and 'living either without Knowledge or due 'Fear of God, do willingly and damnably before Almighty God abstain and refuse to come to their Parish Churches and 'other Places where Common Prayer, 'Administration of the Sacraments, and 'Preaching of the Word of God, is used upon Sundays and other days ordained 'to be Holydays.'

other Ordinaries, that they shall endeavour themselves to the uttermost of their knowledges, that the due and true execution hereof may be had throughout their Dioceses and Charges, as they will answer before God for such evils and plagues wherewith Almighty God may justly punish his people for neglecting this good and wholesome law. And for their Authority in this behalf, Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and singular the said Archbishops, Bishops, and all other their officers, exercising Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, as well in place exempt, as not exempt, within their Diocese shall have full power and Authority by this Act to reform, correct and punish by censures of the Church, all, and singular persons, which shall offend within any of their Jurisdictions, or Diocese, after the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming, against this Act and Statute: Any other Law, Statute, Privilege, Liberty, or Provision heretofore made, had, or suffered to the contrary notwithstanding.

open threatenings compel, or cause, or otherwise procure, or maintain any Parson, Vicar, or other Minister in any Cathedral, or ParishChurch, or in Chapel, or in any other place, to sing, or say any Common, or open Prayer, or to minister any Sacrament otherwise, or in any other manner, and form, than is mentioned in the said Book; or that by any of the said means shall unlawfully interrupt, or let any Parson, Vicar, or other Minister in any Cathedral, or Parish-Church, Chapel, or any other place to sing or say Common and open Prayer, or to minister the Sacraments, or any of them, in such manner, and form, as is mentioned in the said Book; That then every such person, being thereof lawfully convicted in forin abovesaid, shall forfeit to the Queen our Sovereign Lady, Her Heirs, and Successors, for the first offence an Hundred marks: And if any person, or persons, being once convict of any such offence, eftsoons offend against any of the last recited offences, and shall in form aforesaid be thereof lawfully convict: That then the same person, so offending and convict, shall for the second offence forfeit to the Queen our Sovereign Lady, Her Heirs, and Successors, Four hundred marks: And if any person, after he in form aforesaid shall have been twice convict of any offence concerning any of the last recited offences, shall offend the third time, and be thereof in form abovesaid lawfully convict; That then every person, so offending and convict, shall for his third offence forfeit to our Sovereign Lady the Queen all his Goods and Chattels, and shall suffer imprisonment during his life: And if any person, or persons, that for his first offence concerning the premisses, shall be convict in form aforesaid, do not pay the sum to be paid by virtue of his conviction, in such manner and form, as the same ought to be paid, within six weeks next after his conviction; That then every person so convict, and so not paying the same, shall for the same first offence, instead of the said sum, suffer imprisonment by the space of six months without Bail or Mainprise: And if any person, or persons, that for his second offence concerning the premisses, shall be convict in form aforesaid, do not pay the said sumthority aforesaid, That the Books concerning to be paid by virtue of his conviction, and this estatute, in such manner and form as the same ought to be paid, within six weeks next after his said second conviction; That then every person so convicted, and not paying the saine, shall for the same second offence, in the stead of the said sum, suffer imprisonment during twelve months without Bail or Mainprise: and, That from and after the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming, all, and every person and persons, inhabiting within this Realm, or any other the Queen's Majesty's Dominions, shall diligently, and faithfully, having no lawful, or reasonable excuse to be absent, endeavour themselves to resort to their Parish-Church, or Chapel accustomed, or upon reasonable let thereof, to some usual place, where Common Prayer, and such Service of God shall be used in such time of let, upon every Sunday, and other days ordained and used to be kept as holy days, and then, and there to abide orderly and soberly, during the time of Common Prayer, Preaching, or other Service of God there to be used and ministered, upon pain of punishment by the censures of the Church; and also upon pain, that every person so offending shall forfeit for every such offence, twelve pence, to be levied by the Churchwardens of the Parish, where such offence shall be done, to the use of the poor of the same Parish, of the goods, lands, and tenements of such offender, by way of distress.

And it is Ordained, and Enacted by the Au- 17 thority aforesaid, That all and every Justice of Oyer and Determiner, or Justices of Assize shall have full power and Authority in every of their open and general Sessions to inquire, hear and determine all and all manner of offences, that shall be committed, or done contrary to any Article contained in this present Act, within the limits of the Commission to them directed, and to make process for the execution of the same, as they may do against any person being indicted before them of trespass, or lawfully convicted thereof.

And for due execution hereof, the Queen's most excellent Majesty, the Lords Temporal, and all the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, do in God's name earnestly require, and charge all the Archbishops, Bishops, and

Provided always, and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and every Archbishop and Bishop shall or may at all time and times at his liberty and pleasure, join and associate himself by virtue of this Act to the said Justices of Oyer and Determiner, or to the said Justices of Assize, at every of the said open and general Sessions, to be holden in any place within his Diocese for and to the inquiry, hearing, and determining of the offences aforesaid. Provided also, and be it Enacted by the Au

the said Services shall at the costs and charges of the Parishioners of every Parish, and Cathedral Church be attained, and gotten before the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next following, and that all such Parishes and Cathedral Churches, or other places, where the said Books shall be attained and gotten before the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist, shall within three weeks next after the said Books so attained and gotten, use the said Service, and put the same in use according to this Act.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That no person or persons shall be at any time hereafter impeached, or otherwise molested of or for any of the offences above mentioned, hereafter to be committed, or done contrary to this Act, unless he or they so offending be thereof indicted at the next general Sessions to be holden before any such Justices of Oyer and Determiner, or Justices of Assize, next after any offence committed or done, contrary to the tenour of this Act.

Provided always, and be it Ordained, and Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That all and singular Lords of the Parliament, for the third offence above mentioned, shall be tried by their Peers.

Provided also, and be it Ordained, and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Mayor of London, and all other Mayors, Bailiffs, and other Head-officers of all, and singular Cities, Boroughs, and Towns-corporate within this Realm, Wales, and the Marches of the same, to the which Justices of Assize do not commonly repair, shall have full power and Authority by virtue of this Act, to inquire,

« السابقة متابعة »

كتب

The Prayer Book Interleaved: With Historical Illustrations and Explanatory ...