II. tivals? of this Gregory affords not a syllable: all he says is CHAP. only this; that Augustine the monk, who was his emissary into England, desired his resolution what should be done with the pagan temples, as also with their festivals; Gregory's direction in this case was this, that the temples he should convert into churches, and the pagan festivals into Christian holy days. How far Augustine pursued his master's order there is no constat : suppose it acted what was commanded, then I say, first, the same objection lieth against our Churches also which they have urged against our festivals; secondly, this is enough to confute that miserable mistake that Christmas day took its rise from the paganish saturnals, when certain it is that day was in observation hundreds of years before St. Gregory; and for other festivals, they must rather be then supposed translated than instituted, considering that Gildas', speaking of the peace restored to the Church after the Dioclesian persecution, gives this account of the Christians' doings: Renovant ecclesias ad solum usque destructas, basilicas sanctorum martyrum fundant, dies festos celebrant: "They repair the churches demolished to the ground, they rear up monuments for the blessed martyrs, they celebrate holy days." This Gildas delivers, who was near a century of years Gregory's ancient. And if holy days were celebrated then, they could not take rise from this act of Augustine three hundred years after. Lastly, if the Christian festivals were removed and translated to a coincidence with those of the heathens, neither was either the direction or execution to blame. St. Paul, in order to the Jews' conversion, made himself a Jew to them; upon this very score he circumcised Timothy, and shaved his own head at Cenchrea; why might not Paul's act be a leading case to all posterity? why might not Gregory and Augustine shew his act for their warrant; believe it, if they could by this compliance cheat the heathens of their idolatry, and cozen them to the saving of their souls, it was for ought I see a pious fraud. If Gregory be thought to have adventured too far in his direction, hear a protestant of eminent note and account amongst us: learned Zanchy, speaking of the Jewish feasts of pasch, pentecost, tabernacles, jubilee, &c., Quis prohibet, quin Ecclesia sicut diem Anno 300. Zanchi in 4. præcept. Qu. 2. Th. 1. II. CHAP. septimum transtulit in Dominicum, sic etiam illos reliquos dies - festos in alios transferre potuerit? "Who can hinder, but as the Church did translate the seventh day into the Lord's day, so she may also change those festivals into others?" Now if Zanchy be in the right as to the Jewish festivals, what just cause can be shewed why the festivals of the heathen, situated under the same parallel of legality, may not also be converted into Christian holy days. THE ORDER WHERE MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER SHALL BE USED 1 B. of Edw. VI. In the saying or singing of matins and evensong, baptizing and burying, the minister in parish churches and chapels annexed to the same (E) 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 choir, besides their surplices, such hoods as pertain to their several degrees, which they have taken in any university III. 2 B. of Edw. VI. The morning and evening CHAP. prayer shall be used in such places of the church, chapel, or chancel, and the minister shall so turn him as the people may best hear. And if there be any controversy therein, the matter shall be referred to the ordinary, and he or his deputy shall appoint the place. And the chancels shall remain as they have done in times past. The Common Prayer. And here is to be noted, that the minister at the time of the Communion, and at all other times in his ministration shall use (D) such ornaments in the church as were in use by authority of parliament in the second year of the reign of King Edward VI., according to the act of parliament set in 2 B. of Edw.VI. And here is to be noted, that the minister at the time of the Communion, and at all other times in his ministration, shall use neither albe, vestment, nor cope, but being archbishop or bishop, he shall have and wear a rochet, and being CHAP. within this realm. But in the beginning of the all other places every minis- And whensoever the bishop Scotch Liturgy. And here is to be noted, that the presbyter or minister at the time of the Communion, and at other times of his ministration, shall use such ornaments in the church as are prescribed, or shall be by his majesty or his successors, according to the act of parliament provided in that behalf. a priest or deacon, he shall have and wear a surplice only. This rubric, with the sentences fol lowing the exhortation, the confession and absolution, wanting The Common Prayer. 1 B. of Edw. VI. An order for matins daily throughout the year. At the beginning both of morning prayer, and likewise of evening prayer, (F) the priest shall read with a loud voice some one of these sentences of the Scriptures that follow. And then he shall say that which is written after the said sentences. At what time soever a sinner doth repent him of his sin in the 1 B. from the bottom of his heart, I will put all his wickedness out of Edw. VI. of My remembrance, saith the Lord. Ezek. 18. Ps. 51. Ps. 51. Ps. 51. Joel 2. I do know mine own wickedness, and my sin is always against me. Turn Thy face away from our sins, O Lord, and blot out all our offences. A sorrowful spirit is a sacrifice to God: despise not, O Lord, humble and contrite hearts. Rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the 64 65 III. Lord your God, because He is gentle and merciful, He is CHAP. patient and of much mercy, and such an one as is sorry for your afflictions. To Thee, O Lord God, belongeth mercy and forgiveness, Dan. 9. for we have gone away from Thee, and have not hearkened to Thy voice, whereby we might walk in Thy laws which Thou hast appointed for us. Correct us, O Lord, and yet in Thy judgment, not in Jer. 9. Thy fury, lest we should be consumed, and brought_to_nothing. Amend your libes, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Matt. 3. I will go to my father, and say to him, Father, I habe Luke 15. sinned against heaven and against thee, I am no more worthy to be called thy son. Enter not into judgment with Thy servants, O Lord, for Ps. 142. no flesh is righteous in Thy sight. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and 1 John 1. there is no truth in us. Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture mobeth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father, but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart, to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by His infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before God, yet ought we most chiefly so to do when we assemble and meet together, to render thanks for the great benefits which we have received at His hands, to set forth His most worthy praise, to hear His most holy word, and to ask those things which be requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me. GA general Confession to be said of the whole congregation after the priest, [Scotch Liturgy, "all humbly”] kneeling. Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too |