OF CEREMONIES.

much as may be) the reading of holy Scrip­ture is so set forth, that all things shall be done in order, without breaking one piece from another. For this cause be cut off Anthems, Responds, Invitatories, and such like things as did break the continual course of the reading of the Scripture.

Yet, because there is no remedy, but that of necessity there must be some Rules; therefore certain Rules are here set forth; which, as they are few in number, so they are plain and easy to be understood. So that here you have an Order for Prayer, and for the reading of the holy Scripture, much agreeable to the mind and purpose of the old Fathers, and a great deal more profitable and commodious, than that which of late was used. It is more profitable, because are many some are untrue, some uncertain, some vain and superstitious; and nothing is ordained to be read, but the very pure Word of God, the holy Scriptures, or that which is agree­able to the same; and that in such a lan­guage and order as is most easy and plain for the understanding both of the readers and hearers. It is also more commodious, both for the shortness thereof, and for the plainness of the order, and for that the rules be few and easy.

And whereas heretofore there hath been great diversity in saying and singing in Churches within this Realm; some follow­ing Salisbury use, some Hereford use, and some the use of Bangor, some of York, some of Lincoln; now from henceforth all the whole Realm shall have but one use.

And forasmuch as nothing can be so

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F such Ceremonies as be used in the Church, and have had their beginning by the institution of man, some at the first were of godly intent and purpose devised, and yet at length turned to vanity and superstition: some entered into the Church by undiscreet devotion, and such a zeal as was without knowledge; and for because they were winked at in the beginning, they grew daily to more and more abuses, which not only for their unprofitableness, but also because they have much blinded the people, and obscured the glory of God, are worthy to be cut away, and clean rejected: other there be, which although they have been devised by man, yet it is thought good to reserve them still, as well for a decent order in the Church,( for the which they were first devised,) as because they pertain to edification, whereunto all things done in the Church( as the Apostle teacheth) ought to be referred.

And although the keeping or omitting of a Ceremony, in itself considered, is but a small thing; yet the wilful and contemp­

plainly set forth, but doubts may arise in the use and practice of the same; to appease all such diversity( if any arise) and for the resolution of all doubts, concerning the cute, the things contained in this Book; manner how to understand, do, and exe­any thing, shall alway resort to the Bishop the parties that so doubt, or diversly take of the Diocese, who by his discretion shall take order for the quieting and appeasing of the same; so that the same order be not contrary to any thing contained in this Book. And if the Bishop of the Diocese be in doubt, then he may send for the reso­lution thereof to the Archbishop.

G

THOUGH it be appointed, that all things

shall be read

OF CEREMONIES,

WHY SOME BE ABOLISHED, AND SOME RETAINED.

in the English Tongue, to the end that the congregation may be thereby edified; yet it is not meant, but that when men say Morning and Evening Prayer privately, they may say the same in any language that they themselves do understand.

daily the Morning and Evening Prayer And all Priests and Deacons are to say either privately or openly, not being let by sickness, or some other urgent cause.

Parish- Church or Chapel, being at home, And the Curate that ministereth in every and not being otherwise reasonably hin­dered, shall say the same in the Parish­Church or Chapel where he ministereth, and shall cause a Bell to be tolled there­unto a convenient time before he begin, Word, and to pray with him. that the people may come to hear God's

tuous transgression and breaking of a common order and discipline is no small offence before God, Let all things be done among you, saith St. Paul, in a seemly and due order: the appointment of the which order pertaineth not to private men; there­fore no man ought to take in hand, nor presume to appoint or alter any publick or he be lawfully called and authorized there­common order in Christ's Church, except

unto.

of men are so diverse, that some think it a And whereas in this our time, the minds great matter of conscience to depart from a piece of the least of their Ceremonies, they again on the other side, some be so new­be so addicted to their old customs; and fangled, that they would innovate all things, and so despise the old, that nothing can expedient, not so much to have respect how like them, but that is new: it was thought as how to please God, and profit them both. to please and satisfy either of these parties, whom good reason might satisfy, here be And yet lest any man should be offended,