Concerning the Service of the Church.

Fathers hath been so altered, broken, It is more profitable, because here are and neglected, by planting in uncer- left out many things, whereof some tain stories, and legends, with multi- are untrue, some uncertain, some tude of responds, verses, vain repe- vain and superstitious; and nothing titions, commemorations, and synod- is ordained to be read, but the very als; that commonly when any book pure word of God, the holy Scrip­of the Bible was begun, after three tures, or that which is agreeable to or four chapters were read out, all the same; and that in such a lan­the rest were unread. And in this guage and order as is most easy and sort the book of Isaiah was begun in plain for the understanding both of Advent, and the book of Genesis in the readers and hearers. It is also Septuagesima; but they were only more commodious, both for the short­begun, and never read through: after ness thereof, and for the plainness of like sort were other books of holy the order, and for that the rules be Scripture used. And moreover, few and easy. whereas St. Paul would have such language spoken to the people in the Church, as they might understand, and have profit by hearing the same; the service in this Church of England these many years hath been read in Latin to the people, which they un­derstand not; so that they have heard with their ears only, and their heart, spirit, and mind, have not been edi­fied thereby. And furthermore, not­withstanding that the ancient Fathers have divided the Psalms into seven portions, whereof every one was call­ed a Nocturn: now of late time a few of them have been daily said, and the rest utterly omitted. Moreover, the number and hardness of the rules called the Pie, and the manifold changings of the service, was the cause, that to turn the book only was so hard and intricate a matter, that many times there was more business to find out what should be read, than to read it when it was found out.

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 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 manner how to understand, do, and execute, the things contained in this Book; the parties that so doubt, or diversly take any thing, shall alway resort to the Bishop 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.

These inconveniences therefore considered, here is set forth such an order, whereby the same shall be re­

that

matter, here is drawn out a Calendar Tall things shall be read and sung

for that purpose, which is plain and easy to be understood; wherein( so 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.

in the Church 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.

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

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

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