Historical collections, out of several grave Protestant historians concerning the changes of religion, and the strange confusions following in the reigns of King Henry the Eighth, Edward the Sixth, Queen Mary and Elizabeth : with an addition of several remarkable passages taken out of Sir Will. Dugdale's Antiquities of Warwickshire, relating to the abbies and their institution.

CHAP. IV.

Of the Administring the Communion, and of the Composing a Book of Common-Prayer. Of which thus writes Dr. Hey∣lyn. page 57.

SOme Bishops, and others, were Appointed by the King's Command, to Consult to∣gether about one Uniform Order of Ad∣ministring the Holy Communion in the English Tongue: Who so ordered it, That the whole Mass should proceed (as formerly) in the Latin Tongue; even to the very end of the Canon, and the receiving of the Sacrament by the Priest himself: Which being ended, they were to be∣gin with an Exhortation, in the English Tongue, directed to all those, that did intend to receive the Communion: Which Exhortation began with these words, Dearly Beloved in the Lord, ye coming to this Holy Communion, &c.

Thus Dr. Heylyn concerning this strange medly in the Divine Service.

But notwithstanding the setting forth of this Uniform Order of Administring the Holy Com∣munion, yer there did arise a marvellous Schism, and variety of Factions, in Celebrating the Com∣munion Service, and Administring of the Sa∣crament,

and other Rites, and Ceremonies of the Church. For some allowed of the King's proceedings; others, dissemblingly, and patch∣ingly, used some part of them; Many contem∣ned them all. Moreover, it is observed in the Register-Book of the Parish of Petworth, that many, at this time, affirmed, that the most Bless∣ed Sacrament of the Altar was of little worth: So that in many places, it was irreverently used, and cast out of the Church; and many other great Enormities committed: Which they se∣conded by oppugning the Established Ceremo∣nies; as Holy-Water, Holy-Bread, and divers other Rites of the Seven Sacraments. And yet these were not all the mischiefs, which the time produced. For, in pursuance of this Schism, ma∣ny of those, that had been licensed to Preach, appeared as active in Preaching against the King's proceedings, as many of the unlicensed Preachers had been found to be.

Thus Dr. Heylyn concerning these Confusions.

Upon this it was advised, that a Publick Liturgy should be drawn, and confirmed by Parliament; which was accordingly done. Now, here it is to be observed, that those who had the directing of this Business, were before hand re∣solved, that none but English Heads and Hands should be used therein; lest otherwise it might be thought, and perhaps objected, That they ra∣ther followed the Example of some other Churches, or were swayed by the Authority of

those Forein Assistants, than by the Word of God. Certain it is, that upon the very first re∣ports of a Reformation here intended Calvin had offered his Assistance to Archbishop Cran∣mer, as himself confessed. But the Archbishop knew the man, and refused the offer. And it appears in one of Bishop Latimer's Sermons, that there was a report, about this time, of Melanct∣hon's coming: But it proved only a report. And though it was thought necessary, for the better seasoning of the Universities, in the Protestant Reformed Religion, that Bucer, and Peter Mar∣tyr should be invited to come over; yet the Archbishop's Letter of Invitation, sent to Bucer, was not written till the 12th of October; at which time, the Liturgy, then in hand (being the chief Key of the Work of Reformation) was in a very good forwardness; and must be com∣pleatly finished, before he could so settle, and dispose his affairs in Germany, as to come for England. And though Peter Martyr, being either more at leisure, or more willing to accept of the Invitation, came many months before the other, yet neither do we find him here, till the end of November; when the Liturgy had been approved of. Nor was it likely, that they would make use of such a man, in Composing a Liturgy, wherein they were resolved to retain a great part of the ancient Ceremonies; who being made Canon of Christ's Church in Oxford, and frequently present at Divine Service in that

Church, could never be prevailed with, to put on the Surplice.

Thus Dr. Heylyn, concerning the ground of setting out a Book of Common-Prayer.