The booke of common prayer, and administration of the sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.

A Commination against sinners, With certaine prayers to be vsed diuers times in the yeere.

After Morning prayer, the people being called together by the ring∣ing of a bell, and assembled in the Church, the English L••••••ie shalbe sayd, after the accustomed maner: which ended, the Priest shall goe into the pulpit, and say thus.

BRethren, in the primitue Church there was a godly discipline, that at the beginning of Lent, such per∣sons as were notorious sinners, were put to open penance, & puni∣shed in this world, that their soules might bee saued in the day, of the Lord: and that other admonished by their example, might bee the more afraid to offend.

In the stead whereof, vntil the sayd discipline may be restored againe, (which thing is much to be wished) it is thought good, that at this time (in your pre∣sence) should bee read the generall sentences of Gods cursing against impenitent sinners, gathered out of the xxvii. Chap∣ter of Deuteronomie, and othen places of Scripture: and that yee should answere to euery sentence, Amen: to the in∣tent that you, being admonished of the great indignation of God against sinners, may thy rather be called to earnest and true repentance, and may walke more warily in these dan∣gerous dayes, fleeing from such vices, for the which yee af∣firme with your owne mouthes, the curse of God to be due.

Cursed is the man that maketh any carued or molten image, an abomination to the Lord, the worke of the hands of the craftesman, and putteth it in a secret place to worshipst.

And the people shall answere and say.

Amen.

Minister. Cursed is he that curseth his father and mother.

Answere. Amen.

Minister. Cursed is he that remoueth away the marke of his neigh∣bours land.

Answere. Amen.

Minister. Cursed is hee that maketh the blinde to goe out of his way.

Answere. Amen.

Minister. Cursed is hee that letteth in indgement the right of the stranger, of them that be fatherlesse, and of widowes.

Answere. Amen.

Minister. Cursed is he that smiteth his neighbour serretly.

Answere. Amen.

Minister. Cursed is he that lieth with his neighbours wife.

Answere. Amen.

Minister. Cursed is hee that taketh reward to slay the soule of inno∣cent blood.

Answere. Amen.

Minister. Cursed is hee that putteth his trust in man, and taketh man for his defence, and in his heart goeth from the Lord.

Answere. Amen.

Minister. Cursed are the vnmercifull, the fornicatours and adulte∣rers, and the couetous persons, the worshippers of images, slanderers, drunkards, and extortioners.

Answere. Amen.

Minister. NOw seeing that all they bee accur∣sed (as the Prophet Dauid bea∣reth witnesse) which doe erre and goe astray from the commaunde∣ments of God, * 1.1 let vs (remembring the dreadfull iudgement hanging ouer our heads, and being alwaies at hand) returne vnto our Lord God, with al contrition and meek∣nesse of heart, bewayling and la∣menting our sinfull life, know∣leding and confessing our offences, and seeking to bring foorth worthie fruites of penance. For now is the Axe put vn∣to the roote of the trees, * 1.2 so that euery tree that bringeth not foorth good fruite, is he wen downe, and cast into the fire. * 1.3 It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God: he shall power downe raine vpon the sinners, snares, fire, and brimstone, storme and tempest, * 1.4 this shall bee their portion to drinke. For loe, the Lord is commen out of his place, * 1.5 to visite the wickednesse of sueh as dwell vpon the earth. * 1.6 But who may abide the day of his comming? Who shall bee able to en∣dure when he appeareth? His fan is in his hand, * 1.7 and he will purge his floore, and gather his wheate into the barne, but he will burne the chaffe with vnquenchable fire. The day of the Lord commeth as a theefe in the night: and when men shall say, Peace, and all things are safe, then shall sudden destruc∣tion come vpon them, as sorrow commeth vpon a woman traueiling with childe, and they shall not escape. Then shall appeare the wrath of God in the day of vengeance, * 1.8 which ob∣srinate sinners, through the stubbernnesse of their heart, haue heaped vnto themselues, which despised the goodnesse, pati∣ence, and long sufferance of God, when he called them conti∣nually to repentance. Then shall they call vpon me (saith the Lord) but I will not heare, * 1.9 they shall seeken mee early, but they shall not finde mee, and that because they hated know∣ledge, and receiued not the feare of the Lord, but abhorred my counsell, and despised my correction. Then shall it bee too late

to knocke, When the doore shalt bee shut, and too late to crie for mercie, When it is the time of iustice. O terrible voyce of most iust iudgement, which shalt bee pronounced vpon them. * 1.10 when it shalt be said vnto them, Goe yee cursed into the fire e∣uerlasting, Which is prepared for the Deuill and his angels. * 1.11 Therefore brethren, take wee heede betime, while the day of saluation lasteth, for the night commeth, when none can Worke: * 1.12 but let vs while we haue the light, beleeue in the light, and Walker as the children of the light, that We be not cast into the vtter darknesse, * 1.13 Where is Weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let vs not abuse the goodnes of God, Which calleth vs mer∣tifully to amendement, and of the endlesse pitie promiseth vs forgiuenesse of thatt Which is past, if (with a Whole minde and true heart) Wereturne vnto him. * 1.14 For though our sinnes bee as red as searlet, they sall be as White as snow: and though they be like purple, yet shal they be as White as wooll. * 1.15 Turne you cleane (saith the Lord) from all your wickedesse, and your snne shalt not be your destruction. Cast a way from yon al your vngodlines that ye haue done, make you new hearts, and a new spirit. Wherefore will ye die, O ye honse of Is;rael, seeing that I haue no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: turne you then, and yee shalt liue. * 1.16 A∣though we haue ssinned, yet haue we an aduocate with the fa∣ther, Iesus Christ the righteous, and hee it is that ovteineth grace for our sinnes. For hee was wounded for our offences, * 1.17 & smitten for our wickednesse. Let vs therefore returne vnto him, who is y^e merciful receiuer of all true penitent snners, af∣suring our selues that he is ready to receiue vs, & most willing to pardon vs, if we come vnto him wiht faithfull repentance, if we will submit our selues vnto him, & from henceforth walk in his wayes, * 1.18 if wee will take take his easie yoke and light burden vpon vs, to follow him in lowlines, patience and charitie, and bee ordered by the gouernance of his holy spirite, seeking al∣wayes his glory, and seruing him duely in our vocation, with thankesgiuing. This if wee doe, Christ will deliuer vs from the curse of the law, and from the extreme maledirtion Which shalt light vpon them that shalbe set on y^e left hand, and he will set vs on his right hand, * 1.19 and giue vs the blessed benediction

of his father, commaunding vs to take possession of his glori∣ous kingdome, vnto the which he vouchsafe to bring vs all, for his infinite mercie.

Then shalt they all kneele vpon their knees: and the Priest and Clarkes kneeling (where they are accustomed to say the Letanie) shalt say this Psalme,Miserere mei Deus.

HAue mercy vpon me, * 1.20 O God, after thy great goodnesse: according to the multitude of thy mercies doe a∣way mine offences.

Wash mee throughly from my wickednesse: and cleanse me from my smne.

For I knowledge my faultes: and my sinne is euer before me.

Against thee onely haue I fin∣ned, and done this euill in thy sight: that thou mightest bee iustified in thy saying, and cleare when thou art iudged.

Behold, I was sapen in wickednesse: and in sinne hath my mother conceiued me.

But loe, thou requirest trueth in the inward partes: and shalt make me to vnderstand wise dome secretly.

Thou shalt purge me with Hysope, and I shalt be cleane: thou shalt wash me, and I shalbe whiter then snow.

Thou shalt make mee heare of ioy and gladnesse: that the bones Which thou hast broken may reioyce.

Turne thy face from my smnes: and put out all my mis∣deedes.

Make mee a cleane heart, O God: and renew a right spi∣rit Within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy ho∣ly spirit from me.

O giue me the confort of thy helpe againe: and stablish me with thy free spirit.

Then shalt I teach thy wayes vnto the wicked: and sin∣ners shalbe conuerted vnto thee.

Deliuer me from bloodgiltinesse, O God, thou that are the God of my health: and my tongue shalt sing of thy righteous∣nesse.

Thou shalt open my lips (O Lord:) my mouth shalt shew thy prayse.

For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I giue it thee: but thou delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and con∣trite heart (O God) shalt thou not despise.

O be fauourable and gracious vnto Sion: build thou the walles of Hierusalem.

Then shalt thou bee pleased with the sacrifice of righteous∣nesse, with the burnt offerings and oblations: then shal they offer yong bullocke vpon thine altar.

Glorie be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

Lord haue mercie vpon vs.

Christ haue mercie vpon vs.

Lord haue mercie vpon vs.

Our Father which art in heauen, &c.

And leade vs not into temptation.

Answere. But deliuer vs from euill. Amen.

Minister. O Lord saue thy seruants.

Answere. Which put their trust in thee.

Minister. Send vnto them helpe from aboue.

Answere. And euermore mightily defend them.

Minister. Helpe vs O God our Sauiour.

Answere. And for the glorie of thy names sake deliur vs, bee merci∣full vnto vs sinners for thy names sake.

Minister. O Lord heare our prayer.

Answere. And let our crie come vnto thee.

Let vs pray.

O Lord wee beseech thee mercifully heare our pray∣ers, and spare all those which confesse their sinnes to thee, that they (whose cosciences by sinne are accused) by thy mercifull pardon may bee absolued through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Most mightie God and mercifull Father, Which hast compassion of all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, Which wouldest not the death of a sinner, but that hee should rather turne from sinne, and be saued: mercifully forgiue vs our trespasses, receiuc and comfort vs, Which bee grieued and wearied with the burden of our sinne. Thy propertie is to haue mercie, to thee onely it appertaineth to forgiue snnes. Spare vs there fore good Lord, spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed: enter not into iudgement with thy seruants, which bee vile earth, and miserable sinners: but so turne thine yre from vs, Which meekely knowledge our vilenesse, and truely repent vs of our faultes: so make haste to helpe vs in this world, that we may euer liue with thee in the world to come, through Ie∣sus Chrift our Lord, Amen.

Then shalt the people say this that followeth, after the Minister.

TUrne thou vs, O good Lord, and so shalt we bee turned: be fauourable, O Lord, be fauourable to thy people, which turne to thee in weeping, fast∣ing, and praying: for thou art a mercifull God, ful of compassion, long suffering, and of great pitie.

Thou sparest when wee deserue punishment, and in thy wrath thinkest vpon mercie. spare thy people good Lord, spare them, and let not thine heritage be brought to con∣fusion. Heare vs, O Lord, for thy mercie is great, and after the multitude of the mer∣cies looke vpon vs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 119.
• * 1.2

  Matt. 3.
• * 1.3

  Heb. 11
• * 1.4

  Psal. 10.
• * 1.5

  Esai. 26
• * 1.6

  Mala. 3.
• * 1.7

  Matt. 3.
• * 1.8

  Rom. 2.
• * 1.9

  Prou. 1.
• * 1.10

  Matt. 25.
• * 1.11

  2 cor. 6.
• * 1.12

  Iohn 9.
• * 1.13

  Matt. 25.
• * 1.14

  Esai.i.
• * 1.15

  Eze. 28.
• * 1.16

  i. Iohnz.
• * 1.17

  Esai. 53.
• * 1.18

  Matt. 11.
• * 1.19

  Marr. 25.
• * 1.20

  Misere mei. Psal 51