The primitive rule of Reformation according to the first liturgy of K. Edward VI, 1549 containing an extract of the same, so far as it is Popishly affected : together with several honourable testimonials thereof from church and state, of that, and of succeeding ages : as also the wishes of several churches and chuchmen of the Reformation, for restoring the said liturgy in parts.

AN EXTRACT OF THE First Liturgy OF King EDWARD VI. Set forth May 1549. in the Third year of K. Edward's Reign; (whose Compilers were Cran∣mer, Ridley, &c. Several of Foxes Mar∣tyrs) showing how far it was Popishly Affected.

In the Communion Office.

THe Supper of our Lord, and the Holy Communion, commonly called,* 1.1 The Mass. (Fol. CX.)

Rubrick, Upon the Day, and at the Time appointed for the Mini∣stration of the Holy Communion, the Priest that shall Execute the Holy Ministery, shall put upon

him the Vesture appointed for that Ministration, that is to say,* 1.2 a White Albe plain, with a Vestment or Cope; and where there be many Priests or Deacons, then so many shall be ready to help the Priest in the Ministration, as shall be requisite. And shall have upon them likewise the Vestures appoin∣ted for their Ministry; that is to say, Albes with Tunacles. (Ibid.)

Rubrick, Then shall the Minister take so much Bread and Wine as shall Suffice the Persons appoin∣ted to Receive the Holy Communion, laying the Bread upon the Corporas,* 1.3 or else upon the Paten; or in some other Comely thing prepar'd for that Purpose: And putting the Wine into the Chalice, or else into some fair or convenient Cup prepar'd for that Use, (if the Chalice will not serve;) putting thereto a little pure and clean Water.* 1.4 (Fol. CXIIII.)

Prayer.

And here we do give unto thee, most high Praise and hearty Thanks, for the wonderful Grace and Vertue declar'd in all thy Saints from the Beginning of the World: And chiefly in the Glorious and most Blessed Virgin Mary,* 1.5 Mother of thy Son Jesu Christ our Lord and God, and in the Holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, and Mar∣tyrs, whose Examples, (O Lord,) and Stedfastness in thy Faith and keeping thy Holy Command∣ments, grant us to Follow: We Commend unto thy Mercy, O Lord, all other thy Servants which and Departed hence from us, with the Sign of Faith, and do now rest in the Sleep of Peace; Grant un∣to them we beseech thee,* 1.6 thy Mercy and ever∣lasting Peace; and that at the day of the General

Resurrection, We and All They which be of the Mystical Body of thy Son, may altogether be set on his Right-hand, and hear that his most joyful Voice, Come unto me, O ye that be Blessed of my Father, and possess the Kingdom which is prepared for you from the beginning of the World. (Fol. CXVI.)

The Minister Consecrates the Elements,* 1.7 with Crossing them at the Words, Bl✚ess and Sanc✚tify these thy Gifts and Creatures of Bread and Wine, that they may be unto us, the Body and Blood of thy dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ. (Ibid.)

Prayer.

And although we be Unworthy, through our manifold Sins, to offer unto thee any Sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bound en Duty and Service; and command these our Prayers and Supplications,* 1.8 by the Ministry of thy Holy Angels to be brought up into thy Holy Taber∣nacle, before the sight of thy Divine Majesty, (Fol. CXVIII.)

Rubrick, And when he delivers the Sacrament of the Body of Christ, he shall say to every one these words.

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee,* 1.9 preserve thy Body and Soul unto Everlasting Life.

And the Minister delivering the Sacrament of the Blood, and giving every one to Drink once, and no more. shall say,

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee, preserve thy Body and Soul unto everlast∣ing Life. (Fol. CXVIII.)

Rubrick, For avoiding of all matters and occasion of Dissention, it is meet that the Bread prepar'd

for the Communion, be made through all this Realm,* 1.10 after one Sort and Fashion, that is to say, Ʋnleaven'd and Round as it was afore; but with∣out all manner of Print, and something more larger, and thicker than it was; so that it may be aptly divided in divers Pieces, and every one shall be divided into two Pieces at the least or more, by the Discretion of the Minister,* 1.11 and so distributed. And men must not think less to be Received in Part, than in the Whole; but in each of them, the whole Body of our Saviour Jesus Christ. (Fol. CXXI.) Rubrick, And although it be Read in Antient Writers, That the People many years past, received at the Priests hands, the Sacraments of the Body of Christ in their own Hands, and no Commandment of Christ to the contrary: Yet for as much as they many times Convey'd the same secretly away, kept it with them, and diversly abus'd it to Superstition and Wick∣edness; least any such thing hereafter should be at∣tempted; and that an Uniformity might be us'd throughout the whole Realm: It is thought conve∣nient the People commonly receive the Sacrament of Christs Body in their Mouths,* 1.12 at the Priests hands (Ibid.)

In the Office of Publick Baptism.

Rubrick, Here shall the Priest ask, What shall be the Name of the Child; and when the God-fathers and God-Mothers have told the Name, then he shall make a Cross upon the Childs Forehead and Breast,* 1.13 saying,

N. Receive the Sign of the Holy Cross, both in thy Forehead and thy Breast; in token that thou shalt not be asham'd to confess thy Faith in Christ Crucified; and

manfully to fight under his Banner against Sin, the World and the Devil: And to continue his Faithful Soldier and Servant unto thy Lifes end. Amen.

And this he shall do and say, to as many Chil∣dren as be present to be Baptiz'd, one after ano∣ther, Fol. CXXVI.

Rubrick, Then the Priest shall take the Child in his Hands, and ask the Name.* 1.14 And naming the Child, shall dip it in the Water thrice; First, dip∣ping the Right-side; Second, the Left-side; the Third time dipping the Face, toward the Font, so it be discreetly and warily done.

Rubrick, And if the Child be weak, it shall suffice to pour Water upon it, saying the aforesaid words: N. I Baptize thee, &c. Then the God-fathers and God-mothers shall take and lay their Hands upon the Child, and the Minister shall put upon him his Vesture, commonly call'd the Chry∣some, and say,

Take this White Vesture for a Token of the Inno∣cence,* 1.15 which by Gods Grace in this Holy Sacrament of Baptism is given unto thee: And for a Sign, whereby thou art Admonish'd so long as thou livest to give thy felf to Innocence of living: That after this transitory Life, thou mayest be partaker of the Life Everlast∣ing, Amen.

Then the Priest shall Anoint the Child upon the Head. saying,* 1.16

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Christ, who has Regenerate thee by Water, and the Holy Ghost; and has given unto thee Remission of all thy Sins; He vouchsafe to Anoint with the Unction of his Holy Spirit, and bring thee to the Inheritance of Everlast∣ing Life, Amen. (Fol. CXXVIII.)

The Close of the Office of Private Baptism.

Rubrick, The Water in the Font shall be chang'd, every Month once at least; and afore any Child be Baptiz'd in the Water so Chang'd, the Priest shall say at the Font these Prayers following.

O most Merciful God, our Saviour Jesu Christ, who hast Ordain'd the Element of Water for the Regeneration of thy Faithful People; upon whom being Baptiz'd in the River of Jordan,* 1.17 the Holy Ghost came down in the likeness of a Dove; Send down we beseech the same thy Holy Spirit to Assist us, and be Present at this our Invocation of thy Holy Name. Sanctify ✚ this Fountain of Baptism, Thou that art the Sanctifier of All Things, that by the Power of thy Word, all those that shall be Baptiz'd herein, may be Spiritually Regenerated, and made the Children of everlasting Adoption, Amen.

O merciful God, grant that the Old Adam in them that shall be Baptiz'd in this Fountain may so be Buried that the New Man may be Rais'd up again, Amen.

Grant that all Carnal Affections may die in them, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live, and grow in them, Amen.

Grant unto all Them, which at this Fountain for∣sake the Devil and all his Works, that they may have Power and Strength to have Victory, and to Triumph against Him, the World and the Flesh, Amen.

Whosoever shall Confess Thee, O Lord, Recog∣nize him also in thy Kingdom, Amen.

Grant that all Sin and Vice here, may so be Extinct, that they never have Power to Raise in thy Servants, Amen.

Grant, That whosoever here shall Begin to be of thy Flock, may evermore Continue in the same, Amen.

Grant that all They, which for thy sake in this Life do Deny and Forsake Themselves, may Winne and Purchase thee (O Lord,) which art Everlasting Treasure, Amen.

Grant, That whosoever is here Dedicated to Thee by our Office and Ministry, may also be indued with Heavenly Vertues, and everlastingly Rewarded through thy Mercy; O Blessed Lord God, who dost live and Govern all things, world without End. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

Answer,

And with thy Spirit.

Almighty ever living God, whose most dearly Beloved Son Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our Sins, did shed out of his most precious Side, both Wa∣ter and Blood, and gave Commandment to his Dis∣ciples, That they should Go teach all Nations, and Baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Regard we beseech the Sup∣plications of Thy Congregation; and grant that all thy Servants which shall be Baptiz'd in this Water, prepar'd for the Ministration of thy Holy Sacrament; may receive the Fullness of thy Grace, and ever re∣main in the Number of thy Faithful and Elect Chil∣dren: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Fol. CXXXII.)

In the Office of Confirmation.

Rubrick,* 1.18 Then shall they be brought to the Bishop, by one that shall be his God-father, or God-mother, that every Child may have a Witness of his Confirmation. (Fol. CXXXIV.)

Minister,

Sign them, O Lord, and Mark them to be Thine for ever by the Vertue of thy Holy Cross and Passion, Confirm and Strengthen them with the Inward Unction of thy Holy Ghost, mercifully unto Everlasting Life. Amen.

Then the Bishop shall Cross them in the Fore∣head, and lay his Hand upon their Head, saying.

* 1.19I Sign thee with the Sign of the Cross, and lay my Hand upon thee in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. (Fol. CXXXV.)

In the Office of Matrimony.

Rubrick, The Man shall give unto the Woman a Ring, and other Tokens of Spousage, as Gold, or Silver, laying the same upon the Book. And the Priest taking the Ring shall deliver it to the Man, to put it upon the fourth Finger of the Womans Left Hand; and the Man Taught by the Priest, shall say,

With this Ring I thee Wed, this Gold and Silver I thee give, with my Body I thee Worship, and with all my Worldly Goods I thee Indow; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.

Then the Man leaving the Ring upon the fourth Finger of the Womans Left Hand, the Minister shall say,

Let us Pray.

O Eternal God, Creator and preserver of all Man∣kind; Giver of all Spiritual Grace, the Author of Everlasting Life, send thy Blessing upon these thy Servants, this Man and this Woman, whom we Bless in thy Name; that as Isaac and Rebecca, (after Bracelets and Jewels of Gold) given of one to the

other, for Tokens of their Matrimony, liv'd Faith∣fully together: So these Persons may surely perform and keep the Vow and Covenant betwixt them made, whereof this Ring given and receiv'd, is a Token and Pledge, and may ever Remain in perfect Love and Peace together; and live according to thy Laws, Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. (fol. cxxxvii.)

Rubrick, Then shall the Priest joyn their Right∣hands together, and say,

Those whom God has joyn'd together, let no Man put asunder.

Then shall the Minister speak unto the People. For as much as N. and N. have consented together in Holy Wedlock,* 1.20 and have Witnessed the same here before God, and this Company: And thereto have given and pledg'd their Troth either to other; and have declar'd the same, by giving and receiving Gold and Silver, and by joyning of Hands: I pro∣nounce that they be Man and Wife together: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.

And the Minister shall add this Blessing.

God the Father Bless ✚ you, God the Son keep you, God the Holy Ghost Lighten your Ʋnderstand∣ing. (Ibid.)

Let us Pray.

O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Ja∣cob, Bless these thy Servants, and sow the Seed of

Eternal Life in their Minds; that whatsoever in thy Holy Word they shall Profitably Learn, they may in deed fullfil the same. Look, O Lord, Mer∣cifully upon them from Heaven, and Bless them: And as thou didst send thy Angel Raphael to Thobie and Sara,* 1.21 the Daughter of Raguel, to their great Comfort; so vouchsafe to send thy Blessing upon these thy Servants, that they obeying thy Will, and always being in Safety, under thy Protection, may abide in thy Love, unto their Lives end; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen, (fol. cxxxviii.)

* 1.22And the Priest again Blesses the new Married Couple with the Sign of the Cross at the words, Bl✚ess, and Sanc✚tifie you. (fol. cxxxix.)

The Office of Visitation of the Sick. Prayer.

Hear us Almighty and most Merciful God and Saviour, extend thine accustom'd Goodness to this thy Servant which is griev'd with Sickness: Visit him, O Lord, as thou didst Visit Peter's Wives Mo∣ther, and the Captains Servant; and as thou pre∣servedst Thobie and Sara by thy Angel from Dan∣ger,* 1.23 so Restore unto this Sick Person his former Health, if it be thy Will; or else, give him Grace so to take thy Correction, that after this Painful Life ended, he may dwell with thee, in Life Everlasting, Amen. (fol. cxli.)

Rubrick, If the Sick Person desire to be Anointed, then shall the Priest Anoint him upon the Fore∣head,* 1.24

or Breast, only making the Sign of the Cross,* 1.25 saying thus:* 1.26 As with this Visible Oyl thy Body Outwardly is Anointed, so our Heavenly Father Almighty God, grant of his Infinite Goodness, that thy Soul Inwardly may be Anointed with the Holy Ghost who is the Spirit of all Strength, Comfort, Relief and Gladness; And vouchsafe for his great Mercy, (if it be his Blessed Will) to restore unto thee thy Bodily Health and Strength to serve him: And send thee Release of all thy Pains, Troubles and Dis∣eases both in Body and Mind. (fol. cxliii, cxliv.)

In the Office of the Communion of the Sick.

If the same day there be a Celebration of the Holy Communion in the Church;* 1.27 then shall the Priest reserve (at the Open Communion) so much of the Sacrament of CHRIST's Body and Blood, as shall serve the Sick Person; and as Many as shall Communicate with him (if there be any) (fol. cxliv.)

But if any man, either by reason of Extremity of Sickness, or for lack of Warning given in due time to the Curate, or by any other just Impediment do not Receive the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood: Then the Curate shall instruct him, that if he do truly Repent him of his Sins, and stedfastly Believe that Jesus Christ has suffer'd Death upon the Cross for him, and shed his Blood for his Re∣demption; Earnestly Remembring the Benefits he has thereby, and giving him hearty Thanks there∣fore:* 1.28 He does Eat and Drink Spiritually the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, profitably to his Souls health, although he does not Receive the Sacrament, with his Mouth. (fol. cxlv.)

In the Office of Burial of the Dead.

Rubrick, Then the Priest casting Earth upon the Corpes, shall say,

* 1.29I commend thy Soul to God the Father Almighty, and thy Body to the Ground; Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust.

Let us Pray.

We commend into thy Hands of Mercy, most Merciful Father, the Soul this our Brother De∣parted, N. &c. (fol. cxlvii.)

Let us Pray.

O Lord, with whom do Live the Spirits of them that be Dead; and in whom the Souls of them that be Elected, after they be Delivered from the Burden of this Flesh, be in Joy and Feli∣city: Grant unto this thy Servant, that the Sins which be Committed in this World, be not Impu∣ted to him; but that he escaping the Gates of Hell, and pains of Eternal Darkness, may ever dwell in the Region of Light with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in the place where there is No Weeping, Sorrow, nor Heaviness: And when that Dread∣ful day of General Resurrection shall come, make him to Rise also with the Just and Righte∣ous, and receive his Body again to Glory, then made Pure and Incorruptible: Set him on the Right-hand of thy Son Jesus Christ, among thy

Holy and Elect: That then he may hear with them these most Sweet and Comfortable words; Come to me ye Blessed of my Father, possess the Kingdom which hath been prepar'd for you from the beginning of the World: Grant this, we beseech thee, O Merciful Father, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer, Amen. (fol. cxlix.)

There is a Set-Form of Celebration of the Holy Communion appointed upon occasion of the Bu∣rial of the Dead. (fol. cl.)* 1.30

The Close of the Office of Purification of Women.

Rubrick, The Woman that is Purified,* 1.31 must offer her Chrysome and other accustom'd Offerings, (fol. clii.)

In the Notes for the more plain Explication and Decent Ministration of Things contain'd in the Book.

Whensoever the Bishop shall Celebrate the Holy Communion in the Church, or Execute any Other publick Ministration; He shall have upon him,* 1.32 besides his Rochet a Surpless, or Albe, and a Cope or Vestment, and also his Pastoral Staff in his Hand, or else Born, or holden by his Chaplain.

As touching Kneeling, Crossing, Holding up of Hands, Knocking upon the Breast, and other Postures. They may be Ʋs'd, or Left, as every mans De∣votion serveth, without blame, (fol. clvii.)

Testimonials of the Liturgy.

Concerning this First Liturgy of King Edward, hear what that Statute, 2 Edw. VI. that inforc'd the said Book, says— To the intent a uniform, quiet and godly Order should be had concerning the Premisses [the King] hath appointed the Arch∣bishop of Canterbury, (i. e. Cranmer) and certain of the most Learned and Discreet Bishops (i. e. Goodrick Bishop of Ely, Skip Bishop of Hereford, Thirlby Bishop of Westminster, Day Bishop of Chi∣chester, Holbeck Bishop of Lincoln, and Ridley Bishop of Rochester,) and other Learned Men of this Realm, (i. e. May Dean of St. Pauls, Taylor Dean of Lincoln, Haynes Dean of Exeter, Redman Dean of Westminster; Cox, King Edward's Almo∣ner, and Robinson Archdeacon of Leicester:) To consider and ponder the Premises; and thereupon having eye and respect to the most sincere and pure Christian Religion Taught by the Scripture, as to the Ʋsages in the Primitive Church; should draw and make one convenient and meet Order, Rite and Fashion of Common and Open Prayer, and Admi∣nistration of the Sacraments; to be had and used in his Majesties Realm of England, and in Wales: The which at this Time, by the Aid of the Holy Ghost (Note that) with one Ʋniform Agreement, is of them concluded, set forth and deliver'd to his Highness, to his great Comfort and Quietness of Mind, in a Book Intituled, The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, after the Ʋse of the Church of England: Thus speaks the Act of Parliament that inforces it.

And again Statute 5. Edw. VI. Speaking of the same Liturgy, — The said Book allowed to be Agreeable to the Word of God, and the Primitive Church: Thus even that Act that Repealed it.

Hear the Testimony of Archbishop Bancroft; He speaking of this Liturgy, in a Sermon of his Preach'd at St. Paul's-Cross, Anno 1588. affirms of it, that it was Publish'd first with such Approba∣tion, as that it was accounted the Work of God: Thus that Archbishop, and more he could not have said, had he been the Inspired Archbishop Cranmer, or any of the other inspired Bishops, that in the Style of K. Edwards Parliament, drew it up by the Aid of the Holy Ghost.

Hear the Testimony of John Fox; he tells us,

That the Compilers of that Liturgy were command∣ed by the King to have as well an Eye and Re∣spect unto the most sincere and pure Christian Religion Taught by the Holy Scriptures; as also to the Ʋsages of the Primitive Church; and to draw up one convenient and meet Order, Rite and Fashion of Common-Prayer, and Administra∣on of the Sacraments, to be had and used within the Realm of England, and the Dominions of the same: And then adds, that Through the Aid of the Holy Ghost, and with one Uniform Agreement; they did conclude, set forth, and deliver to the King a Book in English, Entituled, A Book of Common-Prayer, &c.

Thus Foxe Acts and Monuments, Part 2. p. 660. And who fitter than John Foxe to give Testimony of his own

Martyrs, the Compilers of this Liturgy, which Bancroft tells us, was receiv'd at its coming forth as the Work of God.

Lastly, Hear the Word of a King; Even of King Edward himself, of his Own Liturgy; In his Answer to the Devonshire Rebels: 'For the Mass (for so is that Liturgy call'd in the Book itself, (p. 110.) as also in the Statute that inforc'd it, 2 Edward VI. and in King Edwards Injunctions, Injunct. 21.)

I assure you▪ (says he) no small Study nor Travel has been spent by all the Learned Clergy therein; and to avoid all Contention, It is brought even to the very Ʋse as Christ left it, as the Apostles used it, as the Holy Fathers Deliver'd it:

Thus King Ed∣ward of that Book, which as his Parliament ex∣presses it, was set forth to his great Comfort and Quietness of Mind. Acts and Mon. Part. 2 p. 667.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Name of Mass.
• * 1.2

  Albe and Tu∣nicles with a Cope.
• * 1.3

  Paten and Cor∣poral.
• * 1.4

  Wine and Wa∣ter.
• * 1.5

  Commemora∣tion of our La∣dy.
• * 1.6

  Prayer for the Dead.
• * 1.7

  The Elements Consecrated with the Cross. Haec Dona, haec Muner••.
• * 1.8

  Invocation of Angels.
• * 1.9

  Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodi∣at Animam tuam in vitam Eternam.
• * 1.10

  Wafer-Cakes.
• * 1.11

  Christus totus in tota & to∣tus in qualibet parte Hostiae
• * 1.12

  The Host taken at the Priests Hand in their Mouths.
• * 1.13

  The Forehead and Breast signed in Bap∣tism.
• * 1.14

  Trina Immersio.
• * 1.15

  Chrysomes.
• * 1.16

  Oyl in Baptism
• * 1.17

  Exorcisms.
• * 1.18

  Sureties in Confirmation.
• * 1.19

  Cross in Con∣firmation.
• * 1.20

  Marriage a Sa∣crament.
• * 1.21

  (Tobit. 12)
• * 1.22

  Cross in Matri∣mony.
• * 1.23

  (Tobit. 11.)
• * 1.24

  Extreme Uncti∣er.
• * 1.25

  A Sacrament.
• * 1.26

  Outward Visible Sign, and In∣ward Invisible Grace.
• * 1.27

  Reservation of the Sacrament.
• * 1.28

  Spiritual Com∣munion.
• * 1.29

  Commendati∣on of the Soul of the Decea∣sed to God.
• * 1.30

  Masses for the Dead.
• * 1.31

  Chrysomes.
• * 1.32

  The Bishop with his Crosier in time of Offi∣ciating.