Chapter 34

| AT THE BURIAL OF BAPTIZED CHILDREN | | OF TENDER YEARS | | _It is permitted_: | | _To add to the opening sentences, this_: | | Jesus said, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and | forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. _St Mark_ | x. 14. | | _To substitute for the appointed psalms_: | | _Dominus regit me_. Ps. xxiii. | | The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing. | | He shall feed me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside | the waters of comfort. | | He shall convert my soul: and bring me forth in the paths of | righteousness, for his Name's sake. | | Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, | I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy | staff comfort me. | | Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble | me: thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be | full. But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the | days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for | ever. | | Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; | | As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world | without end. Amen. | | _To substitute for the appointed Lesson_: | | St Matth. xviii. 1. | | At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is | the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little | child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, | Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as | little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. | Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, | the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall | receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso | shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it | were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, | and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the | world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences | come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore | if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast | them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt | or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast | into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it | out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into | life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into | hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little | ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always | behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. | | _To use the prayers that follow_: | | O heavenly Father, whose face the angels of the little ones do | always behold in heaven: Grant us stedfastly to believe that | this little child hath been taken into the safe keeping of thine | eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_. | | O Lord Jesu Christ, who didst take little children into thine | arms and bless them: Open thou our eyes, we beseech thee, that | we may perceive that thou hast now taken this child into the | arms of thy love, and hast bestowed upon _him_ the blessings of | thy gracious favour; who livest and reignest with the Father and | the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. _Amen_. | | We yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath | pleased thee to regenerate this child with thy Holy Spirit, to | receive _him_ for thine own by adoption, and to incorporate _him_ | into thy holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant that, | as _he_ is made partaker of the death of thy Son, _he_ may also | be partaker of his resurrection; so that finally, with the | residue of thy holy Church, _he_ may be an inheritor of thine | everlasting kingdom; through Christ our Lord. _Amen_. | | BENEDICTION OF A GRAVE IN UNCONSECRATED GROUND | | _When the Priest and people shall have come to the place,_ | _the Priest shall say_, | | Let us pray. | | O Lord Jesu Christ, who wast laid in the new tomb of Joseph, | and didst thereby sanctify the grave to be a bed of hope to thy | people: Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to bless, hallow, and | consecrate this grave, that it may be a resting-place, peaceful | and secure, for the body of thy servant which we are about to | commit to thy gracious keeping, who art the Resurrection and | the Life, and who livest and reignest with the Father and the | Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. _Amen_.

THE THANKSGIVING OF WOMEN AFTER CHILD-BIRTH,

COMMONLY CALLED THE CHURCHING OF WOMEN

_The woman, at the usual time after her delivery, shall come into the Church decently apparelled, and there shall kneel down in some convenient place, as hath been accustomed, or as the Ordinary shall direct: And then the Priest shall say unto her_,

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his goodness to give you safe deliverance, and hath preserved you in the great danger of child-birth: You shall therefore give hearty thanks unto God, and say,

_Then shall the Priest say the cxvi. Psalm_.

_Dilexi quoniam_.

I am well pleased: that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer;

That he hath inclined his ear unto me: therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

The snares of death compassed me round about: and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.

I found trouble and heaviness, and I called upon the name of the Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous: yea, our God is merciful.

The Lord preserveth the simple: I was in misery, and he helped me.

Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul: for the Lord hath rewarded thee.

And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death: mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

I will walk before the Lord: in the land of the living.

I believed, and therefore will I speak; but I was sore troubled: I said in my haste, All men are liars.

What reward shall I give unto the Lord: for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?

I will receive the cup of salvation: and call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people: in the courts of the Lord's house, even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

_Or Psalm cxxvii_.

_Nisi Dominus_.

Except the Lord build the house: their labour is but lost that build it.

Except the Lord keep the city: the watchman waketh but in vain.

It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Lo, children and the fruit of the womb: are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.

Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant: even so are the young children.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

_Then the Priest shall say_,

Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

_Christ, have mercy upon us_.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

_Minister_. O Lord, save this woman thy servant;

_Answer_. Who putteth her trust in thee.

_Minister_. Be thou to her a strong tower;

_Answer_. From the face of her enemy.

_Minister_. Lord, hear our prayer.

_Answer_. And let our cry come unto thee.

_Minister_.

Let us pray.

O almighty God, we give thee humble thanks for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliver this woman thy servant from the great pain and peril of child-birth: Grant, we beseech thee, most merciful Father, that she through thy help may both faithfully live and walk according to thy will, in this life present; and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_The woman, that cometh to give her thanks, must offer accustomed offerings; and, if there be a Communion, it is convenient that she receive the holy Communion_.

A COMMINATION,

OR DENOUNCING OF GOD'S ANGER AND

JUDGEMENTS AGAINST SINNERS,

WITH CERTAIN PRAYERS,

TO BE USED ON THE FIRST DAY OF LENT, AND AT OTHER

TIMES AS THE ORDINARY SHALL APPOINT

_After Morning Prayer, the Litany ended, according to the accustomed manner, the Priest shall in the reading Pew or Pulpit say_,

Brethren, in the primitive Church there was a godly discipline, that, at the beginning of Lent, such persons as stood convicted of notorious sin were put to open penance, and punished in this world, that their souls might be saved in the day of the Lord; and that others, admonished by their example, might be the more afraid to offend.

Instead whereof, until the said discipline may be restored again, (which is much to be wished,) it is thought good that at this time (in the presence of you all) should be read the general sentences of God's cursing against impenitent sinners, gathered out of the seven and twentieth chapter of Deuteronomy, and other places of Scripture; and that ye should answer to every sentence, Amen: To the intent that, being admonished of the great indignation of God against sinners, ye may the rather be moved to earnest and true repentance; and may walk more warily in these dangerous days; fleeing from such vices, for which ye affirm with your own mouths the curse of God to be due. Cursed is the man that maketh any carved or molten image, to worship it.

_And the people shall answer and say_,

Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that curseth his father or mother.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that removeth his neighbour's land-mark.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that maketh the blind to go out of his way.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that perverteth the judgement of the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that smiteth his neighbour secretly.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that lieth with his neighbour's wife.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed is he that taketh reward to slay the innocent.

_Answer_. Amen.

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

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_. Cursed are the unmerciful, fornicators, and adulterers, covetous persons, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards, and extortioners.

_Answer_. Amen.

_Minister_.

Now seeing that all they are accursed (as the prophet David beareth witness) who do err and go astray from the commandments of God; let us (remembering the dreadful judgement hanging over our heads, and always ready to fall upon us) return unto our Lord God with all contrition and meekness of heart; bewailing and lamenting our sinful life, acknowledging and confessing our offences, and seeking to bring forth worthy fruits of penance. For now is the axe put unto the root of the trees, so that every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God: He shall pour down rain upon the sinners, snares, fire and brimstone, storm and tempest; this shall be their portion to drink. For lo, the Lord is come out of his place to visit the wickedness of such as dwell upon the earth. But who may abide the day of his coming? Who shall be able to endure when he appeareth? His fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the barn; but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. The day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night: and when men shall say, Peace, and all things are safe, then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as sorrow cometh upon a woman travailing with child, and they shall not escape. Then shall appear the wrath of God in the day of vengeance, which obstinate sinners, through the stubbornness of their heart, have heaped unto themselves; which despised the goodness, patience, and long-sufferance of God, when he calleth them continually to repentance. Then shall they call upon me (saith the Lord) but I will not hear; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me; and that, because they hated knowledge, and received not the fear of the Lord, but abhorred my counsel, and despised my correction. Then shall it be too late to knock, when the door shall be shut; and too late to cry for mercy, when it is the time of justice. O terrible voice of most just judgement, which shall be pronounced upon them, when it shall be said unto them, Go, ye cursed, into the fire everlasting, which is prepared for the devil and his angels. Therefore, brethren, take we heed betime, while the day of salvation lasteth; for the night cometh, when none can work: But let us, while we have the light, believe in the light, and walk as children of the light; that we be not cast into utter darkness, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us not abuse the goodness of God, who calleth us mercifully to amendment, and of his endless pity promiseth us forgiveness of that which is past, if with a perfect and true heart we return unto him. For though our sins be as red as scarlet, they shall be made white as snow; and though they be like purple, yet they shall be made white as wool. Turn ye (saith the Lord) from all your wickedness, and your sin shall not be your destruction: Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done: Make you new hearts, and a new spirit: Wherefore will ye die, O ye house of Israel? seeing that I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God. Turn ye then, and ye shall live. Although we have sinned, yet have we an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. For he was wounded for our offences, and smitten for our wickedness. Let us therefore return unto him, who is the merciful receiver of all true penitent sinners; assuring ourselves that he is ready to receive us, and most willing to pardon us, if we come unto him with faithful repentance; if we submit ourselves unto him, and from henceforth walk in his ways; if we will take his easy yoke and light burden upon us, to follow him in lowliness, patience, and charity, and be ordered by the governance of his Holy Spirit; seeking always his glory, and serving him duly in our vocation with thanksgiving. This if we do, Christ will deliver us from the curse of the law, and from the extreme malediction which shall light upon them that shall be set on the left hand; and he will set us on his right hand, and give us the gracious benediction of his Father, commanding us to take possession of his glorious kingdom: Unto which he vouchsafe to bring us all, for his infinite mercy. Amen.

_Then shall they all kneel upon their knees, and the Priest and Clerks kneeling_ (_in the place where they are accustomed to say the Litany_) _shall say this Psalm_.

_Miserere mei, Deus_. Psalm li.

Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.

Wash me throughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.

Behold, I was shapen in wickedness: and in sin hath my mother conceived me.

But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts: and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.

Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness: that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Turn thy face away from my sins: and put out all my misdeeds.

Make me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy holy Spirit from me.

O give me the comfort of thy help again: and stablish me with thy free Spirit.

Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked: and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health: and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.

Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord: and my mouth shall shew thy praise.

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

The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.

O be favourable and gracious unto Sion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations: then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

_Answer_. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

_Christ, have mercy upon us_.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

_Minister_. O Lord, save thy servants;

_Answer_. That put their trust in thee.

_Minister_. Send unto them help from above.

_Answer_. And evermore mightily defend them.

_Minister_. Help us, O God our Saviour.

_Answer_. And for the glory of thy Name deliver us; be merciful unto us sinners, for thy Name's sake.

_Minister_. O Lord, hear our prayer.

_Answer_. And let our cry come unto thee.

_Minister_.

Let us pray.

O Lord, we beseech thee, mercifully hear our prayers, and spare all those who confess their sins unto thee; that they, whose consciences by sin are accused, by thy merciful pardon may be absolved; through Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

O most mighty God, and merciful Father, who hast compassion upon all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made; who wouldest not the death of a sinner, but that he should rather turn from his sin, and be saved: Mercifully forgive us our trespasses; receive and comfort us, who are grieved and wearied with the burden of our sins. Thy property is always to have mercy; to thee only it appertaineth to forgive sins. Spare us therefore, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed; enter not into judgement with thy servants, who are vile earth, and miserable sinners; but so turn thine anger from us, who meekly acknowledge our vileness, and truly repent us of our faults, and so make haste to help us in this world, that we may ever live with thee in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_Then shall the people say this that followeth, after the Minister_.

Turn thou us, O good Lord, and so shall we be turned. Be favourable, O Lord, Be favourable to thy people, Who turn to thee in weeping, fasting, and praying. For thou art a merciful God, Full of compassion, long-suffering, and of great pity. Thou sparest when we deserve punishment, And in thy wrath thinkest upon mercy. Spare thy people, good Lord, spare them, And let not thine heritage be brought to confusion. Hear us, O Lord, for thy mercy is great, And after the multitude of thy mercies look upon us; Through the merits and mediation of thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_Then the Minister alone shall say_,

The Lord bless us, and keep us; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon us, and give us peace, now and for evermore. _Amen_.

THE PSALMS OF DAVID

DAY 1 MORNING PRAYER

PSALM 1. _Beatus vir, qui non abiit, &c_.

Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners: and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord: and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side: that will bring forth his fruit in due season.

4 His leaf also shall not wither: and look, whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper.

5 As for the ungodly, it is not so with them: but they are like the chaff, which the wind scattereth away from the face of the earth.

6 Therefore the ungodly shall not be able to stand in the judgement: neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

7 But the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: and the way of the ungodly shall perish.

PSALM 2. _Quare fremuerunt gentes?_

Why do the heathen so furiously rage together: and why do the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together: against the Lord, and against his Anointed.

3 Let us break their bonds asunder: and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath: and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my King: upon my holy hill of Sion.

7 I will preach the law, whereof the Lord hath said unto me: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

8 Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance: and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of iron: and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be learned, ye that are judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord in fear: and rejoice unto him with reverence.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the right way: if his wrath be kindled, (yea, but a little,) blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

PSALM 3. _Domine, quid multiplicati?_

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me: many are they that rise against me.

2 Many one there be that say of my soul: There is no help for him in his God.

3 But thou, O Lord, art my defender: thou art my worship, and the lifter up of my head.

4 I did call upon the Lord with my voice: and he heard me out of his holy hill.

5 I laid me down and slept, and rose up again: for the Lord sustained me.

6 I will not be afraid for ten thousands of the people: that have set themselves against me round about.

7 Up, Lord, and help me, O my God: for thou smitest all mine enemies upon the cheek-bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people.

PSALM 4. _Cum invocarem_.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.

2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour: and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing?

3 Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly: when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still.

5 Offer the sacrifice of righteousness: and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There be many that say: Who will shew us any good?

7 Lord, lift thou up: the light of thy countenance upon us.

8 Thou hast put gladness in my heart: since the time that their corn and wine and oil increased.

9 I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest: for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.

PSALM 5. _Verba mea auribus_.

Ponder my words, O Lord: consider my meditation.

2 O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I make my prayer.