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of its Directions, may foon be convinc'd, how unheedingly and cuftomarily they have been led on, to act exprefly against its Rules and Intentions.

The late Reverend Author, of Decency and Order, in publick Worship, has but too juftly taken Notice, in Serm. 3.

"That it would make the Heart fick, to "behold that Deadness in Devotion; that In"decency in Gesture, which prevail every "where, and which in moft Places, are the "Effects of downright Ignorance: Even in "Cities, and Towns, amongst the People of "better Capacities, many Miftakes and grofs Improprieties are found; which if they were thoroughly inform'd of, he is perfuaded, that they would, with Thankfulness "and Delight, acknowledge and correct them.'

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As it is highly improper for an officiating Perfon, to be always informing his Congregation, of these manifold Efcapes; it has been deem'd more advifeable to place them in fuch plain and particular Views, that they may foon be directed how to behave thro' all its Offices; as they are there, moft judiciously and orderly injoin'd, whenever they can beft attend the Perufal of them.

The

The Book of Common Prayer and Administration

of, &c.

That which makes, and denominates our Liturgy, truly and properly, a Book of Common Prayer, is, that it was compiled and enjoin'd by publick Authority, as the joint Addreffes of a whole Congregation, fending up their Devotions, with united Hearts and Affections, to the Throne of Grace.

The Word Common, is the fame as publick. Common, or publick Supplications, are oppofed to private ones, in the Prayer, afcrib'd to St. Chryfoftom: Where is meant, our having by God's Grace and Favour, addreffed ourselves unto him, in the publick Service of the Church.

i

It is likewife Common, to all People, and utter'd by the common Voice of the whole Church, which does in feveral Places, at the fame Time, and in the fame Words, offer unto God its bounden Service; that the Unity of the mystical Body of Chrift, fhould be teftified by this Uniformity and Agreement, in publick Prayer; glorifying God with one Mind, and one Mouth; which is faid to be so preailing with our Almighty Creator,

The

The Order for Morning and Evening Prayer, daily to be faid and us'd throughout the Year.

The natural Carlefness and Inattention, in the great Bufinefs of Religion, makes it highly neceffary, that there should be stated Times, conftantly and regularly returning, for the Exercifes of religious Worfhip; which otherwife, would be in great Danger of being very feldom perform'd, if not entirely laid afide. For which Reason, the Church has mention'd, in concerning the Service of it,

That all Priefts and Deacons are to fay daily the Morning and Evening Prayer, &c. as 'tis agreeable to divine Canon, in the Delivery of God's own Law. Now this is that which thos halt offer upon the Altar; two Lambs of the firft year, day by day continually. The one Lamb thou shalt offer in the Morning, and the other Lamb thou shalt offer at Even, Exod xxix. 38, 39.

And thou shalt fay unto them, This is the Offering made by Fire, which ye fhall offer unto the Lord: Two Lambs of the first Year, without spot, Day by Day, for a continual Burnt-offering. The one Lamb fhalt thou offer in the Morning, and the other Lamb thou shalt offer at Even, Numb. xxviii. 3, 4.

And

And to ftand every Morning to thank and praife the Lord, and likewife at Even, 1 Chron. xxiii. 30.

The fame Command is there from St. Paul, Golof. iv. 2. Continue in Prayer and watch in the fame with Thanksgiving. i. e. Have your daily, conftant Hours of Prayer; and use all Diligence, to have your Hearts intent upon that Performance; and with Petitions, for fupply of your Wants, join your thankful Acknowledgments for what ye have received.

The Morning and Evening Prayer shall be us'd in the accuftom'd Place of the Church, Chapel, or Chancel.

The Word Church, from the Derivation of it, fignifies the Lord's Houfe, i. e. a Place fet apart for Chriftian Service, and answers to the Synagogues of the Jews.

And the Chancels fhall remain as they have done in Times past.

Chancels were fo call'd, as they were feparated from the Church, by Cancelli, i. e. a Sort of Rails, or Lattice-Work, that were placed about the Courts of Judicature, in the Roman Government.

The general Way of late has been, to lay our Churches quite open to the CommunionTable; that what is ufually call'd the Second Service, may be read there, whether there is any Communion, or no.

And

And here is to be noted, that fuch Ornaments of the Church, and of the Ministers thereof, at all Times of their Miniftration, fhall be retain'd, and be in Ufe, as were in this Church of England, by the Authority of Parliament, in the Second Year of the Reign of Edward VI. viz.

That in the faying or finging of Mattens, or Evening-Song, Baptizing, or Burying, the Minifter in Parish Churches, or Chapels annex'd to the fame, fhall ufe a Surplice.

And in all Cathedral Churches and Colleges; Archdeacons, Deans, Provofts, Mafters, Prebendaries and Fellows, being Graduates, may ufe in the Choir, befides their Surplices, fuch Hoods, as pertain to their feveral Degrees, which they have holden or taken in any Univerfity within this Realm.

But in other Places, every Minister shall be at liberty, to use any Surplice, or no.

It is alfo feemly, that Graduates, when they do preach, fhould ufe fuch Hoods as appertain to their feveral Degrees.

And whenfoever the Bifhop fhall celebrate the Holy Communion in the Church, or execute any other publick Adminiftration; he fhall have upon him, befide his Rochete, (Rochete is a Robe of black Satin, which is now worn over the Chimere, which Chimere is a Lawn Gar

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