CONTENTS. Justin Martyr's account of the Christian Worship in the Second Century-Form of Service used in the Fourth Cen- tury-The Greek, Roman, Ambrosian, Mozarabic, and Gal- lican Liturgies- The Eucharistic Form of the Early British Church-The Roman Ritual brought to England by Augus PAGE Varieties in the Service-Books-Origin of the Uses-The Use of Sarum-The Ritual Books-Arrangement of the Offices for the Seven Canonical Hours-The Breviary or Porti- fory-The Hours-Worship of the Early Church in the Progress of Reformed Opinions-English Version of the Bible -English Bibles set up in the Churches-The Ritual Books ordered to be revised-Holy Scripture read in English in the Public Service-Origin of the Litany-Cranmer's revi- The Epistle and Gospel read in English-Restoration of the Cup to the lay-people-The Order of the Communion, 1548 -The First English Book of Common Prayer-Names of the Compilers-Differences between the first Prayer-Book and that now in use-The Matins and Evensong compared with the Offices in the Primer-The Lessons-Visitation Articles, 1549-Progress of the more extreme reformers— Controversy about Altars and Vestments-Bishop Hooper -Foreign refugees in England-Bucer and Martyr— The Royal Visitation—The Injunctions-Position of the Lord's Table-Psalmody-The Calendar-Puritan Editions of the 53 The Millenary Petition—Hampton Court Conference—Changes introduced into the Prayer-Book by James I.-The Book of Common Prayer for Scotland-Supposed influence of Arch- bishop Laud-Committee of the House of Lords in 1641— Ceremonies proposed to be abrogated—Changes in the Prayer- The Address of the Presbyterians to the King-Their pro- posal to set aside the Prayer-Book-Royal Declaration con- cerning Ecclesiastical Affairs-The Savoy Conference—The concessions granted by the Bishops-Baxter's 'Reformation A HISTORY OF THE Book of Common Prayer. CHAPTER I. LITURGIES OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH. Justin Martyr's Account of the Christian Worship in the Second Century-Form of Service used in the Fourth Century-The Greek, Roman, Ambrosian, Mozarabic, and Gallican Liturgies-The Eucharistic Form of the early British Church-The Roman Ritual brought to England by Augustine-The English Ritual, as settled by Augustine—Differences between the Ancient British Ritual and Augustine's. HE construction of our English Book of Common THE Prayer can only be understood by a reference to the earlier forms from which it is derived. It is an inheritance that has come down to us from the remote ages of Christianity; originating in the Form of Worship that was used by the Apostles, when the believers 'continued stedfastly' in their 'doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.' These prayers gathered increase as time went on; yet it does not appear that they were written during the ages of persecution; there is no record of any seizure of the ritual books of the Christians by the heathen; and the more sacred portions of the public service were concealed from all but communicants. The earliest account of the Service used in the Christian Church is that given by Justin Martyr (140), in his Apology for the Christians, addressed to the Emperor Antoninus Pius. He thus describes the first admission of a newly baptized convert to the communion of the faithful: 'We, then, after having so washed him who hath expressed his conviction and professes the faith, lead him to those who are called brethren, where they are gathered together, to make common prayers with great earnestness, both for themselves, and for him who is now enlightened, and for all others in all places, that having learned the truth we may be deemed worthy to be found men of godly conversation in our lives, and to keep the Commandments, that so we may attain to eternal salvation. When we have finished our prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. 'After which, there is brought to that one of the brethren who presides, bread and a cup of wine mixed with water. And he having received them gives praise and glory to the Father of all things, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and gives thanks in many words for that God hath vouchsafed to them these things. And when he hath finished his praises and thanksgiving, all the people who are present express their assent, saying, Amen, which in the Hebrew tongue implies, So be it. The President having given thanks, and the people having expressed their assent, those whom we call deacons give to each of those who are present a portion of the bread which hath been blessed, and of the wine, mixed with water; and carry some away for those who are absent. And this food is called by us the Eucharist... |