Читать книгу: «A Christian Directory, Part 4: Christian Politics», страница 47

Let no children be privately baptized, nor any Minister forced to baptize them any where, besides in the public assembly, unless upon some special weighty cause. If there be occasion for baptizing the adult, let the minister accordingly suit his expressions.

OF CATECHISING, AND THE APPROBATION OF THOSE THAT ARE TO BE ADMITTED TO THE LORD'S SUPPER

Seeing none can be saved at years of discretion, that do not actually believe, and personally give up themselves in covenant to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; therefore as parents must do their parts, so ministers must catechise the ignorant, and diligently labour to cause them both to learn the form of wholesome words, (even the Lord's prayer and the ten commandments, and some brief, yet full and sound catechism,) and to understand the meaning of them, and to engage their hearts into the love of God, and a holy obedience to his laws.

To this end, let the minister, either every Lord's day, before the evening prayers, or at some convenient hour, or on some other day of the week, as oft as he can, examine publicly such as are not admitted to the Lord's supper, and take an account of their learning, and understanding the creed, the ten commandments, the Lord's prayer, and the catechism. And let him by questioning and explication, help them to understand them. And let such of the several families of the parish come in their turns, when they are called by the minister to be thus catechised. Also let the minister either go to their houses, or rather appoint the persons aforesaid in their courses at a certain hour and place, (in the church or any other fit place,) to come to him for personal instructions, where he may confer with those that are unmeet to be catechised publicly, or unwilling to submit to it; and there with humble, prudent, serious instruction and exhortation, let him endeavour to acquaint them with the substance of christian faith and duty, and to help them to make sure their calling and election, and to prepare for death and judgment, and exhort them to love and to good works, and warn them lest they be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. But let him not in public or private meddle with impertinencies, or spend the time about smaller matters, or singular opinions, nor sift people to know things unfit or unnecessary to be disclosed, nor meddle with matters that do not concern him as a minister to inquire after; but help them to learn, and understand, and practise the christian religion expressed in the catechism.

The Catechism

See the Rubric for Catechism and Confirmation in the Common Prayer, and also his Majesty's Declaration concerning ecclesiastical affairs.

Let none be admitted by the minister to the sacrament of the Lord's supper, till they have at years of discretion understood the meaning of their baptismal covenant, and with their own mouths, and their own consent openly before the church, ratified and confirmed, and also promised, that by the grace of God, they will evermore endeavour themselves faithfully to observe and keep such things as by their mouth and confession they have assented to; and so being instructed in the christian religion, do openly make a credible profession of their own faith, and promise to be obedient to the will of God.

A profession is credible, when it is made understandingly, seriously, voluntarily, deliberately, and not nullified by contradiction in word or deed. And that profession is incredible, that is made ignorantly, ludicrously, forcedly, rashly, or that is nullified by verbal or practical contradiction. And it must be practice first, that must make words credible, when the person by perfidiousness hath forfeited his credit. It is not private persons only, but the pastors of the church that must approve of this profession. Therefore, before any are admitted to the Lord's supper, they shall give a good account of their knowledge, faith, and christian conversation conformable thereunto, unto the pastors of their respective congregations, or else shall produce a certificate, that they have been approved or admitted to the Lord's supper in another congregation, of which they were members, and that by an allowed minister, upon such approved profession as aforesaid.

If the person be able and willing, let him before the congregation give the aforesaid account at large, of his knowledge, faith, and obedience; but if through backwardness, or disability for public speech, he shall refuse it, let him make the same profession privately to the minister, and own it in the assembly, when the minister shall declare it, and ask him whether he owns it. But unless it be in case of some extraordinary natural imperfection, and disability of utterance, let him at least openly recite the creed, and profess his consent to the covenant with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Let the minister of every parish keep a double register: one of the names of all that are there baptized; another of the names of all that are approved upon their foresaid credible profession, and so admitted into the number of communicants, or that have a certificate of such approbation, regularly elsewhere performed.

And if confirmation be continued, let his Majesty's Declaration be observed, requiring, That confirmation be rightly and solemnly performed, by the information, and with the consent, of the minister of the place.

Let no minister be enforced to admit any himself to the Lord's supper, who hath been clancularly and irregularly approved.

Those that after this approbation prove scandalous offenders, shall not by the minister be suffered to partake of the Lord's table, until they have openly declared themselves to have truly repented, and amended their former naughty lives.

OF THE CELEBRATION OF MATRIMONY

Before the solemnizing of marriage between any persons, their purpose of marriage shall be published by the minister, three several Lord's days in the congregation, at the place or places of their most usual abode respectively. And of this publication, the minister who is to join them in marriage shall have sufficient testimony, before he proceed to solemnize the marriage; the parents' consent being first sufficiently made known.

At the celebration, the minister shall either by a sermon, or other exhortation, open to them the institution, ends, and use of marriage, with the conjugal duties which they are faithfully to perform to each other. And then shall demand of them whether it be their desire and purpose to be joined together in the bond of the marriage covenant; and if they answer affirmatively, he shall say to them,

I require and charge you, as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgment, (when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed,) that if either of you do know any impediment by pre-contract or otherwise, why you may not lawfully be joined together in marriage, you discover it, and proceed not.

If no impediment be discovered by them or others, he shall proceed to pray.

Most merciful Father, who hast ordained marriage for mutual help, and for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the church with a holy seed, and for prevention of uncleanness; bless thy own ordinance to these persons, that entering this state of marriage in thy fear, they may there entirely devote themselves unto thee, and be faithful in all conjugal affections and duties unto each other; [and if thou bless them with children,] let them be devoted unto thee, and accepted as thine own, and blessed with thy grace, and educated in thy fear. Subdue those corruptions that would make their lives unholy or uncomfortable, and deliver them from temptations to impiety, worldliness, unquietness, discontent, or disaffection to each other, or to any unfaithfulness to thee or to each other. Make them meet helps to each other in thy fear, and in the lawful management of the affairs of this world. Let them not hinder, but provoke one another to love and to good works; and foreseeing the day of their separation by death, let them spend their days in a holy preparation, and live here together as the heirs of life that must rejoice at the great marriage day of the Lamb, and live for ever with Christ and all the holy angels and saints in the presence of thy glory.²⁶⁸ Amen.

|If they be young, it may be said, Bless them with children, and let them be devoted, &c.|

The woman if she be under Parents or Governors, being by one of them, or some deputed by them, given to be married, the man with his right hand shall take the woman by the right hand, and shall say,

I A. do take thee B. to be my married wife, and do promise and covenant in the presence of God, and before this congregation, to be a loving and faithful husband to thee, till God shall separate us by death.

Then the woman shall take the man by the right hand with her right hand, and say,

I B. do take thee A. to be my married husband, and I do promise and covenant in the presence of God, and before this congregation, to be a loving, obedient, and faithful wife unto thee, till God shall separate us by death.

Then let the Minister say,

These two persons, A. and B. being lawfully married according to God's ordinance, I do pronounce them husband and wife. And those whom God hath conjoined, let no man put asunder.

Next he may read the duty of Husbands and Wives out of Eph. v. 2; Col. iv. 2; 1 Pet. iii.; and Psalm cxxviii. or some other pertinent Psalm, may be said or sung: and let the minister exhort them to their several duties, and then pray:

Most merciful Father, let thy blessings rest upon these persons now joined in lawful marriage; sanctify them and their conversations, their family, estates, and affairs, unto thy glory. Furnish them with love to thee and to each other, with meekness, patience, and contentedness. Let them not live unto the flesh, but unto the Spirit, that of the Spirit they may reap everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.²⁶⁹ Amen.

Then let him conclude with a Benediction.

God Almighty, the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, bless you in your souls and bodies, families and affairs, and preserve you to his heavenly kingdom. Amen.

THE VISITATION OF THE SICK, AND THEIR COMMUNION

The visitation of the sick being a private duty, and no part of the public Liturgy of the church, and the case of the sick being so exceeding various, as to soul and body; and it being requisite that ministers be able to suit their exhortations and prayers to the condition of the sick, but the words of such exhortations and prayers be left to their prudence.

So urgent is the necessity of the sick, and so seasonable and advantageous the opportunity, that ministers may not negligently overpass them, but in love and tenderness instruct them according to their several conditions; endeavouring the conversion of the ungodly, the strengthening of the weak, and comforting such as need consolation; directing them how to improve their afflictions, and helping them to be sensible of the evil of sin, the negligences and miscarriages of their lives, the vanity of the world, their necessity of a Saviour, the sufficiency of Christ, the certainty and excellency of the everlasting glory; exhorting them to repentance and to faith in Christ, and to set their affections on the things above; and (if they are penitent believers) comfortably to hope for the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him, committing their souls to their Redeemer, and quietly resting in the will, and love, and promises of God; resolving if God shall recover them to health, to redeem the time, and live the rest of their lives unto his glory; and being willing, if it be their appointed time, to depart and be with Christ. And they must be exhorted to forgive such as have wronged them, and to be reconciled to those with whom they have been at variance, and to make a pious, just, and charitable disposal of their worldly estates.

THE ORDER OF SOLEMNIZING THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD

It is agreeable to nature and religion, that the burial of christians be solemnly and decently performed. As to the cases, Whether the corpse shall be carried first into the church, that is to be buried in the church-yard; and whether it shall be buried before the sermon, reading, or prayer, or after, or in the midst of the reading, or whether any prayer shall be made at the grave, for the living; let no christians uncharitably judge one another about these things. Let no people keep up groundless usages, that being suspicious grieve their minister and offend their brethren. Let no minister that scrupleth the satisfying of people's ungrounded desires in such things, be forced to do it against his conscience; and let ministers that do use any of these customs or ceremonies, have liberty, when they suspect that the people desire them upon some error, to profess against that error, and teach the people better.

Whether the minister come with the company that brings the corpse from the house, or whether he meet them, or receive them at the burial-place, is to be left to his own discretion. But while he is with them, let him gravely discourse of man's mortality, and the useful truths and duties thence to be inferred: and either at the grave, or in the reading place, or pulpit, by way of sermon, according to his discretion, let him (at least if it be desired) instruct and exhort the people concerning death, and the life to come, and their necessary preparation; seeing the spectacle of mortality, and the season of mourning, do tend to prepare men for a sober, considerate entertainment of such instructions: and he may read such scriptures as may mind them of death, resurrection, and eternal life, as 1 Cor. xv. or from verse 10 to the end, and Job i. 21; xix. 25, 26, 27; John xi. 25, 26; v. 28, 29. And his prayer shall be suited to the occasion.

Whenever the rain, snow, or coldness of the season, make it unhealthful to the minister or people to stand out of doors, at least then let the reading, exhortation, and prayers, be used within the church.

OF EXTRAORDINARY DAYS OF HUMILIATION AND THANKSGIVING, AND ANNIVERSARY FESTIVALS

When great afflictions lie upon the church, or any special part or members of it, or when any great sins have been committed among them, it is meet that in public, by fasting and prayer, we humble ourselves before the Lord, for the averting of his displeasure; and on such occasions it is the pastor's duty to confess his own and the people's sins, with penitence, and tenderness of heart, and by his doctrine and exhortation, to endeavour effectually to bring the people to the sight and sense of their sin, and the deserts of it, and to a firm resolution of better obedience for the time to come, being importunate with God in prayer for pardon and renewed grace.

Upon the receipt of great and extraordinary mercies, the church (having opportunity) is to assemble for public thanksgiving unto God, and the minister to stir up the people to a lively sense of the greatness of those mercies, and joyfully to celebrate the praises of God, the author of them. And it is not unmeet on these days to express our joy in feasting and outward signs of mirth, provided they be used moderately, spiritually, and inoffensively, and not to gratify our sensual desires, and that we relieve the poor in their necessities (which also on days of humiliation and other seasons we must not forget). The occasions of such days of humiliation and thanksgiving being so various, as cannot be well suited by any standing forms, the minister is to apply himself to the respective duties, suitable to the particular occasions.

Though it be not unlawful or unmeet to keep anniversary commemoration by festivals, of some great and notable mercies to the church or state, the memory whereof should be transmitted to posterity; nor to give any persons their due honour who have been the instruments thereof: yet because the festivals of the church's institution now observed, are much abused, and many sober, godly persons, ministers, and others, are unsatisfied of the lawfulness of the celebrating them as holidays, let the abuse be restrained; and let not the religious observation of those days by public worship, be forced upon any that are thus unsatisfied, provided they forbear all offensive behaviour thereupon.

OF PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING FOR PARTICULAR MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

Besides the petitions that are put up for all in such distresses, in the general prayer, it is meet that persons in dangerous sickness, or other great affliction of body or mind, and women that are near the time of child-bearing, when they desire it, shall be particularly recommended to God in the public prayers of the church. Because all the members constitute one body, and must have the same care one for another, as suffering all with one that suffereth, and rejoicing all with one that is honoured. And the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous, especially of the whole congregation, availeth much with God. But because diseases, distresses, and grief of mind, are so various that no forms that are particular can suit them all; and because every minister should be able to suit his prayers to such various necessities of the people; we desire that it may be left to his discretion to pray for such according to their several cases, before or after sermon. But we desire that except in case of sudden necessity, they may send in their bills of request to him the night before, that he may consider of their cases, and may publish only such, and in such expressions, as in prudence he shall judge meet for the ears of the assembly.

In the more ordinary cases of persons in sickness, danger, and distress, and that are delivered from them; these following prayers may be used, or such like.

A Prayer for the Sick, that is in hopes of Recovery

Most merciful Father, though our sin doth find us out, and we are justly afflicted for our transgressions, yet are we not consumed in thy wrath; but thou punishest us less than our iniquities do deserve: though thou causest grief, yet wilt thou have compassion according to the multitude of thy mercies, for thou dost not willingly afflict and grieve the children of men. Thou revivest the spirit of the humble, and the heart of the contrite ones, for thou wilt not contend for ever, neither wilt thou be always wroth, for the spirit would fail before thee, and the soul which thou hast made. Look down in tender mercy on the affliction of this thy servant. O Lord, rebuke him not in thy wrath; neither chasten him in thy hot displeasure. All his desire is before thee, and his groaning is not hid from thee; have mercy upon him, O Lord, for he is weak. O Lord, heal him, whose bones and soul is vexed. In death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? Remember that we are but flesh; a wind that passeth away and cometh not again. Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble? Remember not the iniquities of his youth, or his transgressions: look upon his affliction, and his pain, and forgive all his sins. Though the sorrows of death do compass him about, yet if it be for thy glory and his good, recover him, and let him live and praise thy name. Rebuke his sickness; direct unto such means as thou wilt bless. In the time of his trouble we call upon thee, do thou deliver him, and let him glorify thee: however, show him the sin that doth offend thee; let him search and try his ways, and confess and turn from his iniquity, and let it be good for him that he was afflicted. Let this be the fruit of it, to purge and take away his sin, that being chastened of the Lord, he may not be condemned with the world. And though chastisement for the present seemeth not to be joyous, but grievous, yet afterwards let it yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness to this thy servant, that is exercised therein. In the mean time, O Lord, be thou his portion, who art good to the soul that seeketh thee, and waiteth for thee. Let him patiently and silently bear thy yoke; let him hope and quietly wait for thy salvation: considering that thou wilt not cast off for ever; that thy anger is but for a moment, but in thy favour is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning: and that whom thou lovest, thou chastenest, and scourgest every son whom thou receivest; and that if he endure chastening, thou dealest with him as a son. If he be recovered, let him devote himself entirely to they glory: that when thou hast put off his sackcloth and mourning, and girded him with gladness, he may speak thy praise, and give thee thanks. If he receive the sentence of death in himself, let it cause him to trust in thee that raisest the dead, knowing that as thou didst raise up the Lord Jesus, thou wilt raise him up also by Jesus: therefore suffer not his hope to faint; but though his outward man perish, yet let his inner man be renewed from day to day; and let him live by faith, and look at the things which are not seen, ever at the exceeding eternal weight of glory. Let him be found in Christ, not having his own righteousness, but that which is of God by faith. Restrain the tempter, and deliver thy servant from the sinful fears of death, by Christ, who, through death destroyed the devil that had the power of death; that he may find that death hath lost its sting, and triumph over it by faith in him, through whom we are made more than conquerors. That, by faith and love, his soul may now ascend unto his Father and our Father, and to his God and our God; and is gone to prepare a place for us; and hath promised, that where he is, there his servants shall be also, that they may behold the glory which thou hast given him. Magnify thyself in his body, whether by life or death, and safely bring him into thy glorious presence, where is fulness of joy, and everlasting pleasures, through Jesus Christ our Life and Righteousness.²⁷⁰ Amen.

A Prayer for Women drawing near the time of Child-bearing

Most merciful Father, who hast justly sentenced woman, that was first in the transgression, to great and multiplied sorrows, and particularly in sorrow to bring forth children; yet grantest preservation and relief, for the propagation of mankind. Be merciful to this thy servant; be near her with thy present help, in the needful time of trouble; and though in travail she hath sorrow, give her strength to bring forth. Being delivered, let her remember no more the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. Bless her in the fruit of her body; and being safely delivered, let her return thee hearty thanks, and devote it and the rest of her life to thy service, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.²⁷¹ Amen.

A Thanksgiving for those that are restored from Dangerous Sickness

We thank thee, O most gracious God, that thou hast heard us when we cried unto thee, for thy servant in his weakness and distress; that thou hast not turned away our prayer nor thy mercy from him. We cried to thee, and thou hast delivered and healed him, thou hast brought him from the grave, thou hast kept him alive, that he should not go down into the pit, thou hast forgiven his iniquity, and healed his diseases, thou hast redeemed his life from destruction, and hast crowned him with loving-kindness and tender mercies, thou hast not deprived him of the residue of his years, thou hast repented thee of the evil. His age is not departed; thou hast renewed his youth, and given him to see man, with the inhabitants of the world; and to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Day and night thy hand was heavy upon him, but thou hast turned away thy wrath, and hast forgiven the iniquity of his sin: for this every one that is godly shall pray unto thee in a time of trouble. Thou art a hiding-place, thou preservest us from trouble: when our flesh and our heart faileth us, thou art the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever; indeed, Lord, thou art good unto thine Israel; even to such as are clean of heart. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but thou deliverest them out of all: though all the day long they be afflicted, and chastened every morning, yet are they continually with thee; thou holdest them by thy right hand; thou art a present help in trouble, when all the help of man is vain. Let thy servant love thee, because thou hast heard his voice and supplication. Let him offer unto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving; and pay his vows to the Most High; and take the cup of salvation, and call upon thee all his days. Let him be wholly devoted to thy praise, and glorify thee in soul and body, as being thine, and seasonably depart in peace unto thy glory; through Jesus Christ, our Life and Righteousness.²⁷² Amen.

A Thanksgiving for the Deliverance of Women in Child-bearing

We return thee thanks, most gracious God, that thou hast heard our prayers for this thy handmaid; and hast been her help in the time of her necessity, and delivered her from her fears and sorrows. Death and life are in thy power; thou killest, and thou makest alive; thou bringest down to the grave, and thou bringest up; thou makest the barren to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. We thank thee, that thou hast given thy servant to see the fruit of her womb, and that thou hast brought her again to thy holy assembly, to go with the multitude to thy house, and worship thee with the voice of joy and praise, that she may enter into thy gates with thanksgiving, and into thy courts with praise, and we may all be thankful to thee on her behalf, and speak good of thy name. Thou art good, O Lord, to all, and thy tender mercies are over all thy works; thou preservest them that love thee; thou raisest up them that are bowed down; thou fulfillest the desire of them that fear thee; thou also dost hear their cry, and save them. Command thy blessing yet upon thy servant and her offspring; let her not forget thee and thy mercies, but let her devote the life which thou hast given her to thy service, and educate her offspring, as a holy seed, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And as thou hast said, that thy curse is in the house of the wicked, but thou blessest the habitation of the just; let her and her house serve thee, and let holiness to the Lord be written upon all wherewith thou blessest her: let her make thee her refuge and habitation. Give her the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in thy sight is of great price. Let her not love the world, nor mind earthly things, but use the world as not abusing of it; seeing the time is short, and the fashion of this world passeth away. Restore her soul, and lead her in the paths of righteousness: though she must walk through the valley of the shadow of death, let her fear no evil. Let thy goodness and mercy follow her all the days of her life, and let her dwell for ever in thy glorious presence, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.²⁷³ Amen.

If the Child be dead, those passages which imply its living must be omitted; and if the Woman be such as the Church hath cause to judge ungodly, the Thanksgiving must be in words more agreeable to her condition, if any be used.