There was never any thing by the wit of man so well devised, or
so sure established, which in continuance of time hath not been
corrupted: As, among other things, it may plainly appear by the
Common Prayers in the Church, commonly called _Divine Service_.
The first original and ground whereof if a man would search out
by the ancient Fathers, he shall find, that the same was not
ordained but of a good purpose, and for a great advancement of
godliness. For they so ordered the matter, that all the whole
Bible (or the greatest part thereof) should be read over once
every year; intending thereby, that the Clergy, and especially
such as were Ministers in the congregation, should (by often
reading, and meditation in God's word) be stirred up to godliness
themselves, and be more able to exhort others by wholesome
doctrine, and to confute them that were adversaries to the
truth; and further, that the people (by daily hearing of holy
Scripture read in the Church) might continually profit more and
more in the knowledge of God, and be the more inflamed with the
love of his true Religion.
But these many years passed, this godly and decent order of the
ancient Fathers hath been so altered, broken, and neglected, by
planting in uncertain Stories, and Legends, with multitude of
Responds, Verses, vain Repetitions, Commemorations, and Synodals;
that commonly when any Book of the Bible was begun, after three
or four Chapters were read out, all the rest were unread. And
in this sort the Book of Isaiah was begun in _Advent_, and the
Book of Genesis in _Septuagesima_; but they were only begun, and
never read through: After like sort were other Books of holy
Scripture used. And moreover, whereas St Paul would have such
language spoken to the people in the Church, as they might
understand, and have profit by hearing the same; The Service in
this Church of England these many years hath been read in Latin
to the people, which they understand not; so that they have heard
with their ears only, and their heart, spirit, and mind, have not
been edified thereby. And furthermore, notwithstanding that the
ancient Fathers have divided the Psalms into seven Portions,
whereof every one was called a _Nocturn:_ Now of late time a
few of them have been daily said, and the rest utterly omitted.
Moreover, the number and hardness of the Rules called the _Pie_,
and the manifold changings of the Service, was the cause, that to
turn the Book only was so hard and intricate a matter, that many
times there was more business to find out what should be read,
than to read it when it was found out.
These inconveniences therefore considered, here is set forth such
an Order, whereby the same shall be redressed. And for a readiness
in this matter, here is drawn out a Kalendar for that purpose,
which is plain and easy to be understood; wherein (so much as
may be) the reading of holy Scripture is so set forth, that
all things shall be done in order, without breaking one piece
from another. For this cause be cut off Anthems, Responds,
Invitatories, and such like things as did break the continual
course of the reading of the Scripture.
Yet, because there is no remedy, but that of necessity there must
be some Rules; therefore certain Rules are here set forth; which,
as they are few in number, so they are plain and easy to be
understood. So that here you have an Order for Prayer, and for
the reading of the holy Scripture, much agreeable to the mind
and purpose of the old Fathers, and a great deal more profitable
and commodious, than that which of late was used. It is more
profitable, because here are left out many things, whereof some
are untrue, some uncertain, some vain and superstitious; and
nothing is ordained to be read, but the very pure Word of God,
the holy Scriptures, or that which is agreeable to the same;
and that in such a Language and Order as is most easy and plain
for the understanding both of the Readers and Hearers. It is also
more commodious, both for the shortness thereof, and for the
plainness of the Order, and for that the Rules be few and easy.
And whereas heretofore there hath been great diversity in saying
and singing in Churches within this Realm; some following Salisbury
Use, some Hereford Use, and some the Use of Bangor, some of York,
some of Lincoln; now from henceforth all the whole Realm shall
have but one Use.
And forasmuch as nothing can be so plainly set forth, but doubts
may arise in the use and practice of the same; to appease all
such diversity (if any arise) and for the resolution of all
doubts, concerning the manner how to understand, do, and execute,
the things contained in this Book; the parties that so doubt, or
diversely take any thing, shall alway resort to the Bishop of the
Diocese, who by his discretion shall take order for the quieting
and appeasing of the same; so that the same order be not contrary
to any thing contained in this Book. And if the Bishop of the
Diocese be in doubt, then he may send for the resolution thereof
to the Archbishop.
Though it be appointed, That all things shall be read and sung in
the Church in the English Tongue, to the end that the Congregation
may be thereby edified; yet it is not meant, but that when men
say Morning and Evening Prayer privately, they may say the same
in any language that they themselves do understand.
And all Priests and Deacons are to say daily the Morning and
Evening Prayer either privately or openly, not being let by
sickness, or some other urgent cause.
And the Curate that ministereth in every Parish Church or Chapel,
being at home, and not being otherwise reasonably hindered,
shall say the same in the Parish Church or Chapel where he
ministereth, and shall cause a Bell to be tolled thereunto a
convenient time before he begin, that the people may come to
hear God's Word, and to pray with him.