_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_.