Commissioners Petitioning for Review of Book of Common Prayer, Commentary 2 · Topic 12
The Concessions.
We are willing that all the Epistles and Gospels be used according to the last Translation.
Reply. We still beseech you, that all the Psalms and other Scriptures in the Lyturgie recited, may (for the same reason) be used according to the last Translation.
That when any thing is read for an Epistle,Sect. 2. which is not in the Epistles, the Superscription be [For the Epistle.]
Rep. We beseech you speak as the vulgar may understand you, [for the Epistle] signifieth not plain enough to such, that it is indeed none of the Epistles.
That the Psalms be collated with the former Translation,Sect. 3. mentioned in Rub. and printed according to it.
Rep We understand not what Translation or Rubr. you mean.
That the word… [this day] both in the Collects and Prefaces,Sect. 4. be used only upon the day it self, and for the following days it be said [as about this time.]
Rep. And yet there is no certainty which was the day it self.
That a longer time be required for signification of the Names of the Communicants, Sect. 5.and the words of the Rubrick, be changed into these [at least some time the day before.
Rep. [Sometime the day before] may be near, or at night, which wil allow any leisure at all, to take notice of the proofs of peoples scandals, or to help them in preparation.
That the power of keeping scandalous sinners from the Communion,Sect. 6. may be expressed in the Rubrick, according to the 26 and 27 Cannons, so the Minister be obliged to give an account of the same immediately after to the Ordinary.
Reply. We were about returning you our very great thanks, for granting us the benefit of the 26 Canon, as that which exceedeth all the rest of your Concessions; But we see you will not make us too much beholden to you: and poor Christians (that will not receive the Sacrament contrary to the example of Christ and his Apostles, & the custome of the Catholick Primitive Church, and the Canons of General Councils, must be also used as the notorious impenitent sinners. But the Canon requireth us not to signifie the cause, but upon complaint, or being required by the Ordinary.
That the whole Preface be prefixed to the Commandements.Sect. 7.
Reply. And why not the word [Sabbath-day] be put for the [Seventh-d…] in the end: Must not …uch a …alsification be amended?
That the second Exhortation be read some Sunday,§ 8. or Holy-day, before the Celebration of the Communion, at the discretion of the Minister.
That the general Confession at the Communion be pronounced by one of the Ministers,Sect. 9. the people saying after him, all kneeling humbly upon their knees.
That the mannner of consecrating the Elements be made more explicite, and express;Sect. 10. and to that purpose those words be put into the Rubr. [then shal he put his hand upon the Bread, and break it] then shall he put his hand unto the Cup.
That if the Font be so placed as the Congregation cannot hear,Sect. 11. it may be referred to the Ordinary to place it more conveniently.
That those words [Yes,Sect. 12. they do perform those, &c.] may be altered thus; [because they promise them both by their Sureties, &c.]
That the words of the last Rubr. before the Catechism may be thus altered, [That Children being Baptized have all things necessary for their salvation,Sect. 13. & dying before they commit any actual sins, be undoubtedly saved, though they be not confirmed.
That to the Rubr. Sect. 14.after Confirmation these words may be added [or be ready and desirous to be confirmed.
That those words [with my body I thee worship] may be altered thus: Sect. 15.[with my body I thee honour?]
That those words [till death us depart] be thus altered [till death us do part.Sect. 16.
That the words [sure and certain] may be left out.Sect. 17.
Reply. For all the rest we thank you, but have given our reasons against your sense expressed in Sect. 13. before, and for satisfactoriness of the last: And we must say in the conclusion, that if those be all the abatements and amendments you will admit, you sell your Innocency, and the Churches peace for nothing.
FINIS.
End of the text · Richard Baxter, Commissioners Petitioning for Review of Book of Common Prayer (1661)