The Preface
Concerning the Service of the Church
THERE was never anything 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 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 red over once in the year, intending thereby, that the Clergy, and specially such as were Ministers of the congregation, should (by often reading and meditation of Gods word), be stirred up to godliness themselves, and be more able also 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) should 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, Legends, Responds, Verses, vain Repetitions, Commemorations, and Synodals, that commonly when any book of the Bible was begun, before 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 bokes of holy Scripture used.
And moreover, whereas Saint 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 understood not, so that they have heard with their ears only, and their hearts, 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 Nocturne, now of late time, a few of them have been daily said, and oft repeated, and the rest utterly omitted.
Moreover, the number and hardness of the rules, called the Pye, and the manifold changings of the service, was the cause, that to turn the boke only, was so hard and intricate a matter, that many times there was more business to find out what should be read, then 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 Calendar for that purpose, which is plain and easy to be understood, wherein (so much as may be) the reading of holy Scriptures is so set forth, that all things shall be done in order, without breaking one piece thereof 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.
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 Calendar for that purpose, which is plain and easy to be understood, wherein (so much as may be) the reading of holy Scriptures is so set forth, that all things shall be done in order, without breaking one piece thereof 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 be few in number, so they be plain and easy to be understood. So that here you have an order for prayer (as touching the reading of holy Scripture) much agreeable to the mind and purpose of the old fathers, and a great deal more profitable and commodious, then that which of late was used. It is more profitable, because here are left out many things, whereof some be untrue, some uncertain, some vain and superstitious, and is ordained nothing to be read but the very pure word of God, the holy Scriptures, or that which is evidently grounded upon 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. Furthermore, by this order, the Curates shall need none other books for their public service, but this book and the Bible. By the means whereof, the people shall not be at so great charge for books, as in time paste they have been.
And whereas heretofore there hath been great diversity, in saying, and singing in churches within this realm, some following Salisbury use, some Herford use, some the use of Bangor, some of York, and some of Lincoln : now from hence furth, all the whole realm, shall have but one use. And if any would judge this way more painful, because that all things must be read upon the book, whereas before by the reason of so often repetition, they could say many things by heart ; if those men will weigh their labor, with the profit and knowledge, which daily they shall obtain by reading upon the book, they will not refuse the pain, in consideration of the great profit that shall ensue thereof.
And forasmuch as nothing can almost be so plainly set furth, but doubts may rise in the use and practicing of the same: To appease all such diversity (if any arise), and for the resolution of all doubts concerning the manner howe to understand, do, and execute the things contained in this book : The parties that so doubt, or diversly take anything, shall always 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 the Bishop of the Diocese be in any doubt, then may he send for the resolution thereof unto the Archbishop.
Though it be appointed in the afore written Preface, that all things shall be read and sung in the Church, in the English tongue, to the end that the congregation may bee thereby edified ; yet it is not meant, but 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, shall be bound to say daily, the Morning and Evening prayer, either privately or openly, except they be let [hindered] by preaching, studying of divinity, or by some other urgent cause.
And the Curate that ministers in every parish Church or Chapel, being at home, and not being otherwise reasonably letted [hindered], shall say the same in the Parish Church or Chapel where he ministers, and shall toll a Bell thereto, a convenient time before he begin, that such as be disposed may come to hear God's word, and to pray with him.
And whereas heretofore there hath been great diversity, in saying, and singing in churches within this realm, some following Salisbury use, some Herford use, some the use of Bangor, some of York, and some of Lincoln : now from hence furth, all the whole realm, shall have but one use. And if any would judge this way more painful, because that all things must be read upon the book, whereas before by the reason of so often repetition, they could say many things by heart ; if those men will weigh their labor, with the profit and knowledge, which daily they shall obtain by reading upon the book, they will not refuse the pain, in consideration of the great profit that shall ensue thereof.
And forasmuch as nothing can almost be so plainly set furth, but doubts may rise in the use and practicing of the same: To appease all such diversity (if any arise), and for the resolution of all doubts concerning the manner howe to understand, do, and execute the things contained in this book : The parties that so doubt, or diversly take anything, shall always 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 the Bishop of the Diocese be in any doubt, then may he send for the resolution thereof unto the Archbishop.
Though it be appointed in the afore written Preface, that all things shall be read and sung in the Church, in the English tongue, to the end that the congregation may bee thereby edified ; yet it is not meant, but 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, shall be bound to say daily, the Morning and Evening prayer, either privately or openly, except they be let [hindered] by preaching, studying of divinity, or by some other urgent cause.
And the Curate that ministers in every parish Church or Chapel, being at home, and not being otherwise reasonably letted [hindered], shall say the same in the Parish Church or Chapel where he ministers, and shall toll a Bell thereto, a convenient time before he begin, that such as be disposed may come to hear God's word, and to pray with him.
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NOTES:
Capitalization and punctuation in this edition follows in part that of an edition published in 1581, "Imprinted at London : By Christopher Barker, printer to the Queen's Majesty", and in part that of an early edition of the 1662 version.
The subtitle, "Concerning the Service of the Church", is from the page heading in the 1662 version.
The last three paragraphs were separated from the Preface and printed in italics in later editions
The wording of the Preface was changed in a number of minor ways at various times throughout the life of this book.
The 1559 Preface, with a few mostly minor changes, follows the 1549 Preface and the 1552 Preface.
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