THE THANKSGIVING OF WOMEN AFTER CHILD-BIRTH. COMMONLY CALLED THE CHURCHING OF WOMEN. THE Woman, at the usual time after her Delivery, shall come into the Church decently apparelled, and there shall kneel down in some convenient place, as hath been accustomed, or as the Ordinary shall direct: and then the Priest shall say unto her, FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God of his goodness to give you safe deliverance, and hath preserved you in the great danger of childbirth; you shall therefore give hearty thanks unto God, and say, Then shall the Priest say, either the 116th Psalm, (ante, 405.) or the 127th Psalm, (ante, 423.) Then the Priest shall say, Let us pray. The Lord's Prayer. OUR Father, &c. to ever. Amen. For ever and Minister. O Lord, save this woman thy servant; The Woman that cometh to give her thanks, must offer accustomed offerings; and if there be a Communion, il is convenient that she receive the Holy Communion. A COMMINATION, OR DENOUNCING OF GOD'S ANGER AND JUDGEMENTS AGAINST SINNERS, WITH CERTAIN PRAYERS, TO BE USED ON THE FIRST DAY OF LENT, AND AT OTHER TIMES, AFTER Morning Prayer, the Litany ended according to the accustomed manner, the Priest shall, in the Reading-Pew, or Pulpit, say, Answ. Amen. Min. Cursed is he that smiteth his Answ. Amen. Min. Cursed is he that lieth with his neighbour's wife. Answ. Amen. Min. Cursed is he that taketh reward to slay the innocent. Answ. Amen. Instead whereof (until the said discipline may be restored again, which is much to be wished) it is thought good, neighbour secretly. 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 Min. Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, and taketh man for his defence, and in his heart goeth from the Lord. Answ. Amen. Min. Cursed are the unmerciful, fornicators, and adulterers, covetous persons, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards, and extortioners. Answ. Amen. Minister. carved or molten image, to worship Now seeing that all they are accursed it. (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 (b) 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 (c) 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 (d) who may abide the day of his coming? Who shall be able to endure when he appeareth? His (e) 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 (g) 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 upon themselves; which despised the goodness, patience and longsuffering of God, when he called them continually to repentance. Then shall (h) 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 (i) shall it be too late to knock, when the door shall be shut; and too late to cry for mercy, (b) Matt. iii. 10. (e) Matt. iii. 12. (g) 1 Thessal. v. 2. (h) Prov. i. 28. (i) Matt. xxv. 10 to 12. 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 (k), 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 (1) 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 (m) 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 (n) ye (saith the Lord) from all your wickedness, and your sins 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 though we have sinned, yet have (0) we an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. For he (p) 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 yourselves 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 hence (k) Matt. xxv. 41. (n) Ezek. xviii. 30 to 32. (0) 1 John ii. 1, 2. (p) Isaiah liii. 5. forth 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 may he vouchsafe to bring us all, for his infinite mercy. Amen. 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 judgment 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, God, full of compassion, long-suffering, and praying: For thou art a merciful 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. PRAYERS TO BE USED AT SEA. The Morning and Evening Service, to be used daily at Sea, shall be the same which is appointed in the Book of Common Prayer. These two following Prayers are to be also used in his Majesty's Navy every Day. O ETERNAL Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and (a) rulest the raging of the sea; who hast compassed the waters with bounds, until day and night come to an end; Be pleased to receive into thy Almighty and most gracious protection the Persons of us thy servants, and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lord King GEORGE and his dominions," and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Island may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours; and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Collect. PREVENT US, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayers to be used in Storms at Sea. O MOST powerful and glorious Lord God, at whose command the winds blow, and lift up the waves of the sea, and who stillest the rage thereof; We thy creatures, but miserable sinners, do in this our great distress cry unto thee for help: "Save, Lord, or else we perish." We confess, when we have been safe, (a) "Rulest, &c." Ps. lxxxix. 9. and seen all things quiet about us, we have forgotten thee our God, and refused to hearken to the still voice of thy Word, and to obey thy commandments: But now we see how terrible thou art in all thy works of wonder; the great God to be feared above all: And therefore we adore thy Divine Majesty, acknowledging thy power, and imploring thy goodness. Help, Lord, and save us for thy mercies' sake in Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen. Or this: O MOST glorious and gracious Lord God, who dwellest in heaven, but beholdest all things below; Look down, we beseech thee, and hear us, calling out of the depth of misery, and out of the jaws of this death, which is ready now to swallow us up: Save, Lord, or else we perish. The living, the living, shall praise thee. O send thy word of command to rebuke the raging winds, and the roaring sea; that we, being delivered from this distress, may live to serve thee, and to glorify thy name all the days of our life. Hear, Lord, and save us, for the infinite merits of our blessed Saviour, thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. The Prayer to be said before a Fight at Sea against an Enemy. O MOST powerful and glorious Lord God, the Lord of hosts, that rulest and commandest all things; thou sittest in the throne judging right; and therefore we make our address to thy Divine Majesty in this our necessity; that thou wouldest take the cause into thine own hand, and judge between us and our enemies. Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come and help us: for thou givest not alway the battle to the strong, but canst save by many or by few. not our sins now cry against us for vengeance; but hear us thy poor ser O let |