The Prayer Book (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ...some were said in English, and some in Latin, whilst various forms were used, Cranmer was commissioned to draw up a common form. This is the first form of our present Litany, and was enjoined by Henry VIII. in 1544 to be used "In time of processions." It also appeared in the Primer of 1545, where it is called "The Common Prayer of Procession." A.D. 1547-The injunctions of Edward VI. abolished processions, and also enjoined that the Litany should be said ' immediately before High Mass." A.D. 1549. Edward VI. First Prayer Book. The Litany was ordered to be said or sung on Wednesdays and Fridays, and was printed after the Communion office. A.D. 1552. Edward VI. Second Prayer Book. The Litany was printed in its present place "to be used on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and at other times when it shall be commanded by the ordinary." A.D. 1559. The injunctions of Elizabeth: (1) Re-ordered the Litany to be said before the Communion Service. (2) Ordered it to be said by priests and choir in the midst of the church at a low desk, called faldstool (folding stool). This practice appears to be based upon Joel ii. 17. "Let the priests, the Ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord." A.D. 1571. Grindal, Archbishop of York, in his visitation (1571), directed "the Minister not to pause or stay between the Morning Prayer, Litany, and Communion, but to continue and say the Morning Prayer, Litany, and Communion.... without any intermission, to the intent the people might continue together in prayer, and hearing the Word of God; and not depart out of church during all the time of the whole Divine Service." A.D. 1661. The last Revision. The...