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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 labour with the profit din 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 forsomuch as nothing can almost be so plainly set forth, but doubts may rise in the use and practising of the same: to appease all such diversity, (if any arise,) and for the resolution of all doubts, concerning the manner how to understand, do, and execute the things contained in this book, the parties that so doubt, or diversly take any thing, 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 con

tained in this book.

not contrary to any thing contained in this book. And if 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 be thereby edified: yet it is not meant, but when men say f Matins and Evensong privately, they may say the same in any language that they themselves do understand.

Neither that any man shall be bound to the saying of them, but such as from time to time, in cathedral and collegiate churches, parish churches, and chapels to the same annexed, shall serve the congregation.

d and 1552.

e forasmuch 1552.

And all priests and deacons shall be bound to say daily the Morning and Evening Prayer, either privately or openly, except they be letted by preaching, studying of divinity, or by some other urgent cause.

And the curate that ministereth in every parish church or chapel, being at home and not being otherwise reasonably letted, shall say the same in the parish church or chapel where

f Morning and Evening Prayer 1552.

The Table and Kalendar, expressing the Order of the Psalms and Lessons to be said at Matins and Evensong, throughout the year, except certain proper Feasts, as the Rules following more plainly declare.

he ministereth, 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.

The Order how the Psalter is appointed to be read.

THE Psalter shall be read through once every month: and because that some months be longer than some other be, it is thought good to make them even by this means.

To every month, as concerning this purpose, shall be appointed just thirty days.

And because January and March have one day above the said number, and February, which is placed between them both, hath only 28 days, February shall borrow of either of the months of January and March one day, and so the Psalter which shall be read in February, must be begun the last day of January, and ended the first day of March.

And whereas May, July,

August, October and December have 31 days apiece, it is ordered, that the same Psalms shall be read the last day of the said months which were read the day before so that the Psalter may be begun again the first day of the next months ensuing.

Now to know what Psalms shall be read every day, look in the Kalendar the number that is appointed for the Psalms, and then find the same number in this Table, and upon that number shall you see what Psalms shall be said at Matins and Evensong.

And where the 119th Psalm is divided into 22 portions, and is over long to be read at one time, it is so ordered that at one time shall not be read above four or five of the said portions, as you shall perceive to be noted in this Table.

And here is also to be noted, that in this Table, and in all other parts of the service, where any Psalms are appointed, the number is expressed after the Great English Bible, which from the 9th Psalm unto the 148th Psalm (following the division of the Hebrews) doth vary in numbers from the common Latin translation.

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The Old

Testament.

The New

The Order how the rest of holy Scripture (beside the Psalter) is appointed to be read.

The Old Testament is appointed for the first Lessons, at a Matins and Evensong, and shall be read through every year once, except certain books and chapters which be least edifying, and might best be spared, and therefore bare left unread.

The New Testament is appointed for the second Lessons, at Testament. Matins and Evensong, and shall be read over orderly every year

Lessons.

Proper

Psalms.

The leap

year.

thrice, beside the Epistles and Gospels; except the Apocalypse, out of the which there be only certain Lessons appointed upon divers proper feasts.

And to know what Lessons shall be read every day, find the day of the month in the Calendar following; and there ye shall perceive the books and chapters that shall be read for the Lessons, both at Matins and Evensong.

And here is to be noted, that whensoever there be any proper Psalms or Lessons appointed for any feast, movable or unmovable, then the Psalms and Lessons appointed in the Calendar shall be omitted for that time.

Ye must note also, that the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, appointed for the Sunday, shall serve all the week after, except there fall some feast that hath his proper.

This is also to be noted, concerning the leap years, that the 25th day of February, which in leap years is counted for two days, shall in those two days alter neither Psalm nor Lesson; but the same Psalms and Lessons which be said the first day, shall serve also for the second day.

Also, wheresoever the beginning of any Lesson, Epistle, or Gospel is not expressed, there ye must begin at the beginning of the chapter.

of the chapter. And wheresoever is not expressed how far shall be read, there shall you read to the end of the chapter.

• Morning and Evening Prayer 1552 passim,

b be 1552. c also serve 1552.

THECK

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