The form of consecration of a church or chappel. And of the place of Christian buriall. / Exemplified by the R.R.F. in God, Lancelot late lord-bishop of Winchester, in the consecration of the Chappel of Jesus in the foresaid diocess.

THE Form of Conſecration OF A Church or Chappel. And Of the Place of Chriſtian Buriall.

Exemplified By the R. R. F. in God LANCELOT Late Lord-Biſhop of Winchester, In the Conſecration of the Chappel of JESƲS in the foreſaid Dioceſs.

LONDON, Sold by T. Garthwait at the little North-door of S. Pauls. 1659.

portrait of Lancelot Andrews

Dog of Eccleſiae

The Forme-of CONSECRATION of a CHVRCH or Chappel, and of the place of Chriſtian Buryall,

Exemplified, by the R. R. F. in God. LANCEL. ANDREWES late L. Biſhop of Winchester.

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To the Chriſtian Readers.

THat ſome Memoriall might be tranſmitted to Poſterity of the Piety of the Church of England, and of the religious care of our Reverend Fathers, in ſeperating ſelect and ſpeciall places, ſuch are Churches, Chappels, and Oratories, for the Publike Service of God, and Celebration of the Divine Myſteries, here is preſented to you, Chriſtian Readers, a Form of Conſecration drawn up by the Right Reverend Father in God, Lancelot, late Lord Biſhop of VVincheſter; a perſon of ſo great learning and piety; and therefore juſtly of eminency and honor, not only in this Nationall, but alſo in the Catholike Church of God, where He is admired by all judicious and Knowing-perſons, for his moſt excellent Sermons, acute Diſcourſes, and pious Devotions, That the Publiſher hereof makes no queſtion, but he ſhall hereby do an acceptable Service to the Church of God, and in ſome meaſure ſtop the mouthes of the profane Noveliſts, who never more then now, ſhoot out their arrows, even bitter words, Pſ. 64.3. againſt ſuch H. Places, as by the Word of God, and Prayer are ſolemnly dedicated and ſet apart with religious Ceremonies, to the alone worſhip and Service of Almighty God.

It is not his intent to draw either end of the Saw of contention, to juſtifie the Conſecration of Churches in generall, or this Form in particular; as being well aſſured that nothing can be rationally objected againſt the One or the Other, but what hath either been long ſince anſwered by the invincible hand of the judicious Mr. Hooker in his Eccleſiaſticall Politie; or will fall flat on his face, as Dagon before the Ark, at the very mention of the great name of the renowned and victorious Biſhop of VVincheſter; againſt whom neither of the Factions betwixt which the Church of England hath been Crucified, as her bleſſed Saviour between the two Thieves, hath been ever ſtirring hand or tongue, but like the Souldiers, which came to apprehend our Lord, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

This ſaid, He recommends it to the Publike benefit, not without ſome confidence that it may, by the bleſſing of God, have ſome influence and operation on the ſtony hearts, and iron hands of the Sacrilegious generation of them; VVho roar in the Congregations, and ſet up their banners for tokens; of them, who break down all the carved work therof with axes and hammers; of them, who have ſet fire upon the Holy places, and have defiled the dwelling places of Gods name, even to the ground; Pſ. 74; Of them, who ſay, Let us take to our ſelves the Houſes of God in poſſeſſion; of them, who have caſt their heads together, and are confederate againſt them. But if not, ſperabo autem & adhuc meliora, let them beware of the Pſalmiſts imprecation, O my God, make them like unto a wheel; and as the ſtubble before the winde. Pſal. 83. Which curſe that by timely repentance it may be prevented, is another ground of the publication hereof; and a part of his daily prayers who promoted the Impreſſion, with the longings of St. Paul. Rom. 10.1. Brethren, my hearts deſire, and prayer to God for our Iſrael is, that they may be ſaved.

May 29. 1659.

A Note of the Reverence given to the Worſhip of God in the Iſraelites Ordering their Troopes, out of Sr. Walter Raleghs Hiſtory, Book 2. Part 1. Cap. 5. §. 1. pag. 249. Edit. 1648.

THis was the Order of the Army of Iſrael and of their incamping, &c. The Tabernacle of God being always ſet in the middle and center thereof The Reverend care which Moſes the prophet and Choſen ſervant of God had in all that belonged even to the outward and leaſt parts of the Tabernacle, Ark and Sanctuary, witneſſed well the inward and moſt humble zeal borne towards God himſelf. The induſtry uſed in the framing thereof, and every the leaſt part thereof; the curious Workmanſhip thereon beſtowed, the exceeding charge and expence in the proviſions, the dutifull obſervance in the laying up and preſerving the Holy veſſels, the ſolemn Removing thereof, the vigilant Attendance thereon, and the provident defence of the Same, which all Ages have in ſome degree imitated, is now ſo forgotten in this ſuperfine Age by thoſe of the Family, by the Anabaptiſt, Browniſt and other Sectaries as all coſt and care beſtowed and had of the Church wherein God is to be ſerved and worſhipped is accounted a kind of Popery and as proceeding from an Idolatrous diſpoſition, in ſo much as time would ſoone bring to paſſe (if it were not reſiſted) that God would be turned out of Churches into Barns, and from thence again into the Fields and Mountaines, and under the hedges; and the Offices of the miniſtry (robbed of all dignity and reſpect) be as contemptible as thoſe places; All Order, Diſcipline and Church Government, left to Newneſs of Opinion and mens fancies: yea and ſoon after as many kinds of Religions would ſpring up as there are Pariſh Churches in England, every contentious & ignorant perſon clothing his fancy with the Spirit of God and his imagination with the gift of Revelation, in ſo much as when the Truth, which is but one, ſhall appear to the ſimple multitude, no leſs variable then contrary to it ſelf, the Faith of men will ſoon after dye away by degrees and all Religion be held in ſcorn and contempt, &c.

Conſecratio CAPELLAE JESƲ, ET COEMETERII, PER LANCE LOTƲM Epiſcopum Winton.

JƲxta Southamptonienſem villam Eccleſia Beatae Mariae collapſa cernitur, ſolis Cancellis ad ſacros uſus ſuperſtitibus: paucae aliquot aedes ibi in propinquâ parte numerantur; coetera Parochianorum multitudo hinc inde ſparſim inhabitant in villis, tum loci longinquo intervallo, tum aeſtuario longè periculoſo diviſi ab Eccleſiâ. Ex eâ accedendi difficultate non profanae modo plebeculae animos facilè invaſit miſera negligentia atque diſpretio divini cultus, ſed & viri proli ſedulique pietatis cultores remoram in trajectu ſaepe experti ſunt, haud ipſo quidem: capitum diſcrimine eluctabilem; conſortem hujus infortunii cum ſe factum ſentiret (dum ibi loci familiam poneret) Vir • renuus Richardus Smith Armiger, heroicos planè animos geſtans, atque inſpiratos de Coelo, commune hoc Religionis diſpendium privatis quingentarum aliquot librarum expenſis (aut plus eo) redemit, & Capellam egregiam, quam Deo diviniſ que officiis dicari ſupplex vovet, in alterâ parte fluminis magnificè extruit.

Spectato probato que Capellae hujus Jeſu omni adparatu, adeſt tandem Reverendiſſimus in Chriſto Pater, Honorandiſſimus Lancelotus, Epiſcopus Wintonienſis, Septembris 17o. Anno 1620. horâ ectavâ matutinâ aut circiter; erat autem dies Dominicus: Epiſcopus Capellam ſtatim ingreſſus induit ſe pontificalibus, quem ſecuti itidem (qui ipſi à ſacris domeſticis aderant,) Matthaeus & Chriſtopherus Wren, SS. Theol. Bacc. Saecerdotalibus induuntur; Egreſſus dein cum illis Epiſcopus, convenarum magnâ ſtipante catervâ, Fundatorem affari orditur in haec ferè verba.

Captain Smith, you have been an often and earneſt Suiter to me, that I would come hither to you: now that we are come hither to you, what have you to ſay to us?

Tum ille praefatâ humillime Reverentiâ ſchedulam porrigit, quam ſuo nomine recitari cupit per Willielm. Cole, qui Epiſcopo à Regiſtris erat: eam ille (ad nutum Epiſcopi) clarâ voce ſic perlegit.

IN the Name of Richard Smith of Peertree in the County of Southampton Eſq, Right Reverend Father in God, I preſent unto you the ſtate of the Village of Weſton, and the Hamlets, Itchin, Wolſton, Ridgeway, and the part of Bittern Mannor (being all of the Pariſh of S. Maries, neer Southampton in the Dioceſs of Winton) as well in his own, as in the name of the Inhabitants of the ſaid Village, Hamlets, &c. wherein are many Houſholds, and much people of all ſorts, who not only dwell far from the Church, but are alſo divided from the ſame by the great River of Itchin, where the paſſage is very broad, and often dangerous; and very many times on the dayes appointed for Common-Prayer, and that Service of God, ſo tempeſtuous, as the River cannot be paſs'd; and ſo the people go not over at all; or if any do, yet they both go and return back in great danger, and ſometimes not the ſame day. Beſides, in the faireſt weather, at their return from Church, they preſs ſo thick into the Boat for haſte home, that often it proves dangerous, and ever fearful, eſpecially to women with childe, old, impotent, ſickly people, and to young children; many times alſo they are forc'd to baptize their Children in private Houſes, the water not being paſſable; and when they lye ſick, they are without comfort to their ſouls, and dye without any Ghoſtly advice or counſel; their own Miniſter not being able to viſit them, by reaſon of the roughneſs of the water, and other Miniſters being ſome miles off remote from them.

And thus much formerly having been preſented to your Predeceſſor, he favourably gave leave to the ſaid Richard Smith to erect a Chappel on the Eaſt-ſide of the ſaid River, at the only proper Coſt and Charges of him the ſaid Richard Smith: which Chappel being now finiſh'd with intent and purpoſe that it may be dedicated to the worſhip of God; and that his Holy and Bleſſed Name might there be honour'd and call'd upon, by the ſaid Richard Smith his Family, and the Inhabitants aforeſaid, who cannot without great danger paſs over unto their Pariſh Church, I, in the name of the ſaid Richard Smith, and in the names of them all, do promiſe hereafter to refuſe and renounce to put this Chappel, or any part of it, to any profane or common uſe whatſoever; and deſire it may be dedicated and conſecrated wholly and only to religious uſes, for the Glory of God, and the Salvation of our Souls.

In which reſpect he humbly beſeecheth God to accept of this his ſincere intent and purpoſe, and he and they are together humble Suiters unto your Lordſhip, as Gods Miniſter, the Biſhop and Ordinary of this Dioceſs, in Gods ſtead to accept of this his Free-will offering; and to decree this Chappel to be ſevered from all common and profane uſes, & ſo to ſever it: as alſo by the Word of God and Prayer, and other Spiritual and Religious Duties to dedicate and conſecrate it to the ſacred Name of God, and to his Service and Worſhip only; promiſing that we will ever hold it as an holy Place, even as Gods Houſe, and uſe it accordingly; and that we will from time to time, and ever hereafter, as need ſhall be, ſee it conveniently repair'd, and decently furniſht in ſuch ſort as a Chappel ought to be; And that we will procure us ſome ſufficient Clerk, being in the Holy Order of Prieſthood by your Lordſhip, as Ordinary of that place, and by your Succeſſors to be allow'd and licenced, and unto him to yield competent Maintenance, to the end that he may take upon him the Cure of the ſaid Chappel; and duely ſay divine Service in the ſame at times appointed, and perform all other ſuch offices and duties, as by the Canons of that Church, and the Laws of the Realm every Curate is bound to perform.

Poſt haec Epiſcopus.

Captain Smith is this the Deſire of you and your Neighbours?

Quo affirmato, Ille:

In the Name of God let us begin.

Orditur igitur â Pſalmo 24o

THe earth is the Lords, and all that is therein, &c.

Alterni verò reſpondent uterque Sacellanus; & ſic deinceps ad finem Pſalmi: dictâ autem 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , paulatim ſe promovet Epiſcopus ad portam Capellae, atque recitat è Pſalmo 122o.

I Was glad when they ſaid unto me, we will go into the Houſe of the Lord. Our feet ſhall ſtand in thy Gates, O Jeruſalem.

Subſtitit itaque prae foribus univerſa multitudo intrante Epiſcopo et Fundatore, cum Sacellanis, qui genua ſtatim flectunt, ubi ſpectari commodè audiríque poſſint a plebe: atque Epiſcopus infit.

Let us dedicate and offer up unto God this Place with the ſame prayer that King David did dedicate and offer up his: 1 Chron. 29.10.

BLeſſed be thou O Lord our God, and the God of our Fathers for ever and ever, &c. uſque ad finem verſ. 18. paucis mutatis. Deinde

MOſt glorious God, the Heaven is thy Throne, and the Earth is thy Footſtool; what houſe then can be built for thee, or what place is there that thou canſt reſt in? Howbeit we are taught by thy Holy Word, that thy will is not to dwell in the dark Cloud, but that thy delight hath bin ever with the Sons of Men; ſo that in any place whatſoever, where two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou art in the midſt of them; But ſpecially in ſuch places as are ſet apart and ſanctified to thy name, and to the memory of it, there thou haſt ſaid, thou wilt vouchſafe thy gracious Preſence after a more ſpecial manner, & come to us and bleſs us.

Wherefore in all Ages of the world, thy Servants have ſeparated certain places from all profane and common uſes, and hallow'd unto thy Divine Worſhip and ſervice, either by inſpiration of thy bleſſed Spirit, or by expreſs Commandment from thine own mouth.

By inſpiration of thy holy Spirit. So didſt thou put into the heart of thy Holy Patriarch Jacob to erect a ſtone in Bethel to be an houſe to thee, which act of h • s thou didſt call for, and highly allow of.

By expreſſe Commandment from thine own mouth. So did Moſes make thee the Tabernacle of the Congregation in the Deſert, which thou didſt honour by covering it with a Cloud, and filling it with thy Glory. And after, when it came into the heart of thy ſervant David to think it was in no wiſe fitting that himſelf ſhould dwell in an houſe of Cedar, and the Ark of God remain but in a Tabernacle, thou didſt teſtifie with thine own mouth, that in that David was ſo minded to build a Houſe to thy Name, it was well done of him, to be ſo minded, though he built it not.

The material Furniture for which houſe though his Father plentifully prepared, yet Solomon his Son built it and brought it to perfection. To which Houſe thou wer't pleaſed viſibly to ſend fire from Heaven to conſume the Sacrifice, and to fill it with the Glory of thy preſence before all the people.

And after, when for the ſins of thy people that Temple was deſtroyed, thou didſt by thy Prophets, Aggai and Zachary (by ſhewing how inconvenient it was that they ſhould dwell in ſeeled houſes, and let thy houſe lye waſte) ſtir up the ſpirit of Zorobabel, to build thee the ſecond Temple anew: which ſecond Houſe likewiſe by the fulneſs of the Glory of thy preſence, thou didſt ſhew thy ſelf to like and allow of.

Neither only wer't thou well pleaſed with ſuch as did build thee theſe Temples, but even with ſuch of the people afterwards, as being moved with Zeal added unto their Temple, their Mother Church, leſſer places of prayer, by the names of Synagogues, in every Town thorowout the Land; for the Tribes to aſcend up to worſhip thee, to learn thy holy will and to do it. Which very Act of the Centurion, to build thy people a Synagogue, thou didſt well approve and commend in the Goſpel.

And by the bodily preſence of thy Son our Saviour at the feaſt of the Dedication, teſtified by S. John, didſt really well allow of, and do honour to ſuch devout Religious ſervices, as we are now about to perform.

Which alſo by thy holy Word haſt taught us, that thine Apoſtles themſelves, and the Chriſtians in their time, as they had houſes to eat and drink in; ſo had they alſo where the whole Congregation of the Faithful came together in one place, which they expreſly called Gods Church, and would not have it deſpiſed, nor abuſed, nor eaten, nor drunken in, but had in great Reverence, being the very place of their holy Aſſemblies.

By whoſe godly examples the Chriſtians in all Ages ſucceſſively have erected and conſecrated ſundry godly houſes, for the Celebration of Divine Service and Worſhip (Monuments of their Piety and Devotion) as our eyes ſee this day.

We then as Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houſhold of God, being built upon the Foundation of the Apoſtles and Prophets, Jeſus Chriſt himſelf being the head cornerſtone, walking in the ſteps of their moſt holy Faith, and enſuing the examples of theſe thy Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apoſtles have together with them done the ſame work (I ſay) in building and dedicating this houſe, as an habitation for thee, and a place for us to aſſemble and meet together for the obſervation of thy Divine Worſhip, invocation of thy Name reading, preaching and hearing thy moſt holy Word, adminiſtring thy moſt holy Sacraments; and above all in thy moſt holy place, the very gate of Heaven upon earth, as Jacob nam'd it, to do the work of Heaven; to ſet forth thy moſt worthy praiſe, to laud and magnify thy moſt glorious Majeſty, for all thy goodneſs to all men; eſpecially to us of the Houſhold of Faith. Accept therefore we beſeech thee, moſt gracious Father, of this our bounden duty and ſervice; accept this for thine houſe; and becauſe Holineſs becomes thine houſe for ever, ſanctifie this houſe with thy gracious preſence, which is erected to the honour of thy moſt glorious Name.

Now therefore, ariſe O Lord, and come into this place of thy reſt, thou and the ark of thy ſtrength; Let thine eye be open towards this Houſe day and night; Let thine ears be ready towards the prayers of thy children, which they ſhall make unto thee in this place, and let thine heart delight to dwell here perpetually: And whenſoever thy ſervants ſhall make to thee their petitions in this Houſe, either to beſtow thy good graces, & bleſſings upon them, or to remove thy puniſhments and judgements from them, hear them from Heaven thy dwelling place, the Throne of the glory of thy Kingdom, and when thou heareſt have mercy; and grant, O Lord, we beſeech thee, that here and elſewhere thy Prieſts may be cloathed with Righteouſneſſe, and thy Saints rejoyce in thy Salvation.

And whereas both in the Old and New Teſtament thou haſt conſecrated the meaſuring out and building of a material Church, to ſuch an excellent Myſterie, that in it is ſignified and repreſented the fruition of the joy of thy Heavenly kingdome, we beſeech thee that, in this material Temple made with hands, we may ſo ſerve and pleaſe thee in all holy Exerciſes of Godlineſs and Chriſtian Religion, that in the end we may come to that thy Temple on high, even to the holy places made without hands, whoſe Builder and Maker is God; ſo as when we ſhall ceaſe to pray to thee on Earth, we may with all thoſe that have in the like manner erected ſuch places to thy Name, and with all thy Saints eternally praiſe thee in the higheſt Heavens, for all thy goodneſs vouchſafed us for a time here on earth, and laid up for us there in thy Kingdom for ever and ever; and that for thy dear Sons ſake, our bleſſed Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, to whom, &c.

Bleſſed Father, who haſt promiſed in thy holy Law, that in every place where the remembrance of thy Name ſhall be put, thou wilt come unto us and bleſs us,; according to that thy promiſe come unto us and bleſs us, who put now upon this place the memorial of thy Name, by dedicating it wholly and only to thy Service and Worſhip.

Bleſsed Saviour, who in the Goſpel, with thy bodily preſence, didſt honour and adorn the Feaſt of the dedication of the Temple; at this dedication of this Temple unto thee be preſent alſo, and accept, Good Lord, and proſper the work of our hands.

Bleſsed Spirit, without whom nothing is holy, no perſon or place is ſanctified aright, ſend down upon this place thy ſanctifying power and grace, hallow it, and make it to thee an holy habitation for ever.

Bleſſed and glorious Trinity, by whoſe Power, Wiſdom and Love all things are purged, lightened, and made perfect; enable us with thy Power, enlighten us with thy Truth, perfect us with thy Grace, that both here and elſewhere acknowledging the glory of thy eternal Trinity, and in the Power of thy Divine Majeſty worſhipping the Unity, we may obtain to the fruition of the glorious Godhead, Trinity in Unity, and Unity in Trinity to be adored for ever.

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghoſt accept, ſanctifie, and bleſs this place to the end whereunto, according to his own Ordinance, we have ordain'd it, to be a Sanctuary to the moſt High, and a Church for the living God: The Lord with his favour ever mercifully behold it, and ſo ſend upon it his ſpiritual Benediction and Grace, that it may be the Houſe of God to him and the Gate of Heaven to us. Amen.

Haec precatus Epiſcopus Baptisterium adit, atque impoſitâ manu ait,

REgard, O Lord, the Supplications of thy Servants, and grant that thoſe Children that ſhall be baptiz'd in this Laver of the New birth, may be ſanctified and waſhed with the Holy Ghoſt; delivered from thy wrath, received into the Ark of Chriſts Church, receive herein the fulneſs of Grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect Children.

Suggeſtum dein:

GRant that thy Holy Word, which from this place ſhall be preach'd, may be the ſavour of life unto life, and as good ſeed take root and fructify in the hearts of all that ſhall hear it.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quoque.

GRant that by thy Holy Word, which from this place ſhall be read, the hearers may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and alſo may have Grace and Power to fulfill the ſame.

Sacram etiam Menſam.

GRant that all they that ſhall at any time partake at this Table the higheſt bleſſing of all, thy Holy Communion, may be fulfill'd with thy Grace and Heavenly Benediction, and may to their great and endleſs Comfort obtain Remiſſion of their ſins and all other Benefits of thy Paſſion.

Locum Nuptiarum.

GRant that ſuch perſons as ſhall be here joyned together in the holy eſtate of Matrimonie by the Covenant of God, may live together in holy Love unto their lives end.

Ʋniverſum deni que Pavimentum.

GRant to ſuch bodies as ſhall be here interr'd, that they with us, and we with them, may have our perfect conſummation and bliſs both in body and ſoul in thine everlaſting kingdom.

Tune flexis genibus ante ſacram Menſam pergit porrò.

GRANT that this place which is here dedicated to thee by our Office and Miniſtry, may alſo be hallowed by the ſanctifying power of thy holy Spirit, and ſo for ever continue through thy Mercy, O bleſſed Lord God, who doſt live and govern all things, world without end.

Grant as this Chappel is ſeparated from all other common and profane uſes, and dedicated to thoſe that be ſacred only, ſo may all thoſe be that enter into it.

Grant that all wandring thoughts, all carnal and worldly imaginations, may be farr from them; and all godly and ſpiritual cogitations may come in their place, and may be daily renew'd and grow in them.

Grant that thoſe thy ſervants that ſhall come into this thy holy Temple, may themſelves be made the Temples of the Holy Ghoſt, eſchewing all things contrary to their profeſſion, and following all ſuch things as are agreeable to the ſame.

When they pray, that their prayers may aſcend up into Heaven into thy preſence, as the Incenſe; and the lifting up of their hands be as the morning ſacrifice; purifie their hearts, and grant them their hearts deſire, ſanctifie their ſpirits, and fulfill all their mindes, that what they faithfully ask, they may effectually obtain the ſame.

When they offer, that their Oblation and Alms may come up as a Memorial before thee, and they finde and feel that with ſuch Sacrifices thou art well-pleaſed.

When they ſing, that their ſouls may be ſatiſfied as with marrow, and fatneſs, when their mouth praiſeth thee with joyful lips.

When they hear, that they hear not as the word of man, but as indeed it is the Word of God, and not be idle Hearers, but Doers of the ſame.

Populus interea tacitè ingreſſus in imis ſubſtitit, dum haec in Cancellis agerentur; quibus finitis, ſedes quiſque ſuas juſſi capeſſunt, atque ad ſolennem Liturgiam Sacellani ſe parant.

Alter Sacellanorum coram ſacrâ menſâ venerans ſic incipit.

IF we ſay, we have no ſin we deceive our ſelves, and the truth, &c.

Confeſſionem, Abſolutionem, Dominic. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 recitant, &c. Pſalmos canunt pro tempore accommodos, Pſ. 84.122. & 132. alternis reſpondente populo quibus facultas erat & libri: Lectio prima definitur ex 28. Geneſ. à ver. primo ad finem. Hymn. Te Deum, &c. Lectio ſecunda ex ſecundo capite S. Joh. à verſu 13. ad finem. Hymn. Pſal. 100.

I Believe in God, &c. & poſt uſitatas Collectas hanc ſpecialem addidit Epiſcopus.

O Lord God, mighty and glorious, and of incomprehenſible Majeſty, thou filleſt Heaven and earth with the Glory of thy preſence, and canſt not be contain'd within any the largeſt compaſs, much leſs within the narrow walls of this Roome; yet foraſmuch as thou haſt been pleaſed to command in thy holy Law, that we ſhould put the Remembrance of thy Name upon places, and in every ſuch place thou wilt come to us and bleſs us; we are here now aſſembled to put thy name upon this place, and the Memorial of it, to make it thy houſe, to devote and dedicate it for ever unto thee, utterly ſeparating it from all worldly uſes, and wholly and only conſecrate it to the invocation of thy glorious Name, wherein ſupplications and interceſſions may be made for all men; thy ſacred Word may be read, preached and heard; the Holy Sacraments, (the Laver of Regeneration, and the Commemoration of the pretious death of thy dear Son) may be adminiſtred; thy Praiſe celebrated and ſounded forth, thy people bleſſed by putting thy Name upon them; we (poor and miſerable creatures as we are) be altogether unfit, and utterly unworthy to appoint any earthly thing to ſo great a God; And I the leaſt of all thy ſervants, no wayes meet to appear before thee in ſo honourable a ſervice, yet being thou haſt oft heretofore been pleaſed to accept ſuch poor offerings from ſinful men, moſt humbly we beſeech thee, forgiving our manifold ſins, and making us worthy by counting us ſo, to vouchſafe to be preſent here among us in this religious action, and what we ſincerely offer graciouſly to accept at our hands, to receive the prayers of us and all others, who either now or hereafter entring into this place, by us hallowed, ſhall call upon thee; And give us all grace when we ſhall come into the houſe of God, we may look to our feet, knowing that the place we ſtand on is holy ground, bringing hither clean thoughts, & undefiled bodies, that we may waſh both our hearts and hands in innocency, and ſo compaſs thine Altar.

Jam alter Sacellanus denuò exiens, & venerans ante ſacram Menſam, incipit Litaniam; in fine eujus recitavit hoc ipſe Epiſcepus.

O Lord God, who dwelleſt not in Temples made with hands (as ſaith the Prophet) yet haſt ever vouchſafed to accept the devout endeavours of thy poor ſervants allotting ſpecial places for thy Divine Worſhip, promiſing, even there, to hear and grant their requeſts; I humbly beſeech thee to accept of this days duty and ſervice of dedicating this Chappel to thy great and glorious Name; Fulfill, O Lord, I pray thee thy gracious promiſes, that whatſoever prayer in this ſacred place ſhall be made according to thy will, may be accepted by thy gracious favour, and returned with their deſir'd ſucceſs to thy glory and our Comfort. Amen.

Poſt benedictionem populi cantatur Pſalm. 132. conſcenditque ſuggeſtum M. Robinſon, Theol. Bac. Fundatoris ſum mo rogatu; Epiſcopus hoc ei tandem conceſſit; (geminas ſorores ille atque Fundator in uxores duxerant, ſed utrâque defunctâ jane tertiis gaudebat thalamis Concionator.)

Thema ejus deſumptum è 28. Cap. Gen. verſ. 16, 17. inter coetera doctè egit de omnipraeſentiâ Divinâ, ubivi • Locorum tum ſpeciatim (pro beneplacito ſuo) in Eccleſia, deque reverentiâ & veneratione ibi debitâ.

Pergitur in Liturgiâ, quâ Mulier quaedam paupercula purificanda ad limen Cancellorum accedens, genua flectit, gratiáſque post partum (ſolenni Eccleſiae ritu) agit: Baptizandus autem vel Matrimonio jungendus, nullus aderat.

Itur dein ad Coenae Dominicae adminiſtrationem, Sacellanorum altero ad Auſtralem, altero ad Septentrionalem partem ſacrae menſae genn flectente & dicente;

OUr Father, &c.

Ante Epiſtolae lectionem hanc ſpecialem Collectam (unà cum Collectâ ſolitâ pro Rege) recitat Sacellanorum alter.

MOſt bleſſed Saviour, who by thy bodily preſence at the Feaſt of Dedication didſt honour and approve ſuch devout and religious ſervices, as we have now in hand, be thou preſent alſo at this time with us, and conſecrate us into an Holy Temple unto thy ſelf, that thou dwelling in our hearts by Faith, we may be cleanſed from all carnal affections, and devoutly given to ſerve thee in all good works. Amen.

Epistolam ſecundus Sacellanus ante Sacram Menſam ſtans, legit ex 1 Cor. cap. 3. à verſ. 16. ad fluem: SS. Evangelium prior Sacellanus ibidem ſtans recitat ex 100. cap. S. Johannis, à verſ. 22. ad finem: Dein Symbolum Nioenum, omnibus etiam ſtantibus.

Poſt illa Epiſcopus ſede ſuâ egreſſus, coram ſacrâ menſâ ſeſe provoluit at que ait.

Let us pray the prayer of King Solomon, wch he prayed in the day of the Dedication of his Temple; the firſt Temple that ever was, 2 Chron. 6. ab initio verſ. 18. ad verſum 42. quo finito ait,

THus prayed King Solomon, and the Lord appeared unto him, and anſwered and ſaid unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have choſen this place for my ſelf, to be an houſe of Sacrifice, 2 Chron. 7.12.

Thus did God anſwer; We have prayed with Solomon, anſwer us, O Lord, and our prayer, as thou didſt him and his. Behold the face of thine Anointed, even Chriſt our Saviour, and for his ſake grant our requeſts.

Dein in Cathedram ibidemſe collocat, (aſſidentibus Thoma Ridley Cancellario Epiſcopi à dextris, à ſiniſtris vero Doctore Barlo Archidiacono Winton.) Actumque Conſecrationis (pileo tectus) promulgat in hanc formam.

IN nomine Domini Amen. Cum ſtrenuus vir Richardus Smith de Peertree in Comitatu Southampt. Armiger, pia & Religioſa Devotione ductus, Capellam hanc in quodam ſolo vaſto vocato Ridgway-heath, juxta aedes ſuas communiter nuncupatas Peertree (infra Parodhiam Eccleſiae paroch. Beatae Mariae juxta villam Southampt. Dioceſeos & juriſdectionis noſtrae, continentem intra muros ejuſdem in longitudine ab Oriente ad Occidentem 50 pedes & dimid. aut circiter; in latitu dine vero ab Aquilone ad Auſtrum 20 pedes & dimid. aut circiter, propriis ſais ſumptibus aedificaverit, erexerit, & conſtruxerit; eandemque Capellam Cancellis ligneis diſtinxerit; ſacra Menſa decenter inſtructa, Baptiſterio, Pulpito, ſedibus convenientibus, tam infra ſuper ſolum, quam ſupra in modum Galeriae, Campana etiam alliiſque neceſſariis ad divinum cultum ſufficienter & decenter ornaverit; nobiſque ſupplicaverit, tam ſuo nomine quam aliorum inhabitantium in villa de Weſton, ac Hamlettis de Itchin, Ridgway, ac quorundam etiam inhabitantium in Manerio noſtro de Bitterne, de Parochia praedicta, quatenus nos authoritate nostra ordinaria & Epiſcopali pro nobis & ſucceſſoribus noſtris dictam Capellam ab uſibus priſtinis communibus & profanis quibuſcunque ſeparare, & in uſus ſacros & divinos conſecrare, & dedicare dignaremur.

Nos Lancelotus permiſſione divina Winton. Epiſcopus, pio & religioſo tam ipſius quam aliorum in villa et Hamlettis praedictis habitantium deſiderio, in hac parte favorabiliter annuentes, ad Conſecrationem Capellae hujus de novo propriis ſumptibus dicti ſtrenui viri Richardi Smith, ſic ut praefertur erectae et ornatae authoritate noſtra ordinaria et Epiſcopali procedentes, eandem Capellam ab omni communi et profano uſu in perpetuum ſeparamus, et ſoli divino cultui ac divinorum celebrationi in perpetuum addicimus, dicamus, dedicamus: Ac inſuper eadem authoritate noſtra ordinaria et Epiſcopali, pro nobis et Succeſſoribus noſtris licentiam pariter et facultatem in Domino concedimus, ad rem divinam ibidem faciendam, nempe Preces publicas, et ſacram Eccleſiae Litwrgiam recitandam, ad Verbum Dei ſincere proponendum et praedicandum, Sacramenta Sacrae Euchariſtiae et Baptiſmatis in eadem miniſtranda, Matrimonia ſolemnizanda, Mulieres poſt puerperium ad gratiarum actionem publicam recipiendas et adjuvandas, Mortuos ſepeliendos, caeteraque quaecanque peragenda, quae in aliis Capellis licite fieri poſſunt et ſolent. Ac tam Presbytero in Capella praedicta deſervituro preces divinas dicendi, coeteraque praemiſſa faciendi, quam Domino Ric. Smith, et Familiae ejus, reliquiſque in dictis locis habitantibus, preces divinas audiendi, coeteraque praemiſſa percipiendi, plenam in Domino poteſtatem concedimus. Eandemque Capellam ad levamen (Anglice, a Chappel of Eaſe) ſub dicta Eccleſia parochiali B. Mariae juxta villam Southamp. tanquam Matrice Eccleſia ſua, quantum in nobis eſt, et de jure divino, Canonibus Eccleſiae et Statutis hujus Regni Angliae poſſumus, in honorem Dei et ſacros inhabitantium uſus, nunc et in futurum conſecramus, per nomen Capellae JESU in Parochia ſanctae Mariae juxta villam Southampt. et ſic conſecratam fuiſſe, et eſſe, et in futuris perpetuis temporibus remanere debere, palam et publice pronunclamus, decernimus, et declaramus; et per nomen Capellae JESU nominamus et appellamus; et ſic perpetuis futuris temporibus nominandam et appellandam fore decernimus: Privilegiis inſuper omnibus et ſingulis in capte uſitatis, et Capellis ab antiquo fundatis competentibus, Capellam hanc JESU praedictam; ad omnem juris effectum munitam munitam et ſtabilitam eſſe volumus; et quantum in nobis eſt, et de jure divino poſſumus, fic munimus et ſtabilimus per praeſentes; Abſque praejudicio tamen ullo, et ſalvo ſemper jure et intereſſe Eccleſiae Parochialis ſanctae Mariae juxta villam Southampton. tanquam Matricis Eccleſiae; et Rectoris, Guardianorum, aliorumque Miniſtrorum ejuſdem pro tempore exiſtentium (in cujus Parochiu dicta Capella JESU notorie ſita & ſituata eſt) in omnibus & ſingulis decimis, oblationibus, obventionibus, vadiis, feudis, proficuis, privilegiis, juribus et emolumentis quibuſcun que ordinariis et extraordinariis eiſdem reſpective debitis vel conſuetis, ac infra praecinctum ſeu limites Capellae JESU praedictae orientibus et provenientibus, et ad dictam Eccleſiam Matricem ſanctae Mariae, Rectori, Guardianis vel aliis Ministris ejuſdem de jure vel conſuetudine quoquo modo ſpectantibus, vel pertinentibus; in tam amplis modo et forma, prout eiſdem debebantur, aut ſolvi ſolebant, ante hanc noſtram conſecrationem hujus Capellae praedictae.

Proviſo, quod praedictus ſtrenuus vir Rich. Smith, ac ejus haeredes et Aſſignati, aliique in dicta villa et Hamlettis, &c. habitantes, non ſolum dictam Capellam quoties opus fuerit, impenſis ſuis propriis reficere et reparare, ſed etiam ad reparationes praedictae Matricis Eccleſiae ſanctae Mariae juxta villam Southampon. et Coemeterii ejuſdem Eccleſiae, ac adomnia alia onera, ad quae coeteri Parochiani dictae Matricis Ecclefiae teneantur.

Proviſo etiam, quod tam dictus ſtrenuus vir Rich. Smith, haeredes et aſſiguati ejus, quam reliqui omnes in dictis villis et Hamlettis, &c. habitantes, in ſignum ſubjectionis Capellae hujus ſub Eccleſiae Matrice Beatae Mariae juxta Southamp. ac ſenioritatis ejuſdem Eccleſiae ſupra dictam Capellam, ſingulis annis de tempore ad tempus ad Feſtum Paſchatis, vel ad Feſtum Pentecoſtes, ad dictam Eccleſiam Matricem venire, et in dicta Matrice Eccleſia tantum, non in dicta Capella, (ſi tuto ad Eccleſiam Parcchialem venire poſſint) Preces audire, et Sacramentum Euchariſtiae ibidem percipere; vel ſi tempeſtate aut alio impedimento detineantur, quo minus tunc venire poſſint, tum die Dominico, quo tuto venire poſſunt, ſubſequente, venire et Euchariſtiam accipere omnino teneantur, abſque ſpeciali Licentia nostra, ſen Vicarii noſtri generalis in hac parte obtenta.

Proviſo etiam quod in dicta Capella Sacramentum Baptiſmatis non miniſtretur, nec Matrimonia ſolemnizentur, neque Verbum Dei praedicetur, neque Saecramenta vel Sacramentalia aliquibus profanis conferantur, praeterquam ſolis inhabitantibus ſeu degentibus in villa, Hamlettis, &c. praedict. nec etiam reliquis dictae Matricis Eccleſiae Parochianis in Occidentali parte ripae inhabitantibus, inſcio vel invito Rectore Eccleſiae Matricis ſanctae Mariae juxta villam Southamp. praedict. ſeu abſque aſſenſu, conſenſu et licentia ejuſdem prius habita et obtenta.

Et ulterius dicto ſtrenuo Richardo Smith, Haeredibus et Aſſignatis ſuis, liberam et plenam poteſtatem in Domino concedimus per praeſentes, idoneum Presbyterum de tempore in tempus nominandi ad deſerviendum, et divina officia in dicta Capella exequenda, a Nobis et Succeſſoribus noſtris de tempore in tempus approbandum, et licentiandum: Ac quodictus ſtrenuus vir Rich. Smith, haeredes & aſſignati ſui, & reliqui in dictis villa & Hamlettis, &c. inhabitantes de tempore in tempus in futurum propriis ſuis ſumptibus dictum Presbyterum ſive Curatum in eadem Capella deſerviemem, & authoritate noſtra, vei ſucceſſorum nostrorum ut praefertur approbatum & licentiatum, alent & ſuſtinebunt, ac annuale ſtipendium viginti marcarum ad minimum eieidem Presbytero vel Curato praeſtabunt, & ſolvent ad quatuor Feſta; Nativitatis Chriſti; Annuntiationas; Nativitatis ſancti Johannis Baptiſtae; & ſancti Michaelis, per aequales portiones, ſine ulla tamen diminutione, vel defalcatione juris Eccleſiaſtici, decimarum, oblationum, vel obventionum quarumcunque ad dictam Eccleſiam Parochialem ſanctae Mariae, ſeu ad Rectorem ejus pro tempore exiſtentem, quo modo de jure vel conſuetudine ſpectantium ſeu pertinentium.

Et ulterius quod pro ſepulturis in Capello praedicta, et in Choro ſeu navi ejuſdem, omnibuſque aliis in dicta Capella vel extra gerendis, vadia, quoad defunctos tam in domo dicti ſtrenui viri Rich. Smith, Haeredum & Aſſignatorum ſuorune, quam in dicta villae, Hamlettis, &c. Rectori dictae Eccleſiae Matricis pro tempore exiſtenti, et ſucceſſoribus ſuis, et Guardianis reſpective, et Clerico, caeteriſque Miniſtris dictae Eccleſiae Parochialis debite ſolvantur, in tam amplis modo et forma, prout pro ſepalturis in Choro ſeu intra Cancellos, ſeu etiam in navi dictae Eccleſiae Matricis, ſolvi conſuetum fuit, et prout ſolvi ſolet et deberet, ſi perſonae praedictae intra Cancellos ſeu navim dictae Matricis Eccleſiae ſepultae fuiſſent.

Quod ſi autem aliquando defuerit in dicta Capella Presbyter, Curatus legitime per nos aut ſucceſſores noſtros licentiatus et approbatus, tune praedictus ſtrenuus vir Rich. Smith, Haeredes et aſſignati ſui ac reliqui in dicta villa, et Hamlettis, &c. inhabitantes, ad Matricem Eccleſiam convenire, aut ibidem precibus intereſſe teneantur, prout ante ſolebant, donec dicta Capella de legitimo Curato, ad ibidem divina celebrandae idonee provideatur et idem admittatur. Quod ſi autem aliquo tempore in poſterum, quod Deus avertat, per continuos ſex menſes per culpam aut negligentiam Parochianorum defuerit idoneus Curatus in dicta Capella, qui ibidem divina celebret, aut ſi Curatus ſit qui per ſex menſes continuos non celebret, tunc nobis et ſucceſſoribus noſtris poteſtatem reſervamus pro ea vice tantum, idoneum Curatum, ad dictam Capellam nominandi, ad ſupplendam negligentiam dictorum Rich. Smith, Haeredum & Aſſignatorum ſuorum. Quod ſi autem dicta Capella decenter non fuerit reparata vel inſtructa Libris, aliiſque ad cultum divinum neceſſariis per tempus praedictum (niſi ex legitima in ea parte cauſa per Epiſcopum approbanda hoc contigerit) tunc in perpetuum poſt dictos ſex Menſes continuos ſic elapſos, teneantur omnes infra praecinctum, ſeu limites dictae Capellae inhabitantes ad Matricem Eccleſiam convenire, pro divinis, audiendis, prout ante hanc noſtram conſecrationem tenebantur; aliqua in hac conceſſione ſeu conſecratione noſtra in contrarium non obſtante, ac perinde ac ſi haec conceſſio ſeu conſecratio facta nunquam fuiſſet.

Poſtremo reſervamus nobis & ſucceſſoribus noſtris, Epiſcopis Winton. poteſtatem viſitandi dictam Capellam, prout alias Capellas infra noſtram Dioceſin ſituatas, communiter nuncupatas peculiares, ut nobis eiſque conſtet, an decenter in reparationibus aliiſque conſervetur, & an omnia ibidem decenter & ſecundum ordinem fiant. Quae omnia et ſingula ſic reſervamus; quoad coetera vero praemiſſ a quatenus in nobis eſt, et de jure poſſumus, pro nobis et ſucceſſoribus noſtris decernimus et ſtabilimus per praeſentes.

Actu demum recitato veneratur denuò, atque infit.

BLeſſed be thy name O Lord God, for that it pleaſed thee to have thy Habitation among the Sons of Men: and to dwell in the midſt of the Aſſembly of thy Saints upon earth; Bleſs we beſeech thee this days action unto thy people, proſper thou the work of our hands unto us, yea proſper thou our handy work.

Finitis precationibus iſtis Dominus Epiſcopus ſedem ſeparatim capeſſit (ubi priús) populúſque univerſus non communicaturus dimittitur, & Porta clauditur; Prior Sacellanus pergit legendo ſèntentias illas hortatorias ad Eleemoſynas, interea dum alter Sacellanus ſingulos Communicaturos adit, atque in patinam argenteam oblationes colligit: Collecta eſt ſumma 4. l. 12. s. 2. d. quam Dominus Epiſcopus convertendam in Calicem huic Capellae donandum decernit.

Caeteris rebus ordine geſtis, demum Epiſcopus ad ſacram Menſam redit (Sacellanis utriſque aliquantulum recedentibus) lotiſque manibus, pane fracto, vino in Calicem effuſo, & aquâ admiſtâ, ſtans ait,

ALmighty God our Heavenly Father, &c.

Euchariſtiam ipſe primo loco accipit, ſub utrâque ſpecie: proximo loco tradit Fundatori (quem jam coram ſacrâ Menſâ in genua ſupplicem collocarant) dèin utrique Sacellano. Ad coeteros verò pergentem Epiſcopum atque panem iis tradentem, prior Sacellanus ſubſequitur & Calicem ordine porrigit. Cum vinum, quod prius effuderat, non ſufficeret, Epiſcopus de novo in Calicem ex poculo, quod in ſacrâ Menſâ ſtabat effundit, admiſtâque aquâ, recitat clarè verba illa conſecratoria.

Finitâ tandem exhibitione Dominus Epiſcopus ad Sacrae Menſae Septentrionem in genibus, recitante quoque populo, ait,

OUr Father, &c.

O Lord our Heavenly Father, &c.

GLory be to God on high, &c.

Concludit denique cum hac precatione.

BLeſſed be thy name O Lord, that it hath pleaſed thee to put into the heart of this thy ſervant to erect an houſe to thy worſhip and ſervice, by whoſe pains, Care & Coſt, this work was begun and finiſh'd. Bleſs (O Lord) his ſubſtance and accept the work of his hands: Remember him O our God concerning this, wipe not out this kindnes of his that he hath ſhew'd for the houſe of his God; and the offices thereof, and make them truly thankful to thee, that ſhall enjoy the Benefit thereof, and the eaſe of it; and what is by him well intended, make them rightly to uſe it, which well be the beſt fruit and to God moſt acceptable.

Post haec vota populum stans dimittit cum Benedictione hac.

THe peace of God which paſſeth all underſtanding, keep your hearts and Minds in the Knowledg and Love of God, and of his Son Jeſus Chriſt our Lord: and the Bleſſing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghoſt be amongſt you, and remain with you alwayes. Amen.

Conſecratio COEMETERII.

STatim à prandio (quod in aedibus ſuis vicinis Fundator Capellae ſatìs lautè apparârat Domino Epiſcopo, atque convenarum magnae frequentiae) ad rem divinam reverſis, alter Sacellanorum praeit.

OUr Father, &c.

Poſt Reſponſas, Pſalmus 90 recitatur alternis.

Poſt Pſalmum Epiſcopus cum univerſâ multitudine egreditur Capellâ, atque ad Orientalem Coemeterii partem ſtans, denuò ſciſcitatur.

Captain Smith, for what have you called us hither again?

Ille ſchedulam, ut priùs humillimè porrigit, quam praefatus a Regiſtris recitat in haec verba.

IN the name of Richard Smith of Peertree in the County of Southamton Eſquire, R. Reverend Father in God, I preſent unto you the ſtate of the Village of Weſton. &c. ut priùs, uſque ad, the River cannot be paſſed, whereby it often commeth to paſs that they have bin conſtrain'd to bury their dead in the open fields, the water not being paſſable, or if they durſt venture over, yet the dead Body was follow'd with ſo little Company, as was no way ſeemly.

And thus much formerly having bin preſented to your Predeceſſour, the R. R. F. in God, James late Biſhop of Winton; and Petition to him made to give and to grant leave unto the ſaid Richard Smith, to encloſe a piece of ground for a burial place on the Eaſt ſide of the ſaid River, he favourably gave licence and granted power unto the ſaid Richard Smith ſo to do, as may appear by an inſtrument under his Epiſcopal Seal, bearing date the 23. of February in the year of our Lord God according to the Computation of the Church of England 1617.

Which place of Burial being now enclos'd with a decent Rail of Timber, at the only proper coſt and charges of him the ſaid Richard Smith, with intent and purpoſe that it might be dedicated and conſecrated only & wholly for Chriſtian burial, for him the ſaid Richard Smith, and his Family, and the ſaid inhabitants, and none other.

In which reſpect I beſeech God to accept of this ſincere intent and purpoſe, and both he and they are together humble Suiters to your Lordſhip, as Gods Miniſter, the Biſhop and Ordinary of this Dioceſs, in Gods ſtead to accept this his free-will offering, and to decree this ground ſevered from all former common and profane uſes, and to ſever it, as by the Word of God and prayer, and other ſpecial Religious duties to dedicate and conſecrate it to be a Coemeterie or place of Chriſtian burial, as aforeſaid; wherein their bodies may be laid up until the day of the general Reſurrection; promiſing that they will ever ſo hold it for holy ground, and uſe it accordingly, applying it to no other uſe, but that only; and that they will from time to time, and ever hereafter, as need ſhall be, ſee it conveniently repair'd and fenced in ſuch ſort as a Coemetery or burying place ought to be.

Hoc ipſum verò (ab Epiſcopo paucis interrogati) vivâ voce confirmant Fundator, & qui è viciniâ

Lectio prima deſumitur è 23. Gen. Secunda Lectio deſtinabatur è primâ Epiſt. ad Cor. cap. 15. à verſ. 15. ad finem, propter anguſtias temporis omiſſâ.

Tum Dominus Epiſcopus in genua ibi ſubmiſſus precatur.

O Lord God thou haſt been pleaſed to teach us in thy holy Word, as to put a difference between the ſoul of a Beaſt, and the ſpirit of a Man; for the ſoul of a Beaſt goes down to to the earth from whence it came, and the ſpirit of man returneth unto God that gave it; ſo to make diverſe accompts of the Bodies of Mankind and the Bodies of other living Creatures; in ſo much as the Body of Adam was reſolved on, and was afterwards the workmanſhip of thine own hands, and endued with a ſoul from thine own breath: But much more ſince the ſecond Adam, thy bleſſed Son, by taking upon him our nature, exalted this fleſh of ours to be fleſh of his fleſh, whoſe fleſh thou ſufferedſt not to ſee Corruption; ſo that the Body returns to the earth, and the ſoul to him that gave it. It ſhall from thence return again, it is but a reſt, and a reſt in hope (as ſaith the Pſalmiſt) for it is a righteous thing with God that the Body which was partaker with the ſoul both in doing and ſuffering, ſhould be rais'd again from the Earth to be partaker alſo with the ſoul of the reward, or puniſhment which God in Mercy or Iuſtice ſhall reward, not to one of them alone, but jointly to them both.

There being then ſo great difference, it is not thy will, ô Lord, that our Bodies ſhould be caſt out as the Bodies of Beaſts to become dung for the earth, or our bones lye ſcatter'd abroad to the ſight of the ſun; But when thy ſervants are gathered to their Fathers, their Bodies ſhould be decently and ſeemly laid up in the boſom of the Earth from whence they were taken.

Neither is it thy pleaſure, ô Lord, that they ſhould be buryed as an Aſſe in the open fields but in a place choſen and ſet apart for that purpoſe.

For even ſo from the Begining we find that the holy Patriarchs Abraham (the Father of the faithfull) would not bury his dead in the common fields; nay nor amongſt the Bodys of the Hethites who were heathen men, but purchaſed a buriall-place for himſelf in the plain of Mamre which became as it were the Church-Yard of the Patriarchs, therein they laid the dead bodies of Sarah his Wife, of himſelf, his ſon Iſaac, and Rebeccae his wife; after them Jacob and Leah were buried there.

After this manner did the Patriarchs in old time, who truſted in God, ſever themſelves places for Burial: whoſe children we are ſo long as we do their works, and walk in the ſteps of their moſt holy Faith.

Enſuing then the ſteps of the Faith of our Father Abraham, we for the ſame purpoſe have made choice of the very ſame place, wherein we now are; that it may be as the Cave of Mamre, even Gods ſtorehouſe for the bodies of ſuch our Brethren and Siſters to be laid up in, as he ſhall ordein there to be interr'd; there to reſt in the ſleep of peace till the laſt Trump ſhall awake them; for they ſhall awake and riſe up that ſleep in the duſt; for thy dew ſhall be as the dew of hearbs, and the earth ſhall yield forth her dead.

We beſeech thee good Lord to accept this work of ours in ſhewing mercy to the dead; and mercifully grant, that they whoſe bodies ſhall be here beſtowed, and we all, may never forget the day of putting off the Tabernacle of this fleſh, but that living we may think upon death, and dying we may apprehend life; and riſing from the death of Sin to the life of Righteouſneſs, which is the firſt riſing of Grace, we may have our parts in the ſecond, which is the riſing to glory by thy Mercy, O moſt gracious Lord God, who doeſt live and govern all things, world without end.

Priorem dein formulam per omnia ſecutus, in Cathedram ibi ſe collocat, atque Actum conſecrationis promulgat.

IN DEI Nomine. Amen. Nos Lancelotus permiſſione divina Winton. Epiſcopus hunc locum jacentem in vasto ſolo vulgo nuncupatum Ridgway-heath, infra Parochiam Eccleſiae parochialis ſanctae Mariae, &c. & jam propriis ſumptibus ſtrenui viri Richardi Smith de Peertree Armigeri in circuitu Capellae noviter ab co quoque propriis ſumptibus ſuis conſtitutae, palis incluſum & arboribus conſitum; continentem in longitudine 148 pedes, aut circiter, in latitudine 124 pedes, aut circiter, in toto vero circuitu 435 pedes aut circiter; a priſtinis, aliiſque quibuſcunque communibus uſibus & profanis in uſus ſacros ſeparandum fore decernimus, & ſic ſeparamus; ac cundem inhabitantibus vel degentibus in familia Ric. Smith, in villa de Weſton, Hamletti • de Itchin, Wolſton, Ridgway, & in parte Manerii de Bitterne, quae eſt de Parochia ſanctae Mariae juxta Southampton. in Coemeterium ſive locum Sepulturae pro corporibus inibi decedentium Chriſtiano ritu humandis, quantum in nobis eſt, ac de jure & Canonibus Eccleſiaſtic is, ac de ſtatutis hujus Regni Angliae poſſumus authoritate noſtra ordinaria & Epiſcopali aſſignamus: ac per nomen Coemeterii Capellae JESU deſignamus, dedicamus, & in uſum praedictum conſecramus: ac ſic aſſignatum, dedicatum, & conſecratum fuiſſe & eſſe & in futurum, perpetuis temporibus remanere debere palam ac publice declaramus; Ac Coemeterium Capellae JESU deinceps in perpetuum nuncupandum decernimus: Privilegiis inſuper omnibus et ſingulis Coemeteriis et locis ſepulturae ab antiquo conſecratis et dedicatis competent. Coemeterium praedict • m ſive locum ſepulturae ad omnem juris effectum munitum eſſe volumus, et quantum in nobis eſt et de jure poſſumus, ſic munimus et ſtabilimus per praeſentes.

Proviſo tamen, quod praedict. Richardus, Haeredes et Aſſignati ſui, ac reliqui in dicta villa, Hamlettis, etc. inhabitantes, propriis ſuis ſumptibus dictum Coemeterium de tempore in tempus, in decenti ſta • u conſervabunt, et clauſuras ejus quoties opus fuerit ſufficienter et convenienter reparabunt. Salvis etiam et omnino reſervatis Rectori Eccleſiae Parochialis ſanctae Mariae praedictae, ac Guardianis aliiſque Miniſtris dictae Eccleſiae protempore exiſtentibus in perpetuum, omnibus et ſingulis oblationibus, mortuariis, Feudis et vadiis, pro omnibus et ſingulis ſepulturis Mortuorum in hoc Coemeterio; aut ratione eorundem de jure, ſive conſuetudine debitis, et in tam amplis modo et forma, ac ſi perſonae praedictae ſepultae fuiſſent in Coemeterio Matricis Eccleſiae praedictae. Quas quidem oblationes et mortuaria, feuda et vadia omnia et ſingula ſic de jure ac conſuetudine debita Rectori, Guardianis et Miniſtris dictae Matricis Eccleſiae pro tempore exiſtentibus in perpetuum ſolvendi, quantum in nobis eſt, et jura patiuntur, reſervamus per praeſentes: ſalva item nobis et ſucceſſoribus noſtris, tanquam loci Ordinariis, poteſtate viſitandi dictum Coemeterium de tempore in tempus, et inquirendi an ſufficienter reparatum fuerit in clauſuris; et an omniae ibi decenter et ſecundum ordinem fiant; et, ſi minus fiant, per cenſur as Eccleſiaſtic as corrigendi.

His finitis precatur denuò.

LOrd God of Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob, who becauſe thou art the God, not of the dead, but of the Living, ſheweſt hereby that they are living and not dead, and that with thee do live the ſpirits of all them that dye in the Lord, and in whom the Souls of them that are Elect, after they be delivered from the burden of this fleſh, be in joy and felicity; Thou haſt ſaid thou wilt turn men into ſmall duſt, and after that wilt ſay, Return again you Children of men: Thou art the God of Truth, and haſt ſaid it; thou art the God of power and might, and wilt do it; by that power whereby thou art able to ſubdue all things unto thy ſelf, and bring to paſs whatſoever pleaſeth thee in Heaven and Earth, with whom nothing is impoſſible.

Lord Jeſu Chriſt, who art the Reſurrection and the Life, in whom if we believe, though we be dead yet ſhall we live; who by thy death haſt overcome death, and by thy r • ſing again haſt opened to us the Gate of everlaſting life, who ſhalt ſend thine Angels and gather the bodies of thine Elect from all the Ends of the Earth, and eſpecially thoſe who by a myſtical union are fleſh of thy fleſh, and in whoſe hearts thou haſt dwelt by Faith; We humbly beſeech thee for them, whoſe bodies ſhall in this place be gathered to their Fathers, that they may reſt in this hope of Reſurrection to eternal life through thee, O bleſſed Lord God, who ſhalt change their vile bodies, that they may be like thy Glorious body according to the mighty working whereby thou art able to bring all things, even death and all into ſubjection to thy ſelf.

Holy and bleſſed Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, whoſe Temples the bodies of thy Servants are, by thy ſanctifying Grace dwelling in them; we verily truſt that their bodies that have been thy Temples, and thoſe hearts in which Chriſt hath dwelt by Faith, ſhall not ever dwell in corruption, but that as by thy ſending forth thy Breath at firſt we received our being, Motion, and Life in the beginning of the Creation, ſo at the laſt by the ſame Spirit ſending forth the ſame breath in the end of the Conſummation, Life, Being and Moving ſhall be reſtored us again; ſo that after our diſſolution, as thou didſt ſhew thy holy Prophet, the dry bones ſhall come together again, Bone to his Bone, and Sinews and Fleſh ſhall come upon them, and thou ſhalt cauſe thy Breath to enter into them, and we ſhall live; and this Corruption ſhall put on Incorruption, and this Mortal ſhall put on Immortality.

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghoſt, accept, ſanctify and bleſs this place to that end whereunto according to thine own Ordinance we have ordain'd it, even to beſtow the Bodies of thy Servants in, till, the number of thine Elect being accompliſhed, they with us, and we with them, and with all other departed in the true Faith of thy Holy Name, ſhall have our conſummation and Bliſs both in Body and Soul in thy eternal and everlaſting glory.

Bleſſed Saviour, that didſt for this end dye and riſe again, that thou mighteſt be Lord both of the Living and the Dead, whether we live or die thou art our Lord, and we are thine; living or dying we commend our ſelves unto thee, have mercy upon us, and keep us thine for evermore.

Reintrantes igitur Capellam cantant priorem partem Pſal. 16. Conſcendit Suggeſtum Magiſter Matthaeus Wren; Thema ei poſterior pars verſ. 17. cap. 2. S. Joan. Zelus domus tuae, &c. Agit de affectibus in Chriſto, Zelo inter coereros; nec illo falſo, ſed pro Deo; nec coeco, ſed ſecundùm ſcientiam, pro Domo, pro Cultu Dei; de praeſentiâ Dei, praecipuè in Templis; magno non Morum ſolummodò noſtrorum, ſed ſpei quoque et Fidei incremento fulcimentoque: Denm Locorum diſtinctione gaudere confirmat, tum exemplo mirifico Jacobi tantoperè diſtinguentis Bethel; tum maximo omnium miraculo, quo Chriſtus Mercatores è Templo ejecit. Enarratis Chriſti per hoc factum devotionibus concludit in debitam à nobis Templorum reve: entiam, atque istius Fundatoris Encomium meritiſſimum

Cantatur pars reliqua; & Veſpertinae precationes (incipiendo jam á Symbolo Apoſtolico) ſecundùm communem Eccleſiae formulam, finiuntur.

FINIS.