THE FORM OF

CONSECRATION

OF A

CHURCH OR CHAPPEL,

AND OF THE
PLACE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL.

EXEMPLIFIED
BY THE RIGHT RBVEREND FATHER IN GOD, LANCELOT ANDREWS,
LATE LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER.

M.DC.XX.

It is not to be forgotten though it be forgotten, that who ever gave any Lands or Endowments to the Service of God, gave it in a Formal Writing, as now adayes betwixt Man and Man, Sealed and Witnessed, and the tender of the Gift was Super Altare by the Donor on his Knees. - Bishop ANDREWS' Notes upon the Liturgy.

FORM OF CONSECRATION OF A

CHURCH OR CHAPPEL,
&c.
 

CONSECRATIO CAPELLÆ JESV, ET CŒMETERII,
PER LANCELOTVM EPISCOPUM WINTON.

JUXTA Southamptoniensem villam Ecclesia Beatæ Mariæ collapsa cernitur, solis Cancellis ad sacros usus superstitibus: paucæ aliquot ædes ibi in propinqua parte numerantur; cætera parochianorom multitudo hinc inde sparsim inhabitant in villis, tum loci longinquo intervallo, tum æstuario longe periculoso divisi ab Ecclesia. Ex ea accedendi difficultate, non profanæ modo plebeculæ animos facile invasit misera negligentia atque dispretio Divini cultus, sed et viri probi sedulique pietatis cultores remoram in trajectu sæpe experti sunt, haud ipso quidem capitum discrimine eluctabilem; consortem hujus infortunii cum se factum sentiret (dum ibi loci familiam poneret) Vir strenuus Richardus Smith, Armiger, heroicos plane animos gestans, atque inspiratos de Cœlo, commune hoc religionis dispendium privatis quingentarum aliquot librarum expensis (aut plus eo) redemit, et Capellam egregiam, quam Deo divinisque officiis dicari supplex vovet, in altera parte fluminis magnifice extruit.

Spectato probatoque Capellæ hujus Jesu omni adparatu, adeat tandem Reverendissimus in Christo Pater, Honorandissimus Lancelotus, Episcopus Wintoniensis, Septembris 17, anno 1620, hora octava matutina aut circiter; erat autem dies Dominicus: Episcopus Capellam statim ingressus induit se pontificalibus, quem secuti itidem (qui ipsi a sacris domesticis aderant,) Mattæus at Christopherus Wren, SS. Theol. Bacc. Sacerdotalibus induuntur; Egressus dein cum illis Episcopus, oonvenarum magna stipante caterva, Fundatorem affari orditur in hæc fere verba.
 

Captain Smith, you have been an often earnest Suitor 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 præfata humillimè reverentia schedulam porrigit, quam suo nomine recitari cupit per Willielm. Cole, qui Episcopo à Registris erat: eam ille (ad nutum Episcopi) clara voco sic perlegit.

"IN the Name of Richard Smith of Peer-tree in the County of Southampton Esquire, Right Reverend Father in God, I present unto you the state of the Village of Weston, and the Hamlets, Itchin, Wolson, Ridgeway, and the part of Bittern Mannor (being all of the Parish of St. Mary, near Southampton, in the Diocese 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 the Service of God, so tempestuous, as the River cannot be passed; 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 child, old, impotent, sickly people, and to young children; many times also they are forced to Baptise their children in private Houses, the water not being passable; and when they lie 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, be 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 finished with intent and purpose that it may be dedicated to the worship of God; and that his Holy and Blessed Name might there be honoured and called upon, by the said R. 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 prophane 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 Diocese, in Gods stead, to accept of this his Free-will offering; and to decree this Chappel to be severed from all common and prophane uses, and 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 God's house, and use it accordingly; and that we will, from time to time, and ever hereafter, as need shall be, see it conveniently repaired, 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 allowed and licens'd, and unto him to yield competent Maintenance, to the end that he may take upon him the Cure of the said Chappel; and duly 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 hæc 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 à Psalmo 24.

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

Alterni vero respendent uterque Sacellanus, et sic deinceps ad finem Psalmi: dicta autem δοξολογια paulatim se promovet Episcopus ad portam Capellæ, atque recitat è Psalmo 122.

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 præ foribus universa multitudo, intrante Episcopo et Fundatore, cum Sacellanis, qui genua statim flectunt, ubi spectari commodè audirique possint à 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 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 been 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 especially 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, and come to us and bless us.
    Wherefore in all ages of the world, thy Servants have separated certain places from all prophane and common uses, and hallowed 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 his thou didst call for, and highly allow of.
    By express 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 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 wert 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 cieled 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 wert 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 throughout 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 St. 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 expressly 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 Household of God, being built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head comer-stone, 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 named it, to do the work of Heaven; to set forth thy most worthy praise, to laud and magnifie 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 thine 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, and blessings upon them, or to remove thy punishments and judgments 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 0 Lord, we beseech thee, that here and elsewhere thy Priests may be c10athed with Righteousness, 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 Mystery, that in it is signified and presented the fruition of the joy of thy Heavenly Kingdom, 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, lightned, 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 ordained 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.
 

Hæc precatus Episcopus Baptisterium adit, atque imposita manu ait.

REgard, O Lord, the Supplications of thy Servants, and grant that those Children that shall be baptized 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 or 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 preached, may be the savour of life unto life, and, as good seed, take root and fructifie in the hearts of all that shall hear it.

'Αναλογείον 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 fulfil 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 fulfilled 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 Matrimony, by the Covenant of God, may liye together in holy Love unto their lives end.

Vniversum denique pavimentum.

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

Tum flexis genibus ante sacram Mensam pergit porro.

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 wandering thoughts, all carnal and worldly imaginations may be far 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 fulfil all their minds, 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 find 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.

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

Alter Sacellanorum coram sacra Mensa venerans sic incipit.

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

Confessionem, absolutionem, Dominic. προσευχην recitant, &c. Psalmos canunt pro tempore accommodos, Ps. 84, 122, & 132, alternis respondente populo quibus facultas erat et libri. Lectio prima definitur ex 28 Gen. à ver. primo ad finem. Hymn. Te Deum, &c. Lectio secunda ex secundo capite S. Joh. à versu 13 ad finem. Hymn, Ps. 100.
 

I believe in God, &c.

Et 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 contained within any the largest compass, much less within the narrow walls of this Room; 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 precious 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 ways 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 e1ean thoughts, and undefiled bodies, that we may both wash our hearts and hands in innocency, and so compass thine Altar.

Jam alter Sacellanus denuo exiens et venerans ante sacram Mensam, incipit Litaniam; in fine cujus recitavit hoc ipse Episcopus.

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. Fulfil, 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 Ps. 132, conscenditque suggestum M. Robinson, Theol. Bac. Fundatoris summo rogatu; Episcopus hoc ei tandum concessit; (geminas sorores ille atque Fundator in uxores duxerant, sed utraque defuncta, jam tertiis gaudebat thalamis concionator.)

Thema ejus desumptum e 28 cap. Gen. vers. 16, 17, inter cætera doctè egit de omnipræsentia Divina, ubivis locorum, tum speciatim (pro beneplacito suo) in Ecclesia, deque reverentia et veneratione ibi debita.

Pergitur in Liturgia, qua mulier quædam paupercula purificanda ad limen Cancellorum accedens, genua flectit,gratiasque post partum (solenni Ecclesiæ ritu) agit: Baptizandus autem vel Matrimonio jungendus, nullus aderat.

Iter dein ad Cœnæ Dominicæ administrationem, Sacellanorum altero ad australem, altero ad septentrionalum partem sacræ Mensæ genu flectente et dicante.
 

OUR Father, &c.

Ante Epistolæ lectionem hanc specialem Collectam (una cum Collecta solitæ 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.

Epiatolam secundus Sacellanus ante Sacram Mensam stans, legit ex 1 Cor. cap. 3, à vers. 16. ad finem. SS. Evangelium prior Sacellanus ibidem stans recitat ex 10. cap. S. Johannis à vers. 22. ad finem: dein Symbolum Nicenum, omnibus etiam stantibus.

Post ilia Episcopus sede sua egressus, coram sacra Mensa sese provolvit atque ait.

Let us pray the prayer of King Solomon, which he prayed in the day of the Dedication of his Temple: the first Temple that ever was,   2 Chron. 6, ab initio verse 18. ad versum 40. 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 Chr. 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 ibidem se collocat, (assidentibus Thoma Ridley Cancellario Episcopi a dextris, a sinistris vero Doctore Barlo Archidiacono Winton.) actumque Consecrationis (pileo tectus) promulgat in hanc formam:

IN Nomine Domini Amen. Cum strenuus Vir Richardus Smith de Peer-tree in Comitu Southampt. Armiger, pia et Religiosa Devotione ductus, Cappellam hanc in quodam solo vasto vocato Ridgway-heath, juxta ædes suas communiter nuncupatas Peer-tree, infra Parochiam Ecclesiæ paroch. Beatæ Mariæ juxta villam Southampt. Dioceseos et juris dictionis nostræ, continentem intra muros ejusdem, in longitudine ab Oriente ad Occidentem 50 pedes et dimid. aut circiter; in latitudine vero, ab Aquilone ad Austrum, 20 pedes et dimid. aut circiter, propriis suis sumptibus ædificaverit, erexerit. et construxerit; eandemque Cappellam Cancellis ligneis distinxerit; sacra Mensa decenter instructa, Baptisterio, Pulpito, sedibus convenientibus, tam infra super solum quam supra in modum Galeriæ, Campana etiam aliisque necessariis ad divinum cultum sufficienter et 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 prædicta, quatenus nos authoritate nostra ordinaria et Episcopali pro nobis et successoribus nostris dicam Cappellam ab usibus pristinis communibus et profanis quibuscunque separare et in usus sacros et divinos consecrare, et dedicare dignaremur.
    Nos Lancelotus permissione divina, Winton, Episcopus, pio et religioso tam ipsius quam aliorum in villa et hamlettis prædictis habitantium desiderio, in hac parte favorabiliter annuentes, ad Consecrationem Cappelæ hujus de novo propriis sumptibus dicti strenui viri Ricardi Smith, sic ut præfertur erectæ et ornatæ, authoritate nostra Ordinaria et Episcopali procedentes, eandem Cappellam ab omni communi et profano usu in perpetuam 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 Ecclesiæ Liturgam recitandam, ad Verbum Dei sincere preponendum at prædicandum. Sacramenta Sacræ Eucharistiæ et Baptismatis in eadem ministranda, Matrimonia solemnizanda, Mulieres post puerperium ad gratiarum actionem publicam recipiendas, et adjuvendas, Mortuos sepeliendos, cæteraque peragenda, quæ in aliis Capellis licite fieri possunt et solent. Ac, tam Presbytero in Capella prædicta deservituro preces divinas dicendi, cæteraque præmissa faciendi, quam Domino Ric. Smith, et familiæ ejus, reliquisque in dictis locis habitantibus, preces divinas audiendi, cæteraque præmissa percipiendi, plenam in Domino potestatem concedimus. Eandemque Capellam ad levamen (Anglice, a Chappel of Ease) sub dicta Ecclesia parochiali B. Mariæ juxta villam Southampt tanquam Matrice Ecclesia sua quantum in nobis est, et de jure divino Canonibus Ecclesia et Statutis hujus regni Anglæ possumus, in honorem Dei et sacros inhabitantium usus, nunc et in futurum consecramus, per nomen Capella JESV in Parochia Sancte Mariæ juxta villam Southampt. et sic consecratam fuisse, et esse, et in futuris perpetuis temporibus remanere debere palam et publice pronunciamus, decernimus, et declaramus; et per nomen Capellæ JESV nominamus, et appellamus; et sic perpetuis futuris temporibus nominandam et appellandam fore decernimus: Privilegiis insuper omnibus et singulis in capite usitatis et Capellis ab antiquo fundatis competentibus, Capellam hanc JESV prædictam, ad omnem juris effectum munitam et stabilitam esse volumus; et quantum in nobis est, et de jure divino possumus, sic munimus et stabilimus per præsentes; Absque præjusdicio tamen ullo, et salvo semper jure et interesse Ecclesiæ parochialis sancte Mariæ juxta villam Southampt. tanquam Matricis Ecclesiæ; et Rectoris Guardianonorum, aliorumque Ministrorum ejusdem pro tempore existentium (in cujus Parochia dicta Capella JESV notorie sita et situata est) in omnibus et singulis decimis, oblationibus, obventionibus. vadiis, feudis, proficuis. privilegiis, juribus et emolumentis quibuscunque ordinariis et extraordinariis eisdem respective debitis vel consuetis, ac infra præcinctum seu limites Capellæ JESV prædictæ orientibus et provenientibus, et ad dictam Ecclesiam Matricem sanctæ Mariæ, 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 Capellæ prædictæ.
 

Proviso, quod prædictus strenuus vir Rich. Smith, ne ejus hæredes 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 reparationis prædictæ Matricis Ecclesiæ sanctæ Mariæ juxta villam Southampton, et Cœmeterii ejusdem Ecclesiæ, ac ad omnia alia onera, ad quæ cæteri parochiani dicte Matricis Ecclesiæ teneantur.
    Proviso etiam, quod tam dictus strenuus vir Rich. Smith, hæredes et assignati ejus, quam reliqui omnes in dictis villis et hamlettis, &c. habitantes, in signum subjectionis Capellæ hujus sub Ecclesia Matrice Beatæ Mariæ juxta Southampt. ac senioritatis ejusdem Ecclesiæ 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 Parochialem venire possint) Preces audire, et Sacramentum Eucharistiæ ibidem percipere; vel si tempestate aut alio impedimento detineantur, quo minus tunc venire possunt, tum die Dominico, quo tuto venire possunt, subsequente, venire et Eucharistiam accipere omnino teneantur, absque speciali Licentia nostra, seu Vicarii nostri generalis in hac parte obtenta.
    Proviso etiam, quod in dicta Capella Sacramentum Baptismatis non ministretur, nec Matrimonia solemnizentur, neque Verbum Dei prædicetur, neque Sacramenta vel Sacramentalia aliquibus profanis conferantur præterquam solis inhabitantibus seu degentibus in villa, hamlettis, &C. prædictæ, nec etiam reliquis dicta Matricis Ecclesiæ parochianis in Occidentali parte ripæ inhabitantibus, inscio vel invito Rectore Ecclesiæ Matricis sancte Mariæ juxta villam Southampt. prædict., seu absque assensu, consensu et licentia ejusdem prius habita et obtenta.
    Et ulterius dicto strenuo Richardo Smith, hæredibus et assignatis suis, liberam et plenam potestatem in Domino concedimus per præsentes, idoneum Presbyterum de tempore in tempus nominandi ad deserviendum, et divina officia in dicta Capella exequenda, à nobis et successoribus nostris de tempore in tempus approbandum, et licentiandum: ad quod dictus strenuus vir R. Smith hæredes et assignati sui, et relique in dictis villa et hamlettis, &c. inhabitantes, de tempore in tempus in futurum propriis suis sumptibus dictum Presbyterum sive Curatum in eadem Capella deservientem, et authoritate nostra, vel successorum nostrorum ut præfertur approbatum et licentiatum, alent et sustinebunt, ac annuale stipendium viginti marcarum ad minimum eidem Presbytero vel Curato præstabunt, et solvent ad quatuor Festa; Nativitatis Christi; Annunciationis; Nativitatis sancti Johannis Baptistæ; et sancti Michaelis, per æquales portiones, sine ulla tamen diminutione, vel defalcatione juris Ecclesiastici, decimarum, oblationem vel obventionum quarumcunque ad dictam Ecclesiam Parochialem sanctæ Mariæ, seu ad Rectorem ejus pro tempore existentem, quo modo de jure vel consuetudine spectantium seu pertinentium.
    Et ulterius quod pro sepulturis in Capella prædicta, et in choro seu navi ejusdem,omnibusque aliis in dicta Capella vel extra gerendis, vadia, quoad defunctus tam in domo dicti strenui viri Rich. Smith, hæredum et assignatorum suorum, quam in dicta villa, hamlettis &c. Rectori dicta Ecclesiæ Matricis pro tempore existeni, et successoribus suis, et guardianis respective, et clerico, cæterisque Ministris dictæ Ecclsiæ parochailis debite solvantur, in tam amplis modo et forma, prout pro sepulturis in Choro seu intra Cancellos, seu etiam in navi dictæ Ecclesiæ Matricis, solvi consuetum fuit, et prout solvi solet et deberet si personæ prædictæ intra Cancellos seu navim dictæ Matricis Ecclesiæ sepultæ fuissent.
    Quod si autem aliquando defuerit in dictæ Capella Presbyter, Curatus legitime per nos aut successores nostros licentiatus et approbatus, tunc prædictus strenuus vir Rich. Smith, hæredes 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 celebranda 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, hæredum at assignatorum suorum. Quod si autem dicta Capella decenter non fuerit reparata vel instructa libris aliisque ad cultum Divinum necessariis per tempus prædictum (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 præcinctum, seu limites dictæ Capellæ inhabitantes ad Matricem Ecclesiam convenire, pro divinis audiendis, prout ante hanc nostram consecrationem tenebantur; aliqua in hac consessione seu consecratione nostra in contrarium non obstante, ac perinde ac si hæc concessio seu consecratio facta nunquam fuisset.
    Postremo reservamus nobis et successoribus nostris, Episcopis Winton, potestatem vistandi dictam Capellam, prout alias Capellas infra nostram Diocesin situatas, communiter nuncupatas Peculiares at nobis eisque constet, an decenter in reparationibus aliisque conservetur, et an omnia ibidem decentur at secundum ordinem fiant. Quæ omnia et singula sic reservamus; quoad cætera vero præmissa quatenus in nobis est, et de jure possumus, pro nobis at successoribus nostris decernimus et stabilimus per præsentes.

Actu demum recitato veneratur denuo, 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 unto 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 Epiacopus sedem separatim capessit (ubi prius) populusque universus non communicaturus dimittitur, et Porta clauditur; Prior Sacellanus pergit legendo sententias illas hortatorias ad eleemosynas; interea dum alter Sasellanus singulos Communicaturos adit, atque in partinam. argenteam oblationes colligit: Collecta est summa. 4l. 12s. 2d. quam Dominus Episcopus convertandam in calicem huic Capellæ donandum desernit. Cæteris rebus ordine gestis, demum Episcopus sacram Mensam redit (Sacellanis utrisque ad aliquantulum recedentibus) lotisque manibus, pane fracto, vino in Calicem effuso, et aqua admista, stans ait,

ALmighty God our Heavenly Father, &c.

Eucharistiam ipse primo loco accipit, sub utraque specie: proximo loco tradit Fundatori (quem jam coram sacra Mensa in genua supplicem collocarant) dein utrique Sacellano. Ad cæteros vero pergentem Episcopum atque panem iis tradentem, prior Sacellanus subsequitur et Calicem ordine porrigit. Cum vinum, quod prius effuderat, non sufficeret, Episcopus de novo in Calicem ex poculo, quod in sacra Mensa stabat effundit, admistaque aqua, recita clare verba illa censecratoria.

Finita tandem exhibitione Dominus Episcopus Sacræ Mensæ 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 has pleased thee to put into the heart of this servant erect an house to thy worship and service, by whose Pains, Care and Cost, this work was begun and finished. Bless (O Lord) his substance, and accept the work of his hands: Remember him, O our God, concerning this, wipe not out kindness of his that he shewed for the house of his God, 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 will be the best fruit and to God most acceptable.

Post, hæc vota populum stans dimitit cum Benedictione hac.

THe peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and Minds in the knowledge and love of God, and 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 always. Amen.

CONSECRATIO
C ΠM E T E R I I.

Statim a prandio (quod in ædibus suis vicinis Fundator Capellæ satis lante appararat Domino Episcopo, atque convenarum magnæ frequentiæ) adrem divinam reversis, alter Sacellanorum præit.

OUr Father, &c.

Post Responsas, Psalmus 90. recitatur alternis.

Post Psalmus Episcopus cum universa multitudine egreditur Capella, atque ad orientalem cœmeterii partem stans, denuo sciscitatur.

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

Ille schedulam, ut prius humillime porrigit, quam præfatus a Registris recitat in hæc verba.

“IN the name of Richard Smith of Peer-tree in the County of Southampton Esquire, R: Reverend Father in God, I present unto you the state of the Village of Weston, &C. ut prius, usque ad, the River cannot be passed, whereby it often cometh to pass that they have been constrained to bury their dead in the open fields, the water not being passable;. or if they durst venture over, yet the dead body was followed with so little Company, as was no way seemly.
    "And thus much formerly having been presented to your Predecessor, the Right Reverend Father 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 anld granted power unto the said Richard Smith so to do, as may appear by all 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 enclosed 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 and 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 Diocese, in God's 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 Cœmeterie 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 they will from time to time, and ever hereafter, as need shall be, see it conveniently repaired and fenced in such sort as a Cœmetery or Burying-place ought to be.

Hoc ipsum vero (Episcopo paucis interrogatis) viva voce confirmant Fundator, et qui e vicinia.

Lectio prima desumitur è 23. Gen. Secunda Lectio destinabatur è prima Epist. ad Cor. cap. 15. a vers. 15. ad finem propter angustias temporis omissa.

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 the earth from whence it came, and the spirit of a Man returneth unto God that gave it; so to make divers 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 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 give 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 raised again from the Earth to be partaker also with the soul of the reward, or punishment which God in Mercy or Justice shall reward, not to one of them alone but joyntly to them both.
    There being then so great difference it is not thy will, 0 Lord, that our bodies should be cast out as the Bodies of Beasts to become dung for the earth, or our bones lie scattered 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, O Lord, that they should be buried as an Ass in the open fields, but in a place chosen and set apart for that purpose.
    For even so from the Beginning we find the holy Patriarch Abraham (the Father of the faithful) would not bury his dead in the common fields; nay nor amongst the Bodies of the Hethites who were heathen men, but purchased a burial-place for himself in the plain of Mamre, which being as it were the Church-Yard of the Patriarchs, therein they laid the dead bodies of Sara his Wife, of Himself, his Son Isaac and Rebecca 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 store-house for the bodies of such our Brethren and Sisters to be laid up in, as he shall ordain there to he interred; there to rest in the sleep of peace till the last Trump shall awaken them, for they shall awake and rise up that sleep in the dust; for the dew shall be as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall yield forth her dead.
    We beseech thee good Lord to accept this work of ours in showing 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 Ecclesiæ parochialis Sanctæ Mariæ, &c. et jam propriis sumptibus strenui viri Rich. Smith de Peer-tree, Armigeri in circuitu Capellæ noviter ab eo quoque propriis sumptibus suis constitutæ, palis inclusum et 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 et profanis in usus sacras separandum fore decernimus, et sic separamus; ac eundem inhabitantibus vel degentibus in familia Ric. Smith, in villa de Weston, hamlettis de Itchin, Wolston, Ridgway, et in parte mnerii de Bitterne, quæ est de parochia Sancte Mariæ juxta Southampt. in Cœmeterium sive locum sepulturæ pro corporibus inibi decedentium Christiano ritu humandis, quantum in nobis est, ac de jure et canonibus Ecclesiasticis, ac de statutis hujus Regni Angliæ possumus authoritate nostra ordinaria et Episcopali assignamus: ac per nomen Cœmeterii Capellæ JESV designatus dedicamus, et in usum prædictum consecramus; ac sic assignatum, dedicatum, et consecratum fuisse et esse, et in futurum, perpetuis temporibus remanere debere, palam ac publice declaramus; Ac Cœmeterium Capellæ JESV deinceps in perpetuum nuncupandum decernimus: Privilegiis insuper omnibus et singulis Cœmeteriis et locis sepulturæ ab antiquo consecratis competent. Cœmeterium prædictum sive locum sepulturæ ad omnem juris effectum munitum esse volumus, et, quantum in nobis est et de jure possumus, sic munimus et stabilimus per præsentes.
    Proviso tamen, quod prædict. Richardus, hæredes, et assignati sui, ac reliqui in dicta villa, hamlettis, &c. inhabitantes, propriis suis sumptibus dictum Cœmeterium de tempore in tempus, in decenti statu conservabunt, et clausuras ejus, quoties opus fuerit sufficienter et convenienter reparabunt. Salvis etiam et omnino reservatis Rectori Ecclesiæ parochialis Sanctæ Mariæ predictæ, ac Guardianis aliisque Ministris dictæ Ecclesiæ pro tempore existentibus in perpetuum, omnibus et singulis oblationibus, mortuariis, feudis et vadiis, pro omnibus et singulis sepulturis mortuoram in hoc Cœmeterio, aut ratione corundem, de jure sive consuetudine debitis, et in tam amlplis modo et forma, ac si personæ prædictæ sepultæ fuissent in Cœmeterio Matricis Ecclesiæ prædictæ. Quas quidem oblationes et mortuaria, feuda et vadia omnia et singula, sic de jure ae consuetudine debita Rectori, Guardianis et Ministris dictæ Matricis Ecclesiæ pro tempore existentibus, in perpetuum solvendi, quantum in nobis est, et jura patiuntur, reservamus per præsentes: salvi item nobis et successoribus nostris, tanquam loci Ordinariis, potestate visitandi dictum Cœmeterinm de tempore in tempus, et inquirendi an sufficienter reparatum fuerit in clausuris, et an omnia ibi decenter et secundum ordinem fiant; et, si minus fiant, per censuras ecclesiasticas corrigendi.

His finitis precatur denuo.

LOrd God of Abraham, Issac 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, after that wilt say, Return again you Children of men: Thou art the God of Truth, and has said it; thou art the Gild 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 Jesus Christ, who art the Resurection and the Life, ill whom if we believe, though we be dead yet shall we live; who by thy death hast overcome death, and by thy rising 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 Resurection 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 the 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, hut 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, scanctifie and bless this place to that end whereunto according to thine own Ordinance we have ordained 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 Faith of thy Holy Name, shall have ow' consummation and Bliss both in body and Soul in thy eternal and everlasting glory.
    Blessed Saviour, that didst for this end die 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.

Rientrantes igitur Capellam cantant priorem partem Psal. 16. Conscendit suggestum magister Mattæus Wren; Thema ei posterior pars vers. 17. cap. 2. S. Joan. Zelus domus tuæ, &c. Agit de affectibus in Christo, zelo inter cæteros; nec illo falso, sed pro Deo, nec cæco, sed secundum scientiam pro domo, pro cultu Dei; de præsentia Dei, præcipue in templis; magno non morum solummodo nostrorum, sed spei quoque et Fidei incremento fulcimentoque: Deum locorum distinctione gaudere confirmat, tum exemplo mirifico Jacobi tantopere distingnentis Bethel; tum maximo omnium miraculo, quo Christi mercatores e Templo ejecit. Enarratis Christi per hoc factum devotionibus concludit in debitam à nobis templorum reverentiam, atque istius Fundatoris encomium meritissimum.
    Cantatur pars reliqua; et vespertinæ precationes (incipiendo jam a symbolo Apostolico) secundum communem Ecclesiæ formulam, finiuntur.

FINIS.