to be, and the Minifter's Part, thro' the whole Benedictus and Litany.

Next comes on the Exhortation, in which we have the Particulars of that which is to be done, in all the Prayers, Pfalms and Lessons, that follow.

Whilft this is reading, let every one liften. to every Part of it, and be attentive to its Senfe, it being fo folemn, and fuch an enlivening Preparation, to all that comes after.

How indecent as well as abfurd is it then, for any one to repeat it after the Minister; and yet how many are there, that are guilty of fuch a Practice, to his Offence, as well as the Concern of others.

A general Confeffion to be faid of the whole Congregation after the Minister, all kneeling.

There ought to be a Paufe here. Nay fome Space allow'd, before it is begun, till the Noise which is occafion'd by a different Pofture is over, and all the People prepar'd reverently to repeat after the Minifter, as directed by the End of the Exhortation, with an humble Voice, faying after him.

the Con

But how apt are fome, to break in upon him here too, beginning the Sentences, before he has done? Nay, at a certain Chapel, gregation begin every Sentence with, to be faid after the Minifter.

C 2

tho' 'tis

The

"

The Abfolution, or Remiffion of Sins, to be pronounced by the Priest, alone, ftanding, the People ftill kneeling.

By Prieft, is meant one, whofe mere Charge and Function is about Holy Things; as the Word fignifies Holy, from the Greek and Latin too.

Till fome Time after the Restoration, this Rubrick ran thus: The Abfolution, or Remiffion of Sins, to be pronounced, by the Minifter, alone, handing, the People ftill kneeling.

The Minifter is required to pronounce the Abfolution, ftanding, because it is an Act of his Authority in declaring the Will of that God, whofe Ambaffador he is.

The People are required to continue kneel ing, in token of that Humility and Reverence, with which they ought to receive the joyful News of a Pardon from God.

Tho' a Deacon very feldom prefumes to read this Abfolution, yet fince there are, and have been fo many different Opinions about it; it may be expected, that fome Notice, bere, fhould be taken of it.

The Author of the Commentary on the Book of Common-Prayer, fays in his Notes, upon it, "That this Abfolution is to be read only by a Prieft.

"That

"That 'tis no Part of the Deacons Office "to read this or any Part of the CommonPrayer, unless the Litany, in publick."

If fo; the Reading this was more particularly forbid him, than any of the reft, unlefs the Litany in publick.

All Priests and Deacons are to fay daily the Morning and Evening Prayer. V. Concerning the Service of the Church.

And Deacons are by the Act of Uniformity, Sec. 22, to read the Common-Prayers and Service, in and by the faid Book appointed to be read, i. e. They are authoriz'd, to read any Part of it; but where there is an express Order, to the Contrary.

"Note, that the Word alone here, is of very comprehensive Signification.

"That it denotes, that no one must pro"nounce this, but a Prieft.

"That it implies that the Priest alone must "stand and the People kneel."

That it denotes, that no one must pronounce this, but a Prieft; is even juft as plain, as that it implies, that the Prieft alone, must stand, and the People kneel. For, if it had implied thus much, there would fure have been very little Occafion for these Words to have been added, The People ftill kneeling.

As

4

As to the Reft that he urges, to confirm this his Affertion; we choose to refer the the Reader

to his Notes upon the fame, in the Evening: Service; it being Time to fee, what fome others have faid upon it.

The Author of a rational Illustration of the Book of Common-Prayer acknowledges, Page 124.

"That the Word, Alone, was defign'd to "ferve as a Directory to the People, not to 66 repeat the Words after the Minifter, as they "had been directed to do, in the preceding "Confeffion. But,

"That, in the Review that follow'd immediately after the Restoration, Priest was in"ferted in the room of Minifter, and that "with a full and direct Design to exclude "Deacons from being meant by it.

"That 'tis undeniably plain by this Rubrick, "that Deacons are exprefly forbid to pronounce "this Form; fince the Word Prieft in this "Place (if interpreted according to the Intent "of those that inferted it) is exprefly limited "to one in Priefts Orders, and does not "comprehend any Minifter that officiates, "whether Prieft, or Deacon, as Dr. Bennet "afferts."

The Words, Minifter, and Prieft, are in differently used, and made to fignify the fame

Thing, unless the latter has fomething along with it, to make it otherwife. As in the Communion Service.

Then fhall this general Confeffion be made by one of the Minifters, i. e. Prieft or Deacon.

Then fhall the Priest (or the Bishop being prefent) ftand up, and turning himself to the People, pronounce this Abfolution.

The Prefbyterian Divines did at their Conference, indeed, infift upon it, that the Word Minifter, might be used throughout the whole Book; but it does not appear from thence, that what they required had any particular View to this.

The Reason, why that could not be complied with, was because the above-mention'd Abfolution, with that in the Order for the Vifitation of the Sick; and the Prayer of Confecration; were to be used by none, under the Order of a Prieft.

He too is fo far from being of Dr. Bennet's Opinion, that this Form of Absolution is only declaratory, "That with fubmiffion, to the “That_with_submiffion, "learned Doctor, he begs leave to obferve, "Page 120. That, this Form is exprefly

call'd by the Rubrick, The Abfolution or "Remiffion of Sins. It is not call'd, a De"claration of Abfolution, *think it should have been,

as one would if it had been defign'd,