GEORGE I.
Although this Monarch, who succeeded to the Crown in 1714, had the good sense not to pretend to this miraculous Gift, it was assumed by the Descendants of the race of Stuarts. And it is well recollected, that Mr. Carte's (in other respects very excellent) "History of England" fell into almost immediate disrepute, on his making, in one of his notes, a bold assertion, the substance of which shall be here given:
"Whatever is to be said in favour of its being appropriated to the eldest Descendant of the first branch of the Royal Line of the Kings of France, England, &c. I have myself seen a very remarkable instance of such a cure, which could not possibly be ascribed to the Royal Unction. One Christopher Lovel, born at Wells in Somersetshire, but when he grew up residing in the City of Bristol, where he got his living by labour, was extremely afflicted for many years with that distemper, and such a flow of the scrophulous humour, that, though it found a vent by five running sores about his breast, neck, and arms, there was such a tumour on one side of his neck, as left no hollow between his cheek and the upper part of his left shoulder, and forced him to keep his head always awry. The young man was reduced, by the virulence of the humour, to the lowest state of weakness; appeared a miserable object in the eyes of all the inhabitants of that populous city; and, having for many years tried all the remedies which the art of physic could administer, without receiving any benefit, resolved at last to go abroad to be touched. He had an uncle in the place, who was an old seaman, and carried him from Bristol, at the end of August, A. D. 1716, along with him to Cork in Ireland, where he put him on board a ship that was bound to St. Martin's in the Isle of Ree. From thence Christopher made his way first to Paris, and thence to the place where he was touched, in the beginning of November following, by the eldest lineal Descendant of a race of Kings, who had, indeed, for a long succession of ages, cured that distemper by the Royal Touch. But this descendant and next heir of their blood had not, at least at that time, been crowned or anointed. The usual effect, however, followed: from the moment that the man was touched and invested with the narrow riband, to which a small piece of silver was pendant, according to the rites prescribed in the office appointed by the Church for that solemnity, the humour dispersed insensibly, his sores healed up, and he recovered strength daily, till he arrived in perfect health, in the beginning of January following, at Bristol, having spent only four months and some few days in his voyage. There it was, and in the week preceding St. Paul's fair, that I saw the man, in his recovered vigour of body, without any remains of his complaint, but what were to be seen in the red scars then left upon the five places where the sharp humour had found a vent, but which were otherwise entirely healed, and as sound as any other part of his body. Dr. Lane, an eminent physician in the place, whom I visited on my arrival, told me of this cure, as the most wonderful thing that ever happened; and pressed me as well to see the man upon whom it was performed, as to talk about his case with Mr. Samuel Pye, a very skilful surgeon, and I believe still living in that city, who had tried in vain, for three years together, to cure the man by physical remedies. I had an opportunity of doing both; and Mr. Pye, after dining together, carrying me to the man, I examined and informed myself fully of all particulars, relating as well to his illness as his cure; and found upon the whole, that if it is not to be deemed miraculous, it at least deserved the character given it by Dr. Lane, of being one of the most wonderful events that has ever happened."
APPENDIX, No. I.
The Ceremonies for the Healing of them that be diseased with the King's Evil, as they were practised in the time of King Henry VII[219].
Rubrick.—First, the King, kneeling, shall begin, and say,
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritûs Sancti. Amen.
Rubrick.—And so soon as He hath said that, He shall say, Benedicite.
Rubrick.—The Chaplain, kneeling before the King, having a stole about his neck, shall answer, and say,
Dominus sit in corde tuo et labiis tuis, ad confitendum omnia peccata tua, in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritûs Sancti. Amen.
Rubrick.—Or else to say,
Jesus nos exaudiat, in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritûs Sancti.
Rubrick.—Then by and by the King shall say, Confiteor Deo, Beatæ Mariæ Virgini, Omnibus Sanctis, et Vobis, quia peccavi nimis in cogitatione, locutione, et opere, mea culpa [sic.] Precor Sanctam Mariam, omnes Sanctos Dei, et Vos, orare pro me.
Rubrick.—The Chaplain shall answer, and say,
Misereatur Vestri Omnipotens Deus, et demittat Vobis omnia peccata Vestra, liberet Vos ab omni malo, salvet et confirmet in bono, et ad vitam perducat æternam. Amen.
Absolutionem et Remissionem omnium peccatorum Vestrorum, spatium veræ pœnitentiæ, et emendationem vitæ, gratiam et consolationem Sancti Spiritûs, tribuat Vobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus. Amen.
Rubrick.—This done, the Chaplain shall say, Dominus Vobiscum.
Rubrick.—The King shall answer,
Et cum Spiritu tuo.
Rubrick.—The Chaplain.
Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundùm Marcum.
Rubrick.—The King shall answer.
Gloria tibi, Domine.
Rubrick.—The Chaplain shall read the Gospel.
In illo tempore, recumbentibus undecim Discipulis apparuit illis Jesus; et exprobavit incredulitatem eorum, et duritiem cordis, qui iis qui viderant eum resurrexisse, non crediderunt. Et dixit eis, Euntes in mundum universum, prædicate Evangelium omni creaturæ. Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit, salvus erit; qui verò non crediderit, condemnabitur. Signa autem eos, qui crediderint, hæc sequentur: In nomine meo dæmonia ejicient, linguis loquentur novis, serpentes tollent; et si mortiferum quid biberint non eis nocebit; super ægros manus imponent, et bene [seipsos] habebunt.
Rubrick.—Which clause [super ægros, &c.] the Chaplain repeats as long as the King is handling the Sick Person. And in the time of the repeating the aforesaid words [super ægros, &c.] the Clerk of the Closet shall kneel before the King, having the Sick Person upon the right hand, and the Sick Person shall likewise kneel before the King; and then the King shall lay his hand upon the Sore of the Sick Person. This done, the Chaplain shall make an end of the Gospel; and in the mean time the Chirurgeon shall lead away the Sick Person from the King.
—Et Dominus quidem Jesus, postquam locutus est eis, assumptus est in cœlum, et sedet à dextris Dei. Illi autem profecti, prædicaverunt ubique, Domino cooperante, et sermonem confirmante, sequentibus signis.
Rubrick.—Then the Chaplain shall begin to say again, Dominus Vobiscum.
Rubrick.—The King shall answer,
Et cum spiritu tuo.
Rubrick.—The Chaplain. Initium Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.
Rubrick.—The King shall say.
Gloria tibi, Domine.
Rubrick.—The Chaplain then shall say this Gospel following.
In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt; et sine ipso factum est nihil, quod factum est: in ipso vita erat, et vita erat Lux hominum; et Lux in tenebris lucet, et Tenebræ eam non comprehenderunt. Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes. Hic venit in testimonium, ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum. Non erat ille Lux, sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine. Erat Lux vera quæ illuminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum.
Rubrick.—Which last clause [Erat Lux vera, &c.] shall still be repeated so long as the King shall be crossing the Sore of the Sick Person with an Angel Noble. And the Sick Person to have the same Angel hanged about his neck, and to wear it until he be full whole.
This done, the Chirurgeon shall lead away the Sick Person, as he did before; and then the Chaplain shall make an end of the Gospel.
—In mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus eum non cognovit. In propria venit, et sui eum non receperunt. Quot quot autem receperunt eum dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri, his, qui credunt in nomine ejus, qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati sunt. Et Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis; et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratiæ et veritatis.
Rubrick.—Then the Chaplain shall say,
Sit nomen Domini benedictum.
Rubrick.—The King shall answer,
Ex hoc nunc et usque in seculum.
Rubrick.—Then shall the Chaplain say this Collect following, praying for the Sick Person or Persons.
Domine exaudi orationem meam [nostram].
Rubrick.—The King shall answer,
Et clamor meus [noster] ad te veniat.
Oremus.
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, salus æterna credentium, exaudi nos pro famulis tuis, pro quibus misericordiæ tuæ imploramus auxilium, ut, redditâ sibi sanitate, tibi in Ecclesiâ tuâ referant actiones. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Rubrick.—This Prayer is to be said secretly, after the Sick Persons are departed from the King, at his pleasure.
Dominator Domine Deus Omnipotens, cujus benignitate cæci vident, surdi audiunt, muti loquuntur, claudi ambulant, leprosi mundantur, omnes infirmorum curantur languores, et à quo solo donum Sanationis humano generi etiam tribuitur, et tanta gratia pro incredibili tuâ ergà hoc regnum bonitate, Regibus ejusdem concessa est, ut solâ manuum illorum impositione, morbus gravissimus fœtidissimusque depellatur: concede propitius ut tibi propterea gratias agamus, et pro isto singulari beneficio in nos collato, non nobis ipsis, sed nomini tuo assiduè gloriam demus, nosque sic ad pietatem semper exerceamus, ut tuam nobis donatam gratiam non solùm diligenter conservare, sed indies magis magisque adaugere laboremus; et præsta ut quorumcunque corporibus in nomine tuo manus imposuerimus, hâc tuâ virtute in illis operante et nobis ministrantibus, ad pristinam sanitatem restituantur, eam conservent, et pro eâdem tibi, ut summo Medico et omnium morborum depulsori, perpetuò nobiscum gratias agant; sicque deinceps vitam instituant, ut non corpus solùm ab infirmitate, sed anima etiam à peccato omnino sanata videatur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Sancti Spiritûs, per omnia secula seculorum. Amen.[220]
APPENDIX, No. II.
From a Folio Prayer Book, printed 1710.
At the Healing.
Prevent us, O Lord, &c.
Gospel.
From the 16th Chapter of St. Mark, beginning at the 14th Verse: "Afterwards he appeared, &c." to the end of the Chapter: "and confirming the Word with Signs following."
Let us pray.
Lord have mercy upon us.
Christ, &c.
Lord, &c.
Our Father, &c.
Rubrick.—[Then shall the Infirm Persons, one by one, be presented to the Queen upon their Knees; and, as every one is presented, and while the Queen is laying her Hands upon them, and putting the Gold about their necks, the Chaplain that officiates, turning himself to her Majesty, shall say these words following:]
God give a Blessing to this Work; and grant that these Sick Persons, on whom the Queen lays her Hands, may recover, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rubrick.—[After all have been presented, the Chaplain shall say,]
Verse.—O Lord, save thy Servants;
Resp.—Who put their Trust in Thee.
Verse.—Send them Help from thy Holy Place.
Resp.—And evermore mightily defend them.
Verse.—Help us, O God of our Salvation.
Resp.—And, for the Glory of thy Name deliver us, and be merciful to us Sinners for thy Name's Sake.
Verse.—O Lord, hear our Prayers.
Resp.—And let our Cry come unto Thee.
Rubrick.—[These answers are to be made by them that come to be healed.]
Let us pray.
O Almighty God, who art the Giver of all Health, and the Aid of them that seek to thee for Succour, we call upon thee for thy Health and Goodness mercifully to be shewed upon these thy Servants, that they, being healed of their Infirmities, may give Thanks unto thee in thy Holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rubrick.—[Then the Chaplain, standing with his face towards them that come to be healed, shall say,]
The Almighty Lord, who is a most strong Tower to all them that put their Trust in him; to whom all things in Heaven, in Earth, and under the Earth, do bow and obey, be now and evermore your Defence; and make you know and feel, that there is none other Name under Heaven given to Man, in whom, and through whom, you may receive Health and Salvation, but only the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Grace of our Lord, &c. Amen.
APPENDIX, No. III.
The Ceremonies of Blessing Cramp-Rings on Good-Friday, used by the Catholick Kings of England.
The Psalme "Deus misereatur nostri," &c. with the "Gloria Patri."
May God take pity upon us, and blesse us;* may he send forth the light of his face upon us, and take pity on us.
That we may know thy ways on earth* among all nations thy salvation.
May people acknowledge thee, O God:* may all people acknowledge thee.
Let nations reioice, and be glad, because thou iudgest people with equity,* and doest guide nations on the earth.
May people acknowledge thee, O God, may all people acknowledge thee,* the earth has sent forth her fruit.
May God blesse us, that God who is ours: may that God blesse us,* and may all the bounds of the earth feare him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,* and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever,* and for ever, and ever. Amen.
Then the King reades this Prayer:
Almighty eternal God, who by the most copious gifts of thy grace, flowing from the unexhausted fountain of thy bounty, hast been graciously pleased, for the comfort of mankind, continually to grant us many and various meanes to relieve us in our miseries; and art willing to make those the instruments and channels of thy gifts, and to grace those persons with more excellent favours, whom thou hast raised to the Royal dignity; to the end that, as by Thee they Reign, and govern others, so by Thee they may prove beneficial to them, and bestow thy favours on the people: Graciously heare our prayers, and favourably receive those vows we powre forth with humility, that Thou mayst grant to us, who beg with the same confidence the favour which our Ancestours, by their hopes in thy mercy have obtained: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Rings lying in one bason or more, this prayer is to be said over them:
O God, the Maker of heavenly and earthly creatures, and the most gracious Restorer of mankind, the Dispenser of spiritual grace, and the Origin of all blessings; send downe from heaven thy Holy Spirit the Comforter upon these Rings, artificially fram'd by the workman; and by thy greate power purify them so, that all the malice of the fowle and venomous Serpent be driven out; and so the metal, which by Thee was created, may remaine pure, and free from all dregs of the enemy: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Blessing of the Rings.
O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, heare mercifully our prayers. Spare those who feare Thee. Be propitious to thy suppliants; and graciously be pleased to send downe from Heaven thy holy Angel, that he may sanctify ✠ and blesse ✠ these Rings; to the end they may prove a healthy remedy to such as implore thy name with humility, and accuse themselves of the sins which ly upon their conscience: who deplore their crimes in the sight of thy divine clemency, and beseech, with earnestness and humility, thy most serene piety. May they in fine, by the invocation of thy holy name, become profitable to all such as weare them, for the health of their soule and body, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Blessing.
O God, who hast manifested the greatest wonders of thy power by the cure of diseases, and who were pleased that Rings should be a pledge of fidelity in the Patriark Judah, a priestly ornament in Aaron, the mark of a faithful guardian in Darius, and in this Kingdom a remedy for divers diseases; graciously be pleased to blesse ✠ and sanctify ✠ these Rings; to the end that all such who weare them may be free from all snares of the Devil, may be defended by the power of celestial armour; and that no contraction of the nerves, or any danger of the falling-sickness, may infest them; but that in all sort of diseases by thy help they may find relief. In the name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, ✠ and of the Holy Ghost. ✠ Amen.
Blesse, O my soule, the Lord,* and let all things which are within me praise his holy name.
Blesse, O my soule, the Lord,* and do not forget all his favours.
He forgives all thy iniquities,* he heales all thy infirmities.
He redeemes thy life from ruin,* he crownes thee with mercy and commiseration.
He fils thy desires with what is good:* thy youth, like that of the eagle, shall be renewed.
The Lord is he who does mercy,* and does, iustice to those who suffer wrong.
The merciful and pitying Lord:* the long sufferer, and most mighty merciful.
He wil not continue his anger for ever;* neither wil he threaten for ever.
He has not dealt with us in proportion to our sins;* nor has he rendered unto us according to our offences.
Because according to the distance of heaven from earth,* so has he enforced his mercies, upon those who feare him.
As far distant as the east is from the west,* so far has he divided our offences from us.
After the manner that a Father takes pity of his sons; so has the Lord taken pity of those who feare him;* because he knows what we are made of.
He remembers that we are but dust. Man, like hay, such are his days;* like the flower in the field, so wil he fade away.
Because his breath wil passe away through him, and he wil not be able to subsist,* and it wil find no longer its owne place.
But the mercy of the Lord is from all eternity;* and wil be for ever upon those who feare him.
And his iustice comes upon the children of their children,* to those who keep his wil.
And are mindful of his commandments,* to performe them.
The Lord in heaven has prepared himself a throne, and his kingdom shall reign over all.
Blesse yee the Lord, all yee Angels of his; yee who are powerful in strength:* who execute his commands, at the hearing of his voice when he speakes.
Blesse yee the Lord, all yee vertues of his:* yee Ministers who execute his wil.
Blesse yee the Lord, all yee works of his throughout all places of his dominions:* my Soule praise thou the Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,* and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, and now and ever,* and for ever and ever. Amen.
Wee humbly implore, O merciful God, thy infinit clemency; that as we come to Thee with a confident soule, and sincere faith, and a pious assurance of mind: with the like devotion thy beleevers may follow on these tokens of thy grace. May all superstition be banished hence; far be all suspicion of any diabolical fraud; and to the glory of thy name let all things succeede: to the end thy beleevers may understand Thee to be the dispenser of all good; and may be sensible, and publish, that whatsoever is profitable to soule or body, is derived from Thee: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
These Prayers being said, the King's Highnes rubbeth the Rings between his hands, saying,
Sanctify, O Lord, these Rings, and graciously bedew them with the dew of thy benediction, and consecrate them by the rubbing of our hands, which thou hast been pleased according to our ministery to sanctify by an external effusion of holy oyle upon them: to the end that what the nature of the mettal is not able to performe, may be wrought by the greatnes of thy grace: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then must holy water be cast on the Rings, saying,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O Lord, the only begotten Son of God, Mediatour of God and men, Jesus Christ, in whose name alone salvation is sought for; and to such as hope in thee givest an easy acces to thy Father: who, when conversing among men, thyself a man, didst promise, by an assured oracle flowing from thy sacred mouth, that thy Father should grant whatever was asked him in thy name: Lend a gracious eare of pity to these prayers of ours; to the end that, approaching with confidence to the throne of thy grace, the beleevers may find, by the benefits conferr'd upon them, that by thy mediation we have obtained what we have most humbly begd in thy name: who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
Wee beseech thee, O Lord, that the Spirit, which proceedes from thee, may prevent and follow on our desires; to the end that what we beg with confidence for the good of the faithful, we may efficaciously obtaine by thy gracious gift: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O most clement God; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; wee supplicate and beseech thee, that what is here performed by pious ceremonies to the sanctifying of thy name, may be prevalent to the defense of our soule and body on earth; and profitable to a more ample felicity in heaven: who livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.