With the MS. volume now in the Library of the House of Lords, there is also a copy of the Prayer Book, printed by Robert Barker, in 1636, containing alterations of the text made with a pen in a very neat hand, believed to be that of Sancroft. I have been permitted to inspect these volumes on three occasions; and there are two instances of alterations made in the printed copy, and in the MS. book, so curious, and indeed important, that I will transfer them to these pages.
The first relates to a passage at the end of the service for the public baptism of infants. In the printed book it stands thus:—
“It is certain by God’s Word, children persons wch are
that children being baptized, dying before they committ actuall sinne are
have all things necessary for their salvation, and be undoubtedly saved.”
The MS. book presents the same sentence thus:—
“It is certain by God’s Word, that children which are baptized, dyeing before they commit actuall sin, are undoubtedly saved.”
The second instance relates to the last rubric prefixed to the Communion service. In the printed book it stands thus:—
| “Most convenient place in the upper end of ye chancel (or of ye body of ye church where there is no chancel.” | “The table at the communion time having a fair white linnen
cloth upon it shall stand in the
body of the church or in the chancell body of the church or in the chancell where morning prayer and evening where morning prayer and evening prayer are appointed to be said. prayer be appointed to be said. And the priest standing [611]at at the north part side side of the table, shall say the Lord’s Prayer with the the collect following” [MS., ye people kneeling.] |
In the MS. book it appears thus:—
“The table at the Communion time having a fair white linen cloth upon it, shall stand in the body[612] of the church, or
or convenient place in the upper end of the chancel where Morning and Evening Prayer are appointed to be said.
or of the body of the church where there is no chancel.
And the priest standing at[613] the north side
part of the table, shall say the Lord’s Prayer with the Collect followeing, the people kneeling.”