ページの画像
PDF
ePub

from Strength to Strength, and endeavour as the Apostle advises, to go on to Perfection.

*

But, alas! we are fallen into Times of such Irreligion and Prejudice, such Contempt of Antiquity, and such too great Reformation, that what with Indolence on one Hand, and Ignorance on the other; what with no Zeal on this Side, and too + false a one on that; we either neglect the most decent Ceremonies of Religion, or we think it is Religion to have no Ceremonies at all. No Wonder then, that, in the Midst of such a crooked and perverse Generation, when the most of Men are negligent of themselves, they are also negligent of others: No Wonder, that when there is such a general Contempt of Religion, and Men are careless of their own Souls, they are not careful for the Souls of their Friends.

But it is called Popish and Superstitious;

*Heb. vi. 1.

for

Among the many Objections of the Brownists, it is laid to the Charge of the Church of England, that though we deny the Doctrine of Purgatory, and teach the contrary, yet how well our Practice suits with it, may be considered in our ringing of hallowed Bells for the Soul. Bish. Hall. cont. Brown.

In a Vestry Book belonging to the Chapel of All-Saints, in Newcastle upon Tyne, it is observable, That the Tolling of the Bell is not mentioned in the Parish Accounts, from the Year 1643,

[blocks in formation]

for what true Reason, I know not. Did we indeed imagine with the Papists, that there is any * Virtue or extraordinary Power in a Bell, that it is hallowed by Baptism, and drives away the Spirits of Darkness, then it might justly be called Superstition, and therefore justly abolished. But when we retain the Custom, only to procure the Prayers of the Faithful for a departing Soul, it would surely

till 1655, when we find it ordered to be tolled again. At a Vestry holden January 21st, 1655. Whereas for some Years past, the collecting of the Duty for Bell and Tolling, hath been forborn and laid aside, which hath much lessened the Revenue of the Church, by which, and such-like Means, it is brought into Dilapidations; and having now taken the same into serious Consideration, and fully debated the Objections made by some against the same, and having had the Judgment of our Ministers concerning any Superstition that might be in it; which being made clear, it is this Day ordered, That from henceforth, the Church Officer appointed thereunto, do collect the same, and bring the Money unto the Church-Wardens, and that those who desire to have the Use of the Bells, may freely have them as formerly, paying the accustomed Fees. It is certain they laid it aside, because they thought it superstitious, and it is probable, if they had not wanted Money, they had not seen the contrary.

* We call them Soul-Bells, for that they signifie the Departure of the Soul, not for that they help the Passage of the Soul. Bish. Hall cont. Brown, P. 568.

+ Item ut Dæmones tinnitu preces concitantium, terreantur. benedicendi campanas antiqua est.

campanarum, Christianos ad Formula vero baptizandi seu Durant. Lib. C. 22. S. 6.

be

be of Advantage to observe it, if the Prayers of a righteous Man avail any Thing at all which, if we may believe an inspired Apostle, are of very great Efficacy and Validity.

[ocr errors]

Art thou then attending a Friend in his last Moments? Art thou careful for his Soul, and solicitous for his Salvation? Dost thou wish him safe through the Valley of Death to the everlasting Hills? Wouldst thou have the good An gels protect him, and be his Shield against the Powers of Darkness? In short, wouldst thou have him crown'd with the Joys of Paradise? Be assured then, that the Prayers of good men will very much contribute to the gaining of these Things. But how shall they then pray for him, if they know not of his Departure? And how can they know that, without the tolling of the Bell? Do thou therefore put in Practice this decent and profitable Custom, not as our Age generally does, after the Death of thy Friend, but before it; before he leave the World, when the Prayers of good Men can assist him, and facilitate his Journey into the other Life.

[ocr errors]

2

Or, art thou working in the Field, or grinding at the Mill? Remember then, when thou hearest the Sound of the Bell for one departB 4

ing,

ing, that thou put up thy Prayers for him. Be thy Business what it will, it will always permit the to say at least, LORD, now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace: Or to use the Words of St. Oswald, when he and his Soldiers were ready to be slain, Lord, have Mercy on the Soul of thy* Servant. It will not be long, till thou thyself shalt have Occasion for such Prayers, till thou come to die, and enter on thy Journey to the other State: If then thou hast been merciful, thou shalt obtain Mercy; if by thy Prayers thou hast assisted the Souls of thy Brethren, thou shalt either be remem. bered in the Prayers of good Men, or surely these thy Prayers for others will be of Service to thyself also, at that dreadful hour,

But now it may be objected, That as the

[ocr errors]

* Oravit ad dominum pro animabus exercitus sui. Unde dicunt in proverbio, Deus miserere animabus, dixit Oswaldus cadens in terram, Bed. Eccl. L. 3. C. 12. It is used (says Bede). even to a Proverb, That he died praying; for when the Enemy had surrounded him, and he saw himself about to be slain, he prayed unto the LORD for the Sun Is of his Army. Hence it is that the Proverb comes, LORD, have Mercy upon the Soul, as St. Oswald said, when he fell to the Earth. Which Proverb, in all Probability, hath been the Original of this present national Saying,

When the Bell begins to toll,
LORD, have mercy on the Soul.

Bell

Bell is seldom tolled till after the Person's Departure, it is to no Purpose to pray for the Soul; nay to pray for it, would be praying for the Dead: And since that is repugnant to the Doctrine of our Church, our Prayers at that Time had much better be omitted.

Indeed it is too true, this Custom is not so common as it should be; but however, it is so much observed, as will be able to vindicate the putting up of constant Prayers. I know several religious Families in this Place, and I hope it is so in other Places too, who always observe it, whenever the melancholy Season offers; and therefore it will at least sometimes happen, when we put up our Prayers constantly at the tolling of the Bell, that we shall pray. for a Soul departing. And tho' it be granted, that it will oftener happen otherwise, as the regular Custom is so little followed; yet that can be no harmful praying for the Dead. We believe that the Soul is but departing, and it is charitably done to offer up our Prayers: And therefore when it proves otherwise, our* Prayer shall turn into our own Bosom; and like. as that Peace, which the Disciples wished to an unworthy House, returned to the Disciples

Psalm xxxiv. 14.

1

« 前へ次へ »