However, this has
>a very different feel from the 'prayer-book Protestantism' of the C16 and
>C17, which must surely have been based on the congregation knowing the
>liturgy by heart in order to participate.
Ah, but what makes you think they were expected to participate? The
Calvinist view of liturgy expected the people to listen passively to what
was said by the minister. If you look at the rubrics of the BCP you will
find that many things which are now customarily said by the priest and
people together are actually appointed to be said by the minister on behalf
of all those present.
Thus the "General Confession" which would nowadays be said by all, is in the
BCP appointed to be said thus: "Then shall this general confession be made,
in the name of all those that are minded to receive the holy Communion, by
one of the Ministers . . ."
Likewise the "Prayer of Humble Access" is to be said as follows: "Then
shall the Priest, kneeling down at the Lord's Table, say in the name of all
them that shall receive the Communion this prayer following . . ." The
"Sanctus" (Holy, Holy, Holy) is not appointed to be said or sung by the
congregation, but is recited by the priest as part of the eucharistic prayer.
Where a prayer is intended to be said by priest and people together, the
congregation are directed to say it "after the priest" or "after the
minister"; i.e. he says a phrase, and the congregation says it after him.
Thus the Lord's prayer at the Communion is directed as follows: "Then shall
the Priest say the Lord's Prayer, the people repeating after him every
Petition." Churches were directed to buy only one copy of the BCP, for the
use of the priest; it was not envisaged that members of the congregation
should have a copy in their hands.
Oriens.
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