Remember remember the fifth of November

"Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot."

This Saturday night marks an important day in the history of the English nation and Church.  November 5th, or Guy Fawkes Day or Bonfire Night, commemorates the deliverance of King James I from an assassination attempt, originating from a group of English Catholics who wanted to replace the Protestant monarch with a Catholic one.  Fortunately, Guy Fawkes was caught "red-handed" guarding a cache of explosives under the House of Lords.  The English celebrated the survival of the King with bonfires.  On January 23, 1606, Parliament passed the, "Observance of 5th November Act" which called for national remembrance and commemoration of the event by amending a new form of service to the Book of Common Prayer (presented below).





A FORM OF PRAYER WITH THANKSGIVING TO BE USED YEARLY UPON THE FIFTH DAY OF NOVEMBER.



FOR THE HAPPY DELIVERANCE OF THE KING, AND THE THREE ESTATES OF THE REALM, FROM THE MOST TRAITEROUS AND BLOODY INTENDED MASSACRE BY GUNPOWDER

And also for the happy Arrival of His Majesty King William on this Day, for the Deliverance of our [the] Church and Nation.



The service shall be the same with the usual Office for Holidays in all things; except where it is hereafter otherwise appointed.

If this day shall happen to be Sunday, only the Collect proper for that Sunday, shall be added to this Office in its place.

Morning Prayer shall begin with one of these Sentences.

TURN thy face away from our sins, O Lord; and blot out all our offences.  Psalm 51.9

Correct us, O Lord, but with judgment, not in thine anger; lest thou bring us to nothing.  Jeremiah 10.24

I will go to my father, and will say unto him; Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee; and am no more worthy to be called thy son.  S. Luke 20.18,19

Instead of Venite, exultemus, shall this Hymn following be used, one verse by the Priest, and another by the Clerk and People.

O GIVE thanks unto the Lord for he is gracious: and his mercy endureth for ever. Psal. cvii. 1
    Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed: and delivered from the hand of the enemy. Ver. 2
    Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up: may Israel now say. Ps. cxxix. 1
    Yea, many a time have they vexed me from my youth up: but they have not prevailed against me. Ver. 2
    They have privily laid their net to destroy me without a cause: yea, even without a cause, have they made a pit for my soul. Psal. xxxv. 7
    They have laid a net for my feet, and pressed down my soul: they have digged a pit before me, and are fallen into the midst of it themselves. Psal. lvii. 7
    Great is our Lord, and great is His power: yea, and His wisdom is infinite. Psal. cxlvii. 5.
    The Lord setteth up the meek: and bringeth the ungodly down to the ground. Ver. 6
    Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand: and upon the son of man whom thou madest so strong for thine own self. Psal. lxxx. 17
    And so will not we go back from thee: O let us live, and we shall call upon thy Name. Ver. 18

    Glory be to the Father, &c.


Proper Psalms:  35, 64, 124, 129

Psalm 35. Judica, Domine

PLEAD thou my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me : and fight thou against them that fight against me.
2. Lay hand upon the shield and buckler : and stand up to help me.
3. Bring forth the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me : say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
4. Let them be confounded and put to shame, that seek after my soul : let them be turned back and brought to confusion, that imagine mischief for me.
5. Let them be as the dust before the wind : and the angel of the Lord scattering them.
6. Let their way be dark and slippery : and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.
7. For they have privily laid their net to destroy me without a cause : yea, even without a cause have they made a pit for my soul.
8. Let a sudden destruction come upon him unawares, and his net, that he hath laid privily, catch himself : that he may fall into his own mischief.
9. And, my soul, be joyful in the Lord : it shall rejoice in his salvation.
10. All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him : yea, the poor, and him that is in misery, from him that spoileth him?
11. False witnesses did rise up : they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
12. They rewarded me evil for good : to the great discomfort of my soul.
13. Nevertheless, when they were sick, I put on sackcloth, and humbled my soul with fasting : and my prayer shall turn into mine own bosom.
14. I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother : I went heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
15. But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together : yea, the very abjects came together against me unawares, making mouths at me, and ceased not.
16. With the flatterers were busy mockers : who gnashed upon me with their teeth.
17. Lord, how long wilt thou look upon this : O deliver my soul from the calamities which they bring on me, and my darling from the lions.
18. So will I give thee thanks in the great congregation : I will praise thee among much people.
19. O let not them that are mine enemies triumph over me ungodly : neither let them wink with their eyes that hate me without a cause.
20. And why? their communing is not for peace; but they imagine deceitful words against them that are quiet in the land.
21. They gaped upon me with their mouths, and said : Fie on thee, fie on thee, we saw it with our eyes.
22. This thou hast seen, O Lord : hold not thy tongue then, go not far from me, O Lord.
23. Awake, and stand up to judge my quarrel : avenge thou my cause, my God, and my Lord.
24. Judge me, O Lord my God, according to thy righteousness : and let them not triumph over me.
25. Let them not say in their hearts, There, there, so would we have it : neither let them say, We have devoured him.
26. Let them be put to confusion and shame together, that rejoice at my trouble : let them be clothed with rebuke and dishonour, that boast themselves against me.
27. Let them be glad and rejoice, that favour my righteous dealing : yea, let them say alway, Blessed be the Lord, who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
28. And as for my tongue, it shall be talking of thy righteousness : and of thy praise all the day long.

Psalm 64. Exaudi, Deus

HEAR my voice, O God, in my prayer : preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2. Hide me from the gathering together of the froward : and from the insurrection of wicked doers;
3. Who have whet their tongue like a sword : and shoot out their arrows, even bitter words;
4. That they may privily shoot at him that is perfect : suddenly do they hit him, and fear not.
5. They encourage themselves in mischief : and commune among themselves how they may lay snares, and say that no man shall see them.
6. They imagine wickedness, and practise it : that they keep secret among themselves, every man in the deep of his heart.
7. But God shall suddenly shoot at them with a swift arrow : that they shall be wounded.
8. Yea, their own tongues shall make them fall : insomuch that whoso seeth them shall laugh them to scorn.
9. And all men that see it shall say, This hath God done : for they shall perceive that it is his work.
10. The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord, and put his trust in him : and all they that are true of heart shall be glad.

Psalm 124. Nisi quia Dominus

IF THE Lord himself had not been on our side, now may Israel say : if the Lord himself had not been on our side, when men rose up against us;
2. They had swallowed us up quick : when thy were so wrathfully displeased at us.
3. Yea, the waters had drowned us : and the stream had gone over our soul.
4. The deep waters of the proud : had gone even over our soul.
5. But praised be the Lord : who hath not given us over for a prey unto their teeth.
6. Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the fowler : the snare is broken, and we are delivered .
7. Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord : who hath made heaven and earth.

Psalm 129. Saepe expugnaverunt

MANY a time have they fought against me from my youth up : may Israel now say.
2. Yea, many a time have they vexed me from my youth up : but they have not prevailed against me.
3. The plowers plowed upon my back : and made long furrows.
4. But the righteous Lord : hath hewn the snares of the ungodly in pieces.
5. Let them be confounded and turned backward : as many as have evil will at Sion.
6. Let them be even as the grass growing upon the house-tops : which withereth afore it be plucked up;
7. Whereof the mower filleth not his hand : neither he that bindeth up the sheaves his bosom.
8. So that they who go by say not so much as, The Lord prosper you : we wish you good luck in the Name of the Lord.


Te Deum.

Proper Lessons: 2 Samuel 22, Acts 23
Jubilate Deo.

In the Suffrages after the Creed, there shall be inserted and used for the King.

Priest.  O Lord, save the King;
People.  Who putteth his trust in thee.
Priest.  Send him help from thy holy place.
People.  And evermore mightily defend him.
Priest.  Let his enemies have no advantage against him.
People.  Let not the wicked approach to hurt him.

Instead of the first Collect at Morning Prayer, shall these two be used.

ALMIGHT GOD, who hast in all ages shewed thy power and mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverances of thy Church, and in the protection of righteous and religious Kings and States, professing thy holy and eternal truth, from the wicked conspiracies, and malicious practices of all the enemies thereof; We yield thee our unfeigned thanks and praise, for the wonderful and mighty deliverance of our late gracious Sovereign King James, the Queen, the Prince, and all the Royal Branches, with the Nobility, Clergy, and Commons of this Realm, then assembled in Parliament, by Popish treachery appointed as sheep to the slaughter, in a most barbarous, and savage manner, beyond the examples of former ages.  From this unnatural conspiracy, not our merit, but thy mercy; not our foresight, but thy providence delivered us:  And therefore, not unto us, O Lord, not unto us; but unto thy Name be ascribed all honour and glory in all Churches of the saints, from generation to generation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

O LORD, who didst this day discover the snares of death that were laid for us, and didst wonderfully deliver us from the same; Be thou still our mighty Protector, and scatter our enemies that delight in blood.  Infatuate and defeat their counsels, abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices.  Strengthen the hands of our gracious King Charles, and all that are put in authority under hum, with Judgment and justice, to cut off all such workers of iniquity, as turn religion into rebellion, and faith into faction; that they may never prevail against us, or triumph in the ruin of thy Church among us:  But that our gracious Sovereign and his Realms, being preserved in thy true Religion, and by thy merciful goodness protected in the same, we may all duly serve thee, and give thee thanks in thy holy congregation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

ACCEPT also, most gracious God, of our unfeigned thanks, for filling our hearts again with joy and gladness, after the time that thou hast afflicted us, and putting a new song into our mouths, by bringing his Majesty King William upon this Day, for the Deliverance of our Church and Nation from Popish Tyranny and arbitrary Power. We adore the wisdom and justice of thy providence, which so timely interposed in our extreme danger, and disappointed all the designs of our enemies. We beseech thee, give us such a lively and lasting sense of what thou didst then, and hast since that time done for us, that we may not grown secure and careless in our obedience, by presuming upon thy great and undeserved goodness; but that it may lead us to repentance, and move us to be the more diligent and zealous in all the duties of our Religion, which thou hast in a marvellous manner preserved to us. Let truth and justice, brotherly kindness and charity, devotion and piety, concord and unity, with all other virtues, so flourish among us, that they may be the stability of our times, and make this Church a praise in the earth. All which we humbly beg for the sake of our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

[ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast in all ages shewed thy power and mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverances of thy Church, and in the protection of righteous and religious Kings and States, professing thy holy and eternal truth, from the wicked conspiracies, and malicious practices of all the enemies thereof; We yield thee our unfeigned thanks and praise, for the wonderful and mighty deliverance of King and Church from unnatural treachery and conspiracy which were appointed as sheep to the slaughter, in a most barbarous, and savage manner, beyond the examples of former ages.  Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us; but unto thy Name be ascribed all honour and glory in all Churches of the saints, from generation to generation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.]

In the end of the Litany (which shall always this day be used after the Collect [We humbly beseech thee, O Father, etc.] shall this be said which followeth.

ALMIGHTY God, and heavenly Father, who of thy gracious providence, and tender mercy towards us, didst prevent the malice and imaginations of our enemies, by discovering and confounding their horrible and wicked enterprise, plotted, and intended this day to be executed against the King, and the whole state of this Realm, for the subversion of the Government, and Religion established amongst us; We most humbly praise and magnify thy glorious Name for this thine infinite gracious goodness towards us.  We confess, it as thy mercy, thy mercy alone, that we were not then consumed.  For our sins cried to heaven against us; and our inequities justly called for vengeance upon us.  But thou hast not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us after our iniquities nor given us over, as we deserved, to be a prey to our enemies; but didst in mercy deliver us from their malice, and preserve us from death and destruction.  Let the consideration of this thy goodness, O Lord, work in us true repentance, that iniquity may not be our ruin.  And increase in us more and more a lively faith, and fruitful love in all holy obedience, that thou may continue thy favour, with the light of thy Gospel to us and our posterity for evermore; and that for thy dear Son’s sake, Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Advocate.  Amen.

Instead of the Prayer [In time of War and Tumults] shall be used this Prayer following.

O LORD, who didst this day discover the snares of death that were laid for us, and didst wonderfully deliver us from the same; Be thou still our mightly Protector, and scatter our enemies that delight in blood: Infatuate and defeat their counsels, abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices. Strengthen the hands of our gracious Sovereign King George, and all that are put in authority under him, with judgment and justice, to cut off all such workers of iniquity, as turn Religion into Rebellion, and Faith into Faction; that they may never prevail against us, or triumph in the ruin of thy church among us: but that our gracious Sovereign and his Realms, being preserved in thy true Religion, and by thy merciful goodness protected in the same, we may all duly serve thee, and give thee thanks in thy holy Congregation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


In the Communion Service, instead of the Collect for the day, shall this which followeth, be used.

ETERNAL God, and our most mighty protector we thy unworthy servants do humbly present our selves before thy Majesty, acknowledging thy power, wisdom, and goodness in preserving the King, and the three Estates of this Realm assembled in Parliament, from the destruction this day intended against them.  Make us, we beseech thee, truly thankful for this thy great mercy towards us.  Protect and defend our Sovereign Lord the King, and all the Royal Family from all treasons and conspiracies:  Preserve them in thy faith, fear, and love; prosper his Reign with long happiness here on earth; and crown him with everlasting glory hereafter in the kingdom of heaven; through Jesus Christ our only Savior and Redeemer.  Amen.

The Epistle.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

The Gospel.

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:  And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.  Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.  And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.  And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.  Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

After the Creed, if there be no Sermon, shall be read one of the six Homilies against Rebellion.

This sentence is to be read at the Offertory.

WHATSOEVER ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law, and the prophets.  S. Matthew 7.12

After the Prayer for the Church militant this following Prayer is to be used.

O GOD, whose Name is excellent in all the earth, and thy glory above the heavens; who, on this day, didst miraculously preserve our Church and State from the secret contrivance and hellish malice of Popish Conspirators; and on this day also didst begin to give us a mightly Deliverance from the open tyranny and oppression of the same cruel and blood-thirsty enemies; We bless and adore thy glorious Majesty, as for the former, so for this thy later marvellous loving-kindness to our church and Nation, in the preservation of our Religion and Liberties. And we humbly pray that the devout sense of this thy repeated mercy may renew and increase in us a spirit of love and thankfulness to thee its only Author; a spirit of peaceable submission and obedience to our gracious Sovereign Lord King George; and a spirit of fervent zeal for our holy Religion, which thou hast so wonderfully rescued, and established a Blessing to us and our posterity. And this we beg for Jesus Christ his sake. Amen.