"Such a solemnity": the Commination on the First Day of Lent
While the sermon laments the absence of a more widespread observance of the first day of Lent (probably an enduring complaint of parish clergy!), the fact that the 'Note to the Reader', which prefaced the published sermon, addressed "Friend[s] to an Orderly Piety and Christian Life" is suggestive of a wider recognition of the significance of the day in the Restoration Church. Also of note is the reference to Shrove Tuesday, indicative of a cultural recognition of the idea of Lenten abstinence. The fact that the first day of Lent is referred to in the sermon as Ash Wednesday is not without significance. The title of the Commination does not use the term, but its use for the collect, epistle and gospel of the day - "Commonly Called Ash Wednesday" - clearly sustained continued the usage.
It is a most excellent Devotional Service, which our Church hath charitably provided for the Beginning of Lent in the Commination prescribed to be used on Ash Wednesday (and at other times of Solemn Humiliation, when the Ordinary shall appoint) as one of the most proper Helps and Expedients she could furnish Penitents with, in that loose and degenerate Age, wherein our Lot is fallen, which is impatient of a severer Discipline; namely, That, according to the Pattern set us ... the General Sentences of God's Curses against impenitent sinners be distinctly pronounced in the presence of all the People, and that every one that hears them should answer as distinctly unto each Sentence, Amen.
But such is the Licentiousness and Profaneness of our Generation, that, instead of desiring and promoting the Restoration of Primitive Discipline, we will not vouchsafe to come up so much as Thus far. We make light of sin, and slight the Calls of God and his Church unto Repentance; and live, as if we thought that the happiness and Salvation of the World to come, were worthy but of very little Care and Labour and Pains in our striving to secure it here. We have found out new and easy ways and methods to Heaven, which the Primitive Christians, the Church of Christ from the Beginning were never acquainted with; ways to Heaven without Repentance, without confessing and forsaking our sins, and bringing forth Fruits meet for Repentance. We are not for going so far about, but a nearer Cut, a directer Passage of our own devising, a Leap as it were from Hell to Heaven, or hugging our sins all the days of our Life, at Death and the Grave to part and shake hands with them. We have time enough to spare for Worldly pleasures and divertissements; but when Religion challengeth our attendance, we have no leisure at all for it. We can spend hours and days freely enough in Visits, in Sports, in Drinking, and 'tis well sometimes if not in worse employments: But, Oh! how Scrupulous do we seem in Conscience of taking any part from our six working days and Devoting it unto God!
Pardon me, Beloved, if upon this occasion, I speak somewhat plainly and freely to you. A Pan-Cake Bell, as we call it, upon Shrove-Tuesday, though no Authority enjoin it, will easily draw men from the works of their Callings, and every one is free and forward enough in hearkening to the Summons of it. What a General Rendezvous and Crowd of People is there everywhere usually upon it! But the Bells may Call loud enough and Chime long enough upon the Ash-Wednesday after it (and that by Authority too both of Church and State) yet few or none will take the warning given them, to lay aside their Worldly business for a while, to resort to the Congregation, there to Confess their Sins, and give proof of their Repentance, and Humble themselves together before Almighty God, in order to the procuring of his Forgiveness and Blessing.
The sermon is clearly aware of criticisms of the Commination Service, but concludes with a very robust defence of its utility and significance:
There can be nothing of impiety, or folly, nothing of antiquated Judaism, or innovating Popery, and Superstition certainly in all this. Nay, I must pronounce upon the whole, that there is nothing, which keeps persons from an hearty Compliance with so wholesome a Service, but either: First, the not understanding of it aright. Or, Secondly, some secret love reserved to their own Sins, which makes them backward and unwilling thus to enter into a sacred vow and covenant with God under a Curse against them. For otherwise the Benefit of this Devotion is most Conspicuous. What more prevailing motive can there possibly be both to Repentance and Reformation, than this Remembrance of the dreadful Judgment of God hanging over our heads, whilst we continue in Sin, and always ready to fall upon us, prompting of us therefore, as the only remedy and way to escape, forthwith to return unto God, with all contrition and meekness of heart, bewailing and lamenting our wicked life, acknowledging and confessing our aggravated offences to him, and seeking to bring forth Fruits becoming penitents.
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