Proclaimer Blog
Gunpowder, treason and plot
So, today's the day. 5th November. Guy Fawkes and all that. Not quite celebrated in the way it once was and perhaps – in some ways – that's a good thing. But it's also a shame. I spent a few moments (just a few) reading the old Book of Common Prayer service for the 5th November. I'm not quite sure at what stage it was removed from the ecclesiastical calendar. I only know it's in my 1760 copy, but not in my 1930 one. I'm not too bothered (don't write in please!). But what interests me in this particular service is that it is strong on the providence of God.
Perhaps services like those have had their day, but they did give congregations a great sense of the sovereign hand of God on all things. And I wonder if we are poorer for losing that? Remembrance Days – such as they are (and we probably only celebrate one now), tend to focus on what people have given rather than what God has done. Perhaps that's worth remembering as you plan and prepare for this coming Sunday, Remembrance Sunday.
I find it an odd occasion in a multicultural church where many people represent Axis countries. It's difficult to find the right words. But reflecting on the sovereignty of God is one sure answer. Whatever your background, this is a sure and certain truth that is always worth repeating.
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 enterprize, plotted and intended this day to have been executed against the King, and whole State of England, for the subversion of the Government and Religion established among us; and didst likewise upon this day wonderfully conduct thy servant King William, and bring him safely into England, to preserve us from the attempts of our enemies to bereave us of our Religion and Laws; We most humbly praise and magnify thy most glorious Name for thy un-speakable goodness towards us, expressed in both these acts of thy mercy. We confess it has been of thy mercy alone that we are not consumed; for our sins have cried to heaven against us, and our iniquities 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 hast in mercy delivered us from their malice, and preserved us from death and destruction. Let the consideration of this thy repeated 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 love, fruitful in all holy obedience; that thou mayest still continue thy favour, with the light of thy Gospel, to us and our posterity for ever more; and that for thy dear Son’s sake Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.