A Commentary On The Litany
by The Revd Thomas Bisse (1675-1731)
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Notes on the Litany by the Revd Thomas Bisse, Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral and a founder of the Three Choirs Festival.
About Repetitions In Prayer
IF it be also asked, what need of that manifold repetition, that is used, as in the foregoing, so particularly in the following versicles and responsals? I answer, that this is the true voice, or rather cry, of the penitent and sorrowful, extorted by misery, and extorting mercy.—
Which answer concerning repetitions in our service, so often objected, I shall here once for all observe to be sufficient, from the success it gave to one of these very ejaculations, when first used by blind Bartimeus.
For when he cried out, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me; and when bid to hold his peace, he still cried out a great deal the more, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me; his cry was heard, and his blindness cured.
His repetition was made no objection by our Saviour to his request: but on the contrary, because he cried the more a great deal, Jesus was prevailed upon to stand still: and thus the poor man succeeded, not because of his poverty, but because of his importunity.
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From "The Beauty Of Holiness In The Common Prayer, As Set Forth In Four Sermons, The Rolls Chapel, 1716", by Thomas Bisse D. D.. Includes some minor editorial changes, chiefly paragraphing.
Thomas Bisse was Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral and one of the leaders in what would eventually become the Three Choirs Festival. Thomas's brother Philip was Bishop of Hereford, and you can can find out more about both of them at Wikipedia.
You can find the full text of this book at Google Books.
