[33] See Palmer's 'Origines Liturgicæ,' vol. ii., Appendix; the 'Directorium Anglicanum;' Lee 'On Eucharistic Vestments;' and the Rev. Jas. Skinner's 'Plea for the Ritual' (Masters): but especially the last-named writer's most able dissertations in the 'Guardian' of Jan. 17 and Jan. 24, 1866; and the Dean of Westminster's speech in Convocation, Feb. 9, 1866.
[34] Compare the well-known passages, "If any man will take away thy _cloke_ (outer robe), let him have thy _coat_ (or tunic) also." "Ye pull off the _robe_ with the _garment_ from them that pass by securely."--Micah ii. 8. "His _garments_ ... and also his _coat_ ... without seam, woven from the top throughout." "The _cloke_ that I left at Troas ... bring with thee."
But this is _not_ all. There are circumstances which this rationale of the vestments, though correct as far as it goes, does not account for.
First, in the vestment-customs both of East and West there is recognition, though in different ways, of some covering for the _head_. In East and West a bonnet or mitre is worn by Bishops. In celebrating, in the West, a small garment called the "amice," _of fine white linen, with a very rich edge or fillet_, is first placed on the head of the Celebrant, and then removed to his shoulders, so that the _rich edge_ rests at first on the forehead, and then appears from under the alb and chasuble.[35] Now the prayer, with which this singular appendage is put on ("Place on my head, O Lord, the helmet of salvation"), proves that it represents a bonnet or head-covering.
[35] 'Directorium Anglicanum,' pp. 16, 21. "The amice is an oblong square of fine white linen, and is put on upon the cassock or priest's canonical dress. It is embroidered or 'apparelled' upon _one_ edge. In vesting, it is placed for a moment, like a veil, upon the crown of the head, and then spread upon the shoulders." "The _apparel_ of the amice _cannot be too rich_ in its ornamentation." _Amice_ is the Latin _amictus_--"the covering," referring to Psalm cxl. 7, "Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle."
Again, the fact that the _stole_ is not a mere border, but _detached_, both in East and West, from the tunic or alb, and in the West, rests on the _shoulders_, is singular. In the East it is a broad double stripe of costly silk, richly embroidered, hanging down in front of the wearer; and often[36] _adorned with gems and gold_; while in the West it is crossed[37] _on the breast_ in celebrating: and throughout the East and West extraordinary importance has from early times attached to it, it being worn in every sacred function.[38]
