It hath been the wisdom of the Church of England, ever since the
first compiling of her Public Liturgy, to keep the mean between
the two extremes, of too much stiffness in refusing, and of too
much easiness in admitting any variation from it. For, as on the
one side common experience sheweth, that where a change hath been
made of things advisedly established (no evident necessity so
requiring) sundry inconveniences have thereupon ensued; and those
many times more and greater than the evils, that were intended to
be remedied by such change: So on the other side, the particular
Forms of Divine worship, and the Rites and Ceremonies appointed to
be used therein, being things in their own nature indifferent, and
alterable, and so acknowledged; it is but reasonable, that upon
weighty and important considerations, according to the various
exigency of times and occasions, such changes and alterations
should be made therein, as to those that are in place of Authority
should from time to time seem either necessary or expedient.
Accordingly we find, that in the Reigns of several Princes of
blessed memory since the Reformation, the Church, upon just and
weighty considerations her thereunto moving, hath yielded to make
such alterations in some particulars, as in their respective
times were thought convenient: Yet so, as that the main Body and
Essentials of it (as well in the chiefest materials, as in the
frame and order thereof) have still continued the same unto this
day, and do yet stand firm and unshaken, notwithstanding all the
vain attempts and impetuous assaults made against it, by such men
as are given to change, and have always discovered a greater
regard to their own private fancies and interests, than to that
duty they owe to the public.
By what undue means, and for what mischievous purposes the use of
the Liturgy (though enjoined by the Laws of the Land, and those
Laws never yet repealed) came, during the late unhappy confusions,
to be discontinued, is too well known to the world, and we are
not willing here to remember. But when, upon His Majesty's happy
Restoration, it seemed probable, that, amongst other things, the
use of the Liturgy also would return of course (the same having
never been legally abolished) unless some timely means were used
to prevent it; those men who under the late usurped powers had
made it a great part of their business to render the people
disaffected thereunto, saw themselves in point of reputation and
interest concerned (unless they would freely acknowledge themselves
to have erred, which such men are very hardly brought to do) with
their utmost endeavours to hinder the restitution thereof. In
order whereunto divers Pamphlets were published against the Book
of Common Prayer, the old Objections mustered up, with the addition
of some new ones, more than formerly had been made, to make the
number swell. In fine, great importunities were used to His Sacred
Majesty, that the said Book might be revised, and such Alterations
therein, and Additions thereunto made, as should be thought
requisite for the ease of tender Consciences: whereunto His
Majesty, out of his pious inclination to give satisfaction (so
far as could be reasonably expected) to all his subjects of what
persuasion soever, did graciously condescend.
In which review we have endeavoured to observe the like moderation,
as we find to have been used in the like case in former times.
And therefore of the sundry Alterations proposed unto us, we
have rejected all such as were either of dangerous consequence
(as secretly striking at some established Doctrine, or laudable
Practice of the Church of England, or indeed of the whole Catholic
Church of Christ) or else of no consequence at all, but utterly
frivolous and vain. But such Alterations as were tendered to us
(by what persons, under what pretences, or to what purpose soever
so tendered) as seemed to us in any degree requisite or expedient,
we have willingly, and of our own accord assented unto: not
enforced so to do by any strength of Argument, convincing us
of the necessity of making the said Alterations: For we are
fully persuaded in our judgements (and we here profess it to
the world) that the Book, as it stood before established by
Law, doth not contain in it any thing contrary to the Word of
God, or to sound Doctrine, or which a godly man may not with a
good Conscience use and submit unto, or which is not fairly
defensible against any that shall oppose the same; if it shall
be allowed such just and favourable construction as in common
Equity ought to be allowed to all human Writings, especially
such as are set forth by Authority, and even to the very best
translations of the holy Scripture itself.
Our general aim therefore in this undertaking was, not to gratify
this or that party in any their unreasonable demands; but to do
that, which to our best understandings we conceived might most
tend to the preservation of Peace and Unity in the Church; the
procuring of Reverence, and exciting of Piety and Devotion in
the Public Worship of God; and the cutting off occasion from
them that seek occasion of cavil or quarrel against the Liturgy
of the Church. And as to the several variations from the former
Book, whether by Alteration, Addition, or otherwise, it shall
suffice to give this general account, That most of the Alterations
were made, either first, for the better direction of them that
are to officiate in any part of Divine Service; which is chiefly
done in the Kalendars and Rubrics: Or secondly, for the more
proper expressing of some words or phrases of ancient usage in
terms more suitable to the language of the present times, and
the clearer explanation of some other words and phrases, that
were either of doubtful signification, or otherwise liable to
misconstruction: Or thirdly, for a more perfect rendering of
such portions of holy Scripture, as are inserted into the Liturgy;
which, in the Epistles and Gospels especially, and in sundry other
places, are now ordered to be read according to the last
Translation: and that it was thought convenient, that some
Prayers and Thanksgivings, fitted to special occasions, should
be added in their due places; particularly for those at Sea,
together with an office for the Baptism of such as are of Riper
Years: which, although not so necessary when the former Book
was compiled, yet by the growth of Anabaptism, through the
licentiousness of the late times crept in amongst us, is now
become necessary, and may be always useful for the baptizing of
Natives in our Plantations, and others converted to the Faith.
If any man, who shall desire a more particular account of the
several alterations in any part of the Liturgy, shall take the
pains to compare the present Book with the former; we doubt not
but the reason of the change may easily appear.
And having thus endeavoured to discharge our duties in this
weighty affair, as in the sight of God, and to approve our
sincerity therein (so far as lay in us) to the consciences
of all men; although we know it impossible (in such variety
of apprehensions, humours and interests, as are in the world)
to please all; nor can expect that men of factious, peevish,
and perverse spirits should be satisfied with any thing that
can be done in this kind by any other than themselves: Yet we
have good hope, that what is here presented, and hath been by
the Convocations of both Provinces with great diligence examined
and approved, will be also well accepted and approved by all
sober, peaceable, and truly conscientious Sons of the Church of
England.