The Preface.

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 publick.

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IT hath been the wisdom of the Church of England, ever since the first compiling of her publick 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 By what undue means, and for common experience sheweth, that what mischievous purposes the use where a change hath been made of the Liturgy( though enjoined of things advisedly established( no by the laws of the land, and those evident necessity so requiring) sun- laws never yet repealed) came, dur­dry inconveniences have thereupon ing the late unhappy confusions, ensued; and those many times to be discontinued, is too well more and greater than the evils, known to the world, and we are that were intended to be remedied not willing here to remember. But by such change: So on the other when, upon His Majesty's happy side, the particular Forms of Divine Restoration, it seemed probable, worship, and the Rites and Cere- that, amongst other things, the use monies appointed to be used there of the Liturgy also would return in, being things in their own nature of course( the same having never indifferent, and alterable, and so been legally abolished) unless some acknowledged; it is but reason- timely means were used to prevent able, that upon weighty and im- it; those men who under the late portant considerations, according usurped powers had made it a to the various exigency of times great part of their business to ren­and occasions, such changes and der the people disaffected there­alterations should be made therein, unto, saw themselves in point of as to those that are in place of Au- reputation and interest concerned thority should from time to time( unless they would freely acknow­seem either necessary or expe- ledge themselves to have erred, dient. Accordingly we find, that which such men are very hardly in the Reigns of several Princes of brought to do) with their utmost blessed memory since the Refor- endeavours to hinder the restitu­mation, the Church, upon just and tion thereof. In order whereunto weighty considerations her there- divers pamphlets were published unto moving, hath yielded to make against the Book of Common such alterations in some particu- Prayer, the old objections mus­lars, as in their respective times tered up, with the addition of some were thought convenient: Yet so, new ones, more than formerly had as that the main body and essen- been made, to make the number tials of it( as well in the chiefest swell. In fine, great importunities materials, as in the frame and order were used to His Sacred Majesty, thereof) have still continued the that the said Book might be re­same unto this day, and do yet vised, and such alterations therein. stand firm and unshaken, notwith- and additions thereunto made, as standing all the vain attempts and should be thought requisite for the

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