THE PREFACE.

ease of tender consciences: where unto 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.

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 publick wor ship of God; and the cutting off occasion from them that seek oc­casion of cavil or quarrel against the Liturgy of the Church. And

In which review we have endea­voured to observe the like modera- as to the several variations from tion, as we find to have been used the former Book, whether by altera­in the like case in former times. tion, addition, or otherwise, it And therefore of the sundry altera- shall suffice to give this general ac­tions proposed unto us, we have count, That most of the alterations rejected all such as were either of were made, either first, for the bet­dangerous consequence( as secret- ter direction of them that are to ly striking at some established doc- officiate in any part of Divine Ser­trine, or laudable practice of the vice; which is chiefly done in the Church of England, or indeed of Calendars and Rubricks: Or se­the whole Catholick Church of condly, for the more proper ex­Christ) or else of no consequence pressing of some words or phrases at all, but utterly frivolous and of ancient usage in terms more suit­vain. But such alterations as were able to the language of the present tendered to us,( by what persons, times, and the clearer explanation under what pretences, or to what of some other words and phrases, purpose soever tendered) as seem- that were either of doubtful sig­ed to us in any degree requisite or nification, or otherwise liable to expedient, we have willingly, and misconstruction: Or thirdly, for a of our own accord assented un- more perfect rendering of such to: not enforced so to do by any portions of holy Scripture, as are strength of argument, convincing inserted into the Liturgy; which, us of the necessity of making the in the Epistles and Gospels espe­said alterations: for we are fully cially, and in sundry other places, persuaded in our judgments( and are now ordered to be read accord­we here profess it to the world) ing to the last Translation: and that the Book, as it stood before that it was thought convenient, established by law, doth not con- that some Prayers and Thanksgiv­tain in it any thing contrary to the ings, fitted to special occasions, Word of God, or to sound doctrine, should be added in their due places; or which a godly man may not with particularly for those at Sea, toge­a good conscience use and submit ther with an Office for the Baptism unto, or which is not fairly defen- of such as are of Riper Years: sible against any that shall oppose which, although not so necessary the same; if it shall be allowed when the former Book was com. such just and favourable construc- piled, yet by the growth of Ana tion 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,

baptism, 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

ix

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