THE PREFACE.

England, or indeed of the whole Catholick 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 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 publick 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 for­

mer 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 Calendars and Ru­bricks: 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.