Concerning the Service of the Church.

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 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 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 por. tions 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: when the former Book was compiled, which, although not so necessary yet by the growth of Anabaptism, through the licentiousness of the late times crept in amongst us, is now be­useful for the baptizing of natives in come necessary, and may be always our plantations, and others converted desire a more particular account of to the faith. If any man, who shall 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.

discharge our duties in this weighty And having thus endeavoured to affair, as in the sight of God, and to approve our sincerity therein( so far men; although we know it impossible as lay in us) to the consciences of all ( 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.

Concerning the Service of the Church.

the

T the wit of man so well devised, ally such as were ministers in the

or so sure established, which in con­tinuance of time hath not been cor­rupted: as, among other things, it may plainly appear by the Common Prayers in the Church, commonly called Divine Service. The first ori­ginal and ground whereof if a man would search out by the ancient Fathers, he shall find, that the same was not ordained but of a good pur­pose, and for a great advancement of godliness. For they so ordered the matter, that all the whole Bible,( or the greatest part thereof) should be read over once every year; intending

congregation, should( by often read­ing, and meditation in God's word) be stirred up to godliness themselves, and be more able to exhort others by wholesome doctrine, and to con­fute them that were adversaries to ple( by daily hearing of holy Scrip­the truth; and further, that the peo­ture read in the Church) might con­tinually profit more and more in the knowledge of God, and be the more inflamed with the love of his true religion.

godly and decent order of the ancient But these many years passed, this