The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by His Sacred Majesty as commissioners for the review and alteration of the Book of common prayer, &c. : being an exact account of their whole proceedings : the most perfect copy.

A Copy of His Majesties Commission.

CHARLES the second by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France & Ireland, Defen∣der of the Faith, &c. To our Trusty and wel-beloved, the most Reve∣rend Father in God, Accepted Arch-bishop of York, The right reverend Fathers in God, Gilbert Bishop of London, John Bishop of Durham, John Bishop of Rochester, Humphrey Bishop of Sarum, George Bishop of Worcester, Robert Bishop of Lincoln, Benjamin Bishop of Peterborough, Brian Bishop of Chester, Richard Bishop of Carlile, John Bishop of Exeter, Edward Bishop of Norwich, & to our trusty and wel-beloved, the Reverend Anthony Tuckney D. D. John Conant D. D. William Spurstow D. D. John Wallis D. D. Thomas Manton, D. D. Ed∣mund Calamy B. D. Richard Baxter Clerke, Arthur Juckson, Tho. Case, Samuel Clarke, Matthew Newco∣men, Clerkes; and to our trusty and wel-beloved Dr. Earle Dean of Westminster, Peter Heylin, D. D. Joh. Hacket, D. D. Joh. Berwick D. D. Peter Gunning D. D. John Pearson D. D. Tho. Pierce D. D. Anthony Sparrow, Herbert Thorndike D. D. Thomas Horton D. D. Thomas Jacomb, D. D. William Bate, John Rawlinson, William Cooper, Clerkes, D. John Light-

foot, D. John Collings, D. Benjamin Woodbridg; and VVilliam Drake Clerke, Greeting. Whereas by our Declaration of the 25 of October last concerning Ecclesiasticall affaires, we did (amongst other things) express our esteem of the Liturgy of the Church of England, contained in the Book of Common prayer; and yet since we find exceptions made against several things therein, we did by our said Declaration declare we would appoint an e∣qual number of learned Divines, of both perswa∣sions, to review the same: we therefore in accom∣plishment of our said wil and intent, and of our continued and constant care and study for the peace and unity of the Churches within our do∣minions, & for removal of all exceptions and dif∣ferences, and the occasions of such differences, and exceptions from among our good subjects, for or concerning the said Book of Common prayer, or any thing therein contained, doe by these our Letters patents require, authorize, constitute, and appoint you the said, &c. to advise upon and re∣view the said Book of Common prayer, compa∣ring the same with the most ancient Liturgies which have been used in the Church in the primi∣tive and purest times. And to that end to assemble and meet together, from time to time, and at such time within the space of foure Calendar moneths now next ensuing, in the Masters lodging in the

Savoy in the Strand in the County of Middlesex, or in such other place or places as to you shall be thought fit and convenient, to take into your se∣rious and grave considerations the several directi∣ons and rules, forms of prayer, and things in the said Book of Common prayer contained, and to advise, consult upon, and about the same, and the several objections and exceptions, which shall now be raised against the same, and (if occasion be) to make such reasonable and necessary altera∣tions, corrections and amendments therein as by and between you the said Arch-bishop, Bishops, Doctors, and Persons hereby required and autho∣rized to meet and advise as aforesaid, shall be a∣greed upon to be needfull and expedient, for the giving satisfaction to tender consciences, and the restoring and continuance of peace and unity in the Churches under our protection and Govern∣ment; but avoyding (as much as may be) all un∣necessary abreviations of the Forms and Liturgy wherewith the people are altogether acquainted, and have so long received in the Church of Eng∣land. And our will and pleasure is, that when you the said Arch-bishop, Bishops, Doctours, and persons authorized and appointed by these our Letters patents to meet, advise, and consult upon and about the premises, as aforesaid, shall have drawn your consultations to any resolution

and determination which you shall agree upon as needfull or expedient to be done for the altering, diminishing, or inlarging, the said Book of Com∣mon prayer, or any part thereof, that then forth∣with you certifie and present to us in writing un∣der your severall hands the matters and things whereupon you shall so determine, for our appro∣bation, and to the end the same or so much there∣of as shall be approved by us, may be established, and for as much as the said Archbishop & Bishops have severall great Charges to attend, which we would not dispense with, or that the same should be neglected upon any great occasion whatsoever, and some of them being of great age and infirmities, may not be able constantly to at∣tend the execution of the service and authority hereby given and required by us, in the meeting and consultation aforesaid; We will therefore and hereby require you the said Dr. Earles, &c. to sup∣ply the place and places of such of the Arch-bi∣shop and Bishops (other then the said Edward Bishop of Norwich) as shall by age, sickness, infir∣mity, or other occasion be hindred from attending the said meeting or consultation (that is to say) that one of you the said Dr. Earles, &c. shall from time to time supply the place of each one of them, the said Arch-bishop and Bishops (other then the said Edward Bishop of Norwich) which shall hap∣pen

to be hindred or to be absent from the said meetings, or consultations, and shall and may ad∣vise, consult and determine, and also certifie and execute all and singular the powers and authori∣ties before mentioned in and about the premises, as fully and absolutely as such Arch-bishop and Bishops which shal so happen to be absent should or might doe by vertue of these our Letters pa∣tents, or any thing herein contained, in case he or they were personally present. And whereas in re∣gard of the distance of some, the infirmity of o∣thers, the multitude of constant imployment, and other incidental impediments, some of you the said Edward Bishop of Norwich, &c. may be hin∣dred from the constant attendance in the execu∣tion of the service aforesaid, We therefore wil and doe hereby require and authorize you the said Thomas Horton, &c. to supply the place or places of such the Commissioners last before mentioned, as shal by the means aforesaid or any other occa∣sion be hindred from the said meeting and con∣sultations that one of you, the said Thomas Horton, &c. shal from time to time supply the places of each one of the said Commissioners last mentio∣ned, which shal happen to be hindered or absent from the said meeting and consultations: and shal and may advise consult and determine, and also certifie and execute all and singular the powers

and authorities before mentioned in and about the premises as fully and absolutely as such of the said last mentioned Commissioners, which shall so happen to be absent, should or might doe by vertue of these our Letters patents or any thing therein contained, in case he or they were personally present. In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made patents, wit∣ness our self at VVestminster the 25 day of March in the thirteenth year of our Reign.

Per ipsum Regem. Barker.