The primitive rule of Reformation according to the first liturgy of K. Edward VI, 1549 containing an extract of the same, so far as it is Popishly affected : together with several honourable testimonials thereof from church and state, of that, and of succeeding ages : as also the wishes of several churches and chuchmen of the Reformation, for restoring the said liturgy in parts.

Testimonials of the Liturgy.

Concerning this First Liturgy of King Edward, hear what that Statute, 2 Edw. VI. that inforc'd the said Book, says— To the intent a uniform, quiet and godly Order should be had concerning the Premisses [the King] hath appointed the Arch∣bishop of Canterbury, (i. e. Cranmer) and certain of the most Learned and Discreet Bishops (i. e. Goodrick Bishop of Ely, Skip Bishop of Hereford, Thirlby Bishop of Westminster, Day Bishop of Chi∣chester, Holbeck Bishop of Lincoln, and Ridley Bishop of Rochester,) and other Learned Men of this Realm, (i. e. May Dean of St. Pauls, Taylor Dean of Lincoln, Haynes Dean of Exeter, Redman Dean of Westminster; Cox, King Edward's Almo∣ner, and Robinson Archdeacon of Leicester:) To consider and ponder the Premises; and thereupon having eye and respect to the most sincere and pure Christian Religion Taught by the Scripture, as to the Ʋsages in the Primitive Church; should draw and make one convenient and meet Order, Rite and Fashion of Common and Open Prayer, and Admi∣nistration of the Sacraments; to be had and used in his Majesties Realm of England, and in Wales: The which at this Time, by the Aid of the Holy Ghost (Note that) with one Ʋniform Agreement, is of them concluded, set forth and deliver'd to his Highness, to his great Comfort and Quietness of Mind, in a Book Intituled, The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, after the Ʋse of the Church of England: Thus speaks the Act of Parliament that inforces it.

And again Statute 5. Edw. VI. Speaking of the same Liturgy, — The said Book allowed to be Agreeable to the Word of God, and the Primitive Church: Thus even that Act that Repealed it.

Hear the Testimony of Archbishop Bancroft; He speaking of this Liturgy, in a Sermon of his Preach'd at St. Paul's-Cross, Anno 1588. affirms of it, that it was Publish'd first with such Approba∣tion, as that it was accounted the Work of God: Thus that Archbishop, and more he could not have said, had he been the Inspired Archbishop Cranmer, or any of the other inspired Bishops, that in the Style of K. Edwards Parliament, drew it up by the Aid of the Holy Ghost.

Hear the Testimony of John Fox; he tells us,

That the Compilers of that Liturgy were command∣ed by the King to have as well an Eye and Re∣spect unto the most sincere and pure Christian Religion Taught by the Holy Scriptures; as also to the Ʋsages of the Primitive Church; and to draw up one convenient and meet Order, Rite and Fashion of Common-Prayer, and Administra∣on of the Sacraments, to be had and used within the Realm of England, and the Dominions of the same: And then adds, that Through the Aid of the Holy Ghost, and with one Uniform Agreement; they did conclude, set forth, and deliver to the King a Book in English, Entituled, A Book of Common-Prayer, &c.

Thus Foxe Acts and Monuments, Part 2. p. 660. And who fitter than John Foxe to give Testimony of his own

Martyrs, the Compilers of this Liturgy, which Bancroft tells us, was receiv'd at its coming forth as the Work of God.

Lastly, Hear the Word of a King; Even of King Edward himself, of his Own Liturgy; In his Answer to the Devonshire Rebels: 'For the Mass (for so is that Liturgy call'd in the Book itself, (p. 110.) as also in the Statute that inforc'd it, 2 Edward VI. and in King Edwards Injunctions, Injunct. 21.)

I assure you▪ (says he) no small Study nor Travel has been spent by all the Learned Clergy therein; and to avoid all Contention, It is brought even to the very Ʋse as Christ left it, as the Apostles used it, as the Holy Fathers Deliver'd it:

Thus King Ed∣ward of that Book, which as his Parliament ex∣presses it, was set forth to his great Comfort and Quietness of Mind. Acts and Mon. Part. 2 p. 667.