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It hath been the Wisdom of the Church of England, ever since the first compiling of her publick Liturgy, to keep a mean between the Two Extreams, of too much stiffness in refusing, and of too much easiness in admitting any variation from it. For, as on the one side common experience sheweth, that
where a change hath been made of things advisedly established (no evi∣dent necessity so requiring) sundry in∣conveniences have thereupon ensued, and those many times more and greater than the evils that were intended to be remedied by such change; so, on the other side the particular Forms of divine Worship, and the Rites and Ceremonies appointed to be used therein, being things in their own nature indifferent and alterable, and so acknowledged, it is but reasonable, that upon weighty and important Considerations, according to the various Exigencies of times and oc∣casions, such Changes and Alterations should be made therein, as to those that are in place of Authority from time to time seem either necessary or expedi∣ent.
[This is quoted by the Reconciler, as the chief ground-work of his Proposals; but let us hear the whole.]
Accordingly we find, that in the Reigns of several Princes of blessed Me∣mory, since the Reformation, the Church upon just and weighty Considerations her thereunto moving, hath yielded to
make such Alterations in some particu∣lars, as in their respective times were thought convenient; yet so, as that the main Body and Essentials of it, (as well in the chiefest materials, as in the frame and order thereof) have still continu∣ed the same unto This day, and do yet stand firm and unshaken, notwithstand∣ing all the vain attempts and impetuous assaults made against it by such men, as are given to change, and have al∣ways discover'd a greater regard to their own private Fancies and Interests, than to that Duty they owe to the pu∣blick.
By what undue means, and for what mischievous purposes the use of the Li∣turgy, (though enjoyned by the Laws of the Land, and those Laws never yet repealed) came, during the late un∣happy Confusions, to be discontinued, is too well known to the World, and we are not willing here to remember. But when, upon His Majesties happy Restauration, it seemed probable, that amongst other things, the use of the Liturgy also would return of course, (the same having never been legally abolished) unless some timely means were used to prevent it: Those men,
who under the late usurped Powers, had made it a great part of their business, to render the People disaffected thereunto, saw themselves in point of Reputation and Interest concerned (unless they would freely acknowledge themselves to have erred, which such men are very hardly brought to) with their utmost endeavours to hinder the Restitution thereof. In order whereunto divers Pamphlets were published against the Book of Common-Prayer, the old Ob∣jections mustered up, with the Addition of some new ones more than formerly had been made, to make the number swell [whereof the Reconciler hath thought good to bring several again upon the Stage.]
In fine, great Importunities were used to his Sacred Majesty, that the said Book might be revised, and such Alterations therein, and Additions thereunto made, as should be thought requisite for the ease of tender Consci∣ences; whereunto His Majesty out of his Pious Inclination to give satisfacti∣on (so far as could be reasonably ex∣pected) to all his Subjects of what Perswasion soever, did graciously con∣descend.
In which Review we have endea∣voured to observe the like moderation, as we find to have been used in the like Case in former Times. And therefore of the sundry Alterations proposed unto us, we have rejected all such as were ei∣ther of dangerous Consequence, (as se∣cretly striking at some established Do∣ctrine or landable Practice of the Church of England, or indeed of the whole Ca∣tholick Church of Christ) or else of no Consequence at all, but utterly frivolous and vain. But such Alterations as were tendred to us (by what persons, under what pretences, or to what purpose so∣ever tendred) as seemed to us in any degree requisite or expedient, we have willingly and of our own accord assented to: Not enforced so to do by any strength of Argument, convincing us of the Necessity of making the said Altera∣tions; for we are fully perswaded 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 fa∣vourable Construction, as in common Equity ought to be allowed to all hu∣mane Writings, especially such as are set forth by Authority, and even to the very best Translation of the holy Scripture it self.
[And here I call to mind, what I have read in Bishop Gauden, touching an eminent Person concern'd in the Ten∣dry of divers Alterations.
I cannot but commend (saith he) the Candor, Justice and Ingenuity of Mr. Baxter, who lately profess'd to me, that he saw nothing in the Liturgie, which might not bear a good Construction, if men look'd upon it, as it became Christians, with eyes of Charity.]But to proceed.
Our general aim therefore in This Undertaking was, not to gratifie This or That Party in any their unreasonable Designs, 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 Wor∣ship
of God; and the cutting off occasion from them, that seek occasion of Cavil or Quarrel against the Liturgie 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 Kalendars 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 rendring of such portions of holy Scripture, as are in∣serted 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 Tran∣slation. And, That it was thought con∣venient, that some Prayers and Thanks∣givings fitted to special Occasions, should be added in their due places; particu∣larly
for Those at Sea, together with an Office for the Baptism of such as are of ri∣per years; which, although not so ne∣cessary, when the former Book was com∣piled, yet, by the Growth of Anabap∣tism, through the Licentiousness of the late Times crept in among us, is now become necessary, and may be always use∣ful 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 pre∣sent 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 ap∣prove 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 facti∣ous, peevish and perverse spirits, should be satisfied with any thing that can be done in this kind by any other than them∣selves: Yet we have good hope, that,
what is here presented, and hath been by the Convocations of both Provinces with great diligence examined and ap∣proved, will be also well accepted and approved by all sober, peaceable, and truly conscientious Sons of the Church of Eng∣land.]
Now such an one the Reconciler profes∣seth himself to be:
A well-wisher to the Churches Peace, who doth from his heart conform to all, that is required by her.And therefore he must be presumed to have a singular value for This serious Ma∣nifesto and Protestation of our Governours: That They have already of their own ac∣cord assented to such Alterations, as seem∣ed to them in any degree requisite or expe∣dient; and did esteem Those which they have rejected, as either frivolous and vain, or of dangerous consequence, as secretly striking at some established Doctrine, or landable Practice of the Church of Eng∣land, or indeed of the whole Catholick Church; and that in This Review they have behaved themselves with all Sinceri∣ty, as in the sight of God, and done That, which, to their best Understandings, they 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 a∣gainst the Liturgy; that is, That they have already endeavoured to discharge their Duty, so far as lay in them, to all those excellent purposes, to which the Reconciler with so great vehemence perswadeth afresh.
[The con∣stant mode∣ration of the Church of England]
[The dan∣ger of unne∣cessary changes.]
Ipsa mutatio consue∣tudinis, erlam quae uti∣litate adjuvat, novitate perturbat, D. August. Ep. 118.
[Necessary changes to be made by Authority only, in things al∣terable, and upon weighty & important considerati∣ons.]
P. 35, 36.
[The pra∣ctice of the Church ac∣cordingly.]
[A Chara∣cter of the Adversa∣ries of the Church.]
[The Ille∣gality and Mischief of the disuse of the Liturgy suggested.]
[The con∣cern of its Enemies at the King's Restaurati∣on in oppo∣sing it.]
[His Ma∣jesties gra∣cious Con∣descention for a Re∣view.]
[The moderation of the Church observed therein.]
[Rejecting some Alte∣rations of∣fered, be∣cause of dangerous consequence, or frivo∣lous.]
[Admit∣ting all that seemed explaient.]
[And that not of neces∣sity, but willingly.]
[The Churches Prote∣station with reference to the Book before esta∣blished, in vindication of the Honour of it.]
N. B.
[Consid. touching the Liturgy in reference to His Majesties late De∣claration.] P. 33.
[The Inte∣grity of the Church in her Pro∣ceedings.]
[A general account of the several Variations admitted.]
[The more particular account re∣ferr'd to ocular In∣spection.]
[The Churches Sincerity in all asser∣ted.]
[who like, after all, to quarrel still against Her.]
[Who to ac∣quiesce in her Deter∣minati∣ons.]