The Preface
It hath been the
wisdom of the Church of England, ever since the first compiling of
her Publick Liturgy, to keep the mean between the two extremes, 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 evident necessity so requiring) sundry
inconveniences 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 exigency of times and
occasions, such changes and alterations should be made therein, as
to those that are in place of Authority should from time to time
seem either necessary or expedient. Accordingly we find, that in
the Reigns of several Princes of blessed memory since the
Reformation, the Church, upon just and weighty considerations her
thereunto moving, hath yielded to make such alterations in some
particulars, 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
continued the same unto this day, and do yet stand firm and
unshaken, notwithstanding all the vain attempts and impetuous
assaults made against it, by such men as are given to change, and
have always discovered a greater regard to their own private
fancies and interests, than to that duty they owe to the
publick.
By what undue means, and for what mischievous
purposes the use of the Liturgy (though enjoined by the Laws of the
Land, and those Laws never yet repealed) came, during the late
unhappy confusions, to be discontinued, is too well known to the
world, and we are not willing here to remember. But when, upon His
Majesty's happy Restoration, 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
do) with their utmost endeavours to hinder the restitution thereof.
In order whereunto divers Pamphlets were published against the
Book of Common Prayer, the old Objections mustered up,
with the addition of some new ones, more than formerly had been
made, to make the number swell. 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 Consciences:
whereunto His Majesty, out of his pious inclination to give
satisfaction (so far as could be reasonably expected) to all his
subjects of what persuasion soever, did graciously condescend.
In which review we have endeavoured 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 either of dangerous
consequence (as secretly striking at some established Doctrine, or
laudable Practice of the Church of 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 so 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 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
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.
Text from The Book of Common Prayer, the
rights in which are vested in the Crown,
is reproduced by permission of the Crown's Patentee, Cambridge
University Press.