The Book of Common Prayer

Edward the Sixth, upon just and weighty considerations her thereunto moving, yielded to make such alterations in some particulars, as in their respective times were thought convenient; yet so as that the main body and essential parts of the same (as well in the chiefest materials, as in the frame and order thereof) have still been continued firm and unshaken."

Her general aim in these different reviews and alterations hath been, as she further declares in her said Preface, "to do that which, according to her best understanding, might most tend to the preservation of peace and unity in the Church; the procuring of reverence, and the exciting of piety and devotion in the worship of GOD; and, finally, the cutting off occasion, from them that seek occasion, of cavil or quarrel against her Liturgy.' And although, according to her judgment, there be not "any thing in it 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, if allowed such just and favourable construction as in common equity ought to be allowed to all human writings"; yet upon the principles already laid down, it cannot but be supposed that further alterations would in time be found expedient. Accordingly, a commission for a review was issued in the year 1689: but this great and good work miscarried at that time; and the Civil Authority has not since thought proper to revive it by any new commission.

But when in the course of Divine Providence, these American States became independent with respect to civil government, their ecclesiastical independence was necessarily included; and the different religious denominations of Christians in these States were left at full and equal liberty to model and organize their respective Churches, and forms of worship, and discipline, in such manner as they might judge most convenient for their future prosperity; consistently with the constitution and laws of their country.

The attention of this Church was in the first place drawn to those alterations in the Liturgy which became necessary in the prayers for our Civil Rulers, in consequence of the Revolution. And the principal care herein was to make them conformable to what ought to be the proper end of all such prayers, namely, that "Rulers may have grace, wisdom, and understanding to

execute justice, and to maintain truth"; and that the people "may lead quiet and peaceable lives, in all godliness and honesty.'

But while these alterations were in review before the Convention, they could not but, with gratitude to GOD, embrace the happy occasion which was offered to them (uninfluenced and unrestrained by any worldly authority whatsoever) to take a further review of the Public Service, and to establish such other alterations and amendments therein as might be deemed expedient.

It seems unnecessary to enumerate all the different alterations and amendments. They will appear, and it is to be hoped, the reasons of them also, upon a comparison of this with the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England. In which it will also appear that this Church is far from intending to depart from the Church of England in any essential point of doctrine, discipline, or worship; or further than local circumstances require.

And now, this important work being brought to a conclusion, it is hoped the whole will be received and examined by every true member of our Church, and every sincere Christian, with a meek, candid, and charitable frame of mind; without prejudice or prepossessions; seriously considering what Christianity is, and what the truths of the Gospel are; and earnestly beseeching Almighty GOD to accompany with his blessing every endeavour for promulgating them to mankind in the clearest, plainest, most affecting and majestic manner, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST, our blessed Lord and Saviour.

OF THE CHURCH.

THE Order for Morning Prayer,

the Administration of the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion, are distinct Services, and may be used either separately or together; Provided, that no one of these Services be habitually disused.

The Litany may be used either in place of the Prayers that follow the Prayer for The President of the United States in the Order for Morning Prayer, or in place of the Prayers that follow the Collect for Aid against Perils in the Order for Evening Prayer.

On any day when Morning and

Evening Prayer shall have been said or are to be said in Church, the Minister may, at any other Service for which no form is provided, use such devotions as he shall at his discretion select from this Book, subject to the direction of the Ordinary.

For Days of Fasting and Thanksgiving, appointed by the Civil or by the Ecclesiastical Authority, and for other special occasions for which no Service or Prayer hath been provided in this Book, the Bishop may set forth such Form or Forms as he shall think fit, in which case none other shall be used.

Epiphany.

46, 47, 72, 117, 48

155

Purification.

Ash-Wednesday.

87 6, 32, 102, 130,

134

20, 86, 84, 113, Trinity-Sunday. 29, 33 93, 97,

150

27, 61, 84, 90,

Transfiguration.

THE ORDER HOW THE REST OF THE

HOLY SCRIPTURE IS APPOINTED TO BE READ.

THE Old Testament is appointed I for the First Lessons, and the New Testament for the Second Lessons, at Morning and Evening Prayer throughout the Year.

And to know what Lessons shall be rend every day, look for the day of the month in the Calendar following, and there ye shall find the Chapters that shall be read for the Lessons both at Morning and at Evening Prayer: except only the Movable Holy days, which are not in the Calendar; and the Immovable, where there is a blank left in the column of Lessons: the Proper Lessons for all which days are to be found in the Table of Proper Lessons.

If in any Church, upon a Sunday or Holy-day, both Morning and Evening

HYMNS AND

Η ΤΑ
YMNS set forth and allowed
HTM
by the authority of this
Church, and Anthems in the words
of Holy Scripture or of the Book

Prayer be not said, the Minister may read the Lessons appointed either for Morning or for Evening Prayer.

At Evening Prayer on Sunday, the Minister may read the Lesson from the Gospels appointed for that day of the month, in place of the Second Lesson for the Sunday.

Upon any day for which no Proper Lessons are provided, the Lessons appointed in the Calendar for any day in the same week may be read in place of the Lessons for the day.

On Days of Fasting and Thanksgiving, especially appointed, and on occasions of Ecclesiastical Conventions and of Charitable Collections, the Minister may appoint such Lessons as he shall think fit in his discretion.

ANTHEMS.

of Common Prayer, may te sung before and after any Office in this Book. and also before and after Sermons

HOLY SCRIPTURE,

TO BE READ AT MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.