Page:The Book of Common Prayer.djvu/24

Rh and we are not willing here to remember. But when vpon his Majesties happy restauration, it seemed probable, that amongst other things, the vse of the liturgy also would return of course (the same having never been legally abolished;) vnless some timely means were vsed to prevent it: those men, who vnder the late vsurped powers, had made it a great part of their business, to render the people disaffected therevnto, saw themselves in point of reputation, and interest concerned (vnless they would freely acknowledge themselves to have erred, which such men are very hardly brought to do) with their vtmost endeavors to hinder the restitution thereof. In order wherevnto divers pamphlets were published against the Book of Common-prayer, the old objections mustred vp, with the addition of some new ones, more then formerly had been made, to make the number swell. In fine, great importunities were vsed to his sacred Majesty that the said Book might be revised, and such alterations therein, and additions therevnto made, as should be thought requisite for the ease of tender consciences. Wherevnto his Maiesty out of his pious inclination to give satisfaction (so far as could be reasonably expected) to all his subjects of what perswasion soever, did gratiously condescend.

Jn which review we have endeavored to observe the like moderation as we find to have been vsed in the like case in former times ; And therefore of the sundry alterations proposed vnto vs, we have eiected all such, as were either of dangerous consequence (as secretly striking at some established doctrine, or laudable practise of the church of England, or indeed of the whole Catholick church of Christ ;) or else of no consequence at all, but vtterly frivolous and vain. But such alterations as were tendred to vs (by what persons, under what pretenses, or to what purpose soever so tendred) as seemed to vs in any degree requisite or expedient, we have willingly, and of our own accord assented vnto. Not enforced so to