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 public.

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Laws never yet repealed) came, during the late unhappy confusions,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 ther