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PREFACE.

1 is a most invaluable part of that blessed liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, that in his worship, different forms and usages may without offence be allowed, provided the substance of the faith be kept entire, and that, in every church, what cannot be clearly determined to belong to Doctrine must be referred to Discipline; and therefore, by common consent and authority, may be altered, abridged, enlarged, amended, or otherwise disposed of, as may seem most conve nient for the edification of the People, according to the various exigencies of times and occasions

The Church of England, to which the Protestant Episcopal Church in these States is indebted, under GOD, for her first foundation and a long continuance of nursing care and protection. hath, in the Preface of her Book of Common Prayer, laid it down as a Rule, that The Particular Forms of Divine Worship, and the Rites and Ceremonies appointed to be used therein, being things in their own na. ture indifferent and alterable, and so acknowledged, it is but reasonable that. upon weighty and important considerations, according to the various exigencies of times and occasions, such changes and alterations should be made therein, as to those who are in places of authority should, from time to time, seem either necessary or expedient."

The same Church hath not only in her Preface, but likewise m her Articles and Homilies, declared the necessity and expediency of occasional alterations and amendments in her Forms of Public Worship; and we find accordingly, that, seeking to "keep the happy mean between too much stiffness in refusing, and too much easiDess in admitting variations in things once advisedly established, she nath, in the reign of several Princes, since the first compiling of her Liturgy in the time of Edward the Sixth, upon just and weighty considerations her thereunto moving, yielded to make such alterations in some parti ulars, 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 ard devotion in the worship of God; and, finally, the cutting off occasion, from them that seek occasion, of cavit er 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 con mon equity, ought to be allowed to all human writings" yet upon the principles already laid down, it cannot but be supposed, that further alteration 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 conse quence 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 amend. ments therein as might be deemed expedient.

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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 compari son of this with the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England.

In whic

it will also appear, that this Church is far from intending to de part 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 withevery sincere Christian, with a meek, candid, and charitable frame of mind, out 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.

HOW THE PSALTER IS APPOINTED TO BE READ.

HE Psalter shall be read through once every month, as it is there appointed, THE both for Morning and Evening Prayer But in February it shall be read only to the twenty-eighth or twenty-ninth Day of the Month.

And whereas January. March, May, July, August, October, and December, have One-and-thirty Days apiece; it is ordered, that the same Psalms shall be read the last Day of the said Months which were read the Day before: so that the Psalter may begin again the first Day of the next Month ensuing

And whereas the 119th Psalm 18 divided into twenty-two Portions, and is overlong to be read at one time; it is so ordered, that at one time shall not be read above four or five of the said Portions.

The Minister, instead of reading from the Psalter as divided for Daily Morning and Evening Prayer, may read one of the Selections set out by this Church.

And, on Days of Fasting and Thanksgiving, appointed ei.her by the Civil or by the Ecclesiastical Authority, the Minister may appoint such Psalms as he shall think fit in his discretion, unless any shall have been appointed by the Ecclesiastical Authority, in a Service set out for the Occasion: which. in that case, shali be used, and no other

PROPER PSALMS ON CERTAIN DAYS
Morning. Evening.
Christmas-Day, Psalms 19 Psalms 89 Easter-Day,

Ash-Wednesday,

Good-Friday.

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The Minister may use one of the Selections instead of any one of the above Portions.

THE ORDER

HOW THE REST OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE IS APPOINTED TO

BE READ.

THE Old Testament is appointed for the First Lessons at Morning and Evening Prayer; so that the most Part thereof will be read every Year once, as in the Calendar is appointed.

The New Testament is appointed for the Second Lessons at Morning and Evening Prayer.

And to know what Lessons shall be read 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 Evening Prayer; except only the Moveable Feasts, which are not in the Calendar; and the Immoveable, 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.

And, on Days of Fasting and Thanksgiving, the same Rule is to obtain as in reading the Psalms.

And the same discretion of choice is allowed on occasions of Ecclesiastical Con. ventions, and those of Charitable Collections.

And Note, That whensoever Proper Psalms or Lessons are appointed, then the Psalms and Lessons of ordinary course appointed in the Psalter and Calendar, if they be different, shall be omitted for that Time.

Note also. That the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, appointed for the Sunday, shall serve all the Week after, where it is not in this Book otherwise ordered.

TABLES of LESSONS of Holy Scripture, to be read at Morning and Evening Prayer, throughout the Year.

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