November 21st, 1661; and on December 20th, 1661, their task was completed (ib. 370, 372). The changes were very numerous, but all in matters of detail, none being of vital importance. In the Preface of 1662 we have an official statement of the revisers' objects and reasons, which we have not for any revision since that of 1549. As the Preface accompanies our present book, we need only glance at them here. The reasons were these-old objections revived and others added, importunities addressed to the king, and the king's condescension in hearkening to them. The objects kept in view were to make the revision a safe one, and allow no alterations which might compromise doctrine; to improve calendars and rubrics, modernise antique terms, adopt the authorised version of Holy Scripture, and add new forms of prayer suggested by the circumstances of the time. Two instances of minute attention to words may be mentioned; renounce the devil" the devil" in the baptismal service, and "the resurrection' in an important passage of the burial service, were substituted for "forsake the devil" and "resurrection."

§ 34. Of the Attempted Revision in 1689. (See § 25.) During the proceedings which issued in the accession of William III. hopes were held out in high quarters to the Nonconformists that an effort would be made to meet their objections to the Church and enable them to rejoin it. When Convocation met on December 4th, 1689, it was soon apparent that the Upper House was favourable to some measure of comprehension, but the Lower strongly opposed. The

measure disestablishing the Episcopal Church of Scotland, the triumphant attitude of the Presbyterian party in both countries, and their evident disposition to accept all advances as a victory for themselves, had awakened the keenest feelings in the minds of English Churchmen (Card. C. 414). The Archbishop and his friends saw the hopelessness of proceeding while such was the temper of the times both within and without the Church of England, and the matter dropped. There was reason to believe that the alterations recommended by the commissioners were numerous and important; but they were not allowed to be made public (ib., 418). In 1854 however, in consequence of an Address (March 14th) from the House of Commons, a copy was furnished (May 5th) from the original volume in Lambeth Palace Library, and this was ordered (June 2nd) by the House to be printed. For the general public it was edited by Mr. John Taylor, in a volume entitled The Revised Liturgy of 1689. Bagster, 1855.

CHAPTER VIII.

PREFATORY MATTER OF THE PRAYER BOOK.

§ 35. The Preface, its History.-The original Preface of 1549 was that portion now headed "Concerning the Service of the Church," following what is now called THE PREFACE, and preceding "Of Ceremonies." It began, "There never was any thing by the wit of man; "" but did not end as that section now does, "and to pray with him" (vide infr.).

...

The section "Of Ceremonies, why some be abolished, and some retained," commencing and ending as at present, "Of such ceremonies . . . in divers countries," was likewise the composition of 1549; but it was placed, as a sort of appendix, at the end of the book instead of where it is now; and there were appended to it Certain Notes enjoining vestments, and leaving optional various gestures, such as kneeling, crossing, holding up the hands, and knocking the breast.

1552. In this revision THE PREFACE of 1549 still bore that name, but it was lengthened by the clause, "And if the bishop," and the paragraphs "And all priests," "And the curate," terminating with "and to pray with him," as at present.

The section "Of Ceremonies," which in 1549 stood

at the end of the book, was in 1552 placed where it now stands. The Certain Notes were omitted.

1662. That section now called THE PREFACE was composed in 1662, and placed, as at present, before the older Preface, which is now appended to it under the title Concerning the Service of the Church, followed by Of Ceremonies, as before.

$ 36. The Preface, etc., Contents.-The section Concerning the Service of the Church (THE PREFACE of 1549) states the reasons for the original reform of the service; viz., to restore the reading of Holy Scripture to its proper place in the service; to have the prayers in the English tongue; to omit things untrue, uncertain, vain, and superstitious; to have but one use.

The section Of Ceremonies (composed in 1549) defends their curtailment, on the grounds that some had blinded the people, and obscured the glory of God, and were worthy to be cut away and clean rejected; while others had, by their excessive multitude, become an intolerable burden, besides being abused by the superstitious blindness of the unlearned and the insatiable avarice of those who sought their own lucre more than the glory of God.

The revisers of 1552, 1559, 1604, are not represented by a Preface, and we have here no official statement of their views. With the revisers of 1662 it is otherwise, and in the five paragraphs of their Preface they state as follows.

1. In the various revisions since the Reformation, the "main body and essentials" of the Prayer Book

have continued the same, and still stand firm and unshaken.

2. The laws enjoining the use of the Liturgy were not repealed during the confusions of the Commonwealth; the Liturgy was never legally abolished.

3. The changes of 1662 were expedient, but not necessary. The book as it stood before contained nothing contrary to the Word of God or sound doctrine, nothing which a godly man might not with a good conscience use and submit unto.

4. The aim has been to promote peace and unity in the Church, excite devotion in public worship, and cut off occasion of cavil.

5. Since Convocation has examined and approved the book, they hope it will be accepted and approved by all sober, peaceable, and truly conscientious sons of the Church of England.

The Caroliné divines, in short, cordially endorse the Prayer Book which has been handed down to them; they desire no change whatever on their own account; they hint no depreciation of their predecessors' work, throw out no querulous regrets, nor express the remotest desire to undo any part of the work they have been examining; on the contrary, they warmly recommend it to the veneration of their brother Churchmen. It may be remarked that the revisers in their Preface designate the whole Prayer Book the Liturgy, not confining that term to the Communion Service.

$37. The Lectionary, its History.-We have at present a twofold scheme of Scripture lections or lessons,- -one for the Communion Service, confined to