used to follow it; the omitting of the rubric, that ordered "water" to be mixed with wine, with several other less material variations. sons read. In this part of the service there | rist, and the prayer of "oblation" that was is considerable variety on different days. Thus was our excellent Liturgy compiled by martyrs and confessors, together with divers other learned bishops and divines; | The "habits" also, that were prescribed by and being revised and approved by the archbishops, bishops, and clergy of both the provinces of Canterbury and York, was then confirmed by the King and the three Estates in Parliament, in the year 1548, who gave it this just encomium, namely, "which at this time BY THE AID OF THE HOLY GHOST with uniform agreement is of them concluded, set forth, &c." This Common Prayer Book is frequently called the first Book of Edward the Sixth; or the Book of the second year of Edward the Sixth. the former book, were ordered by this to be laid aside; and, lastly, a rubric was added at the end of the Communion office to explain the reason of "kneeling," at the Sacrament. The book thus revised and altered was again confirmed in Parliament in the year 1551. It is frequently called the second Book of Edward the Sixth, or the Book of the fifth year of Edward the Sixth; and is very near the same with that which we now But both this, and the former Act made in 1548, were repealed in the first year of Queen Mary, as not being agreeable to the Romish superstition, which she was resolved use. to restore. But about the end of the year 1550, or the beginning of 1551, some exceptions were taken at some things in this book, which were thought to savour too much of superstition. To remove these objections therefore, Archbishop Cranmer proposed to review it: and to this end called in the assistance of Martin Bucer, and Peter Martyr, two foreigners, whom he had invited over from the troubles in Germany: who, not understanding the English tongue, had Latin versions prepared for them: one Allesse, a Scotch divine, translating it on purpose for the use of Bucer; and Martyr being furnished with the version of Sir John Cheke, who had also formerly translated it into Latin. The following were the most considerable additions and alterations that were then made; some of which must be allowed to be good: namely, the addition of the Sentences, ❘ execrate the memory of Mary for bringing Exhortation, Confession, and Absolution, at to the stake, prelates, to whom the reformathe beginning of the morning and evening ❘tion is so essentially indebted, yet we have services, which in the first Common Prayer Book began with the Lord's Prayer. The other changes were the removing of some rites and ceremonies retained in the former book; such as the use of "oil in baptism;" the "unction of the sick;" "prayers for souls departed," both in the Communion office But upon the accession of Queen Elizaand in that for the Burial of the Dead; the beth, the Act of repeal was reversed; and, leaving out of the "invocation of the Holy in order to the restoring of the English serGhost" in the consecration of the eucha- | vice, several learned divines were appointed When we consider the purity and excellence of this Liturgy, and its favourable reception, we are naturally led, to reflect upon the satisfaction and pleasure, with. which its venerable authors must have contemplated the successful issue of their labours; and to indulge a secret wish that they had been permitted to enjoy upon earth a protracted sense of so sublime a gratifica❘tion.-But scarce was this salutary work completed, when the premature death of Edward made way for the elevation of Mary to the thorne, and the re-establishment of po pery in this kingdom. Though we must lament the fate of such men, as Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, and reason to rejoice, that her reign was not of sufficient duration to destroy the fruits of their pious industry, and to restore the superstition, and tyranny of the church of Rome, which were now so justly dreaded and abhorred. to take another review of King Edward's | bishop of Rome, and all his detestable enor Liturgies, and to frame from them both a book for the use of the Church of England. The names of those who, Mr. Cambden says, were employed, are these that follow: Dr. Matthew Parker, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. mities," which was a part of the last deprecation in both the books of King Edward; and the adding of those words to the first petition for the Queen, "strengthen in the true worshipping of thee, in righteousness and holiness of life," which were not in Dr. Richard Cor, afterwards Bishop of before. The two sentences added in the Ely. Dr. May. Dr. Bill. delivery of the Sacrament were these, "the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee;" or "the blood of our Lord Dr. James Pilkington, afterwards Bishop Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee; pre of Durham. Sir Thomas Smith. Mr. David Whitehead. serve thy body and soul to everlasting life:" which were taken out of King Edward's first book, and were the whole forms then Mr. Edmund Grindall, afterwards Bish- | used: whereas in the second book of that op of London, and then Archbishop of Canterbury. King, these sentences were left out, and in the room of them were used, "take, eat," or "drink" this, with what follows; but now in Queen Elizabeth's book both these forms were united. To these, Mr. Strype says, were added Dr. Edwin Sandys, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, and Mr. Edward Guest, a very learned man, who was afterwards Archdeacon of Canterbury, Almoner to the Queen, and Bishop of Rochester, and afterwards of Salisbury. And this last person, Mr. Strype thinks, had the main care of the whole business; being as he supposes, recommended by Parker to supply his absence. It was debated at first, which of the two books of King Edward should be received; and Secretary Cecil sent several queries to Guest, concerning the reception of some particulars | And lastly, the rubric that was added at the in the first book; as prayers for the dead, the prayer of consecration, the delivery of the sacrament into the mouth of the communicant, &c. But however, the second book of King Edward was pitched upon as the book to be proposed to the Parliament to be established, who accordingly passed and commanded it to be used, "with one alteration or addition of certain lessons to be used on every Sunday in the year, and the form of the Litany altered and corrected, and two sentences added in the delivery of the sacrament to the communicants, and none other, or otherwise." Though, besides these here mentioned, there are some other variations in this book from the second of King Edward: namely, the first rubric, concerning the situation of the chancel and the proper place of reading divine service, was altered; the habits enjoined by the first book of King Edward, and forbid by the second, were now restored. At the end of the Litany was added a prayer for the Queen, and another for the Clergy. end of the Communion office, in the second book of King Edward VI, against the notion of our Lord's "real" and "essential " presence in the holy Sacrament, was left out of this. For it being the Queen's design to unite the nation in one faith, it was recommended to the divines to see that there should be no definition made against the aforesaid notion, but that it should remain as a speculative opinion, in which every one was left to the freedom of his own mind. And in this state the Liturgy continued without any farther alterations, till the first year of King James I; when the Puritans, The alteration in the Litany here men- who were now a numerous body, having tioned was the leaving out of a rough ex- petitioned for a reform of what they termed pression, namely, "From the tyranny of the | abuses, the King appointed a conference to Dr. Thomas Dove, Bishop of Peterborough. Dr. James Mountague, Dean of the Dr. Thomas Ravis, Dean of Christ Dr. John Bridges, Dean of Sarum. Dr. John Overall, Dean of St. Paul's. be held at Hampton Court, between a select number of bishops and divines of the Established Church on one side, and the principal leaders among the Dissenters on the other, before himself as president, to hear what could be alleged for their non-conformity, and to judge whether an accommodation between the parties would be practicable. The demands of the Puritans were far too unreasonable to be granted, and very soon set aside the hope of agreement:-but their objections may have contributed to produce some of the following improvements, which were soon after made in the Liturgy. In the Morning and Evening Prayers a collect, and in the Litany a particular intercession, were appointed for the royal family: the forms of thanksgiving upon several occasions were then added: the questions and answers concerning the Sacraments were subjoined to the Catechism, which before that time ended with the answer to the ques-made, some of which were taken into the tingham. Dr. Richard Field, after Dean of Glou cester. There was little done in the English Common Prayer Book in King Charles the First's time: but it may be noticed in passing, that in the Scotch Common Prayer Book there were several improvements tion immediately following the Lord's prayer: and the administration of private baptism was by the rubric expressly confined to a lawful "minister," to prevent midwives or laymen from presuming to baptize. These and some other small additions and improve-book are: the word "priest" in the rubrics last review, and more might have been so, but that the nation was not disposed to receive them, the distempers of the late times having prejudiced many against it. Some of the most remarkable alterations in this ments were made by the authority of King James I, and universally adopted, although they were not ratified by Parliament. The following is a list of the bishops and other divines of the Church, appointed on this occasion: Dr. John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury. Dr. Richard Bancroft, Bishop of London. Dr. Tobie Matthews, Bishop of Durham. Dr. Thomas Bilson, Bishop of Winches ter. is changed into "presbyter;" the Epistles and Gospels are set down according to the New Translation, as are also the Hymns' and Psalms; "Glory be to thee, O Lord," is ordered to be said before the Gospel, and "Thanks be to thee, O Lord," after it. We come now to a memorable period in the history of our Liturgy, when the descendants and disciples of the Puritans, who had been so clamorous for a reform of ceremonies, and what they termed abuses, in the beginning of James' reign, were but too successful in their schemes of innovation. It is generally known that, by their artful machinations, they contrived to inflame the nation into rebellion, to overturn the government both in church and state, and to erect upon its ruins a Babel of their own. Their triumph however, like that of their infatuated brethren, the builders of confusion on the plain Dr. Henry Robinson, Bishop of Carlisle. | of Shinar, was happily not of long duration. Dr. Gervase Babbinton, Bishop of Wor cester. Dr. Anthony Rudd, Bishop of St. David's. Dr. Anthony Watson, Bishop of Chichester. So little reason had the nation at large to be satisfied with that novel form of government, to which it was subjected by the regicides, that upon the decease of the Protector, the presbyterians themselves were willing to accede to the re-establishment of the ancient monarchy. When the restoration of Charles II. began to be concerted, he published at Breda a declaration concerning liberty of conscience in matters of religion. This was done with a view to soften the animosities that existed between the contending parties, and more especially to conciliate the presbyterians. The committce of nobles and commons appointed afterwards to wait upon the king at the Hague, was accompanied by eight or ten of the most eminent divines of the presbyterian communion. In a private conference with Charles, "they declared themselves no enemies to a moderate episcopacy." The king in return "assured them, that he had no intention to impose hard conditions, or embarrass their consciences: that he people." The king sala, "the surplice nad always been reckoned a decent habit; that though for the present he might be obliged to connive at disorder, he would never abet irregularity by his own practice, nor discountenance the ancient and laudable customs of the church, in which he had been educated." At the return of the king, the church re vived with the monarchy: but its revival was not effected without some struggle and opposition. For more than fourteen years had the hierarchy been broken down, and the Liturgy laid aside. A very different form of ecclesiastical government, and of public worship, now prevailed. Various other circumstances concurred to form a prospect extremely favourable to the presbyterians. The nine bishops, however, that survived the usurpation, were speedily reinstated, six others were soon after consecrated, and in a short time all the sees were filled. On the 25th of October, 1660, came forth the king's Declaration respecting ecclesias would refer the settling of the matters they ❘tical affairs, in which a promise was made, mentioned to the two Houses of Parliament, who were the best judges of what indulgence or toleration was necessary for the repose of the kingdom." that the Liturgy should be reviewed by an equal number of divines of both persuasions. And on the 25th of March following, 42 commissioners, that is, 21 episcopalians, and 21 presbyterians, including the assistants on both sides, were constituted by letters patent. The commissioners were enjoined "to meet at the Master's lodging in the Savoy, and to take into consideration the several directions, rules, forms of prayer, and things in the Common Prayer contained, to review the same, comparing them with the most ancient Liturgies: to advise upon the exceptions and objections that might be made, and if occasion should require, to make such reasonable corrections and amendments as they might judge useful and expedient for giving satisfaction to tender consciences and restoring unity; but avoiding all unnecessary abbreviations of the forms and Liturgy, so long received in the Church of England." At a subsequent private audience they represented to Charles, that "as the Common Prayer had been discontinued in England for several years, it might be impolitic for his majesty to revive the use of it in his own chapel immediately on his return. The people, they pretended, would be less shocked if some part of it only were used with other prayers." The king, with some degree of resentment, observed, that by the liberty he granted them, they were not authorised to infringe upon his. He hoped, he said, "to find the Liturgy regularly received in many places, and, that in his own chapel, he would suffer no other form of worship." The ministers, though disappointed by the king's firmness, proceeded to importune, "that his majesty's chaplains might discontinue the surplice, because the sight of the habit would give offence to the ❘ follows: The names of the commissioners are as Dr. Fruen, Archb. of York. Dr. Reynolds, Bishop of Nor. These commissioners had several meetings at the Savoy, but all to very little purpose; the Presbyterians heaped together all the old scruples that the Puritans had for above a hundred years been raising against the Liturgy, and, as if they were not enough, swelling the number of them with many new ones of their own. To these, one and all, they demanded compliance on the Church side, and would hear of no contradiction even in the minutest circumstances. But the completest piece of assurance was the behaviour of Baxter, who (though the King's commission gave them no farther power, than "to compare the Common Prayer Book with the most ancient Liturgies that had been used in the Church, in the most primitive and purest times;" requiring them "to avoid, as much as possible, all unnecessary alterations of the Forms and Liturgy, wherewith the people were altogether acquainted, and had so long received in the Church of England") would not so much as allow that our Liturgy was capable of amendment, but confidently pretended to compose a new one of his own, without any regard to any other Liturgy whatsoever, either modern or ancient; which, together with the rest of the Commissioners on the Presbyterian side, he offered to the bishops, to be received and established in the room of the Liturgy. Such usage as this, we may reasonably think, must draw the disdain and contempt of all that were concerned for the Church. So that the conference broke up, without any thing done, except that some particular alterations were proposed by the Episcopal divines, which, the May following, were considered and agreed to by the whole Clergy in Convocation. The principal of them were, that several Lessons in the Calendar were changed for others more proper for the days; the "prayers for particular occasions" were disjoined from the Litany; and the two prayers to be used in the Ember-weeks, the prayer for the parliament, and that for "all conditions of men," and the "general thanksgiving," were added: several of the Collects were altered; the Epistles and Gospels were taken out of the last translation of the Bible, being read before according to the old translation: th office for "Baptism of those of riper years the two psalms prefixed to the lessons in th Burial Service, and the "Forms of Prayer t be used at Sea," for "the Martyrdom of King Charles the First," and for "the Restoratior of the Royal Family," were all added. There were also several other less material add tions: and through the whole service, am' guities were removed, and various impro ments were made; for a more particular count of which the reader is referred to Preface to the Common Prayer Book. In a word, the whole Liturgy was then brought to that state in which it now stands; and was unanimously subscribed by both houses of Convocation, of both provinces, on Friday the 20th of December, 1661. And being brought to the House of Lords the March following, both Houses very readily passed an Act for its establishment; and the Earl of Clarendon, then High Chancellor of England, was ordered to return the thanks of the Lords to the Bishops and Clergy of both provinces, for the great care and industry shown in the review of it. Shepherd, Wheatly, Dr. Nicholls, Bp. Tomline. To the foregoing historical account of |