The Book of common prayer ... according to the use of the Reformed episcopal Church

IT is but reasonable that, upon weighty and important considerations, changes and alterations should be made in the public Liturgies of the Church; and it 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," according to the various exigencies of times and occasions," the discipline of the Church may, by common consent and due authority, be so defined as may seem best and most convenient for the edification of the people. The Reformed Episcopal Church in the United Kingdom (which is a truly Protestant, Evangelical, and Reformed Church of England), has Revised this Book of Common Prayer upon the following principles :

1. A firm belief in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God, and the sole Rule of Faith and Practice; in the Creed, "commonly called the Apostles' Creed; in the Divine institution of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; and in the Doctrines of Grace substantially as they are set forth in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion.

2. A recognition of and acquiescence in Episcopacy as a very ancient and desirable form of Church polity.

3. A denial of the following erroneous and strange doctrines as contrary to God's Word:

First, That the Church of Christ exists only in one order or form of ecclesiastical polity;

Second, That Christian Ministers are "priests" in another sense than that, in which all believers are "a royal priesthood;"

Third, That the Lord's Table is an altar on which the oblation of the Body and Blood of Christ is offered anew to the Father.

Fourth, That the Presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper is a presence in the elements of Bread and Wine. Fifth, That Regeneration is inseparably connected with Baptism.

This Book (in its Articles, Liturgy, Services, Preface, and Rubrics) contains the Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline of this Church, which are more fully explained in the Constitution and Canons approved, or to be approved, by the General Synod of the same.

And forasmuch as nothing can be so plainly set forth, but doubts may arise in the use and practice of the same; to appease all such diversity (if any arise) and for the resolution of all doubts, concerning the manner how to

understand, do, and execute, the things contained in this Book; the parties that so doubt, or diversely take any thing, shall always (in matters spiritual) resort to the Bishop of the Diocese, having jurisdiction in this Church, who by his discretion shall take order for the quieting and appeasing of the same; so that the same order be not contrary to any thing contained in this Book. And if the Bishop of the Diocese be in doubt, then he shall send for the resolution thereof to the Primate of this Church, whose decision shall be final, and binding upon all parties.

And although the keeping or omitting of a Ceremony, in itself considered, is but a small thing; yet the wilful and contemptuous transgression and breaking of a common order and discipline is no small offence before God. "Let all things be done among you," saith St. Paul, "in a seemly and due order: " the appointment of the which order pertaineth not to private men; therefore no man ought to take in hand, nor presume to appoint or alter any public or common order in Christ's Church, except he be lawfully called and authorized thereunto.

And whereas in this our time, the minds of men are so diverse, that some think it a great matter of conscience to depart from a piece of the least of their Ceremonies, they be so addicted to their old customs; and again on the other side, some be so new-fangled, that they would innovate all things, and so despise the old, that nothing can like them, but that is new: it was thought expedient, not so much to have respect how to please and satisfy either of these parties, as how to please God, and profit them both.

And having thus endeavoured to discharge our duties in this weighty affair, as in the sight of God, and to approve our sincerity therein (so far as lay in us) to the consciences of all men; although we know it impossible (in such variety of apprehensions, humours and interests, as are in the world) to please all; nor can expect that men of factious, peevish, and perverse spirits should be satisfied with any thing that can be done in this kind by any other than themselves: yet we have good hope, that what is here presented, and hath been with great diligence examined and approved, will be also well accepted and approved by all sober, peaceable, and truly conscientious sons of the Reformed Episcopal Church.

It is the duty of Churchwardens to examine the "Letters of Orders," and other credentials of any person representing himself to be a Minister; and no one is authorised to officiate in any Diocese of this Church, or as a Minister thereof, without a licence from the Bishop having jurisdiction.