For Christ's gospel is not a ceremonial law, as much of Moses' law was; but it is a religion to serve God, not in bondage of the figure or shadow, but in the freedom of the Spirit; being content only with those ordinances which do serve to a decent order and godly discipline, and such as be apt to stir up the dull mind of man, to the remembrance of his duty to God, by some notable and special signification, whereby he might be edified. * Furthermore, none shall have just cause with the Order reserved to be offended, such parts being revised, as were most complained of, and did burden mens' minds without any just cause; for we think it convenient that every Christian Church should use such ordinances as they shall think best to the setting forth of God's honour and glory, and to the directing of the people to the most perfect and godly living, without error and superstition, and that they should put away those things, which from time to time they perceive to be most abused, as in mens' ordinances it often chanceth diversely in divers countries. Now if any man, who shall desire a more particular account of the several alterations in any part of the Liturgy, shall take the pains to compare the present book with the former, we doubt not but the reason of the change may easily appear. 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; we have good hope that what is here humbly presented will be well and charitably accepted by all sober, peaceable, and truly conscientious sons of the Church of England. * Rom. xiv. 1. REVISED. PROPER LESSONS FOR SUNDAYS. Out of the Chapters appointed to each Sunday the Minister shall choose the Lessons * The Five Chapters of the Epistle of St. James, may be also used for the Second Lessons of the first five Micah 41 Cor. 15 to 1 Thess. 42 Peter 2 Tim. 2 v. 28 Tim. 6 Matt. 3 1 John 5 Rom. 12 Col. 1 |