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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 tiberty 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 consequence of the revolution. And the principal care herein was to make them conformable to what ought to be the proper enu of all such prayers, namely, that "Rulers may have grace, wisdom, and understanding to execute justice, and to maintain truth;" and that the peopie " 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 (unir fluenced and unrestrained by any worldly authority whatsoever) to take a further review of the pubiick service, and to establish such other alterations and amendments therein as might be deemed expedient.

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 comparison of this with the Book of Common Prayer of the church of England. In which it will also appear, that this church is far from intending to depart from the church of England, in any essential point of doctrine, discipline, or worship; or farther 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 every sincere Christian, with a meek, candid, and charitable frame of mind; without 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 majestick manner, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour,

¶The Order how the Psalter is appointed to be read.

THE Psalter shall be read through once every month, as it is there appointed, 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 a piece; 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 CXIX Psalm is divided into XXII Portions, and is over long 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 either 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, shall be used, and no other.

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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 Conventions, 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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