Transactions. 31 



Liturgy has been referred to. But from the preface to the 

 Service Book, and also from the preface to the Scottish 

 Directory for public worship, we are led to believe that the 

 only Prayer Book in use in Scotland was the English Prayer 

 Book. In the preface to the Service Book it is said— 



" Our first Reformers were of the same mind with us, as 

 appeareth by the ordinance they made that in all the jjar- 

 ishes of this realme, the Common Prayer should be read 

 weekly, on Sundaies and other festivall dayes, with the Les- 

 sons of the Old and New Testament, conforme to the order 

 of the Book of Common Prayer (meaning that of England ; 

 for it is known that divers yeares after we had no other order 

 for common prayer.)" 



The same view is presented, but in a verbose and accum- 

 ulative manner, in the preface to the Scotch Directory for 

 public worship. 



" Howbeit, long and sad experience hath made it mani- 

 fest, that the Liturgy used in the Church of England (not- 

 withstanding all the pains and religious intentions of the 

 compilers of it) hath proved an offence, not only to many of 

 the godly at home, but also to the reformed churches 

 abroad," and so forth. 



" Upon these, and many the like weighty considerations in 

 reference to the whole book in general, and because of divers 

 particulars contained in it, not from any love to novelty or 

 intention to disparage our first Reformers," and so forth. 

 " We have, after earnest and frequent calling upon the name 

 of God," and so forth, "resolved to lay aside the former 

 Liturgy with the many rites and ceremonies formerly used in 

 the worship of God, and have agreed upon the following 

 Directory for all the parts of publick worship at ordinary and 

 extraordinary times." 



But, perhaps. Free prayer ha.d latterly come into use. 

 So, when this, which was termed Laud's Liturgy, came to 

 be read it was at once identified with Romanism — various 

 reports of its tendency that way being circulated — and the 

 cry raised was, Will ye say mass in my lug ? 



