l6o LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE [l/SS 



off occasion, from them that seek occasion, of cavil or quarrel against her 

 liturgy." And the necessity and expediency of the several variations 

 made from time to time (whether by alteration, addition, or otherwise) 

 she states chiefly under the following heads, viz. : 



ist. For the better direction of them that are to officiate in any part 

 of divine service; which is chiehy done in the Calendars and Rubrics. 



2d. For the more proper expressing of some words or phrases of an- 

 cient usage in terms more suitable to the language of the present times; 

 and the clearer explanation of some other words and phrases that were 

 of a doubtful signification, or otherwise liable to misconstruction ; or 



3d. For a more perfect rendering (or translation) of such portions of 

 holy Scripture as are inserted into the liturgy (and made a part of the 

 daily service) ; with the addition of some Offices, Prayers and Thanks- 

 givings, fitted to special occasions. 



If, therefore, from the reasons above set forth (namely the change 

 of times and circumstances, and the fluctuation of our language itself), 

 so many different reviews, alterations and amendments, were found 

 necessary in the first hundred and twelve years after the Reforma- 

 tion ; it could not be expected, but (the same causes and reasons still 

 operating) some subsequent reviews, alterations and amendments would 

 not only be found necessary, but be earnestly desired by many true 

 members of the Church, in the course of at least one hundred and 

 twenty years more. And we accordingly find that in less than thirty 

 years after the last review in 1661 (viz., on the 13th of September, 

 1689), a commission for a further review of the liturgy and canons, 

 etc., was issued out to a number of bishops and other divines; "than 

 whom (it hath been truly acknowledged) the Church of England was 

 never, at any one time, blessed with either wiser or better, since it was 

 a Church." 



The chief matters proposed for a review at that time, and which have 

 been since repeatedly proposed and stated under the decent and modest 

 form of queries, are included under the following heads : 



ist. Whether the public service on Sunday mornings be not of too 

 great length, and tends rather to diminish than increase devotion, 

 especially among the lukewarm and negligent? 



2d. Whether it might not be conveniently contracted, by omitting 

 all unnecessary repetitions of the same prayers or subject-matter; and 

 whether a better adjustment of the necessary parts of the three different 

 services, usually read every Sunday morning in the Church, would not 

 render the whole frame of the service more uniform, animated and 

 complete? 



3d. Whether the old and new translations of the Psalms ought not to 

 be compared, in order to render both more agreeable to each other and 

 to their divine original ; so as to have but one translation, and that as 

 complete as possible? 



