The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by…

Acknowledging, with all humility and thankfulness, His Majesties most Princely condescension and indulgence to very many of his Loyal subjects, as well in his Majesties most gracious Declaration, as particularly in this present Commission issued forth in pursuance thereof; we doubt not but the Right Reverend Bishops, and all the rest of His Majesties Commissioners entrusted in this work, will in imitation of His Majesties most prudent and Christian Moderation and Clemency, judge it their duty (that we find to be the Apostles own practice) in a special manner to be tender to the Churches peace, to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and not to please themselves, nor to measure the Consciences of other men by the light and latitude of their own, but seriously and readily to consider, and advise of such Expedients as may most conduce to the healing of our breaches, and uniting those that differ.

ACknowledging, with all humility and thankfulness, His Majesties most Princely condescention and indulgence to very many of his Loyall subjects, as well in his Majesties most gracious Declaration, as particularly in this present Commission issued forth in pursuance thereof; we doubt not but the Right Reverend Bishops, and all the rest of His Majesties Commissioners intrusted in this work, will in imitation of His Majesties most prudent and Christian Moderation and Clemency, judge it their duty (that we find to be the Apostles own practice) in a speciall manner to be tender to the Churches peace, to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and not to please themselves, nor to measure the Consciences of other men by the light and latitude of their own, but seriously and readily to consider, and advise of such Expedients as may most conduce to the healing of our breaches, and uniting those that differ.

And albeit we have an high and honourable esteem of those Godly and Learned Bishops, and others, who were the first Compilers of the public Liturgy, and do look upon it as ⟨p. 2⟩an excellent and worthy Work, for that time, when the Church of England made her first step out of such a mist of Popish Ignorance and Superstition, wherein it formerly was involved; yet considering, that all humane Works do gradually arrive at their maturity and perfection, and this in particular being a Work of that nature, hath already admitted several emendations since the first compiling thereof, It cannot be thought any disparagement, or derogation either to the Work it self, or to the Compilers of it, or to those who have hitherto used it, if after more than one hundred years since its first composure such further emendations be now made therein, as may be judged necessary for satisfying the scruples of a multitude of sober persons, who cannot at all (or very hardly) comply with the use of it as now it is, and may best suit with the present times, after so long an enjoyment of the glorious light of the Gospel, and so happy a Reformations especially considering that many godly and learned men, have from the beginning all along desired the alteration of many things therein, and very many of his Majesty's pious peaceable and loyal Subjects, after so long a discontinuance of it, are more averse from it than heretofore; the satisfying of whom (as far as may be) will very much conduce to that Peace and Unity which is so much desired by all good men, and so much endeavoured by His most Excellent Majesty.