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

And therefore in pursuance of this His Majesty's most gracious Commission for the satisfying of tender Consciences, and the procuring of Peace and Unity amongst our selves, we judge meet to propose,

I. That all the Prayers, and other Materials of the Liturgy, may consist of nothing doubtful or questioned amongst Pious, Learned and Orthodox Persons, inasmuch as the professed end of composing them is, for the declaring of Unity and consent of all who join in the Public Worship, it being too evident, that the limiting Church-Communion to things of doubtful disputation, hath been in all Ages the ground of Schism and separation, according to the saying of a Learned Man.

I. That all the Prayers, and other Materials of the Liturgy, may consist of nothing doubtful or questioned amongst Pious, Learned and Orthodox Persons, inasmuch as the professed end of composing them is, for the declaring of Unity and consent of all who joyn in the Publick Worship, it being too evident, that the limiting Church-Communion to things of doubtful disputation, hath been in all Ages the ground of Schism and separation, according to the saying of a Learned Man.

To load our Public Forms with the private Fancies upon which we differ, is the most Sovereign way to perpetuate Schism to the Worlds end. Prayer, Confession, Thanksgiving, reading ⟨p. 3⟩of the Scriptures, and administration of the Sacraments in the plainest and simplest manner were matter enough to furnish out a sufficient Liturgy, though nothing either of private Opinion, or of Church pomp, of Garments, or prescribed Gestures, of Imagery, of Music, of matter concerning the dead, of many superfluities which creep into the Church under the name of Order and Decency did interpose it self. To charge Churches or Liturgies with things unnecessary was the first beginning of all Superstition; and when scruple of Conscience began to be made, or pretended, then Schism began to break in. If the special Guides and Fathers of the Church would be a little sparing of encumbering Churches with Superfluities, or not over-rigid, either in reviving obsolete Customs, or imposing new, there would be far less cause of Schism, or Superstition, and all the Inconvenience likely to ensue would be but this; they should in so doing yield a little to the imbecility of their Inferiors, a thing which S. Paul would never have refused to do, mean while, wheresoever false or suspected Opinions are made a piece of Church-Liturgy, he that separates is not the Schismatic; for, it is alike unlawful to make profession of known or suspected falsehood, as to put in practice unlawful or suspected actions.