things once advisedly established, she hath, in the reign of several 
Princes, since the first compiling of her Liturgy in the time of Edward 
the Sixth, upon just and weighty considerations her thereunto moving, 
yielded to make such alterations in some particulars, as in their 
respective times were thought convenient; yet so as that the main body 
and essential parts of the same (as well in the chiefest materials, as 
in the frame and order thereof) have still been continued firm and 
unshaken 

Her general aim in these different reviews and alterations hath been, as 
she further declares in her said Preface, to do that which, according to 
her best understanding, might most tend to the preservation of peace and 
unity in the Church; the procuring of reverence, and the exciting of 
piety and devotion in the worship of God; and, finally, the cutting off 
occasion, from them that seek occasion, of cavil or quarrel against her 
Liturgy.  And although, according to her judgment, there be not any 
thing in it contrary to the Word of God, or to sound doctrine, or which 
a godly man may not with a good conscience use and submit unto, or which 
is not fairly defensible, if allowed such just and favourable 
construction as in common equity ought to be allowed to all human 
writings; yet upon the principles already laid down, it cannot but be 
supposed that further alterations would 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 liberty 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
end of all such prayers, namely, that "Rulers may have grace, wisdom,