ALthough it cannot be unknown to Our Subjects by the former Declarations We have published , what Our purposes & proceedings have beén in matters of Religion , since Our coming to this Crown : Yet the same being now by vs reduced to a setled Form , We have occasion to repeat somewhat of that which hath passed , and how at our very first entry into the Realm , being entertained & importuned with Informations of sundry Ministers , complaining of the Errors & Imperfections of the Church here , as well in matters of Doctrine , as of Discipline : Although we had no reason to presume that things were so far amiss , as was pretended , because We had seen the Kingdom under that Form of Religion which by Law was established in the dayes of the late Queen of famous memory , blessed with a peace & prosperity , both extraordinary , and of many years continuance , ( a strong evidence that God was therewith well pleased , ) Yet because the importunity of the Complainers was great , their affirmations vehement , and the zeal wherewith the same did séem to be accompanied , very specious : We were moved thereby to make it Gur occasion to discharge the duty which is the chiefest of all Kingly duties , that is to settle the Affairs of Religion , and the Service of God before their own . Which while we were in hand to do as the contagion of the sickness reigning in Our City of London and other places , would permit an Assembly of persons méet for that purpose ; Some of those who misliked the state of Religion here established , presuming more of Our intents than ever We gave them cause to do , & transported with humor , began such procéedings as did rather raise a scandal in the Church , than take offence away . For both they used Forms of publick serving of God not here allowed , held Assemblies without Authority , and did other things carrying a very shew of Sedition more than of zeal ; whom we restrained by a former Proclamation in the Month of October last , & gave intimation of the Conference We intended to be had with as much speed as conveniently could be , for the ordering of those things of the Church , which accordingly followed in the Month of January last , at Our Honour of Hampton Court , where before Our Self , & Our Privy Council , were assembled many of the gravest Bishops & Prelates of the Realm , & many other learned men , as well of those that are conformable to the State of the Church established , as of those that dissented : Among whom what Our pains were , what Our patience in hearing & replying , and what the indifferency & uprightness of Our Iudgment in determining , We leave to the report of those who heard the same , contenting Our Self with the sincerity of Our own heart therein . But we cannot conceal , that the success of that Conference was such , as happeneth to many other things , which moving great expectation before they be entred into , in their issue produce small effects . For We found mighty & vehement Informations supported with so weak & slender proofs as it appeareth unto vs , and Our Council , that there was no cause why any change should have béen at all in that which was most impunged , the Book of Common-Prayer , containing the Form of the publick Service of God here established , neither in the Doctrine which appeared to be sincere , nor in the Forms and Rite which were justified out of the practise of the Primitive Church : Notwithstanding , We thought meet , with consent of the Bishops and other learned men there present , That some small things might rather be explained then changed , not that the same might not very well have been born with by men who have made a reasonable construction of them : but for that in a matter concerning the Service of God , we were nice , or rather jealous , that the publick Form thereof should be frée , not only from blame , but from suspition , so as neither the common Adversary should have advantage to wrest ought therein contained , to other sense than the Church of England intendeth , nor any troublesome or ignorant person of this Church be able to take the least occasion of cavil against it : And for that purpose gave forth Our Commisssion under Our Great Seal of England , to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and others , according to the Form which the Laws of the Realm in like case prescrive to be used , to make the said Explanation , and to cause the whole Book of Common-Prayer to be newly printed ; which being now done , & established anew after so serious a deliberation ; although we doubt not but all Our Subjects , both Ministers & others , will receive the same with such reverence as appertaineth , and conform themselves thereto every man in that which him concerneth : Yet have We thought it necessary , to make known by Proclamation Our authorizing of the same ; and to require & enjoyn all men , as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal , to conform themselves unto it , and to the practise thereof , as the only publick Form of serving God , established & allowed to be in this Realm : and the rather for that all the learned men who were there present as well of the Bishops as others , promised their conformity in the practise of it , only making suit to vs , that some few might be born with for a time .

Wherefore We require all Arch-Bishops , Bishops , and all publick Ministers , as well Ecclesiastical as Civil , to do their duty in causing the same to be obeyed , and in punishing the offenders according to the Laws of the Realm heretofore established , for the authorizing of the said Book of Common-Prayer . And we think it also necessary , that the said Arch-Bishops and Bishops , do each of them in his Province and Diocess take order , That every Parish do procure to themselves within such time as they shall think good to limit , one of the said Books so explained . And last of all We do admonish all men , that hereafter they shall not expect , nor attempt any further alteration in the common & publick Form of Gods Service , from this which is now established , for that neither will we give way to any to presume , that Our own Iudgments having determined in a matter of this weight , shall be swayed to alteration by the frivilous suggestions of any light spirit : neither are we ignorant of the Inconveniences that do arise in Government , by admitting Innovation in things once setled by mature deliberation : And how necessary it is to use constancy in the upholding of the publick determination of States , for that such is the unquietness & unstedfastness of some dispositions , affecting every Year new Forms of things , as if they should be followed in their unconstancy , would make all actions of States ridiculous and contemptible ; whereas the stedfast maintaining of things by good advice established , is the weath of all the Common-wealth .