Page "Book of Common Prayer" Paragraph 40

The 1662 prayer book was printed only two years after the restoration of the monarchy, following the Savoy Conference between representative Presbyterians and twelve bishops which was convened by Royal Warrant to " advise upon and review the Book of Common Prayer ".

Attempts by the Presbyterians led by Richard Baxter to gain approval for an alternative service book failed.

Their major objections ( exceptions ) were: firstly, that it was improper for the lay congregation to take any vocal part in prayer ( as in the Litany or Lord's Prayer ), other than to say " Amen "; secondly, that no set prayer should exclude the option of an extempore alternative from the Minister ; thirdly, that the Minister should have the option to omit part of the set liturgy at his discretion ; fourthly, that short Collects should be replaced by longer prayers and exhortations ; and fifthly, that all surviving " Catholic " ceremonial should be removed.