The 1662 Book of Common Prayer and Its Adaptation in Eighteenth-Century Rational Dissent

Beginning in the late seventeenth century and continuing through the eighteenth century, the doctrine of the Trinity was questioned, and by some, repudiated, and this subsequently led to the compilation of liturgies that expressed ‘Semi-Arian’ and Unitarian belief, some derived from the Book of Common Prayer. Within the Church of England, Sir Isaac Newton’s students, William Whiston and Samuel Clarke published works questioning the ‘Athanasian’ Christology and suggesting alterations to the Book of Common Prayer to give what they believed to be the scriptural doctrine of the Trinity. Their lead was followed by various Unitarian pastors and congregations. Some of the characteristics of these liturgies are examined in some detail, illustrating the focus of prayer and understanding of the Lord’s Supper, once the Nicene divinity of Christ was denied.