ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the important changes in the official language of liturgy of the Church of England, from the publication of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) in 1662 to that of the Alternative Service Book (ASB) in 1980. The text of The Liturgy of Comprehension shows some changes from that of 1662 which are consistent with the principle expressed in Prideaux's Letter. Most of the Collects of The Liturgy of Comprehension are longer than their BCP equivalents. The Fifth Lambeth Conference in 1908 appointed a committee to discuss 'Prayer Book adaptation and enrichment', with seven principles for revision. The writers have attempted to give the liturgy the flavour of modern English by replacing archaisms of vocabulary and syntax, while at the same time ensuring that much of the content is still recognizably that of the BCP. Notwithstanding the sentiments expressed above by Archbishop Owen, the process of modernizing the liturgy began in New Zealand soon after 1958.
