Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
doctrine_n	church_n	england_n	reform_a	3,931	5	9.9167	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A92566	A vindication of conformity to the liturgy of the Church of England. In a letter, written to A person of quality, wherein satisfaction is given to certain queries suggested by a non-conformist.	P. S.	1668 (1668)	Wing S124; ESTC R183126	12,388	56

time that were not so mad as to cast off all set Formes opposed themselves against that Forme that was Legally in force that is for substance the Forme that is now Enacted amongst our selves they were quickly convinced that the fault was rather in their own intemperate heate than in any errors reteined in the Service Book They complained foure Classes of them to the Lord Burleigh 't is possible that Assent and Consent were too hard meat for their squeasie Stomachs That Lord enquired Whether they would have all Liturgie taken away They said No. He required them to make a better that might take place upon the removall of what was settled The first Classis framed one complying with the Genevah Forme This the second disliked and altered in 600. particulars That again had the hard fortune to be quarrel'd by the third Classis And what the third resolved on by the fourth And as a Learned man saith The dissenting of those Brethren as the division of Tongues at Babel was a faire means for keeping that Tower then from advanceing any higher Vide Vindication of the Liturgie pag. 3.4 What the Gentleman means by dayes of Restoring Conformity I can but adventure to divine I remember that there was a Clause in the beginning of the Scotch Covenant illegally imposed by men in usurped power and taken rashly by the ignorant because they thought it lawfull and cowardly by the fearfull that loved their integrity less than their temporall concernes wherein the Covenanter engageth To endeavour the Reformation of the Church of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches Perhaps the Querist hath some Church in his eye unto which we cannot be conformable whilst our Liturgie shall stand in force had he named that Church we might have enquired whether our Church hath not as good Reason to be exemplary to it as to tread after it They that have travel'd in this enquiry will tell us That they judge the Church of England to be the Eldest Daughter in all the boundaries of the Reformation and as Orthodox for Doctrine and sober for Discipline as any Church since the first Ages Mr. Durel who was Minister above eight years in a Protestant Church of France will assure this Querist That in France and Genevah set Formes are enjoyned That a Tigurine Minister was questioned at Genevah for officiating in the Germane Church there and not rehearsing as 't is appointed the Creed after the Morning Service The same Person afore-named now Minister of the French Church at the Savoy relates a passage of a Letter sent to him by the Learned and eloquent Mounsier Martell the words in English are these I wonder to heare that some are found in England that are altogether averse from any set Formes of Liturgie to be observed generally one and the same in all the Kingdome among us it is no where permitted to reject the use of the Liturgie which was made by Calvin c. indeed for Calvins Liturgy we leave it to those that like it But his reasons for a Liturgie are so binding that I know not what can be alledged more convincing These are his words in our Tongue which he Wrote in a Latine Epistle to the Protector of England in King Edward the sixth his dayes As touching the Forme of Prayers and Ceremonies of the Church I approve very much that it be Set and that it be not lawfull for the Ministers to recede from it in their Function as well to help the simplicity and unskilfulness of some as that the Vniformity of all the severall Congregations may appeare And finally that the desultory and capricious lightness of such as affect Novelties may be encountred and stopped 2. The Gentlemans second Querie is Whether the Injunction of that Worship to the exclusion of all els unless that be used be not to make it an essentiall part of Gods Worship and an adding to Gods Word forbidden in Deuteronomy and the Revelation To Preach God Word and dispence his Sacraments to make Prayers Supplications and give thanks for all men are Essentiall parts of Gods Worship But to performe these duties after such a manner at such Forms of words and with such Vestments are but circumstantialls left in the power of the Church by that generall rule of St. Paul 1 Cor. 14.10 Let all things be done decently and in order I would faine see this or any other person pretending the pleas here alledged undertake the performance of the Service of God in such a Scripturall manner that might secure him against as strong exceptions nay far stronger than are here made against the Publique Liturgy by this Querist I suppose he would come into the Assembly clad with some garment or other For though Saul Prophesied naked and the Adamites think it their perfection to appear at their Meetings unapparrelled yet few are so Fanatick as to think those examples obliging others to a conformity He cannot approve a Surplice perhaps May not another pleade as much against a Gowne or Cloak or Cassock If a white Surplice be no where commanded neither is a black Gowne If not to kneele at the Communion neither to sit or stand is a precept in the sacred Text. If the established Orders of the Church are not to be received because they are no where commanded by express injunction of Scriptures the Nonconformists to the Church must permit us to be such to themselves untill they can act upon the warranty of that Word which they say gives no allowance to us But let us heare how the Service of God must be carried on when the Congregation is met Although the Common Prayers may not be used perhaps because a Forme perhaps because commanded yet I suppose the Querist would pray after his own fashion If the Service be a Forme such will be his to those that are to joyne with him And if it be urged that by the contrivance of his Forme his gifts are exercised May I not reply that these are the gifts of the Church in the Prayers authorized by our Governours The Church forbids no man the imployment of his Talents At their Ordination all Ministers are very powerfuly exhorted thereunto But we have a cleare Text That the Spirits of the Prophets ought to be subject to the Prophets 1 Cor. 14.32 That we ought to obey them that have the rule over us Heb. 13.17 That all things ought to be done decently and in order and common sense teacheth us that where there is no subjection there can be no order 'T is certain also that the Canon of the Scriptures is sealed that no man can pretend to such speciall Revelations that what he shall utter must conclude the Church as powerfully as if the Prophets or Apostles spake The best gifts in men not exempted from carnall infirmities may be abused One may be zealous and want knowledge another may be competently knowing