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england_n church_n communion_n schism_n 2,635 5 10.6078 5 false
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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

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thought_n to_o lowly_a reverence_n and_o penitential_a devotion_n by_o some_o of_o those_o pertinent_a sentence_n of_o scripture_n wherewith_o our_o liturgy_n begin_v what_o reason_n can_v be_v urge_v why_o a_o humble_a confession_n immediate_o follow_v a_o comfortable_a absolution_n shall_v not_o be_v pronounce_v by_o they_o to_o who_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v commit_v and_o who_o very_a order_n be_v give_v they_o with_o those_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n receive_v thou_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o sin_n thou_o remitte_v etc._n etc._n can_v well_o enlighten_v reason_n plead_v any_o just_a cause_n why_o a_o competent_a portion_n of_o the_o psalm_n shall_v not_o follow_v and_o than_o lesson_n out_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n with_o hymn_n between_o either_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n or_o conformable_a unto_o they_o the_o rehearsal_n of_o the_o creed_n stand_v one_o will_v think_v can_v offend_v no_o man_n that_o see_v every_o article_n found_v on_o divine_a 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st._n basil_n the_o great_a live_v in_o the_o four_o century_n about_o the_o 70_o year_n and_o he_o mention_n a_o method_n of_o devotion_n consist_v of_o alternate_a versicles_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o 63._o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o neocaesarea_n the_o people_n say_v he_o with_o we_o rise_v betimes_o after_o night_n to_o the_o house_n of_o prayer_n and_o make_v confession_n to_o god_n with_o pain_n and_o tribulation_n and_o distress_n of_o tear_n at_o length_n rise_v from_o prayer_n fall_v to_o sing_v of_o psalm_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v and_o now_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o part_n they_o sing_v by_o course_n answer_v one_o another_o thereby_o both_o corroborate_n the_o meditation_n of_o the_o divine_a oracle_n and_o administer_a to_o themselves_o attention_n and_o indistracted_a vigilancy_n of_o heart_n and_o that_o this_o be_v no_o private_a institution_n of_o his_o own_o church_n appear_v from_o what_o he_o present_o subjoin_v in_o the_o same_o 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measure_n approve_v those_o form_n to_o which_o the_o synagogue_n be_v accustom_v may_v appear_v by_o his_o use_n of_o they_o in_o his_o agony_n and_o passion_n for_o he_o be_v please_v to_o express_v himself_o twice_o in_o the_o word_n of_o two_o psalm_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o compare_v the_o 22._o ps_n ver_fw-la 1._o with_o the_o 27._o of_o st._n mat._n ver_fw-la 46._o and_o the_o 31._o psalm_n ver_fw-la 5._o with_o st._n luke_n 23._o for_o 46._o so_o that_o our_o late_a annotator_n on_o the_o psalm_n have_v due_o hence_o infer_v that_o no_o tongue_n of_o man_n or_o angel_n can_v invent_v a_o great_a height_n of_o encomium_n to_o set_v out_o the_o honour_n of_o any_o write_n or_o give_v we_o more_o reason_n to_o lay_v up_o in_o our_o mind_n the_o word_n of_o the_o martyr_n hippolytus_n that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o antichrict_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v liturgy_n shall_v he_o extinguish_v psalmody_n shall_v cease_v read_v of_o the_o scripture_n shall_v not_o be_v hear_v in_o which_o three_o as_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n be_v by_o the_o ancient_n think_v to_o consist_v so_o the_o destroy_n of_o all_o and_o each_o of_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o branch_n if_o not_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o anti-christianisme_n a_o direct_a contradiction_n to_o christ_n who_o by_o his_o prescription_n or_o practice_n of_o each_o of_o these_o impress_v a_o sacred_a character_n on_o each_o see_v dr._n hammonds_n preface_n on_o the_o psalm_n by_o this_o it_o appear_v how_o remote_a from_o truth_n that_o speech_n of_o the_o querist_n be_v that_o our_o liturgy_n be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v our_o lord_n royal_a stamp_n upon_o it_o that_o be_v be_v plain_o insufficient_a consider_v as_o a_o mean_n to_o effect_v that_o for_o which_o it_o be_v appoint_v for_o the_o design_n of_o the_o liturgy_n be_v to_o carry_v on_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n by_o prescribe_v set_v form_n of_o praise_n thanksgiving_n and_o celebration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n etc._n etc._n in_o such_o a_o decent_a method_n of_o devotion_n as_o may_v become_v the_o solemn_a worship_n of_o that_o great_a god_n to_o who_o no_o service_n be_v to_o be_v present_v but_o that_o which_o be_v reasonable_a the_o representative_a body_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v think_v this_o liturgy_n now_o enjoin_v suitable_a to_o these_o end_n if_o any_o particular_a member_n think_v otherwise_o reason_n shall_v be_v allege_v not_o bold_a assertion_n dictator-like_a conclude_v what_o the_o querist_n mean_v when_o he_o ask_v weather_n such_o a_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n with_o '_o its_o liturgy_n and_o rubric_n aught_o at_o all_o to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o these_o day_n of_o reformation_n or_o restoration_n of_o conformity_n i_o can_v scarce_o understand_v the_o liturgy_n be_v the_o same_o in_o effect_n that_o it_o be_v at_o the_o first_o reformation_n that_o happy_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o pious_a endeavour_n of_o our_o ancestor_n in_o king_n henry_n the_o 8_o king_n edward_n the_o 6_o and_o queen_n elizabeth_n day_n if_o any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o god_n word_n and_o disagreeable_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a be_v deliver_v and_o enjoin_v to_o be_v assent_v and_o consent_v unto_o in_o the_o bulk_n of_o this_o liturgy_n it_o be_v not_o i_o confess_v fit_v for_o day_n of_o reformation_n for_o it_o will_v carry_v '_o its_o deformation_n manifest_o in_o those_o impose_v corruption_n but_o because_o no_o particular_a instance_n be_v allege_v wherein_o the_o unsoundness_n of_o the_o liturgy_n do_v appear_v i_o believe_v this_o to_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o rash_a surmise_n void_a of_o all_o firm_a foundation_n to_o pitch_v a_o foot_n on_o the_o book_n have_v be_v sift_v and_o search_v over_o and_o over_o and_o when_o the_o classical_a brethren_n in_o queen_n elizabeth_n
time_n that_o be_v not_o so_o mad_a as_o to_o cast_v off_o all_o set_a form_n oppose_v themselves_o against_o that_o form_n that_o be_v legal_o in_o force_n that_o be_v for_o substance_n the_o form_n that_o be_v now_o enact_v among_o ourselves_o they_o be_v quick_o convince_v that_o the_o fault_n be_v rather_o in_o their_o own_o intemperate_a heat_n than_o in_o any_o error_n retain_v in_o the_o service_n book_n they_o complain_v four_a class_n of_o they_o to_o the_o lord_n burleigh_n it_o be_v possible_a that_o assent_n and_o consent_n be_v too_o hard_a meat_n for_o their_o squeasie_a stomach_n that_o lord_n inquire_v whether_o they_o will_v have_v all_o liturgy_n take_v away_o they_o say_v no._n he_o require_v they_o to_o make_v a_o better_a that_o may_v take_v place_n upon_o the_o removal_n of_o what_o be_v settle_v the_o first_o classis_fw-la frame_v one_o comply_v with_o the_o genevah_n form_n this_o the_o second_o dislike_v and_o alter_v in_o 600._o particular_n that_o again_o have_v the_o hard_a fortune_n to_o be_v quarrel_v by_o the_o three_o classis_fw-la and_o what_o the_o three_o resolve_v on_o by_o the_o four_o and_o as_o a_o learned_a man_n say_v the_o dissent_v of_o those_o brethren_n as_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n at_o babel_n be_v a_o fair_a mean_n for_o keep_v that_o tower_n then_o from_o advance_v any_o high_a vide_fw-la vindication_n of_o the_o liturgy_n pag._n 3.4_o what_o the_o gentleman_n mean_v by_o day_n of_o restore_a conformity_n i_o can_v but_o adventure_v to_o divine_a i_o remember_v that_o there_o be_v a_o clause_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o scotch_a covenant_n illegal_o impose_v by_o man_n in_o usurp_a power_n and_o take_v rash_o by_o the_o ignorant_a because_o they_o think_v it_o lawful_a and_o cowardly_a by_o the_o fearful_a that_o love_v their_o integrity_n less_o than_o their_o temporal_a concern_v wherein_o the_o covenanter_n engage_v to_o endeavour_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o ireland_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o example_n of_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n perhaps_o the_o querist_n have_v some_o church_n in_o his_o eye_n unto_o which_o we_o can_v be_v conformable_a whilst_o our_o liturgy_n shall_v stand_v in_o force_n have_v he_o name_v that_o church_n we_o may_v have_v inquire_v whether_o our_o church_n have_v not_o as_o good_a reason_n to_o be_v exemplary_a to_o it_o as_o to_o tread_v after_o it_o they_o that_o have_v travel_v in_o this_o enquiry_n will_v tell_v we_o that_o they_o judge_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v the_o elder_a daughter_n in_o all_o the_o boundary_n of_o the_o reformation_n and_o as_o orthodox_n for_o doctrine_n and_o sober_a for_o discipline_n as_o any_o church_n since_o the_o first_o age_n mr._n durel_n who_o be_v minister_n above_o eight_o year_n in_o a_o protestant_a church_n of_o france_n will_v assure_v this_o querist_n that_o in_o france_n and_o genevah_n set_v form_n be_v enjoin_v that_o a_o tigurine_a minister_n be_v question_v at_o genevah_n for_o officiate_a in_o the_o german_a church_n there_o and_o not_o rehearse_v as_o it_o be_v appoint_v the_o creed_n after_o the_o morning_n service_n the_o same_o person_n afore-named_n now_o minister_n of_o the_o french_a church_n at_o the_o savoy_n relate_v a_o passage_n of_o a_o letter_n send_v to_o he_o by_o the_o learned_a and_o eloquent_a monsieur_fw-fr martell_n the_o word_n in_o english_a be_v these_o i_o wonder_v to_o hear_v that_o some_o be_v find_v in_o england_n that_o be_v altogether_o averse_a from_o any_o set_a form_n of_o liturgy_n to_o be_v observe_v general_o one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o all_o the_o kingdom_n among_o we_o it_o be_v not_o where_o permit_v to_o reject_v the_o use_n of_o the_o liturgy_n which_o be_v make_v by_o calvin_n etc._n etc._n indeed_o for_o calvin_n liturgy_n we_o leave_v it_o to_o those_o that_o like_v it_o but_o his_o reason_n for_o a_o liturgy_n be_v so_o bind_v that_o i_o know_v not_o what_o can_v be_v allege_v more_o convince_a these_o be_v his_o word_n in_o our_o tongue_n which_o he_o write_v in_o a_o latin_a epistle_n to_o the_o protector_n of_o england_n in_o king_n edward_n the_o six_o his_o day_n as_o touch_v the_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n i_o approve_v very_o much_o that_o it_o be_v set_a and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o the_o minister_n to_o recede_v from_o it_o in_o their_o function_n as_o well_o to_o help_v the_o simplicity_n and_o unskilfulness_n of_o some_o as_o that_o the_o uniformity_n of_o all_o the_o several_a congregation_n may_v appear_v and_o final_o that_o the_o desultory_n and_o capricious_a lightness_n of_o such_o as_o affect_v novelty_n may_v be_v encounter_v and_o stop_v 2._o the_o gentleman_n second_o querie_n be_v whether_o the_o injunction_n of_o that_o worship_n to_o the_o exclusion_n of_o all_o else_o unless_o that_o be_v use_v be_v not_o to_o make_v it_o a_o essential_a part_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o a_o add_v to_o god_n word_n forbid_v in_o deuteronomy_n and_o the_o revelation_n to_o preach_v god_n word_n and_o dispense_v his_o sacrament_n to_o make_v prayer_n supplication_n and_o give_v thanks_o for_o all_o man_n be_v essential_a part_n of_o god_n worship_n but_o to_o perform_v these_o duty_n after_o such_o a_o manner_n at_o such_o form_n of_o word_n and_o with_o such_o vestment_n be_v but_o circumstantial_o leave_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n by_o that_o general_a rule_n of_o st._n paul_n 1_o cor._n 14.10_o let_v all_o thing_n be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n i_o will_v fain_o see_v this_o or_o any_o other_o person_n pretend_v the_o plea_n here_o allege_v undertake_v the_o performance_n of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o such_o a_o scripturall_a manner_n that_o may_v secure_v he_o against_o as_o strong_a exception_n nay_o far_o strong_a than_o be_v here_o make_v against_o the_o public_a liturgy_n 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themselves_o until_o they_o can_v act_v upon_o the_o warranty_n of_o that_o word_n which_o they_o say_v give_v no_o allowance_n to_o we_o but_o let_v we_o hear_v how_o the_o service_n of_o god_n must_v be_v carry_v on_o when_o the_o congregation_n be_v meet_v although_o the_o common_a prayer_n may_v not_o be_v use_v perhaps_o because_o a_o form_n perhaps_o because_o command_v yet_o i_o suppose_v the_o querist_n will_v pray_v after_o his_o own_o fashion_n if_o the_o service_n be_v a_o form_n such_o will_v be_v his_o to_o those_o that_o be_v to_o join_v with_o he_o and_o if_o it_o be_v urge_v that_o by_o the_o contrivance_n of_o his_o form_n his_o gift_n be_v exercise_v may_v i_o not_o reply_v that_o these_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o prayer_n authorize_v by_o our_o governor_n the_o church_n forbid_v no_o man_n the_o employment_n of_o his_o talent_n at_o their_o ordination_n all_o minister_n be_v very_o powerfu_o exhort_v thereunto_o but_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a 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she_o recommend_v her_o proceed_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o every_o man_n conscience_n and_o have_v receive_v no_o censure_n from_o any_o church_n since_o the_o reformation_n nay_o so_o far_o be_v she_o from_o incur_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o her_o sister_n that_o they_o rather_o emulate_v her_o beauty_n we_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o reform_a church_n which_o follow_v the_o confession_n of_o augsburg_n have_v the_o very_a same_o both_o government_n and_o worship_n in_o every_o particular_a that_o we_o have_v nay_o they_o go_v far_o beyond_o we_o in_o many_o thing_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n which_o our_o church_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o lay_v aside_o and_o yet_o by_o a_o nationall_n assembly_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n of_o france_n hold_v at_o charenton_n anno_fw-la 1631._o be_v quit_v from_o the_o charge_n either_o of_o idolatry_n or_o superstition_n in_o their_o public_a worship_n see_v durel_n pag._n 4._o so_o that_o if_o the_o querist_n by_o his_o former_a 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