speech and deceit to be their wound and stripe c. Was not this a brave resolution a pious petition to tell a lye for God We forbear more instances because we delight not to scrape in such Dung-hills We have done with the Kalendar II. Of the RUBRICKS RVbricks are Directions given in the Common-Prayer-Book how to officiate and read the said Book in the several parts thereof And they are called Rubricks because anciently printed in Red Letters and are as much established by Law as any other part of the Book of Common-Prayer it self I shall instance onely in some of them not medling with those before noted in the inserted Paper of Differences 1. There are many Rubricks wherein the Minister is called Priest which is the old Stile and Title in the Mass-Book from whence it was taken We never finde it in the New Testament but onely in the Old which Title was then given to such of the Levites as were made Priests to sacrifice at the Altar And thence the Papists borrowed that name for their Popish Sacrificers at their Altars It is now then a meer Superstitious and Antichristian Name no way warranted by the Word of God in the Pontifician Sense yet is it used above fifty times in our Liturgy It is true one seeks to excuse it by saying Use hath made this so Popular as it is not safe to remove it yet confesseth it may be altered without prejudice to Religion But why may not the Word Priest be taken away and the word Minister put in the room The Name of Minister is not unknown yea it is as often used in the Rubricks of the same Book as the name Priest Therefore it may without the least danger or offence be wholly obliterated Hence it is that in the Scots Liturgy it is wholly omitted and Presbyter put into the room thereof Whereas this is a more strange and unknown name being borrowed from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which was never used to signifie a Priest but an Elder and thence borrowed to denote a Minister as all the Learned know and none but Papists use the word Priest unless Scoffers at Ministers whom in scorn and derision they call and nick-name Priests 2. In the fifth Rubrick of the Order for reading of the holy Scripture it is said That the Collect Epistle and Gospel appointed for the Sunday shall serve all the week after except there fall some Feast that hath his proper By vertue of this these in Cathedrals were read every day albeit they had no Communions But another Rubrick prefixed to the Epistles and Gospels runs thus The Collects Epistles and Gospels to be used at the celebration of the Lords Supper and holy Communion throughout the year These therefore were never intended to be read but when there is the Sacrament of the Lords Supper administred This was anciently administred every day in the Church of England and so to be used still at least in Cathedrals as appears by the Rubrick after the first Exhortation at the Communion If then upon any reasonable cause there be no Communion there ought at that time to be no Epistle and Gospel read If there be any read it is without warrant So that these two Rubricks fight and which to follow is uncertain And indeed they are both but blind guides that lead into the ditch and make a man obnoxious to the Law 3. The Rubrick before the general Confession at the Communion runs thus Then shall this general Confession be made in the name of all those that are to receive the holy Communion either by one of them or else by one of the Ministers This gives liberty to Lay or private men to officiate in part at least as to this Confession which is a branch of the Office peculiar to the Minister to be the mouth of the people unto God in Prayer especially in the Administration of the Sacraments in the Congregation What is this but to admit a private person to assist and bear a share in administring the Lords Supper Is not this to hit against the 17 Article of Religion which declares it to be unlawful to any but such as be lawfully called and sent to wit Ministers duly ordained In all other parts of the Liturgy all Confessions and Prayers are expresly put upon the Minister alone at least to begin and lead the Congregation therein 4. In the Rubricks before the proper Prefaces at the Communion it is said that upon Christmas day and seven days after upon Easter-day and seven days after upon the Ascention-day and seven days after upon Whitson-day and six days after the same several Prefaces appointed for each of these solemn days shall be read as if every of the seven days following were one and the same with the first and what was done on the first day was done over again every one of the following days which yet was never done but once and but upon one day at all and perhaps upon neither of those days on which it is said there to be done But of this more when we come to speak of the Body of the Book 5. The last Rubrick after the Communion saith Note that every Parishioner shall communicate at the least three times in the year of which Easter to be one and shall also receive the Sacraments and other rites c. But the first Exhortation before the Communion to be used when the people are negligent to come unto it requireth the Minister to say unto the whole Congregation I bid you all that be here present and beseech you for the Lord Jesus Christs sake that ye will not refuse to come thereto being so lovingly called and bidden of God himself Yet the aforesaid Rubrick seems to dispense with Gods own Invitation How rightly let all sober men consider And if thrice communicating will suffice contrary to the Primitive Practise which was for all to Communicate at every solemn meeting why must Easter be one of the three times more then any other Lords Day seeing every Lords Day is celebrated upon the same account that that called easter-Easter-day is viz. in memory of the Resurrection of our Lord But where it is added in that Rubrick He shall also receive the Sacraments and other rites c. this is no other but non-sense or worse For what Sacraments else are there for a Communicant of the Lords Supper to receive Is Baptism to be reiterated are the Popish Sacraments to be recalled And if they were must every Parishioner receive them and that thrice a year And what are the Rites he must receive Be they Ceremonies Humane Inventions Superstitious antique Crossings duckings bowing to the Altar towards the East to Images c If so where are these or any of these enjoyned And if not enjoyned why must they be all received thrice a year or at all But of this more hereafter 6. The last Rubrick before the Catechism in order to Confirmation concludeth thus And that no man shall
to be believed for necessity of Salvation But the Statute doth require belief of every one of these Articles when it enjoyns not only subscription but an assent unto them punishing all with Deprivation that shall affirm and maintain any Doctrine repugnant to them which every man must do if they be found contrariant to the Word or he must be false to God 4. If subscription to these or any other Articles be still continued How can any just liberty be granted to tender Consciences But that they must swallow all that is enjoyned although beside yea contrary to the Word or be persecuted and ruined Thus much of the Doubtfulness of the Articles and of the inconvenience and mischief of subscribing them Which inconvenience and mischief will be greater if we should be tyed to those Articles alone though never so sound as shall now appear in the Defectiveness of them 2. The Articles are Defective Because 1. The sixth Article speaking of the Holy Scripture saith In the name of the holy Scripture we do understand those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament of whose Authority there was never any doubt in the Church Nevertheless albeit it enumerate the Canonical Books of the Old Testament yea and all the Apocrypha too yet it nameth not any of the New Testament but only concludeth thus All the Books of the New Testament as they are commonly received we do receive and account Canonical Now it being not unknown that there hath been doubts in the Church of some of them insomuch as the Epistle of St. James the second Epistle of St. Peter and several other books and passages in the New Testament have been not only doubted but refused the Article is defective in the not enumerating all the Books of the New Testament 2. There are no Articles for discovering and condemning sundry points of Popery in Doctrine which being first the Tenets of Arminius the first Protestant Writer that was not a professed Lutheran that ever openly maintained them are too commonly suckt in and cryed up by some as the Doctrine of the Church of England which since the Reformation never own'd them but are all maintained by Bellarmine and generally by all Franciscans and Jesuites but confuted by all approved Writers of the Protestant Reformed party that have written against Bellarmine and others of that crew as likewise by the learned Whitgift Whitaker Junius Zanchius Pareus Chamier Dr. Prideaux and many others The learned King James also took so much notice of and distaste at those Arminian-Popish Opinions touching Predestination abused universal Redemption universal Grace the manner of conversion and falling from grace that his Majesty was the chief procurer and promoter of the late Synode of Dort to which he sent Bishop Carlton Dr. Davenant Dr. Hall afterwards Bishops Dr. Goad and Dr. Balcanqual to assist in that Synode whose judgements touching all those points were given in to the said Council subscribed with their hands and afterwards printed and published Agreeable whereunto in the main hath the late Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster declared their judgements in the Confession of Faith afterwards ratified by both Houses of the late Long Parliment for which reason is that Assembly so much slighted reviled and opposed 3. Those Articles contain nothing of the Creation of Providence Fall of man of Sin of the Punishment of sin of Gods Covenants Effectual Calling Adoption Sanctification Faith Repentance Perseverance of the Law of God Christian liberty and Liberty of conscience Religious Worship of the Sabbath or Lords day of Marriage and Divorce the Communion of Saints Church-government and Discipline of the Resurrection or of the last Judgement all which the Scripture teacheth and that as necessary as appears by the comprizing most of them in the Apostles Creed and therefore necessary to be explained and held forth unto all as the Doctrine of this Church especially considering the differences and Controversies about many of them Upon this reason it was that the late Assembly of Divines have taken so much pains to compose several Articles which they call Chapters wherein both those of the 39 Articles which are held to be indeed fit to be retained are more fully cleared and explained and the rest added with pertinent proofs of Scripture to make it manifest that they are all evidently grounded upon the Word of God But all proofs are wanting in the 39 Articles no text of Scripture being produced to make cut any one of them II. Of WORSHIP THe Form of Publick Worship in England except Preaching is set down in the Liturgy or Book of Common-Prayer established by Law in 1 Eliz. 2. intituled An Act for the Vniformity of Common-Prayer and Service in the Church and the Administration of the Sacraments This Act repealeth another made in 1 Mar. 2. which had repealed a former Statute made in 5.6 Edw. 6. for the Vniformity of Common-Prayer c. and re-established that Common-Prayer-Book which the said last mentioned Act of Edw. 6. had ratified and confirmed But yet the Act of 1 Eliz. which authorizeth and enjoyneth the use of that Book of 5.6 Edw. 6. doth it with allowance of one alteration or addition of certain Lessons to be used on every Sunday in the year and the form of the Letany altered and corrected and two sentences onely added in the delivery of the Sacrament to the Communicants but none other or otherwise Now it is here to be observed that in the Act of 5.6 Edw. 6. for confirming that Book it is said that The Kings most Excellent Majesty with th' assent of the Lords and Commons in that Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same had caused the aforesaid Order of common service intituled The Book of Common-Prayer to be faithfully and godly perused explained and made fully perfect and by the foresaid Authority annexed and enjoyned it so explained and perfected to that present Statute So that the same was enrolled together with the Act it self Which being repealed by Queen Mary the Original Book was taken off from the Parliament-Roll and so lost But in the Act of 1 Eliz. 2. there is no mention at all of joyning the Book then revived and re-confirmed to the said Act nor doth it appear that ever it was again enrolled whereby by having recourse to any Record or Parliament-Roll it may be proved that that Book of Common-Prayer printed in the year 1559. the first of Qâ—een Eliz. is confirmed by Law or that any man is bound to use it as the onely form now established by Parliament or to be punished for not using it at all And albeit the Act of 1 Eliz. Quere therefore whether he that either useth them not or useth other be punishaable taketh notice of some alterations above mentioned to be made in the Book then ratified yet it doth not name nor express what those alterations were So that all men are lest in a blind touching the same if put to prove that those
alterations now found in the printed Common-Prayer Books are the very same which the last mentioned Act intended to allow and confirm Howbeit that we may go so far as we can herein take notice that by-comparing the Book printed in 5 6 Edw. 6. with that which was printed in 1 Eliz. the alterations therein found which are onely hinted in the Stat. of 1 Eliz. 2. are these 1. As touching Proper Lessons The Kalendar of 5.6 Edw. 6. appointed no Proper Lessons for Sundays except for Easter-day Whitsunday and Trinity Sunday but onely for Holy-Days The Lessons for all other Sundays were onely set down in the Kalendar in ordinary course of reading the rest of the Bible upon that and other days of the week in a continued way of reading all But the Book in 1 Eliz. in the Kalendar of Proper Lessons hath it thus Proper Lessons to be read for the first Lessons both at morning Prayer and evening Prayer on the Sundays throughout the year and for some also the second Lessons Then it after adds Lessons proper for Holy Days All which proper Lessons were appointed in 1 Eliz. to take place of all Chapters which in ordinary course of reading according to the day of each moneth had been before ordered in the Kalendar to be read without respect to either Sunday or Holy-Day but onely to the day of the moneth in course What alterations have been made either in that Book printed An. 1559. 1 Eliz. of other proper Lessons not warranted by the Act of 1 Eliz. 2. namely of such as were before appointed for Holy-days c. or that have been made since shall be afterwards shewed 2. As touching the Letany there is no material alteration in that save onely this that whereas both the Books of 2 Edw. 6. ran thus From all sedition and privy conspiracy from the tyranny of the Bishop of Rome and all his detestable Enormities from all false Doctrine and Heresie c. those words touching the tyranny of the Bishop of Rome and all his detestable Enormities are lest out in 1 Eliz. 2. and ever sithence 3. In the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the words used at the delivery of the bread and wine ran thus Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ dyed for thee and feed on him in thine heart by faith with thanksgiving but in the Book of 1 Eliz. and in all since the words are these The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life take and eat this in remembrance that Christ dyed for thee and feed on him in thine heart by faith with thanksgiving The words at giving the Cup in 5.6 Edw. 6. were these Drink this in remembrance Christs blood was shed for thee and be thankful But in 1 Eliz. and since the words are The Blood of our Jesus Christ which was shed for thee preserve thy Body and Soul into everlasting life drink this in remembrance Christs Blood was shed for thee and be thankful Now it is to be noted that whereas onely the two former Clauses which run in the forms of Prayers were in the Book of 2. Edw. 6. and the two latter Clauses onely are in the Book of 5.6 Edw. 6. as here above shewed that Book of 1. Eliz. takes in and joyns them both together If these be not the alterations to which the Act of 1 Eliz. referreth it will be very difficult if not impossible to find what they were Now having thus prepared the way to speak to the necessity of Reformation in Worship it is desired that all Readers of this Piece will take notice that there was lately printed in one sheet of Paper some of the Differences and alterations in the present Common-Prayer-Book from that which was established by Law in 5.6 Edw. 6. and in 1 Eliz. or at least supposed so to be which is but a Specimen or short hint of what is here intended to be set forth more largely and fully and that in the same Order and Method which is there propounded none of those printed Papers being now left it is thought fit to reprint and insert that sheet with some few Revisals in this larger Tract which shall now follow in the next place And then after that we shall add what shall be necessary for making out more fully the necessity of reforming the whole Liturgy not by way of reducing so much as of new moulding the whole Some of the DIFFERENCES and ALTERATIONS In the present Common-Prayer-Book FROM The Book established by Law in quinto sexto Edw. 6. and 1 Eliz. The KALENDAR THere are sundry Saints days although in black Letters not found in the Books of 5.6 Edw. 6. or 1. Eliz. to the number of 50. and moe Which however it may seem a small matter yet Time may turn them into Red Letters and so claim observance of them For Dr. Cousens in his Kalendar which he calls the Kalendar of the Church in his Book of Devotion hath put one of them already viz. St. Barnabies Day into Red. But however the Epistle and Gospel for that day and for the Conversion of St. Paul be extant in the Service-Book and in the Liturgy printed for Scotland An. 1637. both these are put into Red and enjoyned to be observed yet in 2. Edw. 6. and in 5.6 Edw. 6. those days were expunged out of the Catalogue of Holy Days On Aug. 7. The Name of Jesus is put in for an old Holy-day which however used in times of Popery but under a more gentle Title a a Fest Jesu yet even in 2. as well as in 5.6 Edw. 6. and 1 Eliz. it was expelled Howbeit Dr. Cousens in his forementioned Devotions hath already set down proper Lessons for that day viz. Mat. 1. and Philip. 2. which shews how desirous some are to keep an Holy-day to a Name The Order for Proper Lessons On Whitsunday 1. Eliz. the first Lesson at Even Prayer was Deut. 18. now that is thrust out and Wisd 1. crept into the room And if we look into the Lessons for Holy-days we shall find many Chapters of the Canonical Scripture laid aside and Apochyphal Chapters ordered to be read See some instances in the Margent at the Letter c c Old Kalendar The New Jan. 25. Gen. 46. Wisd 5. Jan. 25. Gen. 47. Wisd 6. Feb. 2. Exod. 12. Wisd 9. Feb. 2. Exod 13. Wisd 12. Feb. 2â— Numb 33. Wisd 19. Jun. 29. Job 31. Ecclus. 15. Jun. 29. Job 32. Ecclus 19. Jul. 25. Eccles 10. Ecclus. 21. Jul. 25. Eccles 11. Ecclus. 23. Aug. 24. Ezek 3. Ecclus. 25. Aug. 24. Ezek 6. Ecclus. 29. Sep. 21. Mic. 7. Ecclus 35. Sep. 21. Naum. 1. Ecclus 38. Sept. 29. Zach 7. Ecclus. 39. Sept. 29. Zach 8. Ecclus. 44. Octob. 18. Judg. 14. Ecclus. â—1 Dec. 28. Isa 60. Wisd 1. There are sundry other Lessons altered which I here omit It is true the Stat. of 1. Eliz. alloweth one alteration or addition
of certain Lessons to be used on every Sunday in the year but after mention of some by name it addeth And none other or otherwise Also in the present Kalendars there are four Chapters of Joshua left out that were in the Kalendars of 5. and 6. Edw. 6. And on Octob. 13. Judith 15.16 are appointed now to be read which was not so in 5.6 Edw. 6. This deserves consideration seeing so many Canonical Chapters of use are not at all appointed to be read in publick The RUBRICKS The first Page of the present Books appoint Ministers to use such Ornaments as were of use in 2. Edw. 6. not declaring what they be The Book of 2. Edw. 6. enjoyned onely a surâ—lis in Parish Churches and Chappels See last page of that Book where are notes for explanation So also in Rubr. before Morn Prayer 5 6. Edw. 6. The Book established in 5.6 Edw. 6. names a Surplice onely The Book of Canons Can. 58. enjoyneth other Ornaments Hereby some Ministers must break that Canon or the present Rubrick which the 14th Canon requireth all to observe So that the 14th Canon and the 58th contradict each other And neither those Canons nor that Rubrick nor this Book are established by Law After the Communion there are in all Service-Books of 5.6 Edw. 6. seven Rubricks Which number remaineth but the Third is divided into two and the fourth wholly lost In which fourth the Compilers had solidly and excellently declared in what sense they intended Kneeling at the Communion The loss whereof hath occasioned much stumbling and offence yea much trouble and persecution That Rubrick was this Although no Order can be so perfectly devised but it may be of some either for their Ignorance and Infirmity or else of Malice and Obstinacy misconstrued depraved or interpreted in a wrong part yet because brotherly Charity willeth that so much as conveniently may be Offences should be taken away therefore we willing to do the same Whereas it is Ordained in the Book of Common-Prayer in the Administration of the Lords Supper that the Communicants kneeling should receive the Holy Communion which thing being well meant for a signification of the humble and grateful acknowledging of the benefits of Christ given unto the Worthy Receiver and to avoid the profanation and disorder which about the holy Communion might else ensue Lest yet the same kneeling might be thought or taken otherwise we do declare that it is not meant thereby that any Adoration is done or ought to be done either unto the Sacramental Bread Wine there bodily received nor unto any real and essential Presence there being of Christs natural flesh and blood For as concerning the Sacramental Bread and Wine they remain still in their very natural Substances and therefore may not be adored for that were Idolatry to be abhorred of all faithful Christians And as concerning the natural Body and Bloud of our Saviour Christ they are in Heaven and not here for it is contrary to the truth of Christs true natural Body to be in moe places than one at one time The Body of the Book it self There is a whole Prayer now left out at the end of the Letany which was extant in the Books of 5.6 Edw. 6. to be used in times of Dearth or Famine which was this O God merciful Father which in the time of Heliseus the Prophet didst suddenly turn in Samaria great scarcity and dearth into plenty and cheapness and extream famine into abundance of victual have pity upon us that now be punished for our sins with like adversity Encrease the fruits of the Earth by thy heavenly benedi ction and grant that we receiving thy bountifvl liberality may use the same to thy glory our comfort and relief of our needy Neighbours through Jesu Christ our Lord Amen Moreover there are sundry Prayers some before some in King James his time put into the present Leiturgy as also some things into the Catechism which are not confirmed by Parliament Which Additions although useful being not legally ratified hath imboldened some to make alterations at their pleasure For instance The Prayer for the Queen and Royal Family before the year 1627. began thus Almighty God which hast promised to be a Father of thine elect and of their seed but now thus Almighty God the fountain of all goodness Which change was a great Presumption and may seem to imply an exclusion of the Royal Stem out of the number of Gods Elect. This alteration was first made in the Books appointed to be used about that time at publick Fasts and thence was stollen into the Book of Common-Prayer Of which no reason can be discovered unless this that the word Elect distasted the favourers of Popish Arminianism Likewise the reading Psalms now thrust into the Common Prayer Books pretended to be established by Law were no part thereof in 5.6 Edw. or in 1. Eliz. For neither of the Books then printed in Folio for publick use in Churches had the Psalms in them but only a direction what Psalms should every day be read which were accordingly read out of the Bibles then used in Churches It is therefore very hard and unreasonable to continue that Translation and to enjoyn and tye men to read out those abused Psalms as now they stand in that Book And it is a great wrong to the people that Version being very defective and corrupt Take some instances wherein that differs from the Kings last authorized Translation now only allowed to be read in Churches as also from the Original it self Psal 28.9 The Lord is my strength In the new thus Old Transt The Lord is their strength ver 8. 37.38 Keep innocency and take heed to the thing that is right In the new Mark the perfect man and behold the just ver 37. 58.8 So let indignation vex them as a thing that is raw In the new He taketh them away as with a whirlewind both living and in his wrath ver 9. 68.6 Maketh men to be of one mind in an house In the new Setteth the solitary in families 105.28 They were not obedient In the new They rebelled not against his word * * Let which of those by Fuller or Dr. Prideaux be thought the better yet while they both stand they cause scandal 107.40 Though he suffer them to be evil intreated In the new He poureth contempt upon Princes 125.3 The rod of the wicked cometh not In the new the rod of the wicked resteth not upon the lot of the righteous In Psal 14. there are three whole Verses which are not in the Original nor in the revised Translation nor in the Greek 72. but only in the Popish vulgar Bibles To excuse it by saying All those Verses are found together in Rom. 3. is a fig-leaf For the Apostle never meant to produce all those words as taken out of one place but only to collect out of several Texts of the Old Testament sundry testimonies to prove all men
think that any detriment shall come to children by deferring of their Confirmation he shall know for truth that it is certain by Gods Word that children being baptized have all things necessary for their salvation and be undoubtedly saved Where is that Word of God This cannot be understood of Children after Baptism dying in Infancy for it speaks of such as are capable of Confirmation and of Confirmation deferred This supposeth their living a good while after Baptism even till they come to some understanding and are able to give some good account of the Catechism else can they not be admitted to Confirmation as appears by the first Rubrick before Confirmation before which time they may be guilty of many actual sins every of which without true repentance makes lyable to Condemnation So that this Rubrick gives to Children once baptised more assurance of their undoubted salvation than ever God hath given them For if they be baptised let them live or die be godly or wicked they must know for truth that it is certain but not by Gods Word they not onely have all things on Gods part necessary to salvation but are undoubtedly saved Is this a truth 7. The Rubrick after Matrimony saith The new-married persons the same day of their marriage MVST receive the holy Communion Who do so what necessity of so doing And if they do not so who shall be punished for their omission The Minister if any body because he is bound to do all things according to the Book if established and not otherwise And if the marryed Persons will not receive what can the Minister do As for the marryed persons they by the Rubrick before mentioned are not bound to receive above thrice in one year which if they do they need not receive on their marriage-day 8. In the last Rubrick after Communion of the sick it is said In the time of the Plague Sweat or such other like contagious times of Sicknesses or Diseases when none of the Parish or Neighbours can be gotten to communicate with the sick in their Houses for fear of the Infection upon special request of the diseased the Minister may onely communicate with him By this the Minister is bound not onely to visit every person sick of the Plague c. standing at some distance but to administer the Lords Supper also to him if he desire it and that alone if none else will joyn as it is not to be expected they should This is no way agreeable to Christianity or common Humanity Not to Christianity for first the very nature of the Sacrament requires a publick Administration because there must be a Communion of more then two persons in the receiving of it This appears plainly by several other Rubricks of the same Book For 1. in the first Rubrick after the publick Communion it is ordered that if there be not above twenty persons in the Parish of discretion to receive the Communion yet there shall be no Communion except four or three at the least communicate with the Priest If it be said this is the Order for Publick Communions but it concerns not Private Communions of the sick it is answered 1. that it appears not by the Word that there is any warrant much less necessity for such private Communions for the first Rubrick after Communion of the sick directeth the Minister thus If a man either by extremity of sickness or for want of warning in due time to the Curate or for lack of company to receive with him or by any other just impediment do not receive the Sacrament of Christs Body and Blood then the Curate shall instruct him that if he do truly repent of his sins and stedfastly believe that Jesus Christ hath suffered death upon the Cross for him and shed his Blood for his Redemption earnestly remembring the benefits he hath thereby and giving him hearty thanks therefore without all which what good will be get by receiving the Sacrament he doth eat and drink the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ profitably to his souls health although he do not receive the Sacrament with his mouth 2. In the Rubrick before the Communion of the sick this Order is given that the Curate having knowledge over night or early in the morning of the desire of the sick person to receive the Communion and being signified also how many be appointed to communicate with him and having a convenient place in the sick mans house where the Curate may reverently minister and a good number to receive the Communion with the sick person with all things necessary for the same he shall there minister the holy Communion Therefore by these Rubricks no Communion is to be ministred to the sick where there be but two to receive it Secondly This is also no way agreeable to Humanity Must a Minister who hath the charge of many souls adventure his health and life to gratifie an infectious person in that which as by what hath been before alledged is no way of necessity to the fick mans salvation Must the Minister do this or be punished with Deprivation or otherwise What cruelty is this Nay the very Canons of 1603. Can. 67. provided more mercifully then so which runs thus When any person is dangerously sick in any Parish the Minister or Curate having knowledge thereof shall resort to him or her if the Disease be not known or probably suspected to be infectious to instruct and comfort them c. Here is a Dispensation in case of the Plague or other infectious disease for so much as visiting the sick and no word at all of giving the Holy Communion So much shall at present suffice to be spoken of the Rubricks III. Of the Body of the Book 1. THe first words of it which the Minister is to read are these At what time soever a sinner doth repent him of his sin from the bottom of his heart I will put all his wickedness out of my remembrance saith the Lord. This is in the Rubrick before it called A sentence of Scripture and the place alledged is Ezek. 21.22 But that Text runs otherwise in the Original and in the new Translation of the Bible viz. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed and keep all my statutes and do that which is lawful right he shall surely live he shall not die All his transgressions that he hath committed they shall not be mentioned unto him in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live Here is little harmony between the Service-Book and Gods Book especially considering the very first words in the Liturgy At what time soever Which hath no warrant from that Text and is dissonant from another To day if ye will hear his voice c. and from that Application of it Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God but exhort one another dayly while it is called To
be used but onely at the celebration of the Lords Supper the setting up of Tapers of wax Candlesticks Basons and Ewres upon the high Altar and ducking to them every time a man comes into the Church or goes out or stirs while he is in it Whereas Cups Pots and Basons for Alms were never since 5. Edw. 6. to be set there but at the Communion nor then to be bowed unto though the Bread and Wine were on the Table The wearing of Hoods of degrees and many other such like devices all which were laid aside in 5.6 Edw. 6. as appears by the Rubricks and the Act for Uniformity in 1. Eliz. 2. compared together which allows nothing but what was in the Book of 5.6 Edw. 6. save onely the alterations mentioned in the said Act as hath been before shewed And however the Rubrick before the Book printed in 1. Eliz. directeth to use such Ornaments as were in use in 2. Edw. 6. yet that is no part of the Book established because the Book of 5.6 Edw. 6. hath no such Rubrick and the Act enjoyns all to be done according to that Book and none other or otherwise However afterwards another Statute of Q. Eliz. did so appoint Now the same Preface before the Common-prayer touching Ceremonies giveth all men to understand that the most weighty cause of the abolishing of certain Ceremonies was that they were so far abused partly by the Superstitious blindness of the rude and unlearned and partly by the unsatiable avarice of such as sought more their own luere then the glory of God that the abuses could not well be taken away the thing remaining still Upon which grounds there was a removal of them in 5.6 Edw. 6. For then was that Preface of Ceremonies first prefixed to the Book of Common-prayer But so great is the itch of mans corrupt nature after Humane inventions in Divine Worship and so natural are Popish Gue-gaws and outward pompous toyes that please the senses that many of these who had been laid aside as abovesaid in 5.6 Edw. 6. and that at the Conference at Hampton-court it was desired that those Ceremonies and Rites of the Cross in Baptism kneeling at the Communion the Surplice c. might be put away yet such was the violence of the prevailing party at that time that having obtained License under the Great Seal they in Convocation An. 1603. recalled sundry of those rejected Ceremonies again and enjoyned all Students in Colleges to wear Surplices in time of Divine service Can. 17. Copes by him that Ministreth the Sacrament Epistolers and Gospelers according to 7. Eliz. there being no such Statute nor Parliament in 7. Eliz. and sundry other things under colour whereof by degrees most of those things before cast out viz. bowing to the East and to the Altar with the rest before named were retroduced and now devoutly or rather superstitiously observed without any shew or colour of warrant but ancient custom which being duly examined will appear to all to be first used in the Popish Churches as too palpably appeareth by the Preface touching Ceremonies before alledged Yea those very men who are so much for these and not onely urge the 18th Canon of 1603. but the Queens Injunctions * 52 Injunct for bowing at the Name of Jesus which no Common-prayer-book or Statute hath enjoyned yet in other things regard not those Injunctions nor the Book of Homilies no nor the Act for Vniformity it self touching such Ceremonies as they have a mind to recal and advance witness their setting up Candles in Candlesticks on the High Altar as they call it and such like superstitions which the third Injunction of Eliz. reckons among those things which tend to Idolatry and Superstition which of all other offences God doth most detest and abhor They must have their Antiphonies Responds c. which the Preface to the Common-prayer-book tells us are laid aside c. Not content with this they must have all except Candles lighted that are upon the Popish Altars where Mass is used upon their high Altars yea piping on divers Instruments singing so as none can understand the matter but onely be tickled with the musick playing upon Organs c. all which were laid aside in Edw. 6. and even by the 2 Hom. of the Place and time of Prayer which is by vertue of Art 35. subscribed unto by every Minister in England that ever was admitted to any Ecclesiastical Promotion according to the Act of 13. Eliz. 12. are censured and declared openly to all to be displeasing unto God and sore and filthily to defile his holy House and Place of Prayer All which are here mentioned to shew how far they deviate and whither they are tending and posting amain who under colour of upholding and practising of the laudable Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England do recal and retroduce many Popish Rites cast out of this Church and despise all Laws and Constitutions made against them and are thereby lyable to Inditements every time they use them upon the Statute of 1 Eliz. 2. We shall forbear to insist longer upon this but leave it to others to judge what sad and dangerous effects these things if they be suffered and countenanced are likely to produce That which we chiefly aim at is to shew a necessity of reforming those Rites and Ceremonies contained in the Book of Common-Prayer or enjoyned by the Canons of 1603. Such are the Surplice Copes c. enjoyned to be used by Ministers the Cross in Baptism Kneeling at the Communion Marriage with the Ring Bowing at the Name of Jesus and such like imposed upon all as established by Law But such Establishment we do and must deny until we see a Record produced by which that Book now in use or printed in 1 Eliz. is by Act of Parliament ratified and confirmed For if either there be no Record of that to which an Act referreth or that there be more alterations in the Book said to be established than the Act mentioneth can that Book be properly said to be established by Law and not rather made void thereby In all other things nothing is admitted for Law or as being of force by Law but what is expresly contained in verbis in the Act it self especially if the Act refer to any thing to be confirmed by it of which no Record can be produced and which differs from ought else that is said to be ratified by it And this is the case of the present Liturgy which neither is Recorded nor agreeth with but hath sundry alterations from and additions to that of 5.6 Edw. 6. besides those hinted in the Act of 1 Eliz. 2. And if any Deed or Bond be rased or altered after sealing or if rased or altered before sealing and that not witnessed will such a Deed or Bond be admitted as good evidence at Law or in Equity if produced and pleaded We therefore cannot understand how the present Service-Book can be established by
de se quem industrium noverint Archidiaconum vocent Constat ergo APOSTOLICA INSTITUTIONE omnes Presbyteros esse Episcopos licet nunc illi majores hoc nomen obtineant Episcopus enim Superintendens dicitur omnis Presbyter debet intendere curam super oves sibi commissas For brevity sake we forbear to English this long allegation The sum of it is that in the Primitive Church Bishops and Presbyters were one in respect of Order however a Bishop chosen by the Presbytery were over them in respect of place and degree 4. Bishops being Consecrated have power by the Stat. of 5.6 Edw. 6. and 8. Eliz. 1. to Ordain both Deacons and Presbyters which the Book incongruously calleth Priests But whereas the Episcopal Party claimeth sole Ordination as if no Minister can be rightly Ordained who is not ordained by a Bishop and under this pretence many of the present Prelatical Party stick not to degrade and unordain such Ministers as are Ordained by Presbyters alone even where no Bishops are allowed to execute that Office and Schismatically to advise and perswade all to withdraw from all Assemblies and Ordinances as being no Ordinances of Christ where such Ministers as are ordained onely by the Presbytery without a Bishop do administer We must give this Answer 1. That there is no Scripture that appropriateth this to Bishops alone 2. There are several warrants in the New Testament to justifie the laying on of hands without a Bishop in their sense When Barnabas and Saul after called Paul were to be sent out to preach the Holy Ghost commanded to separate them for that Work whereupon Simeon sur-named Niger Lucius of Cyrene and Manaen not one of them a Bishop in our Prelatical Advocates sense laid hands on them and sent them forth Acts 13. Thus Timothee was ordained by the laying on of hands of the Presbytery 1 Tim. 4.14 This made him a preaching Presbyter and Bishop although the laying on of Pauls hands made him an Evangelist 2 Tim. 1.6 3. The Book of Ordination it self though it appoint the Bishop to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the president and chief Actor yet it allows him not to act as in Confirmation of Children alone in the Ordaining of Presbyters or Priests But the Bishop with the Priests present shall lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth Orders So the Rubrick therefore no Bishop hath sole power of Ordination nor may he Ordain alone 4. That very Statute of 8. Eliz. 1. which ratifieth the Book of Ordination doth not tye all to that one Form as appears by the Stat. of 13. Eliz. 12. which saith thus Be it Enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament That every person under the degree of a Bishop which doth or shall pretend to be a Priest or Minister of Gods holy Word and Sacraments by reason of any other form of Institution Consecration or Ordering then the form set forth by Parliament in the time of the late King of most worthy memory King Edward the sixth or now used in the Reign of our most gracious Soveraign Lady before the Feast of the Nativity next coming shall in the presence of the Bishop Subscribe to all the Articles of Religion c. Therefore the Law intended not to tye all to the form of Ordination by Bishops but tyeth Bishops to give them Institution if they subscribe the Articles and be otherwise qualified as that Act prescribeth 5. This is to un-Church all the Protestant Churches in Christendom where there are no Bishops and to deny them Communion with the Church of England which hitherto hath owned them and held Communion with them as true Churches of Christ Now in sew words we must a little take notice of the necessity of Reforming that Book it self 1. In the Preface For where that saith It is evident unto all men diligently reading the holy Scripture and ancient Authors that from the Apostles time there hath been these Orders of Ministers in Christs Church Bishops Priests and Deacons it hath been shewed before that however we read of Bishops Presbyters or Elders and Deacons these are not three distinct Orders of the Ministry for that Bishops and Presbyters are of the same Order Nor are Presbyters Priests there being no such name in the New Testament nor any such Office in the Ministry of the Gospel Now seeing this Preface is so much made use of and wrested to prove an untruth touching the distinction of Orders and gives such a name to Ministers as argues them to be Sacerdotes Sacrificuli sacrificing Priests which is not so but repugnant to their Office it ought to be reformed 2. In the Ordering of Deacons the Bishop alone is to lay on hands whereas it is not so to be done in the Ordering of Priests as they are nick-named or Consecration of Bishops And this also is contrary to the practice of the Apostles themselves expressed in that very Scripture Act. 6. appointed to be one of the Epistles to be read at that time where after choosing the seven Deacons it is said These they set before the Apostles and when they bad prayed THEY not one of them laid their hands on them Now seeing this was so and that at every Ordination of Deacons other Ministers beside the Bishop are present and seeing further it is said in the third Prayer then used after the Letany that God did inspire his Apostles to chuse to this Order St. Stephen with other which directly crosseth the Text which saith The whole multitude chose them and that by order from the Apostles Why should such a practice be continued by a single Bishop so contrary to that of the Apostles themselves and every other Ordination in our own Church 3. In the Ordering of Priests We say as before that Title or name of Priest ought to be changed for the Reasons abovesaid But that which most offendeth is that in the very act of Ordaining the Bishop takes upon him to give that which none but God himself hath power to bestow where it saith Receive the Holy Ghost c. which be the words of Christ himself to his Apostles without any warrant from him to be used by Bishops or any others For however Ordination be necessary yet there can be no reason that a Bishop or other persons should in this assume more in officiating then in all other Ministrations where the words of Institution in Baptisin in the administring the Lords Supper c. are first rehearsed and then at the act of ministring a Prayer is used not a Magisterial use of the very words of Christ himself in the first institution as is obvious to all This therefore savors of presumption not to be admitted in so holy an action especially where a Bishop shall as by report some now do take upon him to breathe upon the person he ordaineth as Christ did upon his Apostles Moreover it being now claimed as peculiar to Episcopacy as a distinct