Selected quad for the lemma: prayer_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
prayer_n	book_n	common_a	prescribe_v	2,784	5	9.6616	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61586	Proposals tender'd to the consideration of both Houses of Parliament for uniting the Protestant interest for the present, and preventing divisions for the future together with the declaration of K. Charles II, concerning ecclesiastical affairs, and some proposals of terms of union between the Church of England and dissenters / long since published by the Reverend Dean of S. Pauls.	Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.; Charles II, King of England, 1630-1685.; England and Wales. Sovereign (1660-1685 : Charles II). Declaration to all his loving subjects of his kingdom of England and dominion of Wales concerning ecclesiastical affairs.	1689 (1689)	Wing S5621; ESTC R8098	25,861	37

promise of the Use of it may not be sufficient in stead of the late Form of declaring their Assent and Consent which hath been so much scrupled by our Brethren These are all the things which appear to me reasonable to be allowed in order to an Union and which I suppose may be granted without detriment or dishonour to our Church There are other things very desirable towards the happiness and flourishing of this Church as the exercise of Discipline in Parochial Churches in a due subordination to the Bishop the Reforming the Ecclesiastical Courts as to Excommunication without prejudice to the excellent Profession of the Civil Law the Building of more Churches in great Parishes especially about the City of London the retrenching Pluralities the strictness and solemnity of Ordinations the making a Book of Canons suitable to this Age for the better Regulating the Conversations of the Clergy Such things as these might facilitate our Union and make our Church in spight of all its Enemies become a Praise in the whole Earth A Specimen of a Bill for Vniting Protestants being a rough Draught of such Terms as seem equal for the Conformist to grant and the Non-conformist to yield to for Peace sake Provided a good while and Published on purpose only for the farther better and more easie Consideration of the Parliament WHereas there are many Jealousies risen about Popery which makes it even necessary to the peace of the Nation that the Protestant Interest be united and strengthened by all Good and Lawful Means And to this end there being this one proper Expedient to wit The removing the Occasion of Divisions which several persons do find to themselves in those late Injunctions which yet were intended to the same purpose of Concord in the Nation Be it Enacted That an Explanation of these Impositions and such Alleviations be allowed to the tenderly Considerate and peaceably Scrupulous as follow In the Act of Uniformity By the Declaration of Assent and Consent to all things and every Thing contained in and prescribed by the two Books of Common Prayer and of Ordering Priests and Deacons we understand not that these Books are in every Minute particular infallible or free from that Defect which is incident to all Human Composure But that they are in the main Contents to be sincerely approved and used And we do therefore allow this Declaration to be sufficient if it be made to the use of the Book in the Ordinary Constant Lords-Days-Service notwithstanding any Exceptions some may have against some Things in the By-Offices and Occasional Service the Rubrick and otherwise And for the Ceremonies which are made and have been always and on all hands held to be only indifferent Things we think fit that they be left to the Consciences and prudence of Ministers and People every where excepting the Cathedrals to use them or forbear them as they judge it most meet for their own and others Edification provided that if any person will have his Child Baptized with the Sign of the Cross or stands upon any thing else hitherto required by the Service-Book if the Minister himself scruple the performance he shall permit another to do it In the same Act By those Words in the Subscription that It is not lawful to take Arms against the King upon any Pretence whatsoever we intend no new or strange Thing but the Rightful Maintenance only of the King's Authority against Rebellion according to the common determination of Learned Writers in the Case of Subjection to Princes By the Words I abhor the Position of taking Arms by the Authority of the King against any Commissionated by Him we never thought of advancing the Arbitrary Commissions of the King above Law but by those Commissionated by Him we understand such as are Legally Commissionated and in the Legal pursuit of such Commissions By the Clause which follows that requires a Renunciation of all Endeavour of any Alteration of Government in the Church or State we never meant to deny any Free-born Subject his Right of Choosing Parliament-Men or Acting in in his place for the Common Good any way according to Law but that he shall Renounce all such Endeavour as is Seditious or not warranted by the Constitution of the Nation and particularly such an Endeavour as was Assumed in the late Times without and against the Consent of the King And for the rest of the Subscription which is enjoyned but to the Year 1682. Be it Enacted that it cease presently and be no longer enjoyned And forasmuch as there is an Oath prescribed and required of all Non-conformists Preachers that reside in any Corporate Town by a certain Act of the former Parliament made at Oxford in the 17 th Year of His now Majesties Reign Entituled An Act for restraining Non-conformists from inhabiting Corporations We do further declare That it shall suffice any Man for the Enjoyment of his Free born Liberty of Inhabiting where he thinks best and serve him also instead of the fore-mentioned Subscription to take that Oath in this form of Words following I A. B. do swear That I hold it unlawful upon any pretence to take Arms against the King His Government or Laws And that I disclaim that dangerous Position of taking Arms by his Authority against his Person or any Legally Commissionated by him in the Legal pursuit of such Commissions And that I will not endeavour any Alteration of Government in the Church or State in any way or manner not warrantted by the Constitution of the Kingdom or any otherwise than by Act of Parliament And as soon as any Man has taken the Oath thus he shall be discharged of all penalty for his omission before We do Declare moreover That whereas it is required also in the Act of Uniformity that every Minister who injoys any Living or Ecclesiastical preferment shall be Ordained by a Bishop and there are several persons of late who in case of Necessity for want of Bishops took Presbyterian-Orders Our meaning is not in any wise to disgust the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas and make it necessary for such to be Re-ordained to the Office but that they receive this Second imposition of Hands to the Exercise of their Office in the new charge unto which they are or shall be called and that the Bishop shall frame his words accordingly And whereas there is a Subscription also in the Canons and the Canonical-Oath of Obedience imposed on most Ministers by the Bishops that have given some of the greatest Occasion to Non-conformity heretofore which yet never passed into Law by any Act of Parliament We do further Declare That nothing more of that kind shall be required of Ministers hence forward than was made and held necessary by the Act of the Thirteenth of Elizabeth And in regard there hath been great Offence taken by Conscientious Ministers at the Bishops or their Courts commanding them to read the Sentence of Excommunication against some or other of their Parish

present at such Elections shall be always advising and assisting together with those of the Chapter in all Ordinations and in every part of Jurisdiction which appertains to the Censures of the Church and at all other solemn and important Actions in the exercise of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction wherein any of the Ministry are concerned Provided that at all such Meetings the number of the Ministers so elected and those present of the Chapter shall be equal and not exceed one the other and that to make the numbers equal the Juniors of the exceeding number be withdrawn that the most ancient may take place nor shall any Suffragan Bishop ordain or exercise the fore-mentioned Offices and acts of Spiritual Jurisdiction but with the advice and assistance of a sufficient number of the most judicious and pious Presbyters annually chosen as aforesaid within his Precincts And Our Will is that the great work of Ordination be constantly and solemnly performed by the Bishop and his aforesaid Presbytery at the four set times and seasons appointed by the Church for that purpose 5. We will take care that Confirmation be rightly and solemnly performed by the Information and with the Consent of the Minister of the place who shall admit none to the Lord's Supper till they have made a credible Profession of their Faith and promised Obedience to the Will of God according as is expressed in the Considerations of the Rubrick before the Catechism And that all possible diligence be used for the Instruction and Reformation of scandalous Offenders whom the Minister shall not suffer to partake of the Lord's Table until they have openly declared themselves to have truly repented and amended their former naughty Lives as is partly exprest in the Rubrick and more fully in the Canons Provided there be place for due Appeals to Superiour Powers But besides the Suffragans and their Presbytery every Rural Dean those Deans as heretofore to be nominated by the Bishop of the Diocess together with three or four Ministers of that Deanery chosen by the major part of all the Ministers within the same shall meet once in every Month to receive such Complaints as shall be presented to them by the Ministers or Church-Wardens of the respective Parishes and also to compose all such differences betwixt Party and Party as shall be referred unto them by way of Arbitration and to convince Offenders and reform all such things as they find amiss by their Pastoral Reproofs and Admonitions if they may be so Reformed And such Matters as they cannot by this Pastoral and Perswasive way compose and reform are by them to be prepared for and presented to the Bishop at which Meeting any other Ministers of that Deanery may if they please be present and assist Moreover the Rural Dean and his Assistants are in their respective Divisions to see that the Children and younger sort be carefully instructed by the respective Ministers of every Parish in the Grounds of Christian Religon and be able to give a good account of their Faith and Knowledge and also of their Christian Conversation conformable thereunto before they be confirmed by the Bishop or admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper 6. No Bishop shall exercise any Arbitrary Power or do or impose any thing upon the Clergy or the People but what is according to the known Law of the Land. 7. We are very glad to find that all with whom we have conferred do in their Judgments approve a Liturgy or set Form of Publick Worship to be Lawful which in Our Judgment for the preservation of Unity and Uniformity We conceive to be very necessary And though we do esteem the Liturgy of the Church of England conteined in the Book of Common Prayer and by Law established to be the best We have seen And We believe that We have seen all that are extant and used in this part of the World and well know what Reverence most of the Reformed Churches or at least the most Learned Men in those Churches have for it Yet since We find some exceptions made against several things therein We will appoint an equal number of Learned Divines of both Perswasions to re-view the same and to make such alterations as shall be thought most necessary and some additional Forms in the Scripture phrase as near as may be suited unto the nature of the several parts of Worship and that it be left to the Ministers choice to use one or other at his discretion In the mean time and till this be done although We do heartily wish and desire that the Ministers in their several Churches because they dislike some Clauses and Expressions would not totally lay aside the use of the Book of Common Prayer but read those parts against which there can be no exception which would be the best instance of declining those marks of Distinction which We so much labour and desire to remove Yet in Compassion to divers of Our good Subjects who scruple the use of it as now it is Our Will and Pleasure is that none be punished or troubled for not using it until it be reviewed and effectually Reformed as aforesaid 8. Lastly Concerning Ceremonies which have administred so much matter of difference and contention and which have been introduced by the Wisdom and Authority of the Church for edification and the improvement of Piety We shall say no more but that We have the more esteem of all and Reverence for many of them by having been present in many of those Churches where they are most abolished or discountenanced And it cannot be doubted but that as the Universal Church cannot introduce one Ceremony in the Worship of God that is contrary to God's Word expressed in the Scripture so every National Church with the Approbation and Consent of the Sovereign Power may and hath always introduced such particular Ceremonies as in that conjuncture of time are thought most proper for edification and the necessary improvement of Piety and Devotion in the People though the necessary practice thereof cannot be deduced from Scripture and that which before was and in it self is indifferent ceases to be indifferent after it is once established by Law And therefore Our present Consideration and Work is to gratifie the private Consciences of those who are grieved with the use of some Ceremonies by indulging to and dispensing with their omitting those Ceremonies not utterly to abolish any which are Established by Law if any are practised contrary to Law the same shall cease which would be unjust and of ill example and to impose upon the Conscience of some for the satisfaction of the Conscience of others which is otherwise provided for As it could not be reasonable that men should expect that We should Our Self decline or enjoyn others to do so to receive the Blessed Sacrament upon Our Knees which in Our Conscience is the most humble most devout and most agreeable Posture for that Holy Duty because some other men upon

of the Rule of their Worship and Discipline and of all the Persons belonging to the indulged Congregations with their Qualities and Places of Abode and that none be admitted a Member of any such Congregation without acquainting their Visitor with it that so means may be used to prevent their leaving our Communion by giving satisfaction to their scruples This Power of the Bishops cannot be scrupled by them since herein they are considered as Commissioners appointed by Law. 8. That no indulged Persons presume under severe Penalties to breed up Scholars or to teach Gentlemens Sons University-Learning because this may be justly looked on as a design to propagate Schism to Posterity and to lay a Foundation for the disturbance of future Generations II. As to the Case of the ejected Ministers I have these things to offer 1. That bare Subscription of the Thirty six Articles concerning Doctrinal Points be not allowed as sufficient to qualifie any Man for a Living or any Church-preferment for these Reasons First Any Lay-man upon these Terms may not only be capable of a Living but may take upon him to Administer the Sacraments which was never allowed in any well-constituted Church in the Christian World. And such an allowance among us instead of setling and uniting us will immediately bring things into great confusion and give mighty advantage to the Papists against our Church And we have reason to fear a Design of this Nature under a pretence of Union of Protestants tends to the Subversion of this Church and throwing all things into confusion which at last will end in Popery Secondly This will bring a Faction into the Church which will more endanger it than External Opposition For such Men will come in Triumphantly having beaten down Three of the Thirty Nine Articles and being in Legal Possession of their Places will be ready to defie and contemn those who submitted to the rest and to glory in their Conquests and draw followers after them as the Victorious Confessors against Prelacy and Ceremonies And can they imagine those of the Church of England will see the Reputation of the Church or their own to suffer so much and not appear in their own Vindication Things are not come to that pass nor will they suddenly be that the Friends of the Church of England will be either afraid or ashamed to own her Cause We do heartily and sincerely desire Union with our Brethren if it may be had on just and reasonable Terms but they must not think that we will give up the Cause of the Church for it so as to condemn its Constitution or make the Ceremonies unlawful which have been hitherto observed and practised in it If any Expedient can be found out for the ease of other Mens Consciences without reflecting on our own if they can be taken in without reproach or dishonour to the Reformation of the Church I hope no true Son of the Church of England will oppose it But if the Design be to bring them in as a Faction to bridle and controll the Episcopal Power by setting up forty Bishops in a Diocess against one if it be for them to trample upon the Church of England and not to submit to its Order and Government upon fair and moderate terms let them not call this a Design of Union but the giving Law to a Party to oppose the Church of England And what the success of this will be let wise Men judge Thirdly if a Subscription to Thirty Six Articles were sufficient by the Statute 13 Eliz. c. 12. I do not understand how by virtue of that Statute a Man is bound publickly to read the Thirty nine Articles in the Church and the Testimonial of his Subscription on pain of being deprived ipso facto if he do not For the L. Ch. I. Coke saith That Subscription to the 39 Articles is required by force of the Act of Parliament 13 Eliz c. 12. And he adds That the Delinquent is disabled and deprived ipso facto and that a conditional Subscription to them was not sufficient was resolved by all the Judges in England But how a Man should be depriued ipso facto for not Subscribing and Reading the 39 Articles as appears by the Cases mentioned in Coke and yet be required only to subscribe to 36 by the same Statute is a thing too hard for me to conceive 2. But notwithstanding this if any temper can be found out as to the manner of Subscription that may give ease to the scruples of our Brethren and secure the Peace of the Church the desired Union may be attained without that apparent danger of increasing the Factions among us And this I suppose may be done by an absolute Subscription to all those Articles which concern the Doctrine of the true Christian Faith and the Use of the Sacraments and a solemn Promise under their hand or Subscription of Peaceable Submission as to the rest so as not to oppose or contradict them either in Preaching or Writing upon the same Penalty as if they had not subscribed to the 36. Which may be a more probable means to keep the Church in quiet than forcing a more rigorous Subscription upon them or leaving them at their full liberty 3. As to the other Subscription required 1 Jac. to the 3 Articles The first is provided for by the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy The Third is the same with the Subscription to the 39 Articles And as to the second about the Book of common-Common-Prayer c. It ought to be considered 1. Whether for the satisfaction of the scrupulous some more doubtful and obscure passages may not yet be explained or amended Whether the New Translation of the Psalms were not fitter to be used at least in Parochial Churches Whether portions of Canonical Scripture were not better put in stead of Apocrypha Lessons Whether the Rubrick about Salvation of Infants might not be restored to its former place in the Office of Confirmation and so the present exceptions against it be removed Whether those expressions which suppose the strict exercise of Discipline in Burying the Dead were not better left at liberty in our present Case Such a Review made by Wise and Peaceable Men not given to Wrath and Disputing may be so far from being a dishonour to this Church that it may add to the Glory of it 2. Upon such a Review whether it be not great reason that all Persons who Officiate in the Church be not only tied to a constant Use of it in all publick Offices as often as they administer them which they ought in Person frequently to do but to declare at their first entrance upon a Parochial Charge their approbation of the Use of it after their own Reading of it that so the People may not suspect them to carry on a factious Design under an outward pretence of Conformity to the Rules of the Church they live in 3. Whether such a solemn Using the Liturgy and approbation and