A19178:15
A reply to Dr. Mortons general Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the…A reply to Dr. Mortons generall Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the…
A reply to Dr. Mortons general Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the surplice, cross in baptism, and kneeling at the receiving of the sacramental elements of bread and wine.A reply to Dr. Mortons generall Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the surplice, crosse in baptisme, and kneeling at the receiving of the sacramentall elements of bread and wine.
Amsterdam: printed by Giles Thorp, 1622
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly and lastly, it is sufficiently proved, and shall (by Gods grace) be further maintained against this Defendant, that these three ceremonies are not innocent or lawful in their •se.
Thirdly and lastly, it is sufficiently proved, and shall (by Gods grace) be further maintained against this Defendant, that these three ceremonies are not innocent or lawfull in their •se.
This I had to say concerning the Title. Now before I come to the book it self, some few things are to be questioned in the Epistles, which are three, according to the number of the ceremonies defended. In the first Epistle to the Marquis, • I would willingly learn, what that Church is, which is the mother of the Non-conformists? it must of necessity be either the faithful Congregations which are in England, collectively considered: or else the Hierarchy, consisting of Archbishops, Bishops and their Officers. If the •ormer ••here understood, then this Defence is begun with a Slander. For neither is the Non-conformist an adversary impugning those Congregations, nor do they defame their religious worship, nor infringe their wholesome liberty, nor contemn their just authority: but of all these things are the Prelates manifestly guilty. For they in their Lordly humours, do scorn and defame the most religious people as Puritans: they hinder the people from hearing of Sermons in another parish, though they have none, or worse then none at home: they are enemies to that preaching whereby the godly people find themselves most edified: they enslave both Minister and people, not only to themselves, but even to their Chancellors, Commissaries, officials, and such like officers of their own making, to whom not Christ only, but all the Primitive Church saith plainly, Depart from me I know you not: they deny any authority at all to be either in the Congregations, or in their Ministers, except it ⟨image 4⟩