The second difference which the Def. imagineth, is that there was no other means to cure the idolatry of those times: but now there is. I answ. 1 this is the very question whether there be any other sufficient means to cure the disease of humane ceremonies idolatrously abused beside abolishing. 2 It is a vain imagination whereby this difference is confirmed, and no reason at all. In the Dominions of our Hezekiah (saith the Def.) this disease would be found curable without any such extremity. But the experience of 50 or 60 years show, that hitherto it is not cured neither in Ireland, nor Wales, to say nothing of England. Surely our Prelates are miserable Physicians, that in a disease so easy to be cured, suffer the patients to languish under their hands, unto death. Especially (saith he) in this our most truly reformed Church, which doth most lively express the face and full body of her primitive mother Church. This he hath now 3 or 4 times repeated: as if he did desire to make a question of it: and here propounds it with a doubt, if you will allow. It is not sit here to make a long digression about this matter. In short therefore thus, we allow with all thankfulness, that our Church is to be called a reformed Church in regard of the main points of faith, which are purely and freely taught among us with public approbation: and also in regard that the grossest superstitions are by public authority cast out of our Assembles. But if our Ecclesiastical government be considered, and some ceremonious superstitions, we deny utterly, that we have such a reformation therein, as may represent the face of the primitive Church. Let the Defendant tell us, if ever the primitive Church had such chanting idol service as is every day to be seen in our Cathedral Churches? If there were in the primitive Church Chancellors, Commissaries, Officials under the ⟨p. 64⟩Bishops, which executed the censures of that Church? If he can show any primitive pompous Bishops that had sole authority of ordination & excommunication? If any Minister was called in the primitive Ch. without express consent of the congreg. over which he was set? if Ministers were then wont to go to law for their places? if the Primitive Church ever heard of Pluralists, Non-residents or dumb ministers? If either in primitive or else in Popish Church almost simony was ever so ordinary as it is with us?
The second difference vvhich the Def. imagineth, is that there was no other meanes to cure the idolatry of those times: but now there is. I answ. 1 this is the very question whether there be any other sufficient meanes to cure the disease of humane ceremonies idolatrously abused beside abolishing. 2 It is a vaine imagination vvhereby this difference is confirmed, and no reason at all. In the Dominions of our Ezekias (saith the Def.) this disease would be found curable without any such extremity. But the experience of 50 or 60 yeares shew, that hitherto it is not cured neither in Ireland, nor Wales, to say nothing of England. Surely our Prelates are miserable Phisitions, that in a disease so easie to be cured, suffer the patients to languish under their hands, unto death. Especially (saith he) in this our most truely reformed Church, which doth most liuely expresse the face and full body of her primitiue mother Church. This he hath now 3 or 4 times repeated: as if he did desire to make a question of it: and here propounds it vvith a doubt, if you will allow. It is not sit heere to make a long digression about this matter. In short therefore thus, vve allow with all thankefulnes, that our Church is to be called a reformed Church in regard of the main points of faith, which are purely and freely taught among us vvith publick approbation: and also in regard that the grossest superstitions are by publick authority cast out of our Assembles. But if our Ecclesiasticall government be considered, and some ceremonious superstions, wee deny utterly, that vve haue such a reformation therin, as may represent the face of the primitiue Church. Let the Defendant tell us, if ever the primitiue Church had such chanting idol service as is every day to be seen in our Cathedrall Churches? If there were in the primitiue Church Chancellors, Commissaries, Officials under the ⟨p. 64⟩Bishops, which executed the censures of that Church? If he can shew any primitiue pompous Bishops that had sole authoritie of ordination & excommunication? If any Minister was called in the primitiue Ch. without expresse consent of the congreg. over which he vvas set? if Ministers vvere then vvont to goe to law for their places? if the Primitiue Church ever heard of Pluralists, Non-residents or dumb ministers? If either in primitue or else in Popish Church almost simony was ever so ordinary as it is with us?
