A Christian Directory

7. That they that are forbidden to Worship God publicly, unless they will commit some certain¹ sin, are so prohibited as that they ought not to do it on such terms

7. That they that are forbidden to Worship God publickly, unless they will commit some certain¹ sin, are so prohibited as that they ought not to do it on such terms

1. 1See much of this case handled before Q. 109. and Q. 110.

8. That the private meetings which are held on these forementioned terms, in such cases of necessity, are not to be forsaken, though prohibited: (Though still the honour of the Magistrate is to be preserved, and obedience given him in all Lawful things): And such Meetings are not sinful nor dishonourable (to the assemblers;) For as Tertullian (and Dr. Heylin after him) saith, Cum pii, cum boni cocunt, non factio dicenda est, s•d curia: When pious, and good people meet (especially as aforesaid) it is not to be called a faction, but a Court. Thus far I think we all agree.

And that the Church of England is really of this mind is certain; 1. In that they did Congregate in private themselves, in the time of Cromwells Usurpation, towards the end when he began to restrain the use of the Common Prayer. 2. In that they wrote for it: see Dr. Hide of the Church in the beginning. 3. Because both in the reign of former Princes since the Reformation, and to this day, many laborious conforming Ministers, have still used to repeat their Sermons in their Houses, where many of the people came to hear them. 4. Because the Liturgy alloweth private Baptism, and restraineth not any number from being present, nor the Minister from instructing them in the use of Baptism (which is the sum of Christianity). 5. Because the Liturgy commandeth the visitation of the sick, and alloweth the Minister there to pray and instruct the person according to his own ability, about Repentance, faith in Christ, and preparation for death and the life to come; and forbiddeth not the friends and neighbours of the sick to be present. 6. Because the Liturgy and Canons allow private Communion with the sick, lame or aged that cannot come to the assembly; where the nature of that holy work is to be opened, and the Eucharistical work to be performed; And some must be present, and the number not limited. 7. And as these are express testimonies, that all private meetings are not disallowed by the Church of England, so there are other instances of such natural necessity as they are not to be supposed to be against: As, 1. For a Captain to Pray, and read Scripture or good Books and sing Psalms with his Soldiers, and with Mariners at Sea, when they have no Minister. 2. There are many thousands and hundred thousands in England, that some live so far from Church, and some are so weak that they can seldom go, and some Churches have not room for a quarter of the Parish; and none of the thousands now meant can read, and so neither can help themselves, nor have a Minister that will do it; And thousands that when they have heard a Sermon cannot remember it, but lose it presently. If these that cannot Read or Remember, nor teach their own families, nor go to Church, do take their Families, many of them, to some one Neighbours house, where the Sermon is repeated, or the Bible or Liturgy read, methinks the Church should not be against it.