§ 1. Your 19th Section is for our accusing those that we refuse to the Ordinance, within fourteen days, that he may proceed against them according to the Canon. And first you tell us a strange thing, which were it true, would half reconcile me to the English sort of Prelacy, viz. [That the lesser Excommunication out of a particular Congregation, seems to be allowed to all the Parish Ministers.] Say you so! What a sleep have I been in these 50 Years, (since I have been Ordained it's 41 Years) that never could hear or read of any such thing? I have indeed read some honest Passages like it, in the Reformatio Legum Ecclesiast. published by John Fox, which died before it was born, and only showed the good purposes of King Edward, and his Divines. But in our Articles, Canons, Liturgies, or Book of Ordination, I can find no such thing, nor imagine what could thus deceive you. Nor can I see any ⟨p. 59⟩such thing in Cosms's Tables, nor in any Conformist's Writings, which describe our Church Government. What was in Doctor Mocket's Book that was burnt, I know not; By the Execution done on it, and their hatred of Arch-Bishop Abbot, I should think it was as likely to be there as any where: But if it were, it is no proof. The Laws and Authorized Church-Canons and Forms, must decide the Case. Were there but any tolerable Parish Discipline, I would never quarrel against Diocesans; Nay, could I but have been a Pastor, and not a mere Slave, or Executioner of the will of others, against my Conscience.
§ 1. YOur 19th Section is for our accusing those that we refuse to the Ordinance, within fourteen days, that he may proceed against them according to the Canon. And first you tell us a strange thing, which were it true, would half reconcile me to the English sort of Prelacy, viz. [That the lesser Excommunication out of a particular Congregation, seems to be allowed to all the Parish Ministers.] Say you so! What a sleep have I been in these 50 Years, (since I have been Ordained it's 41 Years) that never could hear or read of any such thing? I have indeed read some honest Passages like it, in the Reformatio Legum Ecclesiast. published by Iohn Fox, which died before it was born, and only shewed the good purposes of King Edward, and his Divines. But in our Articles, Canons, Liturgies, or Book of Ordination, I can find no such thing, nor imagine what could thus deceive you. Nor can I see any ⟨p. 59⟩such thing in Cosms's Tables, nor in any Conformist's Writings, which describe our Church Government. What was in Doctor Mocket's Book that was burnt, I know not; By the Execution done on it, and their hatred of Arch-Bishop Abbot, I should think it was as likely to be there as any where: But if it were, it is no proof. The Laws and Authorized Church-Canons and Forms, must decide the Case. Were there but any tolerable Parish Discipline, I would never quarrel against Diocesans; Nay, could I but have been a Pastor, and not a meer Slave, or Executioner of the will of others, against my Conscience.
