A26983:43
A petition for peace with the reformation of the liturgy, as it was presented…
A petition for peace with the reformation of the liturgy, as it was presented to the right reverend bishops, by the divines appointed by His Majesties commission to treat with them about the alteration of it.
London printed : s.n., MDCLXI 1661
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.
16. And we further offer to your consideration, whether this be doing as you would be done by, would you be cast out for every fault that is as bad as this? and doth this show that you love your neighbours as your selves? Put your selves in their case, and suppose that you had studied, conferred and prayed, and done your best to know whether God would have you to be Re-ordained, to use these Forms or Ceremonies, or Subscriptions, or not? and having done all, you think that God would be displeased if you should use them, would you then be used your selves, as your dissenting Brethren are now used, or are like to be; love them as your selves, and we will crave no further favour for them.
16. And wee further offer to your consideration, whether this be doing as you would be done by, would you be cast out for every fault that is as bad as this? and doth this shew that you love your neighbours as your selves? Put your selves in their case, and suppose that you had studied, conferred and prayed, and done your best to know whether God would have you to be Re-ordained, to use these Forms or Ceremonies, or Subscriptions, or not? and having done all, you think that God would be displeased if you should use them, would you then be used your selves, as your dissenting Brethren are now used, or are like to bee; love them as your selves, and wee will crave no further favour for them.
17. But nothing more affecteth us, than to think of the Lamentable divisions, that have been caused and are still like to be, whilst things unnecessary are so imposed: And on the contrary, how blessed an unity and peace we might enjoy if these occasions of division were removed, and we might but have leave to serve God as his Apostles did. As in Doctrinals, ten thousand will sooner agree in an Explicit belief of the Creed, than an hundred in an Explicit belief of all that Ockam or Scotus have determined; So in the matters of Government and worship; It is easier to agree upon few things, than upon many, upon great and certain and necessary things, than upon small uncertain and unnecessary things, and upon things that God himself hath revealed or appointed, than upon things that proceed from no surer an Original, than the wit or will of man. The strict prohibition of adding to or diminishing from the things commanded by the Law-giver of the Church,