A27035:355
A27035:355
London: printed for Nevil Simons, 1681
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.
1. As to the things imposed now which were not then.
1. The Vestry Act was not then made, by which so considerable a part of your Parish Churches as the Vestries, are to renounce all obligations to endeavour any alteration of the Government of the Church, from the Oath and Vow called the Covenant: So that all Reformation of Church Government as so sworn, was thus renounced by them who in a sort represent the Parish Church.
2. The Act of Uniformity had not then imposed the same declarative Renunciation of all such obligation on all the Ministers and Schoolmasters in England, as it now doth.
3. The Corporation Act was not then in being, which constituteth all the Officers in power in all Cities and Corporations, of such only as declare, [that there is no obligation from the said Oath at all,] not excepting so much as the sworn duties of opposing Popery, Profaneness, and Schism, to repent of sin and amend our lives. And if swearing and vowing against Schism, no whit bind men (if the Oath were but unlawfully imposed, ⟨p. 65⟩why should the Dr. make so great a matter of it, and think that his reasonings should make men afraid of Gods service, if he will but call it Schism.
3. The Corporation Act was not then in being, which constituteth all the Officers in power in all Cities and Corporations, of such only as declare, [that there is no obligation from the said Oath at all,] not excepting so much as the sworn duties of opposing Popery, Prophaneness, and Schism, to repent of sin and amend our lives. And if swearing and vowing against Schism, no whit bind men (if the Oath were but unlawfully imposed, ⟨p. 65⟩why should the Dr. make so great a matter of it, and think that his reasonings should make men afraid of Gods service, if he will but call it Schism.
4. None of these Acts then required men to profess and subscribe, that there is from that Vow or Oath no such Obligation on any other person; and so to become Vouchers for the Souls and Consciences of many hundred thousands whom we never saw; even those Parliament men that were not forced to it, but imposed it on others, when we know not in what sense they took it.
5. The Re-ordination of Ministers ordained by Presbyteries was not then required, and made a necessary condition of their Ministration and Church Relation, (even by them that confess Re-ordination unlawful, and therefore plainly intimate the nullity of the first.)
6. The Act of Uniformity was not then made, which requireth all Ministers publicly to declare their Assent and Consent to all things contained in, and prescribed by the Liturgy, Book of Ordination, (though part of this was in a Canon.)
6. The Act of Uniformity was not then made, which requireth all Ministers publickly to declare their Assent and Consent to all things contained in, and prescribed by the Liturgy, Book of Ordination, (though part of this was in a Canon.)
7. The false Rule for finding Easter-day was not then to be assented and consented to, as a condition of the Ministry.
8. Nor the new Doctrine or Article of Faith, [of the undoubted certainty by Gods word, that baptized dying Infants are saved,] (without any exception of the children of Atheists, &c.) For the old words at Confirmation (as many Drs. of the Church have showed) only meant that nothing else was necessary on the Churches part, that is, not Confirmation.
8. Nor the new Doctrine or Article of Faith, [of the undoubted certainty by Gods word, that baptized dying Infants are saved,] (without any exception of the children of Atheists, &c.) For the old words at Confirmation (as many Drs. of the Church have shewed) only meant that nothing else was necessary on the Churches part, that is, not Confirmation.
9. The word [Pastor] as applied to Parish Ministers distinct from Curates, was not then blotted out of most places in the Liturgy; nor the twentieth of Acts, as applied to Presbyters, left out, (Take heed to your selves and the Flock, &c.) in plain design to alter the Office and Parish Churches.
9. The word [Pastor] as applyed to Parish Ministers distinct from Curates, was not then blotted out of most places in the Liturgy; nor the twentieth of Acts, as applied to Presbyters, left out, (Take heed to your selves and the Flock, &c.) in plain design to alter the Office and Parish Churches.
10. The Oxford Oath was not then imposed, to banish Ministers above five miles from all Cities, and Corporations, and Places, where they had of late years preached; so that their old Flock or Friends (yea, Wives and Children that could not follow them) might not so much as see or hear such Ministers in their Families, or familiar converse that would have come to the public Churches: And all Nonconformist Ministers that took not the Oath, were thereby forbidden to come to the Parish Churches in all Cities, Corporations, or Places aforesaid, though their example might have drawn many (as mine did where I was.)
10. The Oxford Oath was not then imposed, to banish Ministers above five miles from all Cities, and Corporations, and Places, where they had of late years preached; so that their old Flock or Friends (yea, Wives and Children that could not follow them) might not so much as see or hear such Ministers in their Families, or familiar converse that would have come to the publick Churches: And all Nonconformist Ministers that took not the Oath, were thereby forbidden to come to the Parish Churches in all Cities, Corporations, or Places aforesaid, though their example might have drawn many (as mine did where I was.)
11. Ministers and Corporations and Vestries, were not then bound to swear or subscribe, that it is unlawful on any pretence whatsoever to resist any commissioned by the King; when the Keeper of his Seal may sign Commissions to seize on the Kings Forts, Garrisons, Navies, and Treasuries, to deliver up the Kingdoms to Foreigners, to destroy Parliaments, Cities, and Laws: I am sure Hooker, Bilson, or Arch-Bishop Abbot, subscribed not this, nor were such Conformists. Are all these no difference of case?
Sect. 8. There is 2. a great difference in the drift and tendency of the Impositions. They were at first to quiet a Popish Nation, while the true Doctrine took possession and rooting, and to avoid the cavils of those Papists that charged the Reformers with forsaking all the Church: But what they have been used for these last forty or fifty years, I leave the Reader to judge.
1. By the Complaints of all the Parliaments, since then, save one.
2. By the History of Arch-Bishop Laud's Trial.
2. By the History of Arch-Bishop Laud's Tryal.
3. By Dr. Heylin's History of his Life.