A41326:128
The liturgical considerator considered, or, A brief view of Dr. Gauden's considerations touching the…
The liturgical considerator considered, or, A brief view of Dr. Gauden's considerations touching the liturgy of the Church of England wherein the reasons by him produced for imposing the said liturgy upon all, are found to be so weak, his defence of things offensive in it so slight, the arguments against the liturgy by himself afforded, are so strong, that some, who upon His Majesties declaration did incline to the liturgy, are now further from it, by reading his wordy discourse about it : also some reasons humbly rendered, why many ministers, as yet cannot conform to that liturgy, but not out of disloyalty, pride, ingratitude, peevishness, nor schismatical petulancy, as the sarcastical pen of this uncharitable doctor hath published ... / by G.F.The liturgical considerator considered, or, A brief view of Dr. Gauden's considerations touching the liturgy of the Church of England wherein the reasons by him produced for imposing the said liturgy upon all, are found to be so weak, his defence of things offensive in it so slight, the arguments against the liturgy by himselfe afforded, are so strong, that some, who upon His Majesties declaration did incline to the liturgy, are now further from it, by reading his wordy discourse about it : also some reasons humbly rendered, why many ministers, as yet cannot conform to that liturgy, but not out of disloyalty, pride, ingratitude, peevishness, nor schismatical petulancy, as the sarcastical pen of this uncharitable doctor hath published ... / by G.F.
London: printed for Ralph Smith, 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.
Fifthly, It is true, and a thing to be lamented, do what we can it is hard to keep our minds and affections but they will be gadding, though we set our selves never so close to our work, and pray from our own gifts, yet this is one means to help our vile hearts to keep in, when our minds are upon our hearts to express our desires rising first from thence, to what they are when a mans eye is upon his book reading what is there, when especially through often reading he hath been accustomed to his road, the Carrier with such a Horse may sit on his Horse back and sleep, his Horse knows his Road.
Sixthly, Hath Doctor Gauden seen all the behaviours of Ministers, heard all their prayers at Sacraments since that Liturgy was laid by? No, I am sure he hath not. Why then doth he charge all men thus? by nature we are bad enough, but what are men nothing by grace, and that growing, nothing by gifts imparted, and these excellent, and not only so, but assisted by the ⟨p. 9⟩Spirit of God? And what if the Spirit doth not always alike assist to humble us, and make us know our dependence on him, must we by and by bring in a humane invention? But O the reverence that I have seen, the excellent prayers full of divine matter, fluently poured out that I have heard from some Ministers who use not the Liturgy; would to God many that use it, did appear like them.
Sixthly, Hath Doctor Gauden seen all the behaviours of Ministers, heard all their prayers at Sacraments since that Liturgy was laid by? No, I am sure he hath not. Why then doth he charge all men thus? by nature we are bad enough, but what are men nothing by grace, and that growing, nothing by gifts imparted, and these excellent, and not onely so, but assisted by the ⟨p. 9⟩Spirit of God? And what if the Spirit doth not alwayes alike assist to humble us, and make us know our dependance on him, must we by and by bring in a humane invention? But O the reverence that I have seen, the excellent prayers full of divine matter, fluently poured out that I have heard from some Ministers who use not the Liturgy; would to God many that use it, did appear like them.