A41326:143
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.
Answ. 1 Answ. 1. If ever this specious Argument had any force, it was then when the Apostles preached and planted Churches in Asia, Europe and Africa; for then had they composed a Liturgy (which had been perfect we are sure) and imposed it upon all these Churches, there had been a holy harmony; not only in Parochial and National Churches, as you say; but in the Catholic visible Church through the World, all Churches in the World, praying the same things, and then saying, Amen: But this device never came in their heads, How do we excel the Apostles in wisdom? ⟨p. 11⟩In page 30. he tells us, That he hath seen the most, and the best Liturgies, Ancient and Modern. I entreat him that if amongst them he saw the Apostles Common-prayer book which they imposed upon the Churches, that he would please to get it re-printed; for the first impression (if ever any) is quite out. We will use that without question.
Answ. 1 Answ. 1. If ever this specious Argument had any force, it was then when the Apostles preached and planted Churches in Asia, Europe and Africa; for then had they composed a Liturgy (which had been perfect we are sure) and imposed it upon all these Churches, there had been a holy harmony; not only in Parochial and National Churches, as you say; but in the Catholick visible Church through the World, all Churches in the World, praying the same things, and then saying, Amen: But this device never came in their heads, How do we excell the Apostles in wisdome? ⟨p. 11⟩In page 30. he tells us, That he hath seen the most, and the best Liturgies, Ancient and Modern. I entreat him that if amongst them he saw the Apostles Common-prayer book which they imposed upon the Churches, that he would please to get it re-printed; for the first impression (if ever any) is quite out. We will use that without question.
Secondly, Are not these men more curious then God is? doth He so call for a verbal harmony? Is it not sufficient, that we pray the same things, though in divers Forms? if we keep to the Lords Prayer, begging the same things, though in other words, s Austin saith, Is not this Harmony as much as God calls for, and cares for? Indeed for Doctrines, where the altering of a word (as in the Trinity, &c.) may bring in a Heresy, there the same words are good; and it is needful as much as may be, to hold to a wholesome Form of words; but this is not the same case.