A41326:150
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.
Reas. 4 HIS fourth Reason is this, A Liturgical Form is not only of great benefit to the more judicious and well-bred sort of Christians; but highly to their security, and humble composure of their spirits in the worship of God; who otherwise are prone, not only amidst public devotions curiously to censure, but scoffingly to despise; yea, many times to laugh at, and at best to pity incongruities, &c.
Reas. 4 HIS fourth Reason is this, A Liturgical Form is not only of great benefit to the more judicious and well-bred sort of Christians; but highly to their security, and humble composure of their spirits in the worship of God; who otherwise are prone, not only amidst publick devotions curiously to censure, but scoffingly to despise; yea, many times to laugh at, and at best to pity incongruities, &c.
Answ. 1 Answ. 1. But a Liturgy will not prevent this carriage of your judicious Christians, unless you take away prayer altogether; for if we pray but once before Sermon, some expressions there may be which your scoffing, well-bred Christians will laugh at.
Secondly, The question is, Whether those passages be so incongruous as your well-bred Christians imagine; I have known […] common for your well-bred Liturgical Christians to sport with the Holy Scriptures: No wonder though they laugh at some passages in prayer, which their wanton fancies like not. And indeed a man may observe it, when once your Liturgical well-bred Christians have mumbled over their Service, and now think they have devoutly served God; their next work, if their eyes be (not elsewhere about the Congregation, but) upon the Minister, is not so much to join with him in prayer, but to watch at what expressions they may carp at, either in prayer; or in preaching, and then to laugh; scarce ever see more profane worshippers, than many of them are.