A41326:275
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.
3. I find you are imposing of your Forms of prayer on the ablest Ministers of God, to whom he hath given both sufficient gifts, and a Spirit to assist, as I delivered in the Gospel: Had not I, and my fellow-Apostles, as much authority and wisdom as you, but neither I nor they had ever such Counsel from God, nor did we ever impose such Forms upon the Churches; though we often called for Unity in Doctrine and Affections, yet not in the same syllables in prayer; whence had you this counsel?
4. I find you are in matters of Religion pressing things indifferent on Ministers and Christians; my Doctrine, Rom. 14.20.21. and my Practice, 1 Cor. 8.13. you may find quite contrary.
I find you are urging of Ceremonies. Had not I and the other Apostles as much Authority to invent and impose Ceremonies as you? Are you the men who only care for the Decency of worship, and were we only careless? Were not we as industrious and studious to advance the honour and worship of God, good of Souls, ⟨p. 31⟩as you? but we dare not act but as we had Counsel from God. I have declared the mind of God, Col. 2.20, 23. concerning such Ordinances of men, and call them Will-worship. We know God hath not remitted his jealousy in the second Commandment. As for our Commission it ran thus,