A41326:72
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.
To the first, the Infancy of Reformation might rejoice in, and grow up, under that order of Divine Service, which the adult estate thereof must cast off; because some of the Martyrs rejoiced in some broken pieces and rude Translations of the Scripture, must we therefore be therewith contented, and not correct them? We our selves at the first coming out of Popery, should have thought a Bohemian Cup at Sacrament, or a Mass in English, to be a very high attainment, not knowing things more excellent; but when enlightened, must not therein acquiesce. Calvin wrote to the Church at Frankfort, that if godly Religion had flourished till that day, there ought to have been an order of Service better corrected, and many things clean taken away. And shall we who have enjoyed true Religion more than 80 years since that time, yet continue and contend for that Service-book, as if ashamed to give place to better things?
To the first, the Infancy of Reformation might rejoyce in, and grow up, under that order of Divine Service, which the adult estate thereof must cast off; because some of the Martyrs rejoyced in some broken pieces and rude Translations of the Scripture, must we therefore be therewith contented, and not correct them? We our selves at the first comming out of Popery, should have thought a Bohemian Cup at Sacrament, or a Masse in English, to be a very high attainment, not knowing things more excellent; but when enlightned, must not therein acquiesce. Calvin wrote to the Church at Franckford, that if godly Religion had flourished till that day, there ought to have been an order of Service better corrected, and many things clean taken away. And shall we who have enjoyed true Religion more than 80 years since that time, yet continue and contend for that Service-book, as if ashamed to give place to better things?
We must indeed confess, the Non-conformists used some parts of this Service, but we humbly conceive our case is different from theirs; they had been educated under, and insensibly yoked with it, and drawn to subscribe a promise to use it, and None other; by reason whereof they (groaning under it as their burden) were to consider, how to obtain a Regular Release from the corruptions, which, by reason of the peace of the Church, credit of their Ministry, and fidelity (as far as might be) to their Promise, prudence did forbid to cast off with violence; wherein yet there wanted not some witnesses against it: But our case is to take on us