The Case of the Protestant dissenters represented and argued

THE CASE OF THE Protestant Dissenters, REPRESENTED and ARGUED.

Licensed and Entered according to Order.

Licensed and Entred according to Order.

THEY are under one common Obligation with the rest of Mankind, by the universal Law of Nature, to Worship God in Assemblies.

Men of all sorts of Religions that have ever obtained in the World, Jews, Pagans, Mahometans, Christians, have in their Practice acknowledged this Obligation. Nor can it be understood how such a Practice should be so Universal, otherwise than from the Dictate and Impression of the Universal Law.

Men of all sorts of Religions that have ever obtain'd in the World, Jews, Pagans, Mahometans, Christians, have in their Practice acknowledg'd this Obligation. Nor can it be understood how such a Practice should be so Universal, otherwise than from the Dictate and Impression of the Universal Law.

Whereas the Religion profest in England, is that of Reformed Christianity; some things are annexed to the allowed Public Worship, which are acknowledged to be no parts thereof, nor in themselves necessary; but which the Dissenters judg to be in some part Sinful.

Whereas the Religion profest in England, is that of Reformed Christianity; some things are annexed to the allowed Publick Worship, which are acknowledged to be no parts thereof, nor in themselves necessary; but which the Dissenters judg to be in some part Sinful.

They cannot therefore with good Conscience towards God, attend wholly and solely upon the Public Worship, which the Laws do appoint.

They cannot therefore with good Conscience towards God, attend wholly and solely upon the Publick Worship, which the Laws do appoint.

The same Laws do strictly forbid their assembling to Worship God otherwise.

Which is in effect the same thing, as if they who made, or shall continue such Laws, should plainly say, If you will not consent with us in our superadded Rites, and Modes, against your Consciences, you shall not Worship God: Or if you will not accept of our Additions to the Christian Religion, you shall not be Christians; and manifestly tends to reduce to Paganism a great Part of a Christian Nation.

They have been wont therefore to meet however in distinct Assemblies, and to worship God in a way which their Consciences could approve; and have many years continued so to do, otherwise than as they have been hindered by Violence.

They have been wont therefore to meet however in distinct Assemblies, and to worship God in a way which their Consciences could approve; and have many years continu'd so to do, otherwise than as they have been hindred by Violence.

It is therefore upon the whole fit to enquire,

Q. 1. Whether the Dissenters are to be blamed for their holding distinct Meetings for the worship of God?

For answer to this, It cannot be expected that all the Controversies should be here determined, which have been agitated about the Lawfulness of each of those things which have been added to the Christian Religion and Worship, by the present Constitution of the Church of England.

For answer to this, It cannot be expected that all the Controversies should be here determined, which have been agi•ated about the Lawfulness of each of those things which have been added to the Christian Religion and Worship, by the present Constitution of the Church of England.

But supposing they were none of them simply unlawful, while yet the misinformed Minds of the Dissenters could not judg them lawful, tho they have made it much their Business to enquire and search; being urged also by very severe Sufferings, which thorough a long Tract of time they have undergone, Not to refuse any means that might tend to their Satisfaction; they could have nothing else left them to do, than to Meet, and worship distinctly as they have.

But supposing they were none of them simply unlawful, while yet the misinformed Minds of the Dissenters could not judg them lawful, tho they have made it much their Business to enquire and search; being urg'd also by very severe Sufferings, which thorough a long Tract of time they have undergone, Not to refuse any means that might tend to their Satisfaction; they could have nothing else left them to do, than to Meet, and worship distinctly as they have.