Five disputations of church-government and worship

Object. 2. But what need is there of it? ¹Are we not well without it? why would you disturb our peace, to please the adversaries? Answ. 1. We are not without a Liturgy, as shall be further showed, and therefore you cannot say we are well without it. 2. Some young weak Ministers (we must speak the truth) do wrong both Baptism and the Lords Supper by many miscarriages, for want of further helps. 3. Wales and many parts of England must be supplied with Forms, or be without, which is worse. 4. The Consciences of many of those that you call adversaries (and I call Brethren) must be indulged with the liberty of a convenient form, or else we shall not walk charitably.

Object. 2. But what need is there of it? ¹Are we not well without it? why would you disturb our peace, to please the adversaries? Answ. 1. We are not without a Liturgy, as shall be further shewed, and therefore you cannot say we are well without it. 2. Some yong weak Ministers (we must speak the truth) do wrong both Baptism and the Lords Supper by many miscarriages, for want of further helps. 3. Wales and many parts of England must be supplyed with Forms, or be without, wh•ch is worse. 4. The Consciences of many of those that you call adversaries (and I call Brethren) must be indulged with the liberty of a convenient form, or else we shall not walk charitably.

1. 1Object. 2.

On the oth••side it will be objected, by them that would have all men forced to the constant u•e of forms,¹ 1. that If we have not forms, men may vent what they please in prayer: some rail in prayer, and some vent error, and some rebellion, &c. Answ. 1. This Argument makes against all Prayer of Ministers, but what is prescribed. For if you force them to a form, and yet give them leave with their Sermons to use also either extemporate or formed Prayers of their own, they may as well vent rebellion, heresy or malice in them, as if they had no Liturgy at all. And if you would have Ministers use no prayer but what they read out of the imposed books, for fear of these inconveniences, you will show your selves enemies to the Church, and cure an inconvenience with a mischief. 2. And if men were forbidden all prayer but by the Book, yet it is more easy to vent error or malice in a Sermon. So that unless you tie them also to forbear preaching save out of an imposed book, you are never the better. And if you would do so, you are sorry helpers of the Church. 3. You have a better remedy then these at hand. Put no such Insufficient men, or Heretics into the Ministry, that will so abuse prayer: or if they be crept in, put them out again, and put better in their places, that will not abuse it. If some Physicians kill men by ignorance or malice, will you tie them all to go by a Book and give but one medicine, or will you not rather cast out the unworthy, and licence only abler men?