The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by…

Reply. To this passage we humbly crave your consideration of these Answers; 1. We have not only said, (that sober pious persons scruple the Liturgy) but we have opened to you those defects, and disorders, and corruptions, which must needs make the imposing of it unlawful, when God might be more fitly served. 2. It is strange, that you must see it first evidently proved unlawful for men to join with the Liturgy (you mean, we suppose, to join with you in the using of it, or when you use it,) before you will see reason to alter any thing in it: what if it be only proved unlawful for you to impose it, though not for others to join with you when you do impose it, is this no reason to alter it? should you not have some care to avoid sin your selves, as well as to preserve others from it? An inconvenient mode of Worship is a sin in the Imposer, and in the Chooser, and voluntary User, that might offer God better, and will not, Mal. 1. 13, 14. And yet it may not be only lawful, but a duty to him that by violence is necessitated to offer up that or none. And yet we suppose the Imposers should see cause to make an alteration. If you lived where you must receive the Lords Supper sitting, or not at all, it's like you would be of this mind your selves. 3. Why should it be called a [bare pretence of scruples] as if you searched the Hearts, and knew (not only that they are upon mistake, but) that they are not real, when the persons not only profess them real, but are willing to use all just means that tend to their satisfaction, they study, read, pray, and will be glad of Conference with you, at any time, upon equal terms, if they may be themselves believed. 4. Even groundless scruples about the matter of an unnecessary Law, which hath that which to the weak both is and will be an appearance of evil, may be sufficient to make it the Duty of Rulers to reverse their impositions, though they be not sufficient to justify the Scrupulous. 5. If a man should think that he ought not to obey man, even when he thinketh it is against the Commands of God, though he be uncertain, ⟨p. 45⟩