A69535:344
The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by…
The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by His Sacred Majesty as commissioners for the review and alteration of the Book of common prayer, &c. : being an exact account of their whole proceedings : the most perfect copy.
London printed : s.n., 1661
THE PAPERS That passed between the COMMISSIONERS Appointed by His M… › Reply
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.
Repl. Despise not O Lord humble and contrite hearts) is not prayer, for assistance, and acceptance in that Worship, suited to the duty of a people addressing themselves to God: But it is recited ⟨p. 85⟩as a Scripture invitation to repentance, and (that those things may please him which we do at this present) are no words of Prayer, but part of an exhortation to the people; (and O Lord open thou our lips) comes after the Exhortation, Confession, Absolution, and Lords Prayer, and ergo, is not in the place of such an Address, as we are speaking of, What will not seem to justify, what we have a mind to justify; and to condemn that which we have a mind to condemn?
[This which they call a defect, others think they have reason to 1account the perfection of the Liturgy, the Offices of which being intended for common and general services, would cease to be such, by descending to particulars, as in confession of Sin, while it is general, all persons may and must join in it, since in many things we offend all; But if there be a particular enumeration of sins, it cannot be so general a confession, because it may happen that some or other may by Gods Grace have been preserved from some of those sins enumerated, and therefore should by confessing themselves guilty, tell God a Lye, which needs a new Confession.]
[This which they call a defect, others think they have reason to 1account the perfection of the Liturgy, the Offices of which being intended for common and general services, would cease to be such, by descending to particulars, as in confession of Sin, while it is general, all persons may and must joyn in it, since in many things we offend all; But if there be a particular enumeration of sins, it cannot be so general a confession, because it may happen that some or other may by Gods Grace have been preserved from some of those sins enumerated, and therefore should by confessing themselves guilty, tell God a Lye, which needs a new Confession.]