A treatise of liturgies, power of the keys, and of matter of the visible…A treatise of liturgies, power of the keyes, and of matter of the visible…

2 We doubt not but in the Popish Forms of Mass, Matten, and Evensong, &c. some things lawful, good, and pertinent may be found, yet would not the godly allow these very reasons we allege in the Answer sufficient to refuse the whole Form, and so those good and lawful things in that Form? as that they are devised by men, without the command of God, imposed by an Antichristian power, abused to Idolatry and Superstition, wherein the people place much holiness, and necessity, full of scandal, &c. and if these Reasons do not hold against this Form in the Communion book, the Reply should have acquitted it from them: or else the consequence must be yielded in this case, as in the other, notwithstanding all the good and pertinent things therein. John Simpson, and John Ardly Martyrs in Q. Mary's days, and faithful Witnesses, made answer to the sixth article of Bonner, concerning the Mass, that 'tis of the Pope, not of Christ, and therefore not good, not ⟨p. 38⟩having in it any goodness, saving Gloria in excelsis, the Epistles and Gospels, the Creed and Pater Noster; and for this cause (they said) they have not, nor will not come to hear Mass: the same answer was made by six more in those days, mentioned by Mr. Fox. If therefore corrupt Forms may be used because of some things good and lawful mixed with them, there should have been shown us some proof for it, but if the meaning be, that there may be a lawful use of those things which are lawful and good in it: we say so too, (due circumstances of their use being observed) but then we fall off from the question between us; otherwise we know that things lawful and good in themselves, yet (not duly circumstantiated) may be evil and scandalous in their use. Hear what Paul saith, it was lawful for Paul to eat some kinds of meat, yet if it maketh my brother offend, I will eat no flesh whiles the world standeth, 1 Cor. 8. 13. Hear what the Authors of the second admonition to the Parliament say, in Queen Elizabeths days, the Book of Commonprayer, which of all others must not be touched, because they have gotten the State to bear it out, yet he hath but a bad conscience, that in this time will hold his peace, and not speak it for fear of trouble; knowing that there are such intolerable abuses in it:

2 We doubt not but in the Popish Forms of Masse, Matten, and Evensong, &c. some things lawfull, good, and pertinent may bee found, yet would not the godly allow these very reasons wee alledge in the Answer sufficient to refuse the whole Forme, and so those good and lawfull things in that Forme? as that they are devised by men, without the command of God, imposed by an Antichristian power, abused to Idolatry and Superstition, wherein the people place much holinesse, and necessity, full of scandall, &c. and if these Reasons do not hold against this Forme in the Communion booke, the Reply should have acquited it from them: or else the consequence must bee yeelded in this case, as in the other, notwithstanding all the good and pertinent things therein. John Simson, and John Ardly Martyrs in Q. Maries dayes, and faithfull Witnesses, made answer to the sixt article of Bonner, concerning the Masse, that 'tis of the Pope, not of Christ, and therefore not good, not