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…

To reduce therefore this proposition unto its true state which the answer puts it in, which is thus, If the question be of joining in prayer with, and when that whole Liturgy is read, or where that which is used, (viz. though not the whole) is read by an unable and ungodly Minister: we see not how it can be lawful to join, &c. where that which is read by an unable and ungodly Minister, cannot have reference to the select prayers, but only was put in, to reach the whole case, lest any should say, may we not join, therefore if they read not all, (as sometimes such do not, for haste to the Alehouse, Bear-baitings, &c.) And the case is so well known to our selves and others, what the manner of such Priests is, how far they are from making any choice of select prayers: or having any skill indeed so to do; that if any be more superstitious then others, they would ⟨p. 45⟩soonest choose them; so that it was far from our thoughts to impute it to them, to read the select prayers only. The question being rightly stated, the argument will halt very much; For we say, it is unlawful in both respects, and the rather, when jointly considered; and therefore you should first have justified the whole Liturgy, or so much as such Idol-Priests use to read to be lawful, and also the standing and calling of those men, before the argument can hold, both which you have wholly left naked without proof, and argue only about the lawfulness of joining with an ungodly Minister in the Ordinances of God, which will not reach this case. If one should affirm it is unlawful to go to Matins or Evensong, when the whole is read, or that which is read, is done by a popish Priest, and you should answer then, it is either because of the Prayers or the Priest. Not the first; for the prayers (if select) may be good, and faultless, and not because of the Priest, for then we may never join with an ungodly Minister in the Ordinances of God: The answer would be very imperfect and impertinent, and just so it is here in the frame of the reason, though the corruptions in that service and this be not alike we grant. But before we answer to the second part of your dis-junction, let us consider a little here once for all, the act of the people in joining with the reading of this Liturgy, or so much of it, as is read usually by such Idol-priests.

To reduce therefore this proposition unto its true state which the answer puts it in, which is thus, If the question bee of joyning in prayer with, and when that whole Liturgie is read, or where that which is used, (viz. though not the whole) is read by an unable and ungodly Minister: wee see not how it can bee lawfull to joyne, &c. where that which is read by an unable and ungodly Minister, cannot have reference to the select prayers, but onely was put in, to reach the whole case, lest any should say, may we not joyne, therefore if they read not all, (as sometimes such doe not, for haste to the Alehouse, Beare-baitings, &c.) And the case is so well known to our selves and others, what the manner of such Priests is, how farre they are from making any choyce of select prayers: or having any skill indeed so to doe; that if any bee more superstitious then others, they would