The Conformists Plea, Considerations
The Divines appointed to meet in the Dean's Houſe, 1641.
Conſiderations on the Common-Prayer.
2. Whether the Reading of Pſalms, Sentences of Scripture, concurring in divers places in Hymns, the Epiſtles and Goſpels, ſhould not be ſet out in the New Tranſlation?
4. Whether Leſſons of Canonical Scripture ſhould not be put in the Kalendar inſtead of the Apocrypha?
5. That the Doxologie ſhould be always printed at the end of the Lord's Prayer.
6. Whether the Rubrick ſhould not be mended, where it is, (that the Leſſons ſhould be ſung in a plain Tune) why not, read with a diſtinct Voice?
7. Whether Gloria Patri ſhould be repeated at the end of every Pſalm?
Conſider. 9. Whether the Hymns, Benedicite, Omnia Opera, &c. may not be left out?
3. Whether the Rubrick ſhould not be mended, where all Veſtments in time of Divine Service, are now commanded, which were uſed 2. E. 6.
10. In the Prayer for the Clergy that phraſe perhaps to be altered, [which only workeſt great marvels.]
11. In the Rubrick for the Adminiſtration of the Lord's Supper. Whether this Alteration to be made, that ſuch as intend to Communicate, ſhall ſignify their Names to the Curat over Night, or in the Morning before Prayers.
12. The next Rubrick to be cleared, How far a Miniſter may repulſe a ſcandalous and notorious Sinner from the Communion.
13. Whether that Rubrick is not to be mended, where the Churchwardens are ſtraitly appointed to gather the Alms for the Poor, before the Communion begins, for by experience it is proved to be done better when the people depart.
14. Whether the Rubrick is not to be mended, concerning the party that is to make his general Confeſſion upon his Knees, before the Communion, that it ſhould be ſaid only by the Miniſter, and then at every clauſe repeated to the people.
16. Whether it be not fit to inſert a Rubrick touching kneeling at the Communion; that is, to comply in all humility with the Prayer which the Miniſter makes when he delivers the Elements.
19. Whether in the firſt Prayer at the Baptiſm, theſe words, Didſt ſanctify the Flood Jordan, and all other Waters, ſhould not be thus changed, Didſt ſanctify the Element of Water?
20. Whether it be not fit to have ſome diſcreet Rubrick made to take away all Scandal from ſignifying the Sign of the Croſs upon the Infants after Baptiſm, or if it ſhall ſeem more expedient, to be quite diſuſed; whether this Reaſon ſhould be publiſhed, that in Ancient Liturgies, No Croſs was conſigned upon the Party, but where Oil alſo was uſed; and therefore Oil being now omitted, ſo may alſo that which was concomitant with it, the Sign of the Croſs.
21. In private Baptiſm, the Rubrick mentions that which muſt not be done, That the Miniſter may dip the Child in Water, being at the point of Death.
22. Whether in the laſt Rubrick of Confirmation thoſe words be to be leſt out, [and be undoubtedly ſaved.]
23. Whether the Catechiſm may not receive a little more enlargement.
24. Whether the Times prohibited for Marriage are quite to be taken away?
25. Whether none hereafter ſhall have Licenſes to Marry, nor be asked their Baues of Matrimony, that ſhall not bring with them a Certificate from their Miniſters, that they are inſtructed in their Catechiſm.
26. Whether theſe words in Matrimony [with my Body I thee worſhip] ſhall not be thus altered, I give thee power over my Body?
27. Whether the laſt Rubrick of Marriage ſhould not be mended, that the new married Perſons ſhould receive the Communion the ſame day of the Marriage, may it not well be; or upon the next Sunday following, when the Communion is celebrated?
28. In the Abſolution of the Sick, were it not plain, to ſay, I pronounce thee Abſolved.
29. The Pſalm of Thankſgiving of Women after Child-birth, Were it not fit to be compoſed out of proper Verſicles taken from divers Pſalms?
32. In the Order of the Burial of all Perſons, 'tis ſaid, We commit this Body to the Ground, in ſure and certain hope of Reſurrection to eternal Life: Why not thus, Knowing aſſuredly that the Dead ſhall riſe again.
34. In the Litany, inſtead of Fornication, and all other deadly Sin; Would it not ſatisfy thus, From Fornication, and all other grievous Sins.
35. It is very fit that the Imperfections of the Meeter, in the Singing Pſalms ſhould be mended; and then lawful Authority added unto them, to have them publickly ſung before and after Sermons, and ſometimes inſtead of the Hymns of Morning and Evening Prayer.