A Plea for the Non-Conformists, Table of contents
The CONTENTS
Of the principal things contain'd in this Letter to Doctor Calamy (bringing forth the Merits of the Cauſe, as the Dr. deſires) under the Conformiſts Objections and Non-Conformiſts Anſwers are as followeth, viz.
1. Obj. THe firſt Objection the Conformiſts make againſt the Non-Conformiſts, is, That they have no ground conſcientiouſly to ſcruple at the Rites and Ceremonies of their Church, becauſe they are none of them forbidden in the Scripture; upon which ſingle Point (they ſay) ſtands the whole of the Controverſie, pag. 3, 4.
Anſw. To which the Non-Conformiſts return to them the ſame Anſ…er they themſelves give the Papiſts, to the ſame Objection againſt them, viz. That what is not contained in our only RULE OF FAITH, THE BIBLE, is to be rejected, p. 6, 7, 8.
2. Obj. That the Non-Conformiſts have no reaſon to ſ…ruple, much leſs to ſeparate from their Church for ſuch ſmall indifferent things, as the Rites and Ceremonies in the Liturgy, which they affirm to be ſo, p. 9, 10.
Anſw. To which they ſay, That the Rites and Ceremonies in Gods Worſhip are not ſmall indifferent things, either in Gods account, p. 13, 14. nor in their own account, as their Principles from their own Pens evidence, and their Practices declare, viz. by their impoſing them as abſolutely neceſſary, upon the Penalty of Life, Liberty and Eſtate, yea, Soul alſo, though themſelves do grant, that the enjoyning ind…fferent or unneceſſary things as Neceſſary, is an adding to Gods Word, Will Worſhip and vain Worſhip, p. 11, 12, 13.
3. Obj. That they have no cauſe to ſeparate upon the account of Rites and Ceremonies, as tho' they were Popiſh Novel…ies, becauſe they are all of them founded in Primitive Antiquity, before Popery was known in the World; both which they poſſitively Affirm, p. 14, 15.
Anſw. To which they Reply, 1ſt. That Primitive Antiquity without Scripture Authority, ought to be no Rule, by their own grant, p. 16. 2dly. That in that Antiquity is found many groſs Errors and Hereſies (many of which are enumerated) to which we ſhall be obliged, as well as to the other, if that be to be the Rule, p. 17. 3dly. As to matter of fact they ſay, Theſe Rites and Ceremonies in the Liturgy (ſo ſeverely impoſed upon Diſſenters) upon a due ſearch are not to be found in Primitive Antiquity, before Popery was known in the World, as they make good in 28 Particulars, viz. Kneeling at Altar, Surplice, Croſs in Baptiſm, Confirmation or Biſhoping, Baptizing Children for Regeneration, upon the deed done, Goſſips, Liturgies, Letanies, Reſponſes, Collects, Antiphones, Kyrieeleiſons, Pſalms and Leſſons, Epiſtles and Goſpels, Singing Service, Altars, Feſtivals, Reſtraining Marriage to fixed Canonical Times and Hours, Bowing at Altar, Eccleſiaſtical Order, Conſecration of Churches, Organs, Rogation-Week, Prieſts Garments, Wedneſday, Fryday and Saturday Faſts, Vigils, Apoſt. Creed, Athanaſius's Creed, from p. 18. to 29. 4thly. That they ſymbolize and are expreſly founded in Popery, which they make good from many particulars, by divers Arguments and Authorities, as well as by their own Grants and Acknowledgements, from p. 29, to 64. viz. 1ſt. From the Former Inſtances, being the Ordination of Popes and their Councils, p. 30. 2dly. By Confeſſion of Parties, p. 31, 32. 3dly. By comparing their Divine [or Maſs] Service and ours together, 1ſt. As to the Times when … be performed, p. 33, 34. 2dly. In the divine Service it ſelf, p. 35. 3dly. In their Rites and Ceremonies, Places of Worſhip, Prieſthood: 4thly. Ordination of Prieſts, p. 36, 37. 5thly. Impoſing and perſecuting Diſſenters, contrary to their own grants, from p. 46, to 52. Confirm'd by Hiſtory, and ſealed to by the Witneſs of our old Non-Conformiſts, from p. 53, to 64.
4, 5. Obj. The two laſt Objections charges the Diſſenters from the Religion eſtabliſhed by Law, to be guilty of Diſobedience to lawful Authority, Sedition, Faction, Tumult, Riot, Plotting, &c.
To both which they modeſtly defend and juſtifie themſelves, from p. 65, to the end. The Concluſion ſums up the matter, and improves it. The Author many times perſonates the Diſſenters for the Se…ſe ſake, wherein you muſt bear with him.
You have then the Scheme of the Pagan, Papal and Chriſtian Rites and Ceremonies. And laſtly, the Narrative of the Suferings undergone for Printing and Publiſhing hereof.