Several Treatises of Worship and Ceremonies, Preface 1 – To the reader 1
Summa Summae.
The Prelates to the afflicted Miniſters in this Realm.
Let them prove this aſſumption but by one Argument, and we will yield. But it is to be noted, That the Prelates ſtill take all things contained therein as granted and without queſtion, whereas we have proved and offer to prove the contrary.ALL thoſe that wilfully refuſe to obey the King in things indifferent, and to conform themſelves to the Orders of the Church authorized by him, not contrary to the Word of God, are Schiſmaticks, enemies to the Kings Supremacy and State, and not to be tolerated in Church or Commonwealth.
But you do wilfully refuſe to obey the King in things indifferent, and to conform your ſelves to the Orders of the Church, authorized by him not contrary to the Word of God. Ergo,
You are Schiſmaticks, Enemies to the Kings Supremacy and the State, and not to be tolerated in Church or Commonwealth.
The afflicted Miniſters to the Prelates.
ALL thoſe that freely and willingly perform unto the King and State all Obedience not only in things neceſſary, but Indifferent, commanded by Law; And that have been alwaies ready to conform themſelves to every Order of the Church, authorized by him, not contrary to the Word of God, are free from all Schiſm, Friends to the Kings Supremacy, and to the State, and unworthy in this manner to be moleſted in Church or Commonwealth.
ButeThis Treatiſe, and other books lately written and exhibited to authority, do prove the Aſſumption. there is none of us that is deprived or ſuſpended from our Miniſtry, but hath ever been ready, freely and willingly to perform unto the King and State all obedience, not only in things neceſſary, but Indifferent, required by Law, and to conform our ſelves to every Order of the Church, authorized by him, not contrary to the Word of God. Ergo,
We are all free from Schiſm, Friends, to the Kings Supremacy and the State, and moſt unworthy of ſuch moleſtation in Church and Commonwealth, as now we ſuſtain.
Engliſh Puritaniſm.
CONTAINING THE MAIN OPINIONS of the rigideſt ſort of thoſe that are called PURITANS, in the Realm of ENGLAND.
Acts 24.14.
But this I confeſſe unto thee, that after the way (which they call hereſie) ſo worſhip I the God of my Fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law, and the Prophets.
Acts 28.22.
But we will hear of thee what thou thinkeſt: for as concerning this ſect, we know that every where it is ſpoken againſt.
Printed in the Year, 1660.
To the Indifferent Reader.
IT cannot be unknown to them that know any thing, that thoſe Chriſtians in this Realm which are called by the odious and vile name of Puritans, are accuſed by the Prelates to the Kings Majeſty and the State, to maintain many abſurd, erroneous, Schiſmatical, and Heretical Opinious, concerning Religion, Church-Government, and the Civil Magiſtracy. Which hath moved me to collect (as near as I could) the chiefeſt of them, and to ſend them naked to the view of all men, that they may ſee what is the worſt that the worſt of them hold. It is not my part to prove and juſtifie them: Thoſe that accuſe and condemn them muſt in all reaſon and equity prove their accuſation, or elſe bear the name of unchriſtian Slanderers. I am not ignorant that they lay other Opinions (yea ſome clean contradictory to theſe) to the charge of theſe men, the falſhood whereof we ſhall (it is to be doubted) have more and more occaſion to detect. In the mean time all Enemies of Divine Truth ſhall find, that to obſcure the ſame with Calumniations and untruths, is but to hid… a fire with laying dry ſtraw or tow upon it. But thou mayſt herein obſerve, what a terrible Popedome and Primacy theſe rigid Presbyterians deſire; and with what painted bug-bears and Scare-Crows, the Prelates go about to fright the States of this Kingdome withall, who will no doubt one day ſee, how their wiſdoms are abuſed.
Farewell.