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 T H E 
 
 Proteftant - DifTenter's 
 
 C A T E C H'l S M. 
 
 CONTAINING, 
 
 I. A Brief History of the Non- 
 conformists : 
 
 IT. The Reasons of the Dissent 
 from the National Church. 
 
 DESIGNED 
 
 To inftrudfc and effcablifh Young Persons 
 among the Dissenters in the Princi- 
 ples of Nonconformity. 
 
 By the Rev. Samuel Palmer, of Hackney. 
 The THIRD EDITION 7 , corrected. 
 
 heed to tbjfelf and keep thy foul diligently, left thou 
 forget the things tvbkb thine eyes ha<ve feen^ ar. 
 i u ey depart from thine heart all the clays of thy life : 
 hut teach them thy fons y and thy fons f 
 
 Deut. J v. 9. 
 
 BELFAST: 
 
 PRINTED BY JAMES MAOEE AT THE BIBLE AND CRCWN, 
 JN BRIDGE-STRET. MDCCLXXIV, 
 
 [Price, 6d. h .] 
 
[ iii ] 
 
 
 PREFACE, 
 
 THE defign of the following work is to in- 
 ftruct and eftablifh young perfons and the 
 unlearned, among the Diffenters, in the principles 
 Nonconformity. A defign which, it is hoped, 
 will not be thought unneceflary, cr unimportant. — • 
 It is net unneceflary, fince it is too evident that 
 Diflfcnters, in the prefent day, are only fuch 
 Jucation, and know little of the principles on 
 which the diffent is founded, and en which alone 
 it can be vindicated. In ccnfequcr.ee of this, feme 
 of them are Bigots, and i ra indifferent; 
 
 and the caufe ot Nonconformity' fullers both v 
 No wonder if rhoi^ loft fhould pre- 
 
 judice others again ft it, by their ignorant zeal in 
 
 ding it. Nor i^ it more fui piling if tho 
 the latter fhould defer t it, or cccafion others to 
 do fo, and conform to the ix 
 A 2 
 
iv P R E F ACE. 
 
 whenever the temptations of fa (h ion, or worldly 
 honour, of fecular advantage, or agreeable friend- 
 ships^ of family connexions, or convenience of 
 fituation, fhould ftrongly invite them to it ; 
 efpecially when, to either of thefe motives, is 
 joined that ct an ingenious, popular, or evange- 
 lical miniftry. Inftances of this kind are not 
 uncommon amongft us; efpecially cf occafional 
 conformity at places of public refort, where many 
 amongfr us are afhamed to avow their principles, 
 thro' fear of appearing impolite. A piece of 
 meannefs which one would think mud often de- 
 feat its end, and inftead of recommending them 
 to the regards of Coniform ills, muft excite their 
 contempt. — The long interval of peace and liber- 
 ty which the Diffenters have enjo} ed, the mo- 
 deration which hath of late prevailed among 
 the fenfible and pious of the eftablifhed church, 
 and efpecially that difregard to the dictates of 
 confeience, and that declenfion in true piety, 
 which are the common confequence of outward 
 profperity ; have contributed to render Diflenters 
 carelefs about underftanding their principles, and 
 indifferent to the fupport of their caufe. Too 
 many of them, it mould feem, fcarcely think it 
 r.rth fupporting : at Icart, it does not appear 
 to them of fuch importance, as to make it worth 
 their while to take much pains, or pra&ife much 
 fclf-denial, in order to maintain it. Tho' thro* 
 
 the 
 
PREFACE. v 
 
 the power of cuflom, and particular connexions, 
 they continue DifTenters themfelves, if fecular in- 
 terefl invite their children to conformity, they 
 have nothing to fay againft it, but rather en- 
 courage them to it. " They are not fo bigott^d 
 " as to think religion confined to a party. 1 
 <c know many good people belonging to the 
 " eftablifhed church. Many of the prayers are 
 u very good. They have heard very good fer- 
 " mons at church too ; and feme cf the Clergy 
 " are found Gofpel-preachers." All this is true, 
 but not fufficient. Which leads me to fpeak of 
 the Importance of the DifTenting Interefl ; and this 
 will evince the importance of the following work. 
 
 If the caufe of Nonconformity, be of fo little 
 confequence, that worldly advantage may be 
 fuffered to turn the fcale, it is not worth fup- 
 porting, and it would be mod prudent to let it 
 drop. Should any be difpofed to afk, (as fome 
 very confidently with their conduct may) " 
 " where will be the harm if it mould?" The 
 author will take upon him to fay, It would be 
 greatly injurious to the interefl of Prctcilant- 
 Chriflianity, which cannot be defended on any 
 other principles than tnofe on which the Dif- 
 fenters found their feparation, viz. The ri_' 
 private judgment, and liberty of conference, the 
 ackm f his 
 
 A 3 chw 
 
*] PREFACE. 
 
 church, and the fufhYiency of the holy fcripl 
 as the rule of faith and practice. If thefe, there- 
 fore, are given up or 1 i, this nation I 
 again be loft in H iths of PcfpHfc fnper- 
 (lition, and groan under i. f Church- 
 tyranny*. 
 
 ing the beft ; Is ir of no dm 
 
 quence that we fhould bear our teflimony a* 
 that authority, in matters cf faith and ccnici- 
 ch 1 1 : a t church lays claim, and 
 thofe additions to Chriilianity • which fhe hath 
 prefumed to make ; Or that the doctrines and 
 
 is of the gofpel be maintained in I 
 original purity and firnpiiciiy ? It mull ( 
 
 .'lowed of great importance to the honour. 
 of Chrifc, and to chriitian edification. } 
 may it not be added } The Diflknting intcreil 
 is of great confequencc to the fupport of \ 
 
 practical godlinefs in the nation. I 
 forbid any of us fhould I 
 
 * Dr. Edwards makes a free and h 
 on this heap, worthy of notice here. 4 * If (feyi he) we 
 4 * would but open cur eyes, v/e fnould fee that \ 
 " holden to the for the continuance of a great 
 
 " part of our theological principles : (or if the high-ci 
 ct men had no checks, they would have brought in P 
 li befoie this time by their ove; -valuing pomp and cere- 
 M mony in divine v/oifliip. So that if there had been no 
 u Dilk ehurch of England had been long iince 
 
 i4 ruined ." Edwards's Preacher, Vol. II. p. 183. 
 
 be 
 
PREFACE vii 
 
 be found amor.gft ourfelves : it is here with 
 pleafure owned, that feme of our conforming 
 brethren have ftirnithed the brighteft exam- 
 ples of found morality and chriftian piety, of 
 which any. church can boaft. But it rmift he 
 maintained, that thofe corruptions in regard to 
 worlhip, ceremonies, and uifcipline, which are 
 found in the national church, (tho* the hearts of 
 fome of its members art od to be hurt by 
 them, as hath been the cafe with fome in the 
 church of Rome) have nevertheless an hurtful 
 tendency, in a moral and religious view, with 
 regard to the bulk of the people, and endanger 
 their taking up with " the form of godtinefs 
 " iriftead of the power of if." In this re 
 the Proteftant-Diflenters (as one of their writers* 
 hath fully evinced) have greatly the advantage. 
 The very nature of our profeflfon leads to greater 
 purity, at lead in the outward behay] 
 our freedom from forms and ceremonies aff 
 peculiar advantage for attending to the religion 
 of the heart. Our liberty alfo in the choice ot 
 our minifters, and in the admiffion and ejec- 
 tion of our communicants, muft be allowed to 
 operate in favour of good order and piety in 
 cur churches. (Would to God the effects there- 
 of were more vifible !) It may moreover be af- 
 
 * Dr. Watti, in hi* Humlle at tempt \ &t. 
 
 A 4 firmed, 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 firmed, and has been allowed by moderate church- 
 men themfelves, that the fupport of our Dif- 
 
 19 of importance to the intcreft of piety and 
 virtue, even in the national church itfelf; as 
 it proves a reAraint to fome of the members 
 
 minifters of it, m and excites a fpirit of emu- 
 lation among them. 
 
 From thefe confiderations, it appears well 
 worthy the friends of liberty and pure chrifti- 
 anity to exert themfelves in fupporting the Dif- 
 fenting Intereft, and confequently to inftruQ: the 
 rifing generation in the principles of it, that they 
 may become its fteady, and rational advocates. 
 TLofe who are themfelves Diflenters upon principle 
 muft, one would imagine, perceive themfelves 
 to be under (Irong obligations to train up their 
 children and donjefticks in thofe principles and 
 practices to which they find themfelves in con- 
 science bound to adhere. Confiderate and con- 
 fcientious church-men cannot blame them for fo 
 doing, but mull condemn them as ft ran gel y in- 
 corififtent if they do not. 
 
 To afllft them in this branch of education, h 
 the defign of the prefent Eflay. And hippy will 
 the author eftcem himfelf, if it (hall be thought 
 by the judicious, calculated to anfwer this end. 
 
 He 
 
PREFACE. ix 
 
 fie hopes it will net expofe him to cenfure, 
 from any worthy members cf the eftablifhed 
 church, as deftitute of chriftian candour or 
 proper refpecl. It would really give him pain 
 to injure or grieve one confeientious man among 
 them. For many cf them he has an high re- 
 gard, with fome a friendly connection, which he 
 wifhes to preferve; and gladly would he promote 
 among Chriftians of all parties mutual candour 
 and friendfhip, where their characters are unex- 
 ceptionable, at the fame time that he freely and 
 zealouily vindicates what appears to him, c 
 impartial enquiry, the caufe of truth, of liberty 
 and rcli^ : on. If he has here written any thing 
 incenfittent with this profefTion, or that may 
 feern too fevere upon the eflabllfhed church, lie 
 hopes it will be attributed more to the ardor of 
 his zeal for the caufe he efpoufes, 'than to any 
 degree of malice towards the Perf:ns whofe prin- 
 ciples he condemns. If he is miitaken in any 
 circumftance alledged againft the eftablifhment, 
 or any other > (which may probably be the cafe 
 where fo many points are handled) he wifhes to 
 be convinced of his errors, and promifes, upon 
 convi&ion, to correct them in the next edition*. 
 
 * Some co.rectioiiF, are accordingly, made uion, 
 
 for which the author gratefully acknowledge 
 Several of his friends. Here are alio feme o:ht: final] . 
 tion r , and fome few addition , which are | n ihe 
 
 notes. The moil material alteration wi.l be .ki /. 
 
 Q, n, 13. 
 
 A 5 In 
 
X PREFAC E. 
 
 In order to promote the fucctfs of this work, 
 the author begs leave to exprefs his earned wifli 
 that thofe who are pleafed to encourage it, would 
 not only recommend the careful pcrufal of 
 it to thofe into whofe hands they may put it, 
 but take fome pains with any young pcrfons 
 more immediately under their care, to make them 
 mafters of the fubjec~t of which it treats; and 
 examine into their proficiency, by aflung them 
 the principal queftions in the Catechiirn, though 
 it mould not be thought neceffary for them to 
 commit the anfwers to memory verbatim, but 
 only to anfwer in their own words ; which will 
 indeed afford a better proof of their undent . 
 ing the fubjecl. — It is alio much to be wifhed 
 that thofe whofe time and circumftances will 
 admit of it, might have larger works put into 
 their hands, when they are mailers of this, i 
 a view to per feci: their knowledge of the Hiftory 
 and the Principles of the Nonconforming, 
 which this is only defigned as an introduction. 
 Of the principal of thefe, therefore, a Catalogue 
 is added at the end. 
 
 There is only one thing more which the Au- 
 thor would fuggeft in this preface, and that is, 
 a fcrious caution to all his readers againft fatis- 
 with acquiring, or promoting 
 in others, the moft accurate acquaintance with 
 the ftate of the controversy between us and our 
 
 cenforn. 
 
PREFACE. xi 
 
 conforming brethren, to the neglect of wl 
 of unfpeakably greater moment, and what ought 
 ever to be confide red as the ultimate end cf 
 all — the experience of the power of religion in 
 the heart, and tf.e zealous practice of it in the 
 life. Without this, chriflians of all other de- 
 nominations, and infidels themfelves, may juftly 
 upbraid us with afking, u What do you more than 
 others?" Without this, with all our boafted know- 
 ledge and zeal, not only virtuous Church-men, 
 but Papifls and Jews, Mahometans and Hea- 
 thens, will rife up in judgment againft us. It wsd 
 a regard to vital godlinefs that occasioned the 
 original difient, and animated the zeal cf our 
 fore-fathers in the funport of it. It is by this 
 alone that it can long be maintained, and with- 
 out this indeed it is fcarcely worth maintaining. 
 To corroborate thefe fentiments, and enforce 
 a regard to them, the author would earneftly re- 
 commend the ferious perufai of thst excellent 
 treatife of Dr. Watts, entitled " An bu\ 
 Attempt towards the Revival of prafltia! Religion." 
 of which the following extract from the Preface 
 (hall ferve as a clofe to this. 
 
 " I am well fatisfied that the great and 
 u neral reafon of the decline of the I 
 iC Intereft in any place, is the decay ri vital 
 16 religion in the hearts and lives of mci 
 if If this be not our hope and defign, th< 
 
 " I 
 
xii PREFACE. 
 
 " port of that Intereft is but of little import- 
 i( ance. What is it that we mean by aflerting 
 " the rights of conscience in our feparation 
 u from the eftablifhed church, but more effec- 
 " tually to promote the kingdom of God among 
 " men, to do more honour to the name of 
 cc Chrift our Saviour in his Inftitutions, and 
 4€ belter to carry on the blefled work of the faU 
 " vation of fouls ?" 
 
 Hackney, 
 
 Sept. 7, 1773. S. P. 
 
THE 
 PROTESTANT DISSENTER'S 
 
 CATECHISM. 
 
 PART the FIRST. 
 
 A BRIEF 
 
 History of the Nonconformists. 
 
 Q^ i. TTOJV many Religions are there in the 
 ri world ? 
 A. Four: the Pagan (or Heathen), the Jew- 
 ifh, the Mahometan, and the Chriftian. 
 
 Note, BefiHes thefe, multitudes in all parts of Europe are 
 Deijhy who have net, as fuch, anv form oi religion or public 
 woifhip. They profefs to believe in God, and many of them 
 in a future ftate, a* the dictates of region, but deny all reve- 
 lation. 
 
 Q^ 2. IVho are generally comprehended under 
 the name of Christians ? 
 
 A. All who profefs to receive the religion of 
 Jefus Chrifl: as divine. 
 
 Q^ 3. What is the grand divifion which has 
 taken plaa among Chrijiiaju ? 
 
 A. Chriftians 
 
2 A B 
 
 A. Chriftians (in this weftern t P a **t of Eu- 
 rope) arc diwded into Papifts and I roteftants. 
 
 •f Note, In the Enficrn part thcte is a "Third denomination, viz. 
 thole, of the Gttc< ::ich in r.1.1 { aiticularly 
 
 in its ceremonies, reltmbles that of a 
 
 CL 4. IT/JO are called Papifts ? 
 A. Thole who are in communion with the 
 church of Rome, often called Roman-catholics, 
 
 but more propu (ts. becaufe of their 
 
 fubjecltcn to the PopcJ, whom the greater part 
 of them receive and honour as Chn/l's vicar, 
 and universal bifhop. 
 
 J In Latin Fopa, a name at firft given to all biftiop^ but 1 
 
 wards approp: iated to the bifiicp cr AVrw, wbf d the 
 
 effice of univeilal bifhep. 
 
 Q^ 5. Who are meant by the term Proteftants? 
 
 A. This name was given to thole who firft 
 publickly protefted agaiiift the errors of Popcrv ; 
 viz. at Spire in Germany, I 5 29 ; and from them 
 it has betn, to this day, applied to thbfe chrif- 
 tians in general (in the Weil) who are not 
 Papifts. 
 
 Q^ 6. Are the Proteftants in England united 
 in their faith and m 
 
 A. No ; they are divided into Conformifts and 
 Nonconfoi mills ; or as they are'coiwmoi.ly call- 
 ed, Church-men and Diflen 
 
 Q^ 7. Who are called Conibrmifb, or Church- 
 men \ 
 
 A. Thofe who conform to that mode of 
 fhip, and form of church-government, which 
 are eftablifhed and fupported in England by the 
 ftate. 
 
 Q^ 8. Who are intended by the term Difie: 
 
 A. The term properly fignifies perfons of a 
 different opinion (in any matter) but now com- 
 
 mcnly 
 
of the Nonconformists. 3 
 
 monly denotes thofe in general who do not con- 
 form to the eftablifhed church, but meet for 
 divine worfhip in places of their own : more 
 efpecially thofe of the three following denomi- 
 nations, Pre/by ter tans, Independents, and Bapti/ls*. 
 
 * So commonly called, for brevity fake, but more juftly Antt- 
 poedo-baptifis. 
 
 0^9- How long have there been DiiTenters in 
 England? 
 
 A. In the proper CenfQ of the word, there were 
 DiiTenters in England long before the Reforma- 
 tion took place here. 
 
 Q^ 10. What do you mean by the Reformation? 
 
 A. The renouncing of Popery, which for 
 many ages was the ertablifhed religion of this 
 country, and of alrroft all Europe. 
 
 Q^ n. What were they called who diflented 
 from the church oj England, bejore Jhe renounced 
 Popery P 
 
 A. Lollards , (a term of reproach equivalent to 
 that of Fanatics f) and Wickli/pies, on account of 
 their embracing the do&rines of JVicklijfe J, who 
 
 \ See a full enquiry into the etymology of ic til 
 Led. Hilt. vol. i. p. 744. 
 
 J He wa. bo r a: WtciUff* nea*' Richmond in T:rkf. 
 1324, and flu. lied at Queen's (afterwards at Mcrt§iC%\ c 
 
 - .\ whee he was tome time ' lifer. Htr r 
 
 tained mod of thofe points by which the Puritans were 
 dillinguiihed. He wrote feveial tia^s agaioft tne principal 
 
 of Popery, and was the fir it who tranflated the whole |( Bi- 
 ble into Englifh. Such was his courage and teml, that he :" 
 
 ffion of his faith 10 the Pope, and dc. 
 defend it at Rome. He was many years minifter at Luttet\ 
 in Leictjlirfhirc, wbeie, notwithstanding the danger to which hi$ 
 txpefed him, he quietly ended hib days, A. D. 13S4. 
 
 A Gilpin % Luesj p. 37. 
 
 V..3 
 
4 A Brief Hi/lory 
 
 was the firft perfon, eminence, in Eng- 
 
 land who expoied the doctrines of Popci 
 
 Q^ 12. When was tbt it ion of England 
 
 publickly begun. 
 
 A. In the reign of King He ry VIII. 155S, 
 when he quarrelled with the ' nd denied 
 
 his fupremacy in the church of Lngland, on ac- 
 count of his refufir.g to authorize t lie divorce of 
 the Queen. 
 
 Q^ 13. Was the church fo reformed in this reign 
 as tojatisfy all perfons of Proteflant principles? 
 
 A. No ; for notwithstanding Henry's quarrel 
 with the Pope, he paficd an aft for eftabhih- 
 ing fome of the grcflfefl: errors of Popery, which 
 made it death to write or f] \ni\ them ; in 
 
 confluence of which feveral Protectants were 
 burnt. 
 
 Q^ 14. How did the Reformation proceed in the 
 next reign f 
 
 A. Edward VI. who fucceeded Henry , was an 
 excellent and pious prince, though very young, 
 and the reformation was greatly promoted by 
 him. Archbifhop Cra eminently inftru- 
 
 mental herein, particularly in correcting and re- 
 printing the Englifh Bible, and cauimg it to be 
 read in the churches. 
 
 Q^ 15. Was any thing retained in the churchy 
 in this reign, to which any perjons rejufed to con~ 
 Jorm? 
 
 A. Yes ; many popifh ceremonies and habit?, 
 which many perlons, and fome Bifhops, declared 
 againft and fcrupled to ufe : particularly Bifhop 
 Hooper, who, refuting to be confecrated in the 
 popifh habits, was imprifoncd, and his life en- 
 dangered. 
 
 Q± 1 6. How long did Edward reign ? 
 
 A, He 
 
of the Nonconformists. 5 
 
 A. He died in the feventh year of his reign, 
 (which was the 16th of his age) and was fuc- 
 ceeded by Queen Mary, in the year 15^3. 
 
 Q^ 17. Did fie do any thing towards perfecting 
 the Reformation ? 
 
 A. No; but much to hinder it; and in a 
 great meafure undid what had been done in the 
 preceding reigns, by reftoring popifh doctrines, 
 ceremonies, and worfhip. 
 
 Q^ 18. What was the fl ate of things among 
 tboje that diffented from the church in her reign ? 
 
 A. The number of them w T as much encreafed : 
 but they were refufed liberty of confeience, and 
 persecuted with great feverity. Great numbers 
 fled beyond the feas, particularly into Germany, 
 where the Reformation flourifhed. Many of 
 thofe who remained at home were burnt*, a- 
 mong whom were feveral Bifhops. On this ac- 
 count {he was called, U The bloody Queen 
 Maryr 
 
 * Archbifhop Cranmer, Bifhcps Latimer, Ridley, Farrar, 
 Hooper, Dr. Tayltr, Mr. Rogers, Bradford, Fb:!p:t, &rc The 
 -•whole number of pe;fon> burnt in this reign was (as Bifru p 
 Burret moderately reckons them) 284. But Grindal, who 
 lived at the time, fays they we:e 80c. Btfuies thefe, 60 cicd 
 in ptif 
 
 Burnet's Hid. Ref. Beck iii. A. D. 1558. 
 
 Q^ 19. What Bifhops were the mofl aflive in 
 executing Mary'/ bloody edifis ? 
 
 A. Gardiner Bifhop of Witubefier, and Bonner 
 Bifhop of London ; who delighted in ieeing the 
 mofl hcrrid cruelties pra&ifed, and the latter o* 
 whom, in many inftances, executed them hm- 
 felf. 
 
 Q^ 20. Who fucceeded Queen Mary ? 
 
 A. Her 
 
6 A Brief Hiftory 
 
 A. Her Sifter Queen Elizabeth^ in the year 
 1 5 58. Who, tho' ihc was, on the whole, in- 
 clined to carry on the Reformation, was too 
 much afraid of offending the Papifts, was herfelf 
 very fond of popifh ceremonies, and extremely 
 ambitious of fupportin* and extending her autho- 
 rity in church affurs. 
 
 Qi, 21. What relief did the Proteftants find in 
 her reign ? - 
 
 A. Tho* they had high expectations from her, 
 fo that thofe of them who had tranfported them- 
 felves abroad, in Mary's reign, returned home 
 when (he' came to the crown, they found the 
 terms of conformity fo narrow that many could 
 not in conscience comply with them. 
 
 Qi. 22. What diftin&ion took place in this reign 
 among the Proteftants ? 
 
 A, Some of them were called by their enemies 
 Puritan?, as a term of reproach, on account of 
 their attempting a purer form of worfhip and 
 difcipline than had yet been eftablifhed. Where- 
 as the reft were fatUfied with the common- 
 prayer-book as it was altered in the time of 
 King Edward VI. 
 
 The foundation of this difference was laid during their ft ate 
 of exile at Frankfort, in the former reign, where fome of 
 them were for confining themfelves to the uf'e of forms, as 
 they had been eftablilhed at home, and others were for im- 
 proving their -liberty to the utmoft, in reforming whatever they 
 thought exceptionable in them. 
 
 Qt, 23. What methods did the Puritans ufe to 
 accomplijb their endt ? 
 
 A, Finding no profpeQ. of a further reforma- 
 tion from the legiflature, fome of the leading 
 perfons among them refolved to attempt it in a 
 more private way. For this piupefe they erefUd 
 
Of the NONCONFORN4ISTS. 7 
 
 a Prefbytery at Wandfworth*, Nov. 20, 1572, 
 taking care to keep their proceedings as fecret as 
 poflible. This was the firft Prefbyterian-church 
 in England. 
 
 * A village about fix miles from London^ on the banks of 
 the Thames. 
 
 Q^ 24. Did all thofe who were called Puritans 
 feparate from the ejiahlifoed church ? 
 
 A* No^ there were fome 'who complied with 
 the terms of conformity, rigid as they were, in 
 hope of the removal of their grievances by the 
 Queen's fucceffor. 
 
 Q^ 25. How were the Puritan party treated in 
 Queen Eliza6eth'£r*i£ii/ 
 
 A. They were treated with great feveriry ; 
 particularly the i'rowniftsf, foroppofing the Hie- 
 rarchy, partly thro' the Queen's defire to pleafe 
 the Papifb, and partly thro' the .impofing and 
 cruel difpciition of fome of the BifhopsJ. — An 
 aft was pafifed which fubjeSed thofe that did not 
 conform to the ceremonies of the church to 
 banifhment, and in cafe of refufal or return, to 
 death. — In this reign the High-commijpon-court 
 v/as inftituted, which might truly be called the 
 Englifh-Inquifition. — The court of Star-cham- 
 ber, alfo, conftantly fat in this reign, and was 
 to the laft degree fevere in its cenfures and pun- 
 ishments. 
 
 f* The followers of one Rtb. Brown, who was educated 
 in C. C. C. Cambridge, and v/as a preacher in the diqcefe 
 of Norwich. He wrote very vehemently, and went about 
 the country preaching, againft the difcipline and ceremonies of 
 the church. His principles were in the main the fame with thole 
 who were afterwards called Independents, excepting that he v\a* 
 more uncharitable towards perfons of different fentiment6. 
 
 % Archbiftiopt Parker, Whitgift, Bancroft, Bifhop Jj Inter, df€ 
 
 CL26. /' 
 
8 A En ry 
 
 Q^ 26. What was the cffcJl of tbrfe hardpips 
 which the Pur it tins J: 
 
 A. They ferved to encreafe their number, and 
 determined them to feparate from the eitabliflied 
 church. 
 
 Q^ 27. Was the church any further reformed ly 
 James I. ? 
 
 A. No ; tho' he had been bred a Prefbyterian 
 in Scotland, and tho' a petition for a further 
 formation was prefented, figned by a thoufand 
 miniilers, the terms of conformity- were render- 
 ed harder than ever by the book of Canons eftab- 
 lifhed by parliament, (A. D. 1603,) which re- 
 main to this day. 
 
 Q^ 28. What proclamation did James iffue 
 out which gave the Puritans, and oih:r gc:J ; 
 remarkable difgufl ? 
 
 A. One for the encouragement of diverfions 
 on the Lord's- day, commonly called, The book 
 of Sports. 
 
 Q^ 29. How were the Puritans treated in 
 James'/ reign ? 
 
 A. Both thofe that v. ere out of the church, 
 and thofe that were in it, were persecuted by the 
 Bifhops with great violence. Several hundreds 
 of the moil confeientious minifters were filenced, 
 imprifoned, and excommunicated; and many cf 
 them fled from this perfecution into Holland^ 
 and afterwards into the wilds of America. 
 
 The firft who fettled in Holland, v.tre the followers ol 
 Mr. R^binfcn, who is confidered a? the father of the In :'. 
 dents. He had fled thither in the lafl tcigi, with other B> . 
 tjls, and founded a church at Ley den vn the congregational 
 plan. Mr. Henry *jc;bt • imeots on 
 
 church-government, and when he returned to England, founds 
 
 CL 50. / 
 
of the Nonconformists. 9 
 
 Q^ 30. What foccefs did they meet tt 
 this trcnfported ibemfelves to that uncivilized ccun- 
 try, to enjoy liberty of confeience ? 
 
 A. Thi met With great difficulties at 
 
 firft, yet their numbers encreafing, by reafon of 
 perlecution at home, they laid the foundation of 
 a noble Settlement, which has proved ever fince 
 an afylum for Proteftant Non-conformifts un- 
 der all their orpreiTions. 
 
 Q^ 31. Did the Puritans meet with any favour 
 from Charles I. ? * 
 
 A. No; but on the contrary they were per- 
 fecuted by him, while Papifts were encouraged, 
 through the influence of his Queen (who was a 
 bigotted Papift), and feveral of the Bifhops, par- 
 ticularly Archbiihop Laud, who was ftrongly at- 
 tached to popifh ceremonies. — In this reign the 
 Englijh Liturgy and Epifcopal government were 
 introduced in Scotland. 
 
 * He came to the crown, A. D. 1625. 
 
 Q^ 32. What was the religious character of 
 this prince ? 
 
 A. Much as his virtues have been extolled by 
 his friends, it is certain he was notorious for his 
 dilTunulation : and he encouraged prophanenefs, 
 by fuppreffing afternoon Sermons, and republish- 
 ing the book of Sports, which he enjoined all 
 the clergy to read in their churches ; for refufing 
 ch many were turned out of their livings, 
 and excommunicated. 
 
 Q^ 42. Has be not been charged voith aiming at 
 arbitrary Government ? 
 
 A. Yes, and jufljy ; for he levied taxes on his 
 fubjecb without confent of parliament, and in 
 various other inftance* exercifed an illegal 
 power. 
 
 CL34. / 
 
io A Brief lliflory 
 
 Q^. 3^. If 'hat zvas the confequence of bis ar- 
 bitrary and tyrannical proceedings in civil and re* 
 
 ligious affairs ? 
 
 A. They occafioncd a civil war among his 
 fubje&s, a great p^rt of whom joined his par- 
 liament in defending their civil and religious 
 liberties, againft thofe that adhered to the King 
 in attempting to enflave the nation. 
 
 Q^ 35. How did the civil war end ? 
 
 A. The parliament proved victorious, and 
 made the King their priibner. At length, the 
 charge of high treafon being exhibited againft 
 him, he was condemned by the houfe of com- 
 mons, (then reduced to a fmall number, and 
 acting under the influence of the army) to lofe 
 his head ; which punimment he fuffered Jan. 
 30, 1649. 
 
 Q^ 36. Are not the PrefbyterLans juflly charged 
 with the murder of the Kinj 
 
 //. His death is very unjuftly charged upon 
 any religious party as fuch, efpecially the Pref- 
 rianty fince it is well known there was but 
 o:vj of them in the houfe of commons when the 
 civil war began, and that fifty -J even of \\ 
 minifteis in London 9 and many in the coun 
 (as well as fome Independents) remonil rated a- 
 ii the defign of the army to take away hU 
 Fife • 
 
 O^ 37- What vuas mofl remarkable after the 
 death of Charles ? 
 
 * Any impartial pcifoa wifl l>c convinced with what Ii't'e 
 we f<> coir.". &*£- 
 
 killers, (especially in 30th of real 
 
 the 2, h their own hi dorian, Mr N . 
 
 :he army in the the Kirg, 
 
 vol. ii. \\ 360. 410. 
 
 A. The 
 
of the Nonconformists. h 
 
 A. The conftitution was difiblved, and the 
 monarchy changed into a commonwealth : Pref- 
 byterianifm took place of Epifcopacv in the church 
 cf England, and the penal laws againfl DiiTenters 
 were abolifhed. 
 
 Q^ 38. When the Prefoyterians got into power, 
 ivere not they as great enemies to liberty of con- 
 fcience as the Episcopalians had been ? 
 
 A. It cannot be denied that they were zealous 
 to eftablifh the divine right of Preibyterv, too 
 fevere upon the epifcopal clergy *, and enemies 
 to the toleration of all other parties of chriftians, 
 particularly the BapSiJis f, who about this time 
 began to flourifh in England. 
 
 f The firft Baptiil church in London is faid to have been 
 {founded in the year 1640, of which one Mr. jej/c was chofcn 
 faltor. 
 
 Q. 39. Does not this jujlify the charge fo com- 
 
 tnonly brought againfl Diflenters, that their zeal J or 
 
 liberty is only for their own, and that they have ho 
 
 objection to arbitrary power when they can get it 
 
 their own hands ? 
 
 A. No, by no means ; for at that time the 
 principles of liberty were not thoroughly under- 
 stood by any denomination oh Chriftians. The 
 p relent body of Diflenters as feverely condemn 
 the Intolerance of the Prefbyterians in Charles's 
 time, as of the High-flying Church-men. They 
 are now friends to an wiivetfal Toleration, and 
 no denomination amon^ them wifhes to have its 
 
 * One Dr. Walker % many years afterwards, wrote a large 
 b-ok entitled, An alter-; j u ff tTin Z s 
 
 of the clergy, in which aie D 
 virulent reflections on this h< 
 
 fcorily ami canuidl) i - ; u vol. ii. 
 
 own 
 
i z A Brief Hi, 
 
 own way of worfhip cftablifhed as the national 
 ion. 
 
 Q^ 40. ILiv long did the Commonwealth con* 
 tinue ? 
 
 A. Little more than four years ; when Oliver 
 Cromwell, who was General of the army, dif- 
 e<J the parliament, and called a new one ; 
 who, very foon refigning the government, Oliver 
 took it into his 1 Is. and was inftallcd 
 
 Lord Protector, Dec. 16. 1653. 
 
 Q^ 41. What zvas the jl ate of religion under 
 Oliver's Protector/hip ? 
 
 A. His principles were favourable to religious 
 liberty, and lie declared for a general Toleration 
 c f Proteftants *. Tho' he allowed the Prcfl>y- 
 terian form of church-government, he difarmed 
 it of its coercive power, greatly encouraged the 
 Independents^ and protected other parties. And 
 l ho', for certain political reafons, he unjuftly re- 
 fufed a legal Toleration to the Epifcopalians, their 
 afTemblies were connived at, and feveral of their 
 minifters allowed the exercife of their office, 
 without the fetters of oaths or fubferiptions. 
 
 * U5* In the articles relating to Religion in the year 1653, 
 the Chrillian Religion, as contained in the Scriptures^ was held 
 foith and recommended a6 the public profeffion of thefe na. 
 Neal\ Hill. vol. li p 427. And when the alTembly were for 
 [Qg the toleration to thofe that believed the fundamentals, 
 (which they appointed a committee to draw up) Oliver declared 
 againil them ; faying, tk All men Ihculd be left to the liberty of 
 U their own poofciences, and that the Magittrate could n H in- 
 14 terfeie without infna:ing himfeif in the guilt of persecution. " 
 lb. p. 446. 
 
 Q^ 42. Who fucceeded Oliver in the g: 
 
 of thefe kingdoms ? 
 4. His fon Richard) but thro" his timidity he 
 
 refigncd 
 
of the Nonconformists. 13 
 
 r.efigned the Protectorfhip in eight months, and 
 returned to a private life. After an interval' of 
 great confufion, Charles II. the fon of Charles I. 
 (having been feveral years an exile) was reftored, 
 chiefly thro' the influence of the Pr.-/hyieriatis y 
 who had all along oppoied Crom-uuelVs arbitrary 
 pneafures, and were friends to the Engl-fi limited 
 monarchy. 
 
 Q^ 43- What vjas the character of this Pritiee? 
 A. He was remarkably addicted to pleafureand 
 lewdnefs, and his Reiteration was attended with 
 a deluge .of wickednefs and debauchery, which 
 fpread itfelf from the court thro' the kingdom, 
 and corrupted the manners of the Clergy. 
 
 Q_ 44. How did Charles requite the Prefbyte- 
 rians for their zeal in his caufe ? 
 
 /L 1 ho' he made them fair promifes, and ap- 
 pointed ten of them his chaplains in ordinary, he 
 quickly reftored the Liturgv, and reinftated the 
 old fetjueltered clergy, (even thofe eje&ed for 
 immoralities) by which means fome hundreds of 
 the Prefbyterian clergy were difpoffeiTed at once. 
 And tho' the King flattered them with the hope 
 of a comprehenfion with the Epifcopalians, and 
 they held a conference at the Savoy with that 
 view, they foon found themfelves deceived. The 
 Bifhops would make no alterations in the litur- 
 gy in their favour, but there was evidently a 
 contrivance to keep them out of the church ; in 
 which all things were foon reftored to the old 
 ftandard ; men of high-church principles were 
 preferred to bishopries, the terms of conformity 
 were rendered harder than ever, and thofe that 
 jefufed to comply with them v. ere treated 1 
 ■rigour. 
 
 B CL45. / 
 
A Brief Hi ft or y 
 
 Q^ 45. What was the firfl act of parliament im 
 this reign injurious to the Difienters ? 
 
 rhe v bich incapacitated 
 
 any perfon from bearing office in anv corpora- 
 
 lion, who had not taken the Sacrament of the 
 Lord's-fuppar, according to the rites of the 
 church of England, within a year before his 
 *ion ; and like wife taken the oaths of allegi- 
 ance and fupremi 
 
 Q^ 46. Which was the moft remarkable act in 
 Charles U's. reign relating to religion? 
 
 yf. All zGt which took place on Bartholomew- 
 day 1662, called the Acl of Uniformity ; which 
 required all miniftcrs, who would continue in 
 the church, or be admitted to livings, to ufe 
 the fame form of worfhip, to fubferibe the 
 Thirty-nine articles, and declare their aflent and 
 confent to a new edition of the common-prayer- 
 book, before many of them could have an op- 
 portunity of feeing it. 
 
 CL 47- W* was the efFed of this afl P 
 
 A. It obliged about two thou/and worthy con- 
 fcientious minifters to leave the eftablifhed church, 
 and take their lot among the DiiTenters, who 
 hereby received Jo large an addition, that thuy 
 may be confidered as the Fathers of the DifTent- 
 ing intereft. — The name of Puritans was now 
 changed to that of Nca-conformifls. 
 
 Q^ 48. Was the conduct of tbefe minifters to be 
 commended who threw tbemfehes out of their lrj~ 
 ings on this occafton ? 
 
 A, It was doubtlefs a glorious ftand which 
 they made in favour of chnftian liberty, which 
 did great honour to the proteftant faith, and 
 tended, more than a thoufand other arguments, 
 to convince a licentious atheiftical age of the 
 
 reality 
 
of the Nonconformists. 15 
 
 reality of religion, and the regard that is due 
 to the rights of conference ; for nothing but 
 confeience could be fuppofed to influence them 
 in thus facrificing their worldly inrereft, which 
 many of them did without any vifible means of 
 fubfiftencc. 
 
 Q^ 49. Were thefe hone ft men allowed liberty 
 to vuorjhip God according to their conferences alter 
 they left the church ? 
 
 A. No ; they petitioned fcra Toleration three 
 days after the aft of Uniformity took place, but 
 in vain*; and foon after (A. D. 1664,) the O.n- 
 ienticle-acl parted, by which any perfon above 
 fixteen years of age, prefent at any meeting for 
 any religious exercife, not according to the church 
 of England, where there were five or more per- 
 fons befides the houfhold, was for the fir ft ofTence 
 to fuffer three months imprifonment, or pay 5/. — 
 for the fecond, fix months, or 10/. — and for 
 thenhird to be banifhed for feven years, or pay 
 100/. — and in cafe of return or efcape, to turTer 
 death without benefit of clergy. 
 
 * Lord Clarendon, and Archbilhop Sheldon, oppofed their 
 being tolerated with peculiar warmth, and prevailed with the 
 . cil. 
 
 Q^ 50. Was any other aft pajfed to barrafs the 
 'Kon-conformifts ? 
 
 A. Yes; the year following (1665), the Ox- 
 fcrd-acl, or Five-mile-acl palled, which retrained 
 all diffenting minifters (on the penalty of 40 /.) 
 who would not take a mod unreasonable oath f, 
 therein Specified, frcm coming within fiv\- mile? 
 of any city, town corporate, or borough, or 
 place where they had excrciicd their minitlry ; 
 and from teaching any fchool. 
 
 f The oath was thi?, : u I A. B. do fwcar that it i 
 44 lawful upon any pretence \shaUoevu to take arrru. .. 
 
 B - 
 
1 6 A Brief Htjlny 
 
 c * the Kirp, or tgtinft thefe commiflioned by him; and trui f 
 U not at any lime endeavour any. alteration of government 
 
 * 4 cither in chu eh or irate." 
 
 N. B. This ac\ was paiTed at a time when the plague reigned 
 •iclon to fuch a degree as to carry off 8 or I ~ ,ooo in a v.cck ; 
 which occafioned molt of the ertablifhed cleipv to deferl their 
 paiifhes, tho' the people had then moll netdoVtheir help, a. d 
 were belt difpofed to receive it. Some of the ejeded n.ir.il>ers, 
 cioved with cosnpaflion fiir the fouls or men, in this dtplo. abie 
 Situation, had ventured to preach in thefe delerted pulpits, but 
 this gave nmbrage to rh<»fe in power, and yrai a motive to lag 
 raffing thU fcandalous I 
 
 Q^ 51. What was the dtfpo.fition of the Bifhops 
 towards the Diflcnters in this reign? 
 
 A. They were for the moil part very diligent 
 in profecuting them, and greatly encouraged in- 
 formers ; particularly Archbiihop Sheldon, who 
 fent orders to all the Bifhops of his province to 
 return the names of all ejected Non-conformiil 
 miniilcrs, wiih their places of abode arid manner 
 of life, with a view to enforce the laws more 
 ftri&ly agaioft them. 
 
 Q^ 52. Did not the king dif cover an inclination 
 to grant a Toleration ? 
 
 A. Yes; after the banifhment of Lord Cla- 
 rendon (who was one of the bittereft enemies 
 the DifTenters had) the King moved, in his 
 fpeech to the parliament, tor a general Tolera- 
 tion, and a project was entertained for a cora- 
 prehenfion ; but the Bifhops oppofed thefe mo- 
 tions, and the parliament petitioned for the exe- 
 cution of the penal laws, fo that the perfec- 
 tion was renewed, and the Conventicle-aci 
 (which had expired) was revived, with two ex- 
 rdinary claufes added to it, which empower- 
 my juftices, conftables, tifr. to break open 
 place where they fhould be informed of & 
 
 conventicle, 
 
of the Nonconformists. 17 
 
 conventicle, and inflicted a penalty of 5/. on any 
 juftice that refufed to execu-e this a<Eh 
 
 Qi, 53. What was the deftgn and the effeft of 
 the Ted-aft which paffed in this reign ? 
 
 A. The Tcfl-aft requires all perions, taking 
 any office under the government, to receive the 
 Lord's-fupper, according to the ufage of the 
 church of England, within three months after 
 their appointment. The defign of the commons 
 in bringing in this bill was to exclude Papifis 
 from places of truft and profit ; feveral of whom 
 the court had greatly promoted. But it was 
 exprefTed fo as alio to exclude the Prote/iant Dif 
 fenters. 
 
 N- B. This a&, tho' fo flagrantly inconfi.'lenr with the com- 
 mon rights of good iubjtcV-, remains in full foice to this day. 
 
 Q^ 54. Hcvj did the Difltnters afl in tils 
 ft tu at ion ? 
 
 A, They forwarded the Bill, as it was fo good 
 a barrier agaklft Popery ; which circumljance 
 afterwards expofed them to the difpleafure of the 
 court. The papifts being excluded from places 
 of truft, the court no longer difcoyered any ten- 
 dernefs for Proteftant Non-conformifts, but the 
 King iflued out a proclamation for putting the 
 penal laws againft them in full execution ; which 
 accordingly was done. And feveral fham plots 
 were fathered upon them to render them more 
 odious to government. 
 
 CL 55 W bat ™ as the effe & of all thefe atts 
 agamfi the Non-conformifts ? 
 
 A. Great numbers of them fuffered the moft 
 
 extreme hardfhips, in being fined, plundered, 
 
 driven from their families, and imprifoned'. 
 
 Their lofs in their trades and eilates in the fpacc 
 
 B 3 of 
 
1 8 A Brief Hijlory 
 
 of three years, is computed at Two millions ; and 
 Eight thoufand are faid to have perifhed in pi 
 in this reign. The fame r * ns were alio 
 
 carried into Scotland \ and there, as well as in 
 England, many, to avoid the fury of their p 
 r$, fled their country. 
 
 Q^5 o. What was toe character of James II. 
 ded to the crown on the death ^/"Charles ? 
 
 /?. He was a profeffed Papift ; had imbibed 
 moft arbitrary principles of government, 
 and pcriecuttd Non-conformifh, by enforcing 
 all the ptn.il laws in being againft them, with 
 the utmoft rigour. Many for their fafetv trans- 
 ported themfelves into Holland and the American 
 colonies. Great numbers who ftaid at home, 
 not only endured the utmoft feverities that the 
 laws inflicted, but were treated bv their enemies 
 With the greateft cruelty ; particularly by Judge 
 yefferUs m 9 by whom many Piflenters, and other 
 [igi, were butchered in the mod barbarous 
 manner ; for which the Duke of 'Monmouth* : 
 bellion furnifhed a plaufible handle. 
 
 * See a true fpecimen of his perfecutir.g fpirit, in his treat- 
 ment of" Mr. Baxter at his trial, Neal's llift. vol. ii. p, 749. 
 
 Qi. 57. What was the erTeS of tbefe and former 
 cruelties ? 
 
 A. Very different from what thofe who in- 
 flicted them intended. The caufe of Non-con- 
 formity, in/lead of being ruined, was ftrengthen- 
 ed thereby ; partly thro' the infamous chara&ers 
 of the informers and perfecutors, but chiefly thro' 
 the piety, zeal, and fortitude of the fufferers, who 
 u took joyfully the fpoiling of their goods, and 
 *' rejoiced that thev were counted worthy to 
 u faflfer" for confaence-fake. From thefe and 
 the like caufe?, though tVch multitudes were 
 
 murdered a 
 
of the Nonconformists. iy 
 
 murdered, or obliged to fly their country, kl 
 numbers were not greatly diminished, by reafon 
 of additions from the eftablifrK. I ich 
 
 feveral Clergymen f in this reigi 
 persecuting church, U ^or.g rne 
 
 Ncri-conformiiis. 
 f Mr. Neal mention names. Sec his Wfl. 
 
 Q^ 58. Did this perfection of the Diff enters 
 continue thro'* Janus' j rsign ? 
 
 A, No ; the King - [deftly altered his 
 
 meaiures^ granted an umverfal toleration, and 
 even preferred Diflenters to places of truft and 
 profit; tho' it was evidently with a view the mcrt: 
 eafily to reftore Popery. The Diflenters, being 
 jealous of this, would not acknowledge the di:- 
 penfing power, but readily granted the church 
 that affiftance fhe now afked of them againft the 
 Papifls, For which, however, they weie poorly 
 rewarded, as the folemn promifes fhe made them 
 in the time of her danger, were forgotten as loon 
 as the danger was over. 
 
 Q_59. V/kat was there remarkably fa\ curable 
 to DiiTenters during this Princess life ? 
 
 A. William Prince of Orange, a proteflant of 
 glorious and immortal memory, by the manage- 
 ment of the Whigs, was brought into England 
 to fupport the Proteftant-caufe ; at which James 
 being intimidated, abdicated the throne, which 
 William, (with his amiable confort Mary) was 
 invited to accept. 
 
 N. B. This event is oiled the Rrvcluticn. 
 Q^ 60. What zdtpaffed in this reign, in favour 
 of the Diifenters ? 
 
 A. The acl of Toleration, which exempted 
 
 DitlentcTi. from fuffcring the penalties which the 
 
 B 4 law 
 
2* A Brief II:.: \ 
 
 law inflicted, and permitted them (on certain 
 conditions, to which they themfelves in general 
 contented) to worfliip God according to the dic- 
 tates of their own confeiences. 
 
 Q^ 61. Has the Toleration-act ever been re- 
 pealed ? 
 
 A. No; thro* the good providence of God, 
 the enemies of the Diflentcrs have never been 
 able to effecl it, tho' they have feveral times at- 
 tempted to abridge the liberties thereby granted 
 them. 
 
 Q^62. When had the Diffenters peculiar r 
 to J. liberties were endangered ftnee the 
 
 Revolution ? 
 
 A. In the latter end of Queen Anne y $ re'gi^ 
 when the Jacobite party had gained great ftrength 
 &nd influence at court, an a£t of parliament was 
 pafTed, called the Occajtonal-conformity-bill } which 
 prevented any perfon, in office under the go- 
 vernment, entering into a Meeting-houfe, Ano- 
 ther, called the Scbifm-bill, had actually obtained 
 the royal afTenr, which fuffered no Diffenters 
 to educate their own children, but required them 
 to be put into the hands of conformitts ; and 
 which forbade all Tutors and School-mafters be- 
 ing prefent at any conventicle, or diflenting 
 place of worfhip. 
 
 Q^ 6y Hozv came it to paf that this fcheme for 
 cnflaving the Diffenters again vuas fruftrated ? 
 
 A. The Queen died the very day that this ini- 
 quitous a£t was to have taken place, (Aug. iff. 
 I 7 14.) when the Elector of Brunfwick y (Geo. I.) 
 a firm friend to civil and religious liberty, was 
 proclaimed King of Great Britain, who procured 
 a repeal of the Schifm-hill in the 5th year of his 
 r.i^n. In his illuftrious family the fctptre has 
 
 ever 
 
of tie Nonconformists. 2r 
 
 ever fince continued, under whofe equitable go- 
 vernment our legal rights have been prefcrved, 
 the Toleration-acT: maintained inviolate, and 
 much greater indulgence granted to Diflenter* 
 than that act allows. 
 
 Q^ 64. What are the conditions by which the 
 benefit of the Toleration-act is limited ? 
 
 A. All DilTenting Minifters are not only re- 
 quired to take the oaths of allegiance and fupre- 
 macy, and to make the declaration againft Po- 
 pery, but alfo to fubferibe the doctrinal articles 
 of the church of England. 
 
 Q. 65. Do any of the prefent diffenting Minifters 
 fcruple to qualify themf elves by complying with 
 thefe conditions ? 
 
 A. Tho' fome have no difficulty in doing it, 
 the generality of them, even thofe that approve 
 the doctrines of the church, as welt as thofe of 
 different fentiments, refufe to fubferibe the ar- 
 ticles. at the rcquifaion of the civil magiftrste, 
 and as a condition of preaching the gofpel ; ap- 
 prehending that this would be acknowledging 
 a degree of authority in civil governors, which 
 is injurious to chritlian liberty and the right of 
 private judgment ; but are willing to give v\ 
 reasonable lecurity for their behaviour as peact: • 
 able fubje&s. 
 
 Q^ 66. Are the diffenting Laity fubjeel to t 
 difficulties from which the Toleration- aft does not 
 relieve them ? 
 
 A. The Toleration-act provides no relief A)r 
 diffenting Tutors and School-matters : but all 
 Diflenters who keep public fchools, or N 
 youth in any private houfe, are liable (be! 
 the forfeiture of their fchools) to a fifii i 
 -forty pounds, 2nd to fuffer three months 
 B 5 pin 
 
22 A Brief HiJiory y &c. 
 
 prifonment. Nor can any perfon be legally 
 qualified to keep a fchool, or inftxuft youth, 
 without a licence from the Archbiihop, Bilhop^ 
 or Ordinary, and a declaration of abfolute con- 
 formity to the church of England. 
 
 Q. 67. Have the Dljfuitcrs ever applied for a 
 legal redrefs cf tbefe grievances ? 
 
 A. In the year 1772, the body of Diflenting 
 Tvliniflers in London brought a bill into par- 
 liament with this view ; of which moft of their 
 brethren in the country exprefTed their appro- 
 bation. But tho' it patted the houfe of Com- 
 mons, it was thrown out of the houfe of Lords, 
 the whole bench of Bifhops, ufing their influ- 
 ence againft it ; who in this inftance (hewed that 
 the fpirit of Epifcopacy is flill much the fame 
 as it ever has been. The next fefiion the Lon- 
 don miniilers, with the concurrence of the gene- 
 rality of thofe in the country, renewed their ap- 
 plication, but with the fame fuccefs * : tho 7 they 
 had many learned advocates in the upper as 
 well as the lower houfe, who defended their right 
 in fuch a manner as to do fignal honour to their 
 caufe, and to encourage their hope of redrefs in 
 fome future period. 
 
 * F.Meptio? that the Ep. of Lin al* divided againft the reft of 
 in favouj- of the Bill. 
 
 The END of the FIRST PART. 
 
 THE 
 
THE 
 PROTESTANT DISSENTER'S 
 
 CATECHISM. 
 
 PART the SECOND. 
 
 THE 
 
 Reasons of the Protestant Dissen-: 
 from the Established Churcii. 
 
 Q^ t. 77/ H AT are the grand principles on 
 ** which the Proteflant DiJJenters ground 
 their feparation from the church by law eftablifbi 
 
 A. The right of private judgment and libei 
 of confcience r in oppofition to all human -autho- 
 rity in matters of religion ; the acknowledgment 
 of Chriil alone as head of his church, and the 
 fufficiency of the holy fcriptures as the rule of 
 faith and practice. . 
 
 Q^ 2. Dotb not the fcriptnre require us * k 
 fubjeel: to the civil magiflrate as the mifl 
 God, for confeience-fake ? 
 
 *Ronvxiii. i — 5. 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14, 
 
 A. 
 
24 Principles of the Diffent from 
 
 A. Not in matters of religion, much lefs irr 
 things contrary to the law of God, for God 
 cannot deny himfelf ; fo that all human laws, 
 which are inconfiftent with the divine, ought to 
 be difobeyed. 
 
 Q^ 3. But is every private man to judge for 
 himfelf, -blether the laivs of his country are agree- 
 able to the laws of God ? 
 
 A. Certainly in the affairs of religion, every 
 man ought to judge for himfelf, fmce every man- 
 mud give an account of himfelf to God t, who 
 has given us an infallible rule in his word to 
 guide us, and reafonable faculties to underftand 
 it ; which private perfons are as capable of ufing, 
 to difcover the way of truth and duty, as magis- 
 trates and large bodies of men. Befides, reli- 
 gion is a perfonal thing, and no further deferves 
 the name than as it is the effect of convi&ioa 
 and choice. 
 
 % Rom. x;v. ML 
 
 Q. 5. But are not Priefls cur fpiritual rul:rs r 
 vnd are we not exprefsly required* to obey them 
 that rule over us ? 
 
 A. They have no jufler claim to implicit 
 faith and unlimited obedience than civil magis- 
 trates; nor thefe fupported by the flate than 
 others. The word of God exprefsly forbids 
 chrifttans giving up confeience to the direfclion. 
 of any men f ; and the apoflles themfelvcs dil- 
 
 * Heb. xiii. 7 — 17. 
 
 + Call no nan your rather upon earth — neither be ye called 
 
 IX Matter, even Chrii*. Mat. xxiii. 9, l#. 
 
 I , \ A 1 me, teaching for doctrines the toramand- 
 
 Mtt. xv. 9. Stand faft in the liberty WbcrewHh 
 
 . lib n*ik U2 fee. Ga) v. 1. 
 
 claimed 
 
the EJtabliJbed Church. 25 
 
 claimed all dominion over it X, and urged it upon 
 their hearers to examine and judge for them.- 
 felves IU 
 
 J Not that we have dominion over your faith, bat are helpers 
 of your joy. 2 Cor. i. 24. Neither being as Lords over Cod's 
 heritage, but examples to the flock. 1 Pet. v. 3. 
 
 || Philip laid to Nathaniel, Come and ft e. John i. 46. Why 
 even of yourfelves judge ye not what is right ? L-jke xii. 54 — 57. 
 Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, 
 Judge ye. A£ts iv. 10. Thefe (Bereans) were more noble thaa 
 thofe of Theflalonica, in that they fearched the fenrtures daily, 
 whether thofe things were fo. Acts xvii. 1 1. I fpeak as unto wife 
 men, judge ye what I fay. 1 Cor. x. 15. Let every man be 
 thoroughly perfuaded in his own mind. Rom. xiv 5. Prove 
 all thing?, hold fait that which is gocd. 1 TheiT. v. zj. 
 
 Q^ 5. Have we any inftances in fcripture of 
 wife and good men's refufing to conform to the na- 
 tional, ejiablifted religion? 
 
 A. Yes ; Daniel followed the diclates of his 
 own confeience in praying to his God, as he 
 had been ufed to do, when the king had lfiucd 
 out a decree againft it r ; as alio did the three 
 Hebrew youths, in refufing to conform to the 
 worfhip of the image which Nebuchadnezzar fet 
 up ; tho' u the princes, the governors and cap- 
 " tains, the judges, the treafurers, the cci.n- 
 u fellors, the fheriffs, and all the rulers cf the 
 " provinces, were gathered together at the dedi- 
 " cation of it," nobly declaring, when threaten- 
 ed with being caft, (for their nonconformity) , into 
 the fiery furnace, " If it be fo, our God whom 
 u we ferve — will deliver us out of thine hand, 
 " O King. But if not, be it known unto thee, 
 u that we will not ferve thy gods, nor wor- 
 
 f Dan vi. 10. 
 
 " fhip. 
 
26 Principles of the Diffent y &c. 
 
 u {hip the golden image which thou haft fet 
 up}." 
 
 In like manner the apoftles of Chrift, dif- 
 obeyed the Jev/iih priefts and rulers in not con- 
 forming to the religion of their country ; and 
 when reproved by the High Prieft, for violating 
 their command, bravely anlwered, " We ought 
 to obey God rather than men *." 
 
 X Dan. iii. 17, 1 8. * Atts v. 29. 
 
 Q^ 6. May a few men who are diffatisfied with 
 the national religion publifh their private Jentiments ^ 
 and worfhip God according to them, in places of 
 their own ? 
 
 A. If men have a right to think for them- 
 felves, they mud have an equal right to aft f ac- 
 cording to their judgment and confcience, and 
 are in duty bound to do it. So that where per- 
 fons think the eftabliftied forms of religion un- 
 fcriptural or defective, a regard to their own 
 edification, and the caufe of pure religion, re- 
 quires them to diifent. On this principle the 
 fir ft chriftians difiented from the Jewifh church, 
 the Gentile converts from Pagan eftabliftiments, 
 and the church of England from the church of 
 . Rome. 
 
 Q^ 7. Ought we not to he very cautious oj 'fe pi- 
 rating from tinx ihurch of prof e fed Chriftians and 
 Proteftants, without very weighty reafons ? 
 
 A. Doubtlefs it is not every trifling circum- 
 ftance that will vindicate feparations among 
 chriftians. But the diiTenters apprehend that 
 the grounds of their feneration from the church 
 of England, are fo many and important, as 
 fully to juilify them in it. 
 
 ^ See Dr. FutBtaux^sintilt^y EJfay c* 7.!:t\::::r:. Sea. iii. 
 
Frame and Conflitution, &c 27 
 
 Q^ 8. What are the principal of tbofe thing! in 
 the church of England on ivbicb the Diflent from it 
 is founded ? 
 
 A. 1. Its general frame and conflitution as 
 national and eftablifhed. 
 
 2. The chara&er and authority of certain 
 officers appointed in it. 
 
 3. The impofition of a dated form of prayer 
 called the Liturgy, and many exceptionable 
 things contained therein. 
 
 4. The pretended right of enjoining unfcrip- 
 tural ceremonies. 
 
 5. The terms on which minifters are admitted 
 into it. 
 
 6. The want cf Liberty in the people to chufe 
 their own minifters. And 
 
 7. The corrupt ftate of its Difcipline, 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 Of the general Frame and Conflitution cf 
 the Church of England. 
 
 CL g.JIfHAT do the Diffentcrs think to he o 
 ** true Church or C brill ? 
 A. A congregation, or voluntary fociety of 
 chriflians, who commonly meet together, to at- 
 tend gcfpel-ordinances in the fame place. And 
 they think every fuch fociety has a right to trans- 
 act its own affairs, according to the judgment 
 and conscience of the members thereof, indepen- 
 dently of any other foe I utfoever,i:T with- 
 out being accountable to any but Jefus Chrift^ 
 or retrained by any taws but hb. 
 
 CL »< 
 
28 Frame and Confutation 
 
 Thofe who fjifl maintained thi* opinion in England, were coj- 
 led CongregatuncltJ}s y and alfo Independent*. But in 'his r< 
 the Pfcjbytcnans here, ae now agreed with them, a* the Baptifs 
 aivays nave been. This is the grand principle by which the 
 Proteltant difienters are difiinguiihed, and in which they arc 
 all united. And this indeed is the only principle upon which 
 tbeir liberties can be maintained in their full extent : tor if every 
 chrilUan fociety have not the right above-mentioned, a door will 
 he opened to human governors in affai:s of religion ; and it is no 
 great matter whether they be the members; of the Legijlature^ of 
 a Convtcation, or an Afj:mblj \ the authority of c'ther being e- 
 qually void of foundation in fcripture, and inccnhilent with the 
 natural rights of mankind. 
 
 Q^ 10. Is this notion of a church of Cbrifi fup- 
 pcrted by Scripture ? 
 
 A. Yes ; a number of chriftians aflcmbled for 
 divine worfhip- in a dwellmg-houfe is there called 
 a church *. A church is fpoken of as coming 
 together in one place f. Ard when affairs were 
 to be determined relating to a church, all the 
 members of it were called together to give their 
 opinion J. Nor do we find any human authority 
 acknowledged or claimed in ecclefiaftical affairs. 
 
 * Rom. xvi. e;. Greet the church that is in their houO. 
 See alfo i Cor. xvi. 19. and Phil. z. It is cbllrvable that the 
 feveral congregations of Chriliians in the fame province, are fpo- 
 ken ot\. net in the j-ngular, but the plural number, e. g. The 
 churchs of Judea, the churches or'CiaUtia, cvc. 
 
 f A&i ii. i, 46. ch. v. 12, 14. 1 Cor. xiv. 23. 
 
 J ACU vi. 2, 5. >v. 4, 22. 
 
 Qi, I I . Wherein do's the conflilutlon oj the church 
 of England differ from this account of a Church in 
 the New Teflament ? 
 
 A The church of England is not a volun- 
 tary fociety, the whole nation being confidered 
 as members of it, whether profeffedly fo or not ; 
 and obliged by law ^excepting thofe included in 
 
 the 
 
of the Church of England. 29 
 
 the toleration-a£t) at leaft thrice in the year, to 
 communicate with it in the Lord's-fupper. It 
 is alfo incapable (as it is national) of being 
 afTembled in one place, that the members of it 
 may give their vote in ecclefiaftical affairs ; and 
 the feveral congregations of which it confiits, 
 are equally deftitute of this liberty, being all 
 obliged to an abfolute uniformity in faith, wor- 
 ship, and difciplinc. 
 
 CL I2 - ^ not the word church ufed in Serifs 
 ture in a larger fenfe than as denoting a particu- 
 lar congregation ? 
 
 A. Yes ; but then it comprehends the whole 
 body *of Chriftians throughout the world, com- 
 monly called, the univeifal or catholic church. But 
 the church of England is not, and does not pretend 
 to be, the fame with this ; tho' the church of 
 Rome, from whence (he had her original, makes 
 this arrogant claim. And there is a very wide 
 and evident difference between them, not only 
 as the church cf England is bounded by much 
 narrower limits than the church of Chrift, but 
 as it is a civil or worldly conftitution ; where- 
 as the church of (Thrill is a body purely religi- 
 ous t and fpiritual, often called in fcripture, 
 ." the kingdom of heaven." 
 
 * A&s xx. 28. Eph. v. i§. &c. 
 
 f See the xixth Article of the chu ch. 
 
 Q^I3. In what refpefls dots the church of Eng- 
 land appear to he a worldly conftitution, and there- 
 fore different from the church of Cbrifi ? 
 
 A. 1. Its origin is from the world, it being 
 framed by human authority, and is properly a 
 creature of the (late : But the church of Chrift 
 is a " kingdom not of this world." John x\in. 
 
 2. Id 
 
2,o Frame and Conflitution 
 
 2. Its members are " men of the world t," 
 the whole nation being acknowledged as filch : 
 But thofe of ChrifVs church are holy and pious 
 men, who " have their convention in Heaven.'* 
 John xvii. 16. r Prt. ii. 9. Phil iii. 20. 
 
 3. Its laws are of a worldly nature, being 
 founded on acts of parliament, and enforced by 
 mere worldly fan£tion9 : But the laws of ChrifVs 
 church, are no other than the laws of God, 
 contained in the fcriplures, and the fan£tions of 
 them are purely fpiritual. Eph. ii. 20. 2 Cor» 
 x. 4. 
 
 4. Its ground of fupport is the power and 
 riches of the world : But that of ChrihVs church, 
 the power and grace of God. 2 Cor. iv. 7. 
 
 5. Its fupreme head is one of the princes of 
 the world : But the fupreme and only head of 
 Chrift's church is Jefus Chrift himfelf. Eph. 
 
 y 22. 
 
 J N. B. By the application of this fciipturc phrafe (Pfal. xvii. 
 14.) the author is very far from intending to infmuate that the 
 members of the church of England arc univerfally nice men of 
 ibis world, and that none of them are true chriOians, (Seep. \ii. 
 pref.) but only, that it is not their chiiitianity which makes them 
 members of this church \ the nation at large being confide! ec as 
 filth without diftin&ion, among whom itmu;l be owned are ma- 
 ny who a.e not only grofsly ignorant, but immoral and pro- 
 phane. 
 
 Q^ 14. What power has the King in tl : lurch of 
 England, which conftitutes him its fupreme head, 
 and the church a worldly kingdom ? 
 
 A. The King (or Queen) " is vafted with 
 " all power to exeicife all manner of tcclefiafti- 
 €( cal jurildiflion ; and Archbifhops Bifhops, 
 u Archdeacons, and otfeer eccWfiaftical perfons, 
 4< have no manner of jurifdi&ion ecclellaftical, 
 
 « but 
 
of the Church of England. o \ 
 
 <c but by and under the King's majerty, who 
 " hath full power and authority to hear and 
 " determine all manner of caufes ecclefiaftical, 
 " and to reform and correal: all vice, fin, errors, 
 u herefies whatfoever *." The appointing of 
 Biihops alfo is his prerogative, and the power of 
 ordination is derived from him, and held during 
 his pleafure. 
 
 * Thc-fe are the words of the iCt 26 Hen. VIII. cap. i. This 
 power Hen. VIII. transferred r rrm the Pcpe to himfelf (when 
 he quarrelled with him about the Queen's divorce), and the 
 King* and Queen* of England have enjoyed it ever fmce. 
 
 Q^ 15. What obje&ion have Diffenters to this 
 authority of the King? 
 
 A, Tho' they think it their duty to honour 
 and obey the King in civil matters, they appre- 
 hend fuch power as our prefent conftitution 
 gives him in affairs of Religion, to be not only 
 foreign to the province of the civil magiftrate, 
 but highly derogatory to the honour of Chrift, 
 whom God hath appointed head over all things 
 to the church, and a grofs infringement on the 
 liberty of chriftians, who, in matters of faith 
 and confeience, are forbid being the fervants of 
 men. 1 Cor. vii. 23. 
 
 Q^ 16. May it not be of fervice to religion to 
 have the authority of the chiej magi [irate engaged on 
 its ftde ? 
 
 A. The religion of Jefus does not want the 
 fupport of human power ; his church is found- 
 ed on a rock, more ftable than any earthly efta- 
 blifhment, and the gates of Hell fhall never pre- 
 vail again!!: it *. The interference of the 1 
 magiftrate in matters of religion, has often been 
 
 * Mat. xvi. 18. 
 
 more 
 
32 Frame and ConftitUliom y Jcc. 
 
 more injurious than beneficial, and this authi 
 in matters of faith, is exceedingly dangerous ; 
 and indeed the claim is more abfurd, than thai 
 the Pope himfelf, who has the pretence of infal- 
 libility as the ground of it. 
 
 Q^ I 7. Have the Kings of England been ujed to 
 exercife this authority in matters of faith ? 
 
 A. Yes ; and the Queens alfo, in fo great a 
 degree as to reverfe the votes of parliaments, and 
 flop the proceedings of an whole Convocation of 
 the Clergy. So did Queen Anne in the cafe of 
 Mr. Whijlon, who was condemned for Herefy. 
 
 Q^ 18. Did religion ever flour iflo in a nation 
 where it was r.ot eftablifhed ? 
 
 A. The Religion of Jefus, as eftablifhed in 
 the hearts of men, never flourifhed more than 
 when it had (as at firft) all the powers of the 
 earth engaged againft it, 
 
 Q^ 19. Was not the Jewifli church national ', 
 and as Juch ejlabhfhed? 
 
 A, The Jewifh church was doubtlefs national *, 
 and ejlablifoed like wife ; but then it ought to be 
 remembered, it was not eftablifhed by the power 
 of the civil magiflrate, but by Jehovah himfelf, 
 who was its king and lawgiver; and no human 
 authority was admitted to interfere in the con- 
 ftitution or government of it. It is therefore 
 highly unfit to be made the model of a church 
 under fo different a difpenfation as the chriftian 
 is, and never was intended to be fo. 
 
 * It has been remarked by fome, that the Jewifh chu 
 tho' national, was partly congregational alfo; as all the males, 
 through the whole couitry, were obliged, at certain feaibnt 
 to appear at Jeru 
 
 SECTION 
 
Oncers appointed, 8cc. 33 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 Concerning the Officers appointed in the 
 Church of England, 
 
 ■Qi, 20. JIT HAT Officers are employed in the 
 * * church of England under the King, 
 tj zvhom ibe Dijf enters object P 
 
 A. Archbiihops, Diocefan-Biffiops, Arch- 
 deacons, Deans, Piebendaries, Canons, Minor 
 Canons, Vicars-general, Commiflaries, Officials, 
 Chancellors, Surrogates, Pro&ors, 6Vc. offices 
 which Chriil never appointed, and which no- 
 thing in the New-Teftament warrant?, but are 
 evidently of popifh original. 
 
 Q^ 21. Does not the Neiv-Teflament J peak of 
 Bifhops as preftding in the church? 
 
 A. Yes ; but they were no other than the 
 Paftors of particular congregations, often called 
 Elders or Prejbyters & which words are evidently 
 ulcd as fynon\ mous*' with Bijlops, the Greek 
 word * for which plainly fignities no more than 
 overfeers. 
 
 * llTnO-KOTTZt. 
 
 Qi. 22. What is the number, office, and au- 
 thority of the Bj flops in the church of England? 
 
 A. Befides the Archbiihops, who are two, 
 and who prefide over the others, the Bifhops are 
 twenty-four. They have the iole power of or- 
 daining the clergy, and very great authority onlt 
 them. They perform the right of confirmation, 
 and confecrate churches and church-yards. They 
 are alfo inverted with great feculur power and 
 
 dignity 
 
 CL 23. / 
 
34 Officers appointed in 
 
 Q^ 23. What u to objccl to the fupen- 
 
 ority of the Bijhops over the clergy? 
 
 A. No fuch diftinction of minifters is ap- 
 pointed by Chrift in his church, but on the con- 
 trary, he has exprefsly forbidden any of them 
 to aHume dominion over the reft*. And as to 
 the office of an Archbijbop, none pretend to pro- 
 duce any fcripturc- warrant for it. 
 
 * See Matth. xx. 25 — 27. Bat Jefus called them unto him 
 [viz. ife difciples, when they iblicited the chief places in his 
 kingdom] and laid, " Ye know that the princes of the Gen- 
 tiles exercife dominion over them — but it (hall not be lb 1- 
 i?iong ycu ; but whofoevcr will be great amon* y::u let him 
 be your minilrcr, and whofoever v. ill be chief among you 
 let him be your fenrant." Ch. xxiii. 8. " Be ye not cal- 
 Ted Rabbi, for one is your mafter, even Chrift, and all ye 
 ire brethren. And call no man your Father upon ea-.th, for 
 one is your father which is in heaven/* 
 
 A T . B. The Bifhops are called Lords, and right reverend Fa- 
 thet r in God. 
 
 Q. 24. Is there not Jometbing exceptionable in 
 the manner of making of a Bifhop ? 
 
 A. There is a great deal of pomp and parade 
 in this ceremony, in which there is an election, 
 a confirmation, a confecration, and an * inftall- 
 ment, or inveftiture ; and fome things in it are 
 truly ludicrous. 
 
 v. g. Tho 1 it is well known that the office is a very de« 
 fn able one, and is generally fought after Vviih grta' 
 the Rifliop elect lolemnly declaies againir. having ufed any un- 
 due means to obtain it, faying Noh tpijc:part, i e. I am un- 
 willing to be a Bifhop. Previous to the confirmation the 
 --<»< neral iilues forth a citation to i'ummon all who op- 
 poie the election; which is fixed on the door of Bow-church. 
 And afterwards three proclamations are made in the chuich 
 he oppofers to appear - y but none coming they are pro- 
 nounced contumaces. Sie more in Neljsn\ rights of the clergy. 
 
 * 8 This in an A* .ailed an Enthronement. 
 
 CL 25. What 
 
 
the Church of England. 35 
 
 Q^ 25. What is objected to in the manner of 
 ordination by Bifljops f 
 
 ^ A. They require all whom they ordain to de- 
 ck re, that they are moved by the Holy-Ghoft, 
 in undertaking the ministerial office ; and then 
 pretend (or feem as if they pretended) to confer 
 the Spirit by the impofition of their hands, fay- 
 ing, " Receive the Holy-Ghoft." 
 
 Q. 26. Can none officiate as miniflers in the 
 church of England, who have not been ordained by 
 her own Bifhops ? 
 
 A. No ; all other ordination is pronounced 
 invalid, excepting that of the Roman Catholics ; 
 who, if they conform to the church of England, 
 are not required to be re-ordained. 
 
 Q^ 27. IVhat is the common argument for the 
 exclufive right of the Bi flops to ordain? 
 
 A. That they have derived it by uninterrupt- 
 ed fuccefllon from the apoftles ? 
 
 Qi. 28. What is objected to this right by unin- 
 terrupted fucceilion ? 
 
 A. The fcriptures no where mention it as ne- 
 ceffary to render ordination valid. The church 
 of England cannot prove that fhe is potTc-fTed of 
 it. And if fhe could, fhe mull have received 
 it through the corrupt channel of the church of 
 Rome. 
 
 Q^ 29. What do the DiGTenters in general think 
 concerning ordination ? 
 
 A. They apprehend that every man who is 
 qualified for the mini fieri al office, by ability and 
 piety, has a right to exercife it in any fociety 
 that calls him to it; and ti lion is by no 
 
 means ncceflary to the ufefttl : it. 
 
 Accordingly, many of their miniflers pre 
 leveral yean before they are* rdained. But 1 
 
$6 Officers appointed in 
 
 ihink it is very decent and ufeful, and agreeable 
 to the fcripturc model, when they are about to 
 fettle with any people as pallors, to have the ap- 
 probation, the prayers, and the advice of fome 
 l>f their brethren ; who pretend to no authority 
 to conftitute them paftors ; that being derived 
 folely from Chrirt, and the choice of the 
 people. 
 
 v. Some on thefe occafions ufe the form of laying •* 
 of hands, without pit Lending 10 convey any ijpiritual gift; 
 tad others difufe it. 
 
 Q^ 30. What is the extent of a Bifbop's charge 
 and authority in the church oj England ? 
 
 A. Each Bifhop is the paftor of the whole 
 Diocefe, and has the charge of all the fouls 
 in it, and the government of all the clergy, 
 who are really only his curates ; which is a trull 
 far too great for any man to execute, as each 
 Dioceie comprehends fome hundred parifhes. 
 
 N. B. The Bifhop .of London's Diocefe, ccn-.prthends all the 
 clergy and members ofthe church of England. in America. 
 
 Q^ 31. What is the authority of a Bijbcf 
 his clergy ? 
 
 A. He not only has authority to enquire into 
 their conduct, to exhort them to thtir duty, 
 and to demand an oath of obedience to himfelf, 
 according to the canons ; but alio the power 
 of fufpenfion ; which is too great for one man to 
 be entrufted with, and may be attended with very- 
 pernicious confequences. 
 
 Q^ 32. What is the nature and dr/ign of the rite 
 of Confirmation, as performed by the Btjbops ? 
 
 A. It is defigned for young perfons to take 
 upon themfclves the \ow which dieir Sponfors 
 made in their name at their baptifm. 
 
 CL 33- Wat 
 
the Church of England. 37 
 
 QL 33- What does the Bijhop perform on tbefe 
 cccafions ? 
 
 A. He thanks God for having regenerated 
 them by water and the Holy Ghoft, and for- 
 given ali their fins. He then lays his band upon 
 the head of every perfon, and > 44 certifies them 
 " all, by that fign, of God's favour, and gracious 
 " gcodnefs toward them." 
 
 Q^ 34. What is required of perfons in order to 
 their being thus confirmed? 
 
 A. Nothing more than their having a certifi- 
 cate from their minifter, that they can fay 
 Lord's-prayer, the creed, the ten command- 
 ments, and the catechifm ; and their anfwer- 
 ing, all together, in the affirmative, to the Quef- 
 tion, which is read of courfe, (i wheiher tl 
 " renew the vows made in their name at their 
 " Baptifm?" 
 
 CL 35- What do Dijfcnters object to this cere- 
 mony? 
 
 A. That it has no foundation in reafon, or 
 fcripture *, and is attended with vei 
 conj'eque-Tces. Bcfides, fhould the proprlei 
 the rite irfcW be allowed, every p^rifh minifter 
 U cms to be as capable of performing it . 
 Biihop. 
 
 * The principal text wged in favour of co- 
 thing to the 1. Acl- viii. 14, Sec. \ ; o the 
 
 r and John. 
 tion fpoken of ch. xiv it. and xv. 41. wis not by in 
 uhing. 
 
 Q^ 36. What dangerous confequencj u 
 to a rife Jrom it ? 
 
 A. Ignorant people, who 
 opinion of the Bifrrop to think he v . 
 a fallehood, are like to look upon I 
 to be, v ed they are, \ 
 
 C 
 
Officers appointed, &c. 
 
 enerated, and interefted in God's favour, and 
 ft) conclude their ilate is tafc, while yet they con- 
 tinue in the-r fins. 
 
 QL 37- IVhat do Diffentcrs cbjrft to the t..n fe- 
 cration of churches and burying-grounus by the 
 Bijhop ? 
 
 A. They think that no ceremony can make 
 one place more holy than another; that if it 
 could, the common priefts are as able to per- 
 form ft as the Biihops, and that their preten- 
 tions of this nature tend greatly to 'promote a 
 fuperftitious veneration for the places fo confe- 
 ■ era ted, as well as for themfelves. 
 
 Q^ 38. What is that fecular power and dignity 
 with which the Bj flops are invejled? 
 
 A. They have their refpe&ive courts of judica- 
 ture held in their cathedrals, and iflue out writs, 
 not in the King's name, (as other courts do) but 
 in their own. They depute Chancellors to aci as 
 Judges ; whofe jur^diftion extends to all caufes 
 concerning marriages, laft wills, adminiftrations, 
 eVc. as well as to perfons accufed of various 
 crimes, on which they pafs fentence without a 
 jury, and for which they inflict very heavy fecular 
 punifhments. The Biihops alio are Lords of 
 Parliament, and ao fuch have a feat in the houie 
 of Lords. 
 
 Some maintain that they are Peers of the Realm. 
 
 See Nelfjn^ p. 104, — 10&. 3d edit. The Blfhoprick o( 
 
 am has for many centuries been « County Palatine, 
 
 The Earldom of SaJbtrg is alio annexed to this Bilhoprick. 
 
 The Archbifhop of Canterbury is Piimate and Metropolitan 
 
 ;.and, and next in dignity to the royal family. 
 
 lie ban the piobate of all wi!ls in his provirce. When 
 
 any die inteftate, having goods in feve. al diocefes, the 
 
 ariminiftration belongs to him. (lb. p. 61.) " It h his pri- 
 
 . y cuitom, to ciown the kings and queens of Eng- 
 
 hi la.id. He has alio (by the Stat. 25. Hen. VIII. ch. if.) 
 
 the 
 
Of the Liturgy. 39 
 
 ;t the power of granting difpenfatknt^ in any cafe not con- 
 44 trary to the holy fcriptures and the law of God, where 
 44 the Pope ufed formerly to grant them. Which is the 
 M foundation of his granting fpecial licences to marry at 
 44 any place or time, to hold two Livings, and to confer 
 44 degrees in prejudice of the univerfities, Sec." 1 (Black- 
 fiinfs Comment. Vol. I. p. 381.) " The Archbifliop of 
 44 Canterbury has indeed, by the laws of Ergland, fuch 
 44 extenfive powers, that ever fince the death of Laud, 
 44 the government has thought proper to raife to that dig- 
 44 nity none but men of very moderate principles, and of 
 44 icry inoffeniive abilities. 11 
 
 GutkrU\ Geog. Gram. p. 189. 
 
 Qi. 39* What is objected to this dignity and 
 power of the Bifiops? 
 
 A. It is not very confident with their charac- 
 ters as the fervants of the meek and lowly Jefiis, 
 or with their pretenfions as the fucceflbrs of the 
 Apoflles, whofe weapons of warfare were not 
 carnal*, and who affected no external pomp or 
 worldly power f. It muft greatly interfere with 
 the fpiritual duties I of their office ; and is not 
 agreeable to the free fpirit of the Errglifh civil 
 constitution. 
 
 * l Cor. x. 4. f 1 Cor. iv. I, 10—13. J Ac"ts \si. 2, 4. 
 
 SECTION 1IL 
 
 Of the Liturgy. 
 
 £K 40. 77/11 AT is the mode of ivorfliip . 
 yV ejlahlifhed Church? 
 A. A form of prayer is (latedly ufed, called 
 he Liturgy, or Common-prayer. 
 
 C z Q^ 4-1. Dq 
 
40 Of the I .IT I -ROY. 
 
 Q^ 41. Do Dijfcnters think forms cf prayer in 
 rives finful ? 
 
 A. No; they think it far hotter to pray hy 
 n form than not at all, or in an indecent inco- 
 herent manner; but do not approve of a mini- 
 fter's ufing a Liturgy, or dated form in public 
 v.orfhip. 
 
 .Tt-nting minifies ' rp Forms as 
 
 helps to the devotion of the family and cloitt, and many of 
 1 he people ufe them as they fee occafion. 
 
 Q^ 42. What are the objections commonly urged 
 cgainjl Liturgies in general P 
 
 A. 1. The fcripture is filent with refpect to 
 the ncceffity or expediency of them, and refers 
 to none in ufe, though it treats largely on divine 
 worfhip, and often mentions the prayers of good 
 men. 
 
 2. It feems highly unreasonable, that chriflian 
 minifters fhould be confined to a ftated form in 
 their prayers, more than in their fermons. 
 
 3. The ufe of fuch a form is attended with 
 many difadvantages, both to minifters and 
 people. 
 
 Q^ 43. What are the principal difadvantages of 
 a Liturgy ? 
 
 A. 1. It is an encouragement to indolence in 
 mini iters. 
 
 2. It tends to lefleii their ability for praying 
 in cafes of emergency, for which no form can 
 be provided. 
 
 3. The confUnt repetition of the fame things 
 tends to deaden the afTedions of the worlhip- 
 
 4. Liturgies cannot be adapted to all the 
 . liinflanccs of different iocutics, and the fe- 
 
 veral 
 
Of the Liturgy. 41 
 
 vera! events which may occur, and which ought 
 o be noticed in public prayer. 
 
 Qi, 44. What is objected to the Liturgy of the 
 church of England in particular ? 
 
 A. 1. That it is impofed by human authority, 
 fo that minifters mull make no variation from 
 it, whatever the peculiar circumftances of things 
 may require; and no alteration can be made 
 in it, however proper and neceffary, without an 
 aft of par lament, which cannot eafiiy be pro- 
 cured. 
 
 2. That there are many things exceptionable 
 in the liturgy itfelf. e. g. in the general form 
 and conftruction of it— in the fentiment and 
 expreffion in feveral particular parts— and alio in 
 refpecl to language. 
 
 3. That the manner of reciting it is unna- 
 tural and unedifying, efpecially in the cathe- 
 drals. 
 
 0^45- What is exceptionable in the general fcrni 
 and conftflidion of the Liturgy? 
 
 A. 1. The method is irregular and confuted. — 
 The feveral prayers, collects, &c. are without 
 any order or connexion. And they are fo placed 
 as to require fome fkill to find them as they are 
 read, and to make it neceffary to ficip backwards 
 and forwards feveral times in readi \ fcr- 
 
 vice. 
 
 2. The paits into which it is divided are too 
 many and too minute. — Some of thee iftinG pray- 
 ers, and efpecially the collects*, fecm to have 
 no diftinguifhing object, but are little more than 
 introduction and conclufion. 
 
 * v. g. Col. fo- 2d Sunday after Egriph. 2d before 
 4tl>, and 5th 
 
 3. It is fall of tautology and vain repetitions- 
 
 C 3 " Lord 
 
42 Of the Liturgy. 
 
 €t Lord have mercy upon us," and gloria palri y 
 are introduced much too frequently. The 
 LordVprayer is ufed three or four times, and 
 may occur fix times in the fame fervice. In the 
 Litany, " Have mercy upon us miferable fin- 
 " ncrs," is laid eight times \ H Good Lord de- 
 " liver us," eight times alfo : and, " We be- 
 4( feech thee to hear us good Lord," twenty-one. 
 
 See Matth. vi. 7. 
 
 4. It is in fome views very defeSive.— The 
 confefiion is much too general ; as indeed are the 
 petitions and thankfgivings. And fome cafes are 
 not provided for. It is remarkable there is no 
 prayer for the univerfities. 
 
 5. The prayers are not always adapted to the 
 occafion.-— There is a remarkable inftance of this 
 fort in the fervice for (what is ftrangelv called) 
 the churching of ivcmen : u O Lord lave this 
 €i woman thy fervant— -Be thou to her a ftrong 
 €t tower from the face of her enemy. 79 The fame 
 in the vifitation of the fick.— The 3d Collect 
 for evening prayer, u Lighten our darknefs, &rc." 
 is improper when read, as it often is, early 
 in the afternoon : As likewife is that expreffion 
 in the morning fervice, <c Who haft brought us 
 *' to the beginning of this day," when read near 
 noon, or as fometimes it is, pad: it. (See Cand. 
 Difq. p. 115.) 
 
 6. Many of the prayers are needlefs and re- 
 dundant, e. g. Several of the Collefts, in 
 which no blefling is a(ked but what is prayed for 
 in other parts of the fervice. The prayers for 
 the King and Royal Family are difproportioned 
 to the other parts of interceflion. 
 
 Note, The King |s pra>ed for three times every Sunday morn- 
 .r.d i^ain \u the communion fervice, befides in each of the 
 Ippointid for fclemn days. 
 
 7. There 
 
Of the Li t u r c v. 43 
 
 7. There is only one general form of prayer 
 appointed ; the conftant ufe of which at all 
 times, m< md evening, is very unreafon- 
 
 able, and mud tend greatly to promote for- 
 mal 11 
 
 Qi, 46. Wl V as to fenti- 
 
 ment in particular parts if the Liturgy f 
 
 A, 1. In the Office of BAPTISM. 
 
 Such eipreflioris are ufed concerning the effi- 
 cacy of that rite, as naturally lead perfons to 
 conceive of it as a favtng ordinance * : which 
 however is rendered ridiculous bv the queftions 
 p-ut to the Infant in the perfon of the fponiors, 
 and the anfwers they make in its name, concern- 
 ing its faith and future condud f, 
 
 * God is thanked for hiving- regenerated the child by his H 
 Spirt. The water is called the liver of regeneration, by v 
 the c illd, being born in original fin and in the wrath of G 
 received i:;to the number of ti e ctiiklien of God, and hei: s of e- 
 verhflirg lite. Accoidingly, in the Catechtfm, the child is taught 
 of ks baptiim, tfc Wherein I was made a member of Chrift, 
 "a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingd m of heaven." 
 A feotimen; as dangerous as it is unreafonabJe and unfciiptural. 
 
 •f Q^ Doft thou in the name cf 'this ch; J renounce the devil and 
 atl his works y &c? Anf I renounce them all. Q^ D°ft 
 believe in God, &c. ? Anf. AlUhis I ttedfaftly believe. Q^ff'ilt 
 thou he baptised in this faith ? Anf. That is my denVe. Q^ < 
 thou keep God's holy <w:ll t &c Anfw. I wiii. 
 
 2. In the Communion-Service. 
 
 Some expreffions ftrongly favour the notion of 
 (Thrift's real prefence in the bread and wine*: 
 a fuperftitious regard to which is encouraged 
 by the ufe of the term Conjecraiion ; and parti- 
 cularly, by the repetition of the confecration- 
 prayer, if the firfl quantity be not fufficicnt f. 
 
 C 4 * kt C}rant 
 
44 Of the Liturgy. 
 
 'here r ore fo to eat the fie(h of thy" deal 
 HI Chrir>, and fb to drink his blood, that our lin'd I 
 
 may be made titan by his body, &c." When the miaJdo 
 'He bri , 4i The body of our Lord Jefei Chrift pi. | 
 
 ody ind iuul :** and when giving the cup, u The blood of 
 M oui Lo.d Ji iu> Chi ill preferve thy body and foul," &c. 
 
 f T! c order of the rubric, refpe&irg the bread and wise thai 
 ii left, | popifh iurertritic n, and appears 
 
 fomev 
 
 M II b ead and wine remain unconfecrated, the cu- 
 
 44 rate (hall have it to his own ufe ; but if any remain of that 
 44 which wa* on'.ecrated, it (hall not be carried out of the 
 44 church, but the prielt, and fuchoiktr f the communicants as 
 44 he H-.aII then call unto him, fhall immediately after the 
 44 bfcftag, reverently eat and drink the fame. 
 
 3. In the Visitation of the Sick. 
 
 After the Tick perfon has declared his afTent to 
 the articles of the creed, and profefTed his re-r 
 pentance and his charity with all men, he is to 
 be u moved to make a fpecial confeflion of his 
 u fins, if he feel his confeience troubled." — 
 After which confeflion, the Pritft is required, 
 " if he humbly and heartily defire it," to ab~ 
 jolvc kim. 
 
 The form of abfolurion is really fiiocking and downright Pope- 
 <l Our Lord jeius Ch; lit, who hath left power to his chuich 
 * 4 to abfolve all finners, who truly rtpent and believe in him, of 
 44 hi. great me r cy forgi e oftence* : and by his auihcri- 
 
 44 tj committed to me, J abfolve thee from all thy fins , in the name 
 k4 o, the Faiher, end of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft. Amcn. x% 
 
 4. In the Burial Service. 
 
 This one fervice is read at all funerals, with- 
 out diftin&ion ; whatever the age, ciicumftances, 
 or character, of the doceafed, may be ; yea, tho* 
 they are known to have been the mod abandoned 
 Sinners, and hardened Infidels, and to have died 
 
 without 
 
Of the Liturgy. 45 
 
 without any figns of repentance ; excepting they 
 were unbaptized, felf-murderers, of eXcvmmuniv 
 cated ; which 1 art: cafe very rarely happens. — In 
 this fervice, the Minifter is required to flile the 
 deceafed, M Our dear brother" — to express a 
 " fure and certain hope of his refurrccYion to 
 " eternal life — to thank God for having taken 
 " hirn out of the miferies of this (infill world" — - 
 and to pray u that when we depart this life, we 
 " may reil in Chi ill, a- oar hope is this our dear 
 ** broiher doth:*' Exprc<Tion% which (dur- 
 ing the prefent relaxation of churck-d 
 muft often hurt the consciences of n: 
 and be attended with very dangerous confequence* 
 with refpect to the people. No wonder it w 
 td perfons ihould cncour^irc themfelvcs to go on 
 in fin, on the prefumptbn of obtain.;. > 
 nefs at lail, notwithstanding, while they fo i 
 hear perfons of their own character, when dead, 
 pronounced happy. 
 
 * On acco^-t of this Office, ArchLifh p Scr.cr :ft 
 Dr. Tiltotfon) wjuld never undertake the career fouls. Set 
 Life Baxt. Vol. IV. p. n6. 
 
 «;. frifqme of the Services for Koiy-day?. 
 
 Particularly that for January 30, and May 29. 
 In the former of which, the death of Charles I. 
 and in the latter, the reftoration of CI 
 are commemorated in a manner founded on 1: 
 hood, and bordering upon prophancflf 
 
 On Jan. 30. Charles I. is abfur.: 
 racier is given him ranch preate: 1: bii Hiltoiy) hi 
 
 pt-ars to d< 1 hit death la~ 
 
 itfled, and the Judgments of God on account or 
 a manner high!) uni altinable, even fuppofing h 
 what it U represented. But the mti ; 
 if, the reading of the Pfalms which relate to the j 
 CiriJ} y and the chapter concerning his cmif.xion. 
 C 5 
 
46 Of the Liturcy. 
 
 Th May 29, for the reftoration of 
 
 Charie- II. a> M ou- moll gracious fcvereign f* and for re;'. 
 4i to us [by him] the pubhek and free piufeflion of God's true 
 " religion and worth ip — his facred truth aiui goipel, to the 
 44 comfort aiui joy of our hearts ;" a;e luch as we cannot hearti- 
 ly join in when v*e think of the vices ol his cha'acler, his at- 
 tempts againft the liberties of this counti), and the immoralities 
 and persecutions of his reign ; uniefc we believed there was and 
 coula be no public and free profefiion of God's true religion, &c. 
 without the hierarchy and liturgy of the church of England. 
 
 6. In fome of the Portions of Scripture 
 appointed to be read. 
 
 Thole with which the fervice begins, (which 
 are the fame for the morning and afternoon) are 
 by no means fo pertinent as many that might be 
 found. The Leflbns are not always well chofen 
 for edification. An whole chapter is fometimes 
 read on a particular occafion, in w hich there are 
 but a few words at all adapted to it. The Song 
 of the virgin Mary and of Simeon, which are 
 made a part of the worfhip in Evening-prayer, 
 are too perfonal for a congregation to adopt. 
 There feems to be no propriety in reading the 
 Epifttes and Gofpels as diftincl: from Leflbns, 
 and efpecially, in reading fome other portion of 
 fcripture, when there is no goi'pel or epiftle fuit- 
 able, as/ir the go/pel, or for the epiftle. 
 
 7. In the %fe of the Apocryphal Books. 
 
 From whence Leflbns are appointed to be pub- 
 licity read, and that in the room of fome part 
 of \\\i facred writings ; which tends to make 
 people think the Apocrypha of equal authority 
 with the Bible. Some of thefe leflbns contain 
 the moll ridiculous ftorie^ in the whole book*. 
 
 * v £. The fabnlow tod grofi legends of Bel and the Dra~ 
 gun, o; 'juditr. fcftd Snfwaib , a&d above all, the magical 
 
 iom&nce 
 
Of the Liturgy. 47 
 
 romance of relieving a fair virgin from the inchantments of her 
 infernal lover, and conjuring away the amorous devil jifmsdcus^ 
 by the fumes of a fan's liver. 
 
 See Dijent. Gent. p. 101. 
 N. B. The ftory of Bel and the Dragon was 6rtt appointed to 
 be read by the Common-Prayer-book ct Ckarks II. 
 
 8. In the Athanasiak Creed. 
 This creed (which was taken verbatim from 
 
 the Mafs-book) is exprefied in fuch a manner, as 
 feems not calculated to fupport the doSrine it 
 pretends to explain. The damnatory claufes of 
 it are particularly exceptionable, and render the 
 church highly inconfiffcent, as fhe admits per- 
 sons to her communion without requiring their 
 belief of it, . and exprefTes her hope of the fal 
 tion of all over whom the burial fervice is reac, 
 tho' they understand nothing of the doSrine con- 
 tained-in this creed, or are known to deny it. 
 
 9. Inform parts of the Litany. 
 e. g. ** From fornication and all Other 
 
 €t Jins, good Lord deliver us:" which feems to 
 countenance the popifh notion of feme fins be- 
 ing venial. Some cannot pray to be delivi 
 ic from hidden death," becauie they think it a 
 benefit ; and others, becaufe they judge it fitted: 
 to leave it to 1 a wife and good God to detenn 
 the maimer of their dying. 
 
 A mucii belter petition than either cf thefc • 
 left out of t! Litany, at the review in Qj 
 Elizabeth's me, which confident Proteilanr* 
 could mi re generally adopt : 4 ' From the 
 
 u Eijhop of Rome, and all bis detc/lable enor- 
 u mitie>\ ord i( liver us.'* 
 
 Q^ 47. clcd again fl in the mar. 
 
 Of reciting the Liturgy? 
 
 A. The chanting it, as in the cathedrals, w 
 
 uofuitibic 
 
4? Of the Liturgy. 
 
 unfuitable to the nature of prayer, and the {"im- 
 plicit)' of Gofpel-worfhip*. And the manner 
 in which the people join with the pried, in the 
 parifh-churches, is unedifying, unnatural, and 
 arbitrary : fometimes making refponfes % to the 
 petitions he offers : fometimes repeating a prayer 
 along with him : fometimes faying broken parts 
 ot leniences after him : fometimes concluding 
 the fentences he had begun: and in the pfalms, 
 he and they reading a verfe alternately. 
 
 * Char.tirg wa? fi.ft infr-.cuced in the church of Aniicch by 
 
 Flav.cnus, a man -a!^, but fond of ce emonies. Tie 
 
 chuich of R:me adopted it, where it was improved under fevcal 
 
 was corr.pleaied in the time of Gregory, about the 
 
 I . zo, r.nd from him intitied, the Greg>rian cant. Auftin the. 
 
 Ogfet it into England. Pope Vitaltan I. (6S3) firft 
 
 .n:ed organs to be ufcd with the vocal m;:i 
 
 DilT^rt. on Cathe:i. Wo.fnip in Ccmp. Hi ft. Ref. 
 X RcfDno'es a r e ufed in no ether proteftant church. Tlxle 
 alio were introduced by Pope Gregory. 
 
 Q. 48. Hcvj is it to be accounted for that there 
 are jo many exceptionable things in tbe Liturgy ? 
 
 A. The plain reafon is, it was taken for the 
 moft part from the old popijb liturgy f ; from 
 
 f CaUet<wooJ in his Church Htf.. fays, That the Common- 
 er is jitrie effe than I rarfla'ion of feveial parcels put togc- 
 M Breviary^ MiJfaL and Ritual. Theft 6 Can- 
 r wo-d from the M '.:'s-l::k. Bepediatt cmnia, 
 :,\w. Magnificat. Nunc dimiitis. ^utcun^ue iult y 
 
 pfftllQ. — When, ll c Dticnfifrc nun \s*-ie ltirred 
 
 UU of the alteration of their Majs-bick y 
 
 T. tells them in a Letter, tt quiet them, " As 
 
 4t for the fervice in the En^iifh tongue^ em to 
 
 ice, but yet indttd it is no other but the eld : the 
 :'fr».' M Ac.' 
 iutd to confirm the £n£ ifh L:i 
 
 £te 2 -—52. 
 
Of the Liturgy. 49 
 
 which the firft Reformers prudentiv made as 
 little variation as poiTible, intending by degrees, 
 to effect a thorough reform. But their fucceflbrs 
 unaccountably relied fatisfied with what they had 
 done, and have made no material alteration fince. 
 Our church-governors, either thro' indifference, 
 or an unreafonable * averfion to innovations, c r 
 an apprehenfion of endangering the whole church 
 by repairing a part of it, have hitherto reje&ed 
 the propofals of many learned clergymen f in the 
 church, (as well as the Prefbyterian minifterSj 
 in 1 661.) for improving the eftablifhed forms. 
 
 * See a curicus inftance of this in Furn. Lett, to Black 
 
 ■f See the Free and candid Difquifititnt re ] atir.g to the clurch 
 cf England, printed in the year i- i: governors 
 
 in church and ftate, moie efpecially to th- | a ; by duti- 
 
 ful Tons of the faid church. In which a g-ear number of aheia-« 
 tions in the Liturgy are very fenfibiy anil r 
 
 Q^ 49. In <wbai manner is the public tt . 
 of the Dijfenters conduced f 
 
 A. By extemporary prayer, or, as it is fome- 
 times called, free-prayer; in which the minifter 
 prays according to his own judgment am 
 without the help of a Book. 
 
 Q^50. What warrant have they from 
 for ibis way of praying ? 
 
 A. It was evidently in ufe 
 gies were or could be; for men had pra\cd to 
 God two thoufand years before anj 
 written. And there are many cxamp!- 
 temporary prayer in the facrcd v. I 
 Patriarchs and Prophets under the Old 'I 
 ment, Chrift and his Apoftlts under the N 
 and good men in general under both, evidently 
 pra)ed in this manner, 
 
 CL51. 
 
50 Of the Liturgy. 
 
 Q_ 5 T . What are the chief advantages of ex- 
 temporary prayer ? 
 
 A* I. It obliges minifters (who life it in a pro- 
 per manner) to an habit of diligence in conver- 
 ging with divine things. 
 
 2. It tends greatly to keep up the attention, 
 and excite the pious affections of the worfhip- 
 pers. 
 
 3. It is capable of being befl: fuited to the 
 circumftances of the congregation, and the vari- 
 ous fudden occurrences that may happen, which 
 ought not to pals unnoticed in public devo- 
 tion. 
 
 Qi, 52. How can the people join in extempo- 
 rary prayer, ftnee they mujl wait till the mimjler 
 has fi nijhed a fentence before they can underftand the 
 meaning of it ? 
 
 A. 1. In order properly to join in prayer % 
 another, it is net necefTary to adopt every word 
 as it is uttered ; it is fufficient to affem to a pe- 
 tition when the whole is delivered. 
 
 2. However, thofe prayers which are called 
 extemporary, are not (and ought not to be) al- 
 ways entirely new: many of the fame exprefiions 
 will often occur, and efpecially fcripture ex- 
 prefiions, which may generally be underftood 
 and affented to, as foon as a few words are ut- 
 tered. 
 
 3. The fame objection would in fome degi e 
 hold equally good againft hearing new fermons. 
 
 Q^ 53. Are not extemporary prayers liable to 
 great improprieties in method and expreffon ? 
 
 A, It is allowed, they are not always fo ac- 
 curate as forms might be made. But pei fons of 
 good natural abilities and education, may, by 
 diligent care and conftant ufe, acquire an habit 
 
 of 
 
Of the Liturgy. 51 
 
 of exprefling themfelves with a degree of accu- 
 racy fufficient for all the purpofes of lbcial de- 
 votion. And churchmen ought to remember 
 that there are many improprieties in the common- 
 prayer *, equal to mod that are obfervable in the 
 prayers of the regular DifTenters. 
 
 Q^ 54. But 
 
 * Befides the imp oprieties in the Liturgy before remarked, 
 (Ql 45*) ,l ma y not be amifs heie to felect Tome others in refpcA 
 to language only 
 
 Uncouth and obfclete voords and phrafes. u Prevent us in all 
 our doin?*. — Let thy mercy lighten upon us — Ordered by thy 
 Governance. — Thine honourable and true Ton. — That we be 
 fulfilled with thy g r ace — Thole things which we afk faithfully . 
 — May do fuch things as be rightful. — For the more confirma- 
 tion or" the faith. — Thro" our fins and wickednefs we be fore let 
 and hindered. — Thy late plague of immoderate rain. — The fpirit 
 rf gtoftly ftrength. — Great marvels, — Deadly fins, £Vc. 
 
 Befides thefe, many occur in the veifion of the Pjalmt read 
 ia the church, (which is done from the vulgate Latin, and 
 in which there are feverml* grofi mifirar.flationt) e. g. %t Tulli. 
 — -Fie upon thee, iie upon thee. — Thou a;t my <&orfbip.—~ 
 He is an ivholefcme defence. — bit ifed a.e the folk. — The 
 time thou haft plagued us. — O thou m.ft bigbefl. — ' 
 tiumpetb and fbaivms. — -We have will.td you good luck. — 
 How fweet are thy words unto my threat. — I v. ill blef* her 
 vicluals, &c. Sec. 
 
 Redundancies. u Acknowledge an;] C I diflemble 
 
 nor cloak tbem. — Pardoneth and abfo.veth. — Vanquifh anil over- 
 come. — Worthily defer ved. — Gracioufly hear fl 
 cioufly hear us, O Lo:d Chrift. (SeetBtenJ »J the Lit* 
 We pralfe thee, we blef> thee, we v.o fhip thee, 
 thee, we five thank> to t] | glory, O Lord I 
 
 heavenly king, God the Father Almight). 1 ' Communnn Ser- 
 vice. 
 
 Want of Connexion ; particula ly between the Addrefs and 
 the Petition. — M Give peace in our time, O I.oid, becaufe there 
 is none other that fighuth for u.s hut only thou, I 
 who at the author ol \ peaie and lo\ i .. 
 whom,- Sec. defend Ub th> humble fervent! in all id 
 — Almighty and everlaiYing Cod, who alone worked great mar- 
 vels, lend down upon oui hifnops and C u el lp»- 
 ril of thv grace." In ifcil lalt infttOCC tb'c i.uetxioo unht| 
 
 ran 
 
52 Of the Liturgy. 
 
 Q^ 54. Rut is it n r A requifite that chr. 
 Jbould maintain uniformity in their worjbipf 
 
 A. Uniformity is no more heceflary in prayer 
 than in preaching. It it were, Chrift himldf 
 would have told us \\\ and the Apoillcs and firfl 
 ChriiVians would have maintained it; which 
 there is not the leaft proof of their doing. And 
 it feems ftrange that uniformity (hould be thought 
 more ncceflary in prayer than in preaching, 
 in other things, in which variety is efleenied 
 beautiful. 
 
 CL 55. Did not Cbrift teach bis difcipks to pray 
 by a- form, called the Lcrd : s-pia 
 
 fuggeft?, what the compiler? cannot be thought to have int< 
 viz. that it i^ a marveilo 
 to have g _ ace. 
 
 • Unintelligible. " Ey the royftery of thv ! 
 na ion, by thy holy nativity :ifm, 
 
 ce la the power of the divine 
 
 — Thole things, which for our unvo.thinef* - alk, 
 
 vouchfire to give u . — Thou o;,!\ a t 
 Lord, thou only O Chi ill, with the hoi) 
 
 in the Glory or God the Fatbe . Ancn. 1 ' Id one of the pray- 
 ers in the communion r# — 
 But the tubiic orden that on 'Trinity Sunday this" title (hall be c- 
 
 . ; a> ii" God was not 11. 
 other. 
 
 From thi fpecimen of faults- in the ef t ap- 
 
 pear?, that churchmen have not quite fo much canfe *.o boaft of 
 
 I a in 
 point of exp.-effion, as a lb.: to imagine. 
 
 And it fhould be cu it in the latter cafe improprieties, 
 
 when obferved may be avoided in ti.ne to come-, but io the I 
 er, the faults are eftabiifhed ts well as tl i en by thole 
 
 who perceive and :e them. 
 
 A. It is not generally idle wed, that our Lord 
 intended this prater of his to be always uied ia 
 
 his 
 
Concerning Ceremonies. $$ 
 
 his church as a Form, but is by many confider- 
 ed as a Directory for our prayers*. However, 
 if it could be proved that it was defigned as a 
 (landing form, this does not warrant the uie of 
 a Liturgy, drawn up by fallible men, much lefs 
 the impofition of it by the civil magiilrate. 
 In this manner (%?&$) pray ye.' 1 Matth. vi. o. 
 
 * « 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 Concerning Ceremonies. 
 
 Qi. 56. TJfH AT is the opinion of the DiJJen- 
 ** ters with refped to ceremonies in 
 divine worjhip? 
 
 A. They difapprove of fuch as are of mere 
 human invention, efpecially when made necc-f- 
 fary, as thofe of the church of England are, 
 and think themfelves bound to refufe complying 
 with them. 
 
 Qi. 57- Are the ceremonies of the church of Eng- 
 land forbidden in fcripture ? 
 
 A. They are not exprefsly forbidden in fcrip- 
 ture, (becaufe they were not in ufe early enough) 
 but all Will-%vorJbip\\s 9 of which thefe are one 
 kind ; and as they are not commanded there, that 
 is a fufficient reafon for refufmg to fubmit to them. 
 
 Q^ 58. Does not the church claim authority to 
 decree rites and ceremonies in divine zvorjhip ? 
 
 A. Yes % ; but Diflenters deny the claim, and 
 cannot fubmit to any of her ceremonies, till 
 (he can prove her authority to enjoin them from 
 fcripture. 
 
 fSjc Col. ii. 23. I Sec Article xx. 
 
 CL 59- ft 
 
54 Concerning Ceremonies. 
 
 Q^ 59. // nothing to be required in the worfiip 
 of God but tvbat is commanded in fcripture ? 
 
 A. Nothing but what is cither cxprdsly com- 
 manded, or neceflarily implied in a command. 
 
 Q^ 60. Are not the ceremonies oj the church in- 
 different in themlelves ? Where then can be the 
 harm of complying with them ? 
 
 A. Tho' they be allowed indifferent in them- 
 felves, they may not be fo in all the circum- 
 ftances of them; and if they are, they ceafe to 
 be fo, when enjoined by human authority*, and 
 made the terms of Chriitian communion. 
 
 fr To this purpofe the words of the Apoftle are remarkable, 
 1 Cor. vi. iz. 4t All things are lawful to me, but I will 
 not be brought under the power of any. 1 ' See, on this head, 
 Fumeaux s % incomparable Letters to BUckJlcne, p. i;6— 160. 2d 
 Edit. 
 
 Q^ 61. Where can be the evil of fab mating to 
 human authority in things indifferent , for tb. fake 
 of peace and uniformity f 
 
 A, It would be acknowledging in thofc who 
 have aflumed the office of governors in the 
 church, a right which Chnit never g;ave them, 
 the pretention to which is derogatory to his 
 honour; and it would be giving up that a li- 
 " berty wherewith Chrift has made u> fi 
 and in which he has exhorted us to M ftar.d faft." 
 Gal. v. 1. 
 
 Q^ 62. Are tve not commanded to n let all 
 €t things be done decently and in or Jcr ? 
 May noty therefore, the bends c 1 rcb, ap- 
 
 point whatever is neceff 1 
 
 A. All chriftians mull ves 
 
 what is decent and ordei I le think thofe 
 
 things to be fo, which others deem ferfe. 
 
 And no peribns whatfoever have a right to de- 
 termine. 
 
Concerning Ceremonies. 55 
 
 termine for any but themfelves, for we own no 
 heads of the Church upon Earth. 
 
 Q^ 63. Are any bad corrfequences likely to arife 
 from tbofe few ceremonies, which the church of 
 England has appointed ? 
 
 Jr. They can do no good, and may be abufed 
 to bad purpofes. They tend to deftroy the fim- 
 plicity of divine worfhip ; they encourage fuper- 
 ftition, and lead the way to Popery, which a- 
 bounds with human inventions. 
 
 Qi. 64. But does not the church of England dis- 
 claim the errors of Popery ? 
 
 A. It does fo in words, but not in fa£t, fo 
 long as it claims authority in matters of faith, 
 or a right to decree ceremonies. Thole cere- 
 monies which it ufes are evidently of Popifh ori- 
 ginal, and upon the fame principle that it adopts 
 thefe it might admit ail the reft. 
 
 Q^ 65. What are the ceremonies ufed in the 
 church of England? 
 
 A. 1. Bowing towards the Eaft. 2. Bowing 
 at the name of Jefus. 3. Signing with a Crofs 
 in baptifm. 4. Particular Geftures in worfhip, 
 efpecially kneeling at the LordVSupper. 
 
 Q^ 66. What is the ceremony of bowing to the 
 Eaft? 
 
 A. The communion-table (which is called the 
 altar, and is enclofed with rails) is placed at 
 the eaft-end of the church ; and to that, rigid 
 churchmen almoft univerfally turn their face% 
 from all other parts, when they fay the Creed, 
 and bow when they come to the name of Jci 
 as fome of them alfo do when they come into 
 and go out of the church. 
 
 N. B. This ceremony is not enjoined by any cinon of 
 the church now in being, but is as peneraliy uled, and is 
 ilrenuoufly defended as it it were A 7^*J 
 
 eomi:. 
 
$6 Concerning Ceremonies. 
 
 commanded it to be ufed, and feverely puniflied thefe that 
 1 to do it. 
 
 CL 67. What do Dijjcnicrs objecl to this cere- 
 mony ? 
 
 A. 1. That chriftian churches are to have no 
 aharsll, but only a convenient table at which to 
 adminiiler the Lord's-fupper, 
 
 2. That tliere is no reaibn why this fhould be 
 placed in the eaftern part of the building, that 
 being no more facred than any other. Nor was 
 it fo placed, after the Reformation, but in the 
 body of the church till Laud's time. 
 
 3. That the communion-table has no more 
 fan&ity in it than any other table, and that the 
 cuftom of bowing towards it had its rife in 
 Popery, which teaches, that the bread and wine 
 placed upon it, are the very body and blood of 
 Chrift; which the church of England profeflcs*, 
 with all other Proteftants, to deny. 
 
 4. That bowing the body in any particular 
 part of divine worfhip is an unfcriptural cere- 
 mony, and favours of fuperflition f. 
 
 5. Worfhipping towards the Eaft, feems to 
 have been an old heathen cuftom, which the 
 fcripture exprefsiy condemns}. 
 
 || The primitive chriftians had no alta:s: Pope Syfocfter fiifl 
 coniecrated them. A. D. 1334 
 
 * Not indeed quite confifientlj, while fome expreflions in 
 
 the Litirpy remain. See p. 43 The Catechifm 
 
 u the thing Jignifiedin the Lord'l Supper is, the M body and 
 44 bhed of Chrift^ v.hich are verity and indeed taken and re- 
 ceived by the faithful.* 1 
 
 Q^ 68. Does not the fcripture exprefsiy require 
 that <c at the name of Jefus every knee fhould 
 " bow ? § 
 
 fCol. ii. 18. JSceEzek. viii. 16. <§ Phil, ii. JC 
 
 A. That 
 
Concerning Ceremonies. 57 
 
 yf. That paflage of fcripture cannot reafon- 
 ably be taken in a literal fenie, and therefore 
 does not authorize the practice of bowing, when 
 the name of Jefus is mentioned. 
 
 Q^, 69. How doth this appear ? 
 
 A. 1. It is highly unreafonable to fuppofe, 
 that if fuch a ceremony were proper or ufeful, 
 it mould be performed in honour of the Son, 
 and not of the Father alfo •, or at the mention 
 of the name Jefus, and not of any other of the 
 names by which the Son of God is as frequent- 
 ly called, or in feme particular parts of public 
 fervice, and not at all times when this name is 
 pronounced. 
 
 2. If any part of this text is to be literally 
 taken, the whole of it ought to be fo, which 
 is too abfurd to be admitted ; for it is there re- 
 quired alfo, that " every tongue fhould coni 
 " that Chriffc is Lord, of things in heaven and 
 * { on earth, and under the earth." 
 
 3. That church people themfelves do r.ot 
 practife according to the literal fenfe of this t< 
 for none of them (except the women) bow the 
 knee, but the head. And 
 
 4. Some learned and zealous Divines* of the 
 church have given up thib text as not to the | 
 fent purpoie. 
 
 * Dr. Nicboh in particular. 
 Some, to obviate the obji 
 
 led, but is foundtr! only in i 
 lake. In the InjuuBitni publifhe 
 1559, ia l *- e following," It 11 to be neceflarilj re< 
 
 " mon, or, otherwife, pronoaac d, 
 
 " made of ail perfons young and old, wil 
 
 41 mtd " lnjun&i 52. 
 
58 Concerning Ceremonies. 
 
 Q. 70. What is the pretence for the Priejf s 
 croffing the forehead in baptifm? 
 
 A, It is faid to be done as a token, that the 
 perfon baptized " fhall not be afhamed to con- 
 4 ' fefs the faith of Chrift crucified, and manfully 
 " to fight under his banner." 
 
 Q^ 71. What do Dijfe titers obje£t to this cere* 
 tnony ? 
 
 A. 1. That Chrift never appointed it. 
 
 2. If the mark of a crofs muft be ufed as a 
 badge of a difciple of Chrift, it ought cither to 
 be vifible and permanent, or often repeated, as 
 it is by the Papifls, who frequently crofs them- 
 felves to remind them of their character. 
 
 3. To ufe this fign in baptifm is to make two fa- 
 craments of one, according to the church's defini- 
 tion of a facrament, as " an outward and vifible 
 " fignof an inward and fpiritual grace." Moreover 
 
 4. To ufe any ceremony in baptifm as a 
 token of the crofs (or fufferings) of Chrift, is 
 to make this ordinance interfere with the Lord's 
 fupper ; in which bread and wine are divinely 
 appointed with this fpecial defign. 
 
 5. Making this ceremony effential to the ad- 
 miniftration of baptifm, is an unreafonable and 
 unjuft impofitionon the consciences of thofe who 
 might fcruple it. 
 
 Q^ 72. What is there exceptionable in the church 
 refpefting Geftures in drvine vuorjhip? 
 
 A. The church authoritatively requires the 
 people to be continually changing their poftures ; 
 to ftand in particular parts of the fervice, to 
 
 d in others, and to fit in others, when 
 neither fcripture nor rtafon point out the diffe- 
 rence*; and fometimes prekribes the Pricft a 
 different pofture from the people. 
 
 *Ths 
 
Concerning Ceremonies. 59 
 
 * The mod unaccountable inflance of this kind is, the or- 
 der to fit when the Epijiies are read, and to Jland at the rei- 
 of the Gcfpels. 
 
 Q^ 73. Is not the poflure <?/*kneeling (zubicb is 
 the mojl reverent) the befl fuited to that mofl fdemn 
 ordinance of the Lord's -Tup per ? 
 
 A. If fo, cur Saviour certainly knew it, and 
 he would doubtleis have enjoined it, or taught 
 us to ufe it by praQifing it with his difciples, 
 when he firfl inftituied the ordinance. 
 
 Q^ 74. // it certain that the pojlure of the Dif- 
 fenters /'/ the fame with that which our Lord and 
 bis difciples ufe dP 
 
 A. No; but it is certain they ufed the fame 
 pofture with that in which they received their 
 common meals*. The Diflenters therefore 
 think that as fitting is the common table-pofture 
 now, they come the nearer! to our Saviour's 
 pattern in ufing it at his table. This is moft 
 fuitable to the idea of the Lord's-fupper as a 
 .feafl: ; and it was doubtlefs the converting the 
 table into an altar, that introduced the cuilom 
 of kneeling at it f. 
 
 *«*#. The re< i which was, lying on bed* 
 
 round the table, fupportirg iheniilives by leaning with ih 
 elbow upon it. 
 
 "f- Pope Hsnorious o.dained it. A. D. 1214. 
 
 Q._ 75. But ivby fcould Di ([enters oljefl to fo 
 trifling a ceremony as kneeling at the Jacrament 9 
 fmce they do not fcrupie kneeling in 
 
 A. 1. They cannot think it a t:»; 
 mony, when, as enjoined by the church, it 
 looks greatly like the adoiation o; I 
 and took its rife from the popifh adoration ot 
 them, as I he verj bedy and blood c: 
 
 2. Befide^ the cl.urdi of England impefti the 
 
60 Kccrning Ceremonies. 
 
 kneeling pofture as a neceflary term of com- 
 munion, and for this i ione (fuppofing it 
 indifferent in itfelf)) it ought not to be fubmit- 
 tcd to. 
 
 Q^ 76. Do not the DifTenters make it a term 
 of communion to receive fitting? 
 
 A. No ; the communicants among them are 
 entirely at liberty to life the potlure they like 
 beft, and fome few of them kneel. 
 
 Q^ 77. Are not there fome oiher ceremonies 
 obferved in the church of England F 
 
 A. There are ieveral cuftoms which greatly 
 partake of the nature of ceremonies, and are li- 
 able to much the fame objections : e. g. Wearing 
 particular habits — Obferving certain days as holy 
 — Performing different parts of the Service in 
 different places — And the ufe of Sponfors in bap- 
 tifm. All which are mere human and arbitrary 
 appointments. 
 
 Q^ 78. What is exceptionable in refpefl to 
 habits ? 
 
 A. The clergy are required to wear garments 
 of a particular colour ard fcrm, according to 
 their different orders. Befides the common black 
 robes, the bifhops wear a pair of large lawn 
 fleeves ; and the inferior clergv, whenever they 
 read the prayers, or adminifter the facraments, 
 or other rit.es, are obliged to have on the Sur- 
 plice y which is made of white linen, as an em- 
 blem of purity ; which, if there be a fermon, 
 is worn over the gown and ca flock, and u 
 off, in the defk, when the prayers are ended. 
 
 Qa, ' > J the opinion of the DifTenters 
 
 concerning theft habits ? 
 
 A, They confider them ns relicks of poptfli 
 fuperflition, especially the * furplice, and the 
 
 change 
 
Concerning Ceremonies. 61 
 
 change of raiment in the time of divine fervice. 
 But 'they efpecially object to the impofition of 
 any kind of drefs in the worfhip of God ; tho' 
 they do not conceive of any one form, or colour 
 of a garment, as in itfelf finful more than an- 
 other. 
 
 Note, The Surplice was fjrft worn by Pagan pried s, and was 
 "brought into the church of R:me by Pope Adrian, A. D. 706. 
 
 Q^ 80. What days doth the church appoint to be 
 kept holy ? 
 
 A. No lefs than 150 in the year*, befides 
 the Lord's-day. v. g. 29 Feafts, 16 vigils (or 
 fads before holy-days) 40 fafts in Lent, 12 Em- 
 ber-days, 3 Rogation- days, 4 Solemn days, and 
 all Fridays in the year, (excepting Chriftmas- 
 day) which befides thofe in Lent, are 46. 
 
 * See the Calendar and Table of Feafts, &c. If it be fjirf, 
 thefe days are not all defigned to be kept holy, it is replied, the 
 1 3th Canon as ftri&ly enjoins the celebration of them as of the 
 LordVday. If it be now thought neediefs to keep them, why 
 are they not abMiflied ? 
 
 N. B. The Rubric in the Communion-feivice requires the 
 Curate, immediately after reading the Ntccne creed* to * declare 
 * l unto the people what Holy-days, or falling-days, are in the 
 " following week to be obferved." 
 
 Q^ Are not fome if thefe days obferved ivitb 
 peculiar folemnity ? 
 
 A. Yes ; Cbrijimas-.day and Good-Friday, when 
 there is a communion in all the churches, and 
 in many only on thefe days, and on Eajler-J'unday 
 and Whit-junday f in the whole year. 
 
 •f* Ntte, Befides thefe, mod other Sundays in the vear arr 
 diftinguifhed by particular name:, as they are in the cbnrt 
 Rome. e. g. The ift, 2d, 3d, and 4th Sunday in sfJvet.:, 
 6 after it. Septuageflma Sunday, the 3d before Lent. 
 Sunday, the id before Lent, ^uiuquagefivia Sunday, thi 
 before Lent. 5 Sundays in Lint. Trinity Sunday ; and 25 
 'Sunday? a ; tc: it. 
 
 D CL82. •' 
 
6z 
 
 point- . 
 
 A i. It is im my of them : 
 
 be obferved without a criminal negleci of kcular 
 bufincfs. 
 
 2. Such obfervances e:: fuperflfttoi 
 will-worihip, and arc a tacit reflection on 
 
 {it head of the churcbj IS required no 
 
 day to be kept holy but that which commemo- 
 rates his refurrection. 
 
 3, Some pafTagc5 in fcripture* fhongly di£ 
 courage them ; efpccially Gal. iv. 9 — 1 1. H How 
 " turn ye again to the weak and beggarly ele- 
 " ments ? Ye obferve days and months, and 
 " times, and years. 1 am afraid of you, left 1 
 " have beftowed upon you labour in vain." 
 
 CL 8 J. iVhot it fan tiye&edia the d- 
 
 fqrvation oj Saints-da) s r 
 
 A. It looks like the adoration of departed 
 fpirits as practifed in the church of Rome, and 
 thus leads to Popery, as it evidently fprang fiom 
 thence. 
 
 0^84. What is .-.lie as to the place of 
 
 per/ :b: Church ? 
 
 A. Ths ordinary prayers are read in the Deft, 
 
 h is ufually fituated below the Pulpit, from 
 
 whence the fermon is pronounced. M he Bap- 
 
 , which 
 
 Is at the Weft end of the church., to wl 
 
 the minifter goes from the Dcfk in the midft i t 
 
 prayers. As he alfo does on forne occafions 
 
 to the Altar \ where the Commandments, the 
 
 , the Gofpels, and the Offertory * 
 
 * PaiTages of fcripture rccorr.menvl:n£ liberality to the y 
 
 td while thcie are read. 
 
 read, 
 
Concerning Ceremonies. 63 
 
 read, bccaufe (it is faid) thefe are parts of the 
 communion fervice ; tho' there be no commu- 
 nion, and tho*, as in fome churches, the altar 
 is fo far from the congregation, that many of 
 them can hear nothing. There alfo the Mar- 
 riage ceremony is performed, which doubtlefs 
 had its rife in Popery, which makes Matrimony 
 one of the feven facraments. Thefe cuftoms 
 the DifTenters cannot but cenfure as the fad re- 
 mains of the old fuperftition. 
 
 N. B. The Rubric requires the priefl: to Hand on the S 
 file tht Table. — U it fhouid be objected to the Diflenters, that 
 they are inconfiflent in fubmitiir.g to be married at thr -: - 
 
 '. e:ed, that they ccr.fider marriage as a civil 
 therefore can l'ubmit to the will of the magiflrate in pcgi 
 the place, as well as other circumftances of this rite. 
 
 Q^ 85. What is the office of Spcnfors, (or as 
 they are commonly called, Godfathers and God- 
 mot herb) in the Baptifm of Infants? 
 
 A. Sponfors, ir is faid, were originally join- 
 ed with the parents, in times of peifecution, in 
 an engagement for the chriflian education of the 
 child, as a fecurity in cafe the parents (houlJ 
 Be cut off, cr apoftatize. But they now ; 
 the whole engagement upon thcmftKcs, which 
 is liable to many exceptions* 
 
 lvi no account of C. : lie: than il. 
 
 CtOfiJl 
 
 Q. 86. What are the chief exception 
 the office of Sponfors? 
 
 A. i. It excludes the parents ir 
 for the education of their own children, 
 
 . il, the fitteft to 1 
 who, kfter all, mull ham the 
 
 D t 
 
64 Concerning Ceremonies 
 
 cing fponforE by 
 the Canon*. 
 
 2. It is an hardfhip to be obliged to pro- 
 vide three fureties }, tor every child that is I 
 
 d, when none are obliged to undertake the 
 office. 
 
 \ r ^re tnuft be two God fathers, and 
 
 nne God -mother : tor every Female, one God-father, and two 
 God- mot be 
 
 3. It is making an human addition to an 
 ordinance of Chnft, and a new condition of 
 chriftian communion: for none can be bap- 
 tized in the church of England without fpon- 
 Jbrs. 
 
 .v, They are difpenfed with in the private half haptifm\ 1 
 ceremony, tor which it is difficult to conceive any rational foun- 
 dation. 
 
 4. The engagement is of fuch a nature, that 
 none can literally fulfil it. For the fponfors 
 profefs, in the child's name, a belief in the 
 feveral articles of chriftianity, and promife to 
 ** renounce the Devil and ail his works, cvc." 
 Which is, in effeft, promifing that the child 
 fhall do all this ; which the beft man on earth 
 cannot be anfwerable for. However, the leaft 
 the words can be fuppofed to mean is, a folemn 
 promife in the fureties, to take great care to ufe 
 all proper means, that the child may underftand 
 Smd believe the articles of the chriftian faith, 
 and maintain a truly chriilian temper and con- 
 
 :. But 
 
 5. Tbis engagement is too folemn for any to 
 enter into, who do not mean to have a prin- 
 cipal concern in the child's education; which 
 
 .nnot be fuppofed, perfons in ordinary fhould 
 end, or even be capable of. And it misjht 
 
 well 
 
Of Suhfcription to Articles. 65 
 
 well be imagined, that many though tlefs, igno- 
 rant, and immoral perfons would, thro' the 
 neceiTity of having fureties, and fcr want ct 
 better, be of:en tempted into hypocrify, and a 
 folemn mockery of God, by promifing what they 
 cr meant to fuiril. This is accordingly 
 known to be a common cafe. And thus 
 
 6. The rite of Infant-baptiim is often made 
 the occafion of fin, or is turned into a farce, 
 and at beil: degenerates into a mere matter of 
 ceremony. 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 Of Suhfcription to Articles. 
 
 Q^ 87. llfKAT are the terms on which mini- 
 *' fiers are admitted into the cbufth of 
 Etizland? 
 
 A. They are all required to fubferibe and 
 declare their hearty aflcnt and confent, to 1 
 of Religioub Articles, of human compo r ure, 
 (commonlv called the 'Thirty-nine Artie 
 being in nothing contrary to the word of God. 
 
 * The title of them is as folfowt \ " A licJei agreed np< 
 the Anhbifhops and Bifhops of both provinces, ar.d the 
 Clergy in the Convocation, holden at London : ;62 f 
 
 f of opinion . 
 Hcl'gion." 
 
 fixed to the 
 
 , or 
 I c upon their, : \q be 
 
 ^ 3 CL 88. Are 
 
66 Of Subfcrip: 
 
 Q. 8S. Art not tbtfe Articles generally alio:. 
 
 ortbodo) then do t>iffenters objefl to 
 
 m P 
 
 A. The controverfy is not about rl * 
 of the Articles, (which is generally allowed 
 
 by C ../ 1) but about the authority a (Turned 
 
 by fallible men, to draw up Articles of Faith 
 for Qthejn to fubferibe, as a neceflary qualifica- 
 tion for preaching the gofpc! : An authority 
 which tie church of England exprefsly claims. 
 
 kit. x\\ M The chu-ch hah power to tire: fp ritei and ce- 
 remonies, and hath autberi:. rs $f fmtb. %% To th<! 
 truth i is afl ci tton , theiHw tween 
 
 the church and the DiiTenters may be reduced. Sec Fum. Lett. 
 to Blackftcnf, p. 140. note. 
 
 Q^ 89. What is particularly objected to this 
 praflkc f 
 
 A. i\ That Chrift never committed fuch 1 
 thority to any man, or body of men. 
 
 f Much, however, Is to be fa id for the contrary. See far- 
 ticularly, a late learned Diflertatioa on the XVIIth Article. 
 Befide?, the-e are many other particulars in thefe A tide*, tlun 
 what relate to the Calviniftical controverfy, which many C'aUin- 
 ills, and particularly among the Diflenter.', cannot fubferibe. 
 This circamftance afforded an additional motive with the Di 
 ing mint re.:- for t'leir iatc Application to Parli.i Kef in 
 
 the affair of Subfcripticn ; and is, of it fe If, a fufrkient vindication 
 Lorn the charge of their beingacruatedthereinby a<lifiike tothc C V.- 
 viniilical fentimerrts. It were eafy to pro<luce feveraJ paiticularr, 
 •which it is hard to conceive any intelligent, c-nfcieniious DiiTcnt- 
 ter could fubfc ibe. Let one fuffke he c, as a fpecimen. Art- 
 2.3. Thofe on!v are allowed to have a lawful call to the miniftry, 
 who are called to it by public authority. For other inftances, the 
 author with pleafure refer? the reader to a work, now in the prefs, 
 by his worthy fiiend, Mr. Wiltov, entitled, A Review cf feme 
 cf the Articles, &c in which he hath with equal learning, 
 judgment and candour, purfued this fubjecl. 
 
 2. That 
 
Of Sul; ( ) 
 
 2. That none can be qualified for it without 
 being infallible. 
 
 3. That it is an infringement of chi 
 liberty, and tends to di (courage a free ewj 
 ter truth. 
 
 4. That it may be the means of promo: 
 and eilabiifhing error; and mud be td 
 ferent churcht?, which all have- Oitti 
 
 Romi among the reft) an equal right to 
 mand fubfcription to their rcfpeclive opinions. 
 
 5. That it tends to keep feme inquifitive, con- 
 fciemicr e men out of the enure! 
 
 it admits many idle, ignorant, mercenary pcrfon?, 
 who eith ihc truth of the articles u 
 
 truft ; or who, to anfwer their own ends, would 
 fubferibe any other fet of articles, tho' com; 
 to thefe. 
 
 C^ 9c. <;Tard argument which 
 
 quiring 1 
 
 feruiment amongft het rmnitlers. 
 Q± 91. JVbai . to this cr 
 
 A. 1. That uniformity of fentimt r.t fc 
 
 r.ceciYary to chrtftian edification, and is 1 
 
 be expected in tKc pre-fcr.t ftate. 
 
 2. That if it were, cleman< fcrlptio^ 
 to articles is not the way to fecure it, 
 
 rot in the power of ccclefiafticai law to a 
 men's belief, though it may their profefi" 
 
 3. 'I bar the fenfe of the articles themfclve 
 difputedj and pcrfons of very different ientiments 
 profefs honeftly to fubferibe them. 
 
 4. That the church of England, docs not 
 feem fo much. G :t unifo!- 
 
 for, tho 1 all 
 
 I) 4 art 
 
68 Of Subfcription to Art: 
 
 articles, no enquiry is made whether they preach 
 according to them, nor any notice taken of filch 
 as preach againir. them. 
 
 Q^ 92. // there really a diverfity of fenti- 
 ments among the clergy, nztwitljlanding their fub- 
 fcripu 
 
 A. There is as great a diverfity of fentiments 
 among the eftabhfhed clergy, as among any 
 other body of minifters, as appears both from 
 their preaching and their writings ; which is the 
 iource of much controverfy among them ; and 
 their having all fubferibed the fame articles, is 
 the occafion of very bitter mutual reproaches. 
 
 Qi. 93. Do not DifTenttrs require a confefllon 
 of faith from their minijicrs ivben they are or- 
 dained ? 
 
 A. The generality of them expecT: one, tho' 
 fome do nor. However this is a very different 
 thing from demanding fubfeription to a parti- 
 cular form of words, and excluding thofe from 
 the miniftry who cannot in confeience fubferibe ; 
 as they leave the minifter to exprefs his own 
 fentiments in his own way. 
 
 The miniller wbo aflcs the candidate for his conftfTIon, 
 generally ukps care to fhew that he claims no dominion over 
 his faith, and that he does not require any account of it as an 
 indifpenfabie condition of ordination. — Indeed fucb an account of 
 a mill, g fentiments, when he ii about to fettle with a 
 
 Congregation, is no more than prudence dictates to the people to 
 require, and the minifter to give, to p: event uneafinefs a r ter- 
 Y/ards ; and it has a tendency to make feiious and ufeful impref- 
 fionb on the iniiid both of the minilUr and people. 
 
 Q^ 94. // any thing elfe required of the clergy, 
 bejides jubfcriling the 39 articles? 
 
 A. Yes ; they are obhged to declare their be- 
 lief, that there is nothing in the cornmon-pnyer- 
 
 bcok, 
 
Of SuhfcriptioH to Artu 69 
 
 book, and the book of ordination, contrary io 
 the word of God. 
 
 Q^ 95. What is there unreafonable in this ? 
 
 A. It is hard to fuppo:*e that in fo large a 
 volume, compofed fo loon after the Reforma- 
 tion from Popery, every thing fhould be per-r 
 feclly agreeable to the word or God ; or that k> 
 large a body of men as the clergy are, fhould 
 be likely to believe that it is fo ; or indeed, 
 that fuch a belief fhould be neceffary to maKo 
 them acceptable and ufeful minifters of Chriff, 
 or fhould in any view conduce to the good of 
 church. 
 
 ^ 96. Does the church require any thing rr 
 of the clergy previous to their ordinal ' 
 
 A. ¥:«! ; they are obliged to fwear obedience 
 to the Rifliop, his Ordinary, and their U: 
 in every thing required in the canoni. This is 
 d canonical obedience. 
 
 B. The oath of canonical obedience i* not 
 
 of 1603, (in number 141) ;<•! x^ 
 tin in full force. And h 
 of 1640 b. 
 .10 them 1. f > uoir.g. 
 
 Q^ 197. Why is this requirement except 
 
 A. Becaufe the New Teftanirnt enjoins no 
 
 fuch fubmifiion in ChrilVa mini/ten to i 
 
 ther, or any human fuperior ; I 
 
 of tl dim are fuch ts many learxn 
 
 fcientious rninifters cannot ol 
 
 V. g. The tie: 
 
 (hall p 
 
 *»f the 39 artic es, o: — coi demo any or 
 
 .»• t - 
 
^o Of Subfcription to Articles. 
 
 I c. — or affirm that the congregations of Pro'.eflant Dif- 
 
 N. B. The excommunication in all thefe caks is ///; fa8$y 
 See the Canons of 1603, N°. i — 12. 
 
 Q^ 98. But fmce the Clergy only are obliged 
 thus to fubfcribe 3 why nerd the Laity make the 
 affair of fubfeription an objeflien againft their 
 conformity ? 
 
 A. 1. It is a fufficicnt reafon for Lay-Non- 
 conformity, that the church requires fuch un- 
 reafonable and unfcriptural terms of conformity 
 from the clergy; who are all obliged to preach 
 the fame doctrines, whether they think them 
 right or wrong, or elfe break thro' the mod 
 folemn obligations. 
 
 2. Befides, the temporal emoluments connect- 
 ed with thefe fubferiptions, are a ftrong temp- 
 tation to prevaricate, and tend to bring thofe men 
 into the church who are moft unfit to have the 
 charge of fouls ; as well as to keep out fome 
 of the mod conscientious, who are beft qualified 
 for fuch a truft. 
 
 3. And it becomes all honeft men to bear 
 their testimony againft all impofitions in matters 
 of religion, tho' ihey themfelves be not imme- 
 diately affected by them; and to countenance 
 and encourage thofe ministers who, on account 
 of thefe impofitions, feparate from the church, 
 provided they have the aecefiary qualihca: 
 
 Wr their office; 
 
 S E C T- 
 
Choice of Ministers. 71 
 
 section: vi. 
 
 Concerning the Choice of Ministers. 
 
 §K 99. T 10 W are congregations fupplicd v. 
 J " L miniiters in the cbun 
 A. Many livings * (as they are called) art 
 the gift of the King (as all the Bifhopricks in 
 effect are) ; fome, of the Lord Chancellor ; 
 forne, of the Bifhops, and fome of the univer- 
 sities ; but many belong to the nobility 
 try. Every perfbn having a living in 
 3 is called the patron) may prtfent 
 rtitnifter he pleafes to it, and the 
 no liberty to object, nor the Bifhop to refufe 
 (except in a few cafes) giving inftitution and 
 /ion. 
 
 Bgl (i. e. the idvowfon s 
 fentation) a~c 10 be bought, aad a.c ccn 
 
 Q_ 'bat is the ill confequence of 
 
 power of patrons ? 
 
 A. The minifter thus appointed is often 
 difagrec.bie to the people, and fumetimes ih ti 
 fully difquahned for bis office ; as | 
 more commonly obtained by favour 
 merit, and patrons of livings 
 perfons void of religion) are more con 
 have 1 r parifh who will rn 
 
 therrifeh ble companions, 01 
 
 litical intcrefi, than foch as will be faithful 1 . 
 fouls of men. 
 
 Qj, IOI. In ivbai manner do Differ 
 (bould be fuppL 
 
 A* They think that no ptpfan what! 
 
 autl 
 
72 Concealing the Choice of 
 
 auth impofe a minifter upon others, but 
 
 that every Cv -»n has a right to chuie its 
 
 own. 
 
 Q^ 1 02. How do they vindicate this opinion? 
 
 A. It Teems as reaibnable that all perfons 
 mould chuie their own miniflers, as that they 
 Ihould chuie their own Lawyers, or Phyficifl 
 An imposition in the former cafe, is indeed as 
 much more unreafonable than in the latter, as 
 the interefts of the foul arc more important than 
 thefe of the body. 
 
 Q^ 103. // it not better for the clergy, that 
 the people jhould be obliged to receive thofe who are 
 thus ft tit to them ? 
 
 A. It is better, doubtlefs, in a temporal view, 
 for thofe who have intereft with great men, and 
 r.othing to recommend them to the people; but 
 not for the generality of the clergy, or the moil 
 
 erving of them, much lefs for the church; 
 ior true excellence of character, efpecially humi- 
 lity, and faithfulnefs in the facred office, are too 
 often found rather an hinderance to promotion, 
 than the means to obtain it. Whereas, if the 
 choice of minifters refidtd in the people, the bell 
 preachers commonly would have the preference, 
 and thus there would be a powerful motive to 
 emulation among the clergy. 
 
 Q^ 104. Is not the choice 0/ mini/1 en among the 
 Dijft titers, often attended with difficulty, and J.- 
 times with contentions and divifious? 
 
 A* Sometimes it doubtlefs is ; but this is not, 
 
 narativclv, often the adit, much lefs necef- 
 
 farily fo. However, it is no fuificient objection 
 
 thing important, that it inay be attended 
 
 with Tome inconveniencies. The fame argument 
 
 ally 
 
Ministers in the Church. 73 
 
 equally affe&s the choice of Representatives in 
 Parliament. 
 
 Q^ 105.. But are the people proper judges of a 
 mini filer' 7 qualifications f 
 
 A. In general they may be fuppofed as good 
 judges for themfelves, in this cafe, as the patrons 
 of livings are for them ; who are often utter 
 ftrangers to the parifhioners. It in any inftanccs 
 they judge amifs, they are accountable to no hu- 
 man power, but to God only. And if, upon 
 trial, they find they have chofen an impropei 1 ti- 
 fon, they can difmifs him at their pleasure. 
 
 Q^ 106. Does the fcripture any inhere inve/1 
 the people with the right cf cbufing their 6vun 
 mtnifiers ? 
 
 A. This feems to be a natural right; it is 
 therefore incumbent on thofe who would <J 
 them of it, to prove that the fcripture has pU 
 ly given them this authority. H 
 right of the people to chufe their minifies, is 
 what the fcripture very clearly and fully vindi- 
 cates. 
 
 Miniftert are fpokeo of as the fervanta of the chuicr, 2 Cor. 
 iv. 5. 'Chriliiani are - 
 the foiriti 
 
 brvvaie of faiie | Mat. xxiv. 24. And t< 
 
 ■what 1 hey hear. Luke viii. ift. Which they c 
 aie bound to fubmit to thoit a 
 perfons impofe upon them. 
 
 When an as to be chofen in the 10cm 
 
 hole body ot the i 
 . :ij the fe\ r 
 lei tbetnleivei, Lut b) the vsl.cle ncmki 
 
 Qi, 107. But cannot a Par: fib remo\ < 
 man, tvboJbaJIproxtt grofjly immorsli ft ( 
 A* Not without citing L.iii into 
 
 -It y 
 
74 Concerning Church-Disciim.j> 
 
 court; the procc trf which are fo flow, 
 
 and fo cxpcnfivc, as to difcouragc perlons, in 
 common life, from lodging their complaints in 
 them. 
 
 S E C T I O K. VII. 
 Concerning Ch u k c h-Di s c i v l i n e. 
 
 Q, 1 08. JURAT do the Diffenters think of 
 *V the Difcipline of the cflabliped 
 church ? 
 
 A. They think it is ffcurnefully defective and 
 corrupt. 
 
 Q^ IC9. Whet qualify t the church re- 
 
 quire of thoje that come to the Lord* 
 
 A. No perfons whatsoever are refuted, who 
 have been confirmed, and are not excorr-mi 
 cated, tho' they be guilty of jzrois immoralities ; 
 and numbers are permitted, )ea obliged, to re- 
 ceive it, as a qualification for a civil-orlice, when 
 there is the utmoft reaion to believe they iiu\c 1.0 
 further view. 
 
 Q^ 1 10. Bu4 may not the minifler refufe giving 
 the Jatrament to thoje whom he , and the tvbole parijh, 
 know to be per/ens of immmoral characters ? 
 
 A. No; if the prieil denies the (1 t to 
 
 the mod infamous finner in his paiiih, l.e may 
 appeal to the ecclefiafUcal court ; and if he 
 can fecure the favour of the Chancellor, 1 e 
 may demand a place at the Lord's table, and 
 defy the minifier, and even the Bifhop himielf, 
 to keep him from it. 
 
 Q^ 1 1 1. What mmld be the confluence if the 
 
 rfter, 
 
Concerning Church-Discipline. 75 
 
 minifler, upon a principle of cznfcier.ee , were to per- 
 Jifi in refufsng the facrament to an abandoned fin- 
 ner, or as a qualification for a civil poft ? 
 
 A, He would be liable to fufpenfion, and if 
 he would not comply, to excommunication. 
 
 Q^ 112. But does the cburcb fuffer no notice 
 to be taken of the immorality of its members? 
 
 A. Yes ; but neither the minifter of the 
 parifh, nor any of the congregation, can ex- 
 eicife any fort of difcipline ; but their offences 
 mud be brought before the fpiritual court, where 
 Chancellors are the Judges, who are often Lay- 
 men y whofe determinations will (land in law, 
 contrary to the Bifhop's. 
 
 Q^ 113. What are the crimes cognizable ly the 
 fpiritual court f 
 
 A. Fornication, fimonv, herefy, ichifm, fl 
 der, perjury, neglecting the facraments, &c. 
 
 Q^ 114. What are the punifhments inflicted 
 on perfons found guilty of the 
 
 A. Chieflv thofe which are of a carnal nature, 
 which the gofpel does not warrant ; ;:ies, 
 
 imprifonments, deprivation, ami excommu:. 
 tion. Even this laft, is more of p 
 of a fpiritual nature, and the effe&fl or' it 
 dreadful. 
 
 Q^ 115. What are the effccls of t 
 tion ? 
 
 A. The excommunicated perfon is not only 
 denied the facrament, but excluded from attend- 
 ing the prayers of the chtlfl 
 to the devil. He c greater 
 
 mmunication) from commerce with e; 
 tians in temporal affairs; ne who i 
 
 verfes with him, after U 
 contrary, is excommunie . elf. lie can- 
 
76 Concerning Church-Discipline. 
 
 not commence a fuit at law, nor he a witnefs 
 in any court, nor be an Attorney for another. 
 And if he obftinately perfiil forty days, the 
 King's writ fends him to prifon, where he b to 
 continue till he makes lion to the church 
 
 for his offence ; and if he dies without hal 
 done it, he is denied chriftian burial. 
 
 CL 116. To what perfons does the power of the 
 fpiritiiiil court extend? 
 
 A. Not merely to all thofe wbo profefs to be- 
 long to the eftablifhed church, (whether they 
 receive the facrament or not,) but in fome cafes, 
 to all kinds of perfons who diffent from it, and 
 is fometimes employed to excommunicate thole 
 irom the church who never belonged to it. 
 
 Q^ I 1 7. Docs the church often proceed to Seve- 
 rity with perfons for the crimes above-ma:: 
 
 A, Very feldom, un'efs thev are perfons of 
 fubftance, who can itop the proceed; ngs b\ a fum 
 of money. And in order to extort huge fums 
 from fuch, caufes in this court have often beeu 
 very corruptly managed. 
 
 Q^ I 18. But fmce this is the Bifhop's 
 
 court, may not he interpofe if be imagines any 
 caufe is corruptly manag 
 
 A. No, he cannot ; the Chancellor is fupreme 
 and uncontrolled in his court, not liable to be 
 retrained, or directed in his judicial proceedings,, 
 but finally and abfolutely determines even in cafes 
 of excommunication*. 
 
 * See DilTent. Gent. Letters, P- 7^* &c. 
 
 Q^ 1 19. What kind of difcipline does the church 
 maintain with refpefl to her miniiters ? 
 
 A. Such as is very loofe and fcaodaloasj no 
 fufficicnt care bwing taken to prevent the ad- 
 
Concerning Church-Discipline. 77 
 
 miflion of unqualified minifters into the church, 
 or to eject them from it. 
 
 Q^ 120. What qualifications are required of 
 Clergymen, in crdcr to their getting ordination? 
 
 A. They are required by the canons to pafs 
 an examination * by the Bifhcp, with refpeel to 
 their learning, and to produce to him a recom- 
 mendation from three Clergymen concerning 
 their moral chara&er. But it is well known, 
 that it is no difficult matter for perfons very 
 poorly qualified, in both theft refpe&s, to get 
 into orders, and even into good bene:. 
 
 * Note, The Bifhops tie prohibited, by the Canonr, ordain- 
 ing any man, * 4 unlefs at the lead he can give an accuate ac- 
 count of his faith, according to the 39 Articles in Latin." 
 But their Loidftiips find it often nectflary to di.pt.nfe with this; 
 fo little care being taken at cur UniTcrfittec, in the education of 
 the clergy, that many come for on t paU fuch 
 
 *. Wit nei b that well known lamentation of Bp. But- 
 this head : " Our Ember-TV etls (fays he) are the gnet and 
 burden of my li e. The much g-eater part of thcie who come 
 to be o dained, are ignorant to a dtg'te not to be apprehended 
 by thofe who are not obliged to kno* it," &fr. &c. Burnet's 
 Pajl. Carc y New preface, p. 5. 
 
 Q. 1 2 T . But are ignorant and immoral miniflers 
 fuffered to remain in the church ? 
 
 A. Tho' the canons relating to the chara&er 
 and conduft of the clergy, are very (IriS and 
 good*, it is well known they are very little 
 regarded; whilft tho<e respecting mere forms and 
 ceremonies are rigoroufly obfei ved. The cc : 
 quence of which is, many of the clergy are ex- 
 tremely loofe in their mcrals, as well as greatly 
 defective in their koc n to 
 
 dud. 
 
^8 Concert: rch-Discip;.i 
 
 * u No ecclcfjaHical p<» Ion (lia!l a: any tin - 
 ** TV . •. — nor give ibeorU'elves to — 
 
 night, playing at i 
 11 cards, or tabl :her unlawful ^imc: but — lb 
 
 (iod, having alwa 
 M miod ibt t to excel aii 
 
 J N. B. It ought, h be acknov ! ! it is 
 
 here ackno e, that many others of them, 
 
 a r e pcrlons of difiinguill ed learning, and exemplary piety. 
 
 They will own. with grie", the truth of the .rabie 
 account. 
 
 Q^ 122. Are any clergymen fuffcrcd to enjoy 
 their benefices, who neglect the public duties of 
 their office ? 
 
 A. Yes ; many of them enjoy large emolu- 
 ments, (holding feveral valuable livings, and 
 other church preferments) who feldom or never 
 preach f, and do not re fide within many miles 
 of their parishes ; but get poor curates, For a 
 very fmall fum, to do their v crk[ for them. 
 
 Q^ 123. V, 
 
 \ This is more efpecially true of the Bijb . ther 
 
 numerous engagements and fuperior digd tc ex- 
 
 cufe them fiorn preaching, excepting now and then on fj 
 occasions. Whc reprelentt ; 
 
 principal part ol the epifcopa! offia 
 
 iv. 2. An j the Apollk ca'es 
 
 that t inually to | 
 
 he minittrj of the word.' 1 Acts vi. 1 — 4. 
 
 || See this very evi! crnfarcd in the priefts of ol 
 xliv. 8. " Ye have nor kept tl 
 u but ye have fet keepers of my cha ge, [cr Cu> 
 " fanctua-y, for youifelvc a ." I: . that 
 
 fome have , l 1 ■ 
 
 Near a- kin to thh is anotl ° that 
 
 nred Jererniah xxi; 
 Sermons a.e common' 
 
 dl knoun that fomeoj .. mon^ 
 
Inferences from the IVlrAe. jg 
 
 Qi. 123. What do the members of the church 
 fay in vindication of the difcipline of it? 
 
 A. The fenfible and candid of them are oblig- 
 ed to own that it is very corrupt ; and the Li- 
 turgy itfelf teaches them once a year, (viz. on 
 Ajh-JVedttefday) to wifh the godly difcipline of 
 the primitive church reftorc 
 
 CL I2 4- Why then is not the primitive difcipline 
 rcftored ? 
 
 A. The pretence always has been, that the 
 times would not admit of it. But the truth of 
 the cafe is, the difcipline of the church is fo 
 corrupt, that thofe who wifh an amendment 
 know not where to begin, and thofe whofe pro- 
 re it is are too much interefted in its prelent 
 corrupt (late to attempt it. And in order to 
 fave themfelves the trouble of a reformation, or 
 thro' fear of lofing their emoluments, they either 
 would perfuade us that things are very vvell as 
 they are, or that it is hazardous to attempt an 
 amendment. 
 
 of Dijjenters. (See T*vc Letters to the Prelates, p. 30.) Thefe 
 are plain proofs that the difcipline of the church i- ver\ ba<\ and 
 it cannot be furprifing if they fhould operate in favour of Lay- 
 Nonconformity. 
 
 SECTION VIII. 
 
 Inferences from the Wl. 
 
 Qi. 125. 11/ H AT inferences may he drazvn from 
 
 y* the foregoing account of the C 
 of England? 
 
 A. I. That it is very imperfectly rcfi 
 
So Inferences from the Whole. 
 
 from Popery , and ft ill bears too ftrong a rcfcm- 
 bUnce to the church of R'.me *. 
 
 * See this in a ftriking manner illuflrated in Ddlaunfi F.'ca 
 t NcKCcptfsrmiJIj, p. 34 — 56. 
 
 2. That therefore it behoves thofe who have 
 power in the church, to exert themfelves in 
 order to carry on the Reformation; which the 
 firft Reformers never meant iliould be left fo 
 incompleat; and endeavour to perfect what they 
 fo nobly begun, with greater difficulty and ha- 
 zard than their fuccciTors have in the prefent day 
 any reafon to fear ; that fo the church of England 
 might be a true, confident, protefhnt church. 
 
 3. That while thofe on whom this work pro- 
 perly devolves, are determined to take no fleps 
 towards a further reform in the church, but on 
 the contrary endeavour to keep things as they 
 are; it is the indifpenfible duty of thofe who 
 are diffuisfied with them, and whofe conLienccs 
 would be uneafy with conformity, in a peaces 
 manner to diflent. 
 
 4. That the Diflenters ought to be exceed- 
 ingly thankful to God for, and diligent to the 
 utmeft to improve, the liberty they enjoy, of 
 feparating from a national church, which they 
 think fo corrupt, and of worfhipping Cod in pla- 
 ces of their own, in a manner agreeable to the 
 di&ates of their confeiences, and, as they think, 
 to the rules of God's holy word; at the fame 
 time fympathizing with, and praying for thofe 
 of their Proteftant brethren abroad, who are de- 
 prived of this privilege. 
 
 5. That they fhould alfo be grateful to their 
 civil governors, the king, and thofe in authority 
 under him, thro' whofe clemency they enjoy 
 
 privilege;, 
 
Imferenxjls from the 81 
 
 privileges (though no other than their natural 
 right) far fuperior to what their anceftors en- 
 joyed in lome former reigns; and to teitifv their 
 gratitude by approving themfclves good fubjccb, 
 endeavouring to promote the p; of their 
 
 country, and preferve its peace, in every inilance, 
 that is confiftent with a due regard to the liberty 
 of the co n it i tut ion. 
 
 6. That they ought to be zealous in main- 
 taining thofe great principle?, on which their 
 diflent from the church is founded, and not only 
 be fled raft in tru L-nce to the caufe of 
 
 Nonconformity but liberal and active to iup- 
 port and encreafe it, by all fuch methods as are 
 confident with peace, liberty, and charity ; a 
 proper regard to the caufe of practical godlin 
 and to the intereft of Chrift at large, e\en in tl 
 church from which they difTent. 
 
 They fhould love good men of every name, 
 and rejoice wherefoever, u Chrift is preac 
 i( and God is worfhipped in Spirit,'' tho' the 
 mode be different from their own ; making all 
 proper allowances for the prejudices of education, 
 which often have an amazing influence on the beft 
 of men. But a true catholic fpiril does not re- 
 quire men to give up their own prii i r be 
 indifferent to the fupport ( , or admit of 
 conforming to thofe modes and forms, or lubmit- 
 ting to thofe human impofitions wbk dge 
 to be unfcriptural, m re- 
 ceived by thofe whom 
 
 for piety, or becaufe tl the grand fir 
 
 mental do&rines of the gofpeL 
 
 It deferves the Peri ifideratton of n 
 
 Diflenters in the prefeQI I 'S is 
 
 not a 77 
 
82 In i :;s from the Wb 
 
 the principles of the original difTent, and of true 
 Protefhintifm, which leads them fo commonly to 
 
 rt their own mmifters and churches, to 
 tend the prea< ; thofe evangelical clergy- 
 
 men who have lately riien up in the church of 
 
 land. They deforce great refpect, and it 
 doubtlefs becomes us to wifh fuccefs to their la- 
 bours, and to rejoice in the appearance of it, a- 
 mong thofe who have been brought up in the e- 
 ftablifhed way of worfhip. But, not to make 
 any comparifon between the preaching of thefe 
 minifters and our own, if the principles of the 
 difTent from the national church be of any impor- 
 tance, (and whether they be or not, let the fore- 
 going pages determine) liirtly thofe diflenter > 
 a very inconfitlent part, who are fo indifferent to 
 them, and forget that their brave fore-fathers, 
 whom they profefs to venerate, left the national 
 church not on account of doclrines, but thofe im- 
 pofitions on confeience which llrike at the Head- 
 ship of Jefus Chrifr, and which this church ftill 
 
 ttnue6 to praCtiie. 
 
 The END of the SECOND PART. 
 
 , 
 
A LIST of BOOKS, relating to the 
 Subjcdt of this CATECHISM; and 
 
 proper to be read after it, in order to a 
 fuller Acquaintance with the History 
 and the Principles of the Protestant 
 Dissenters. 
 
 "A 
 
 PLEA for the Nor con form ifts, by Tbo. 
 
 2. A Vindication of the Principles and Practice 
 of Proteftant DifTenters, in Quefticn and Anfwer, 
 by Samuel Bourn. Price is. 6 d. 
 
 3. A Vindication of the DifTenters, by James 
 Pierce. 1 vol. 8vo. 
 
 4. A Memorial of tie Reformation, by Benj. 
 met, 1 Vol, 8\o. 
 
 5. A Diflent from the Church of England fully 
 Bed: being the DiiTentinz Gentleman's Three 
 
 Eaters and P. S. in anfwer to Mr. Jd>n White's 
 on that Subject. With a Letter to a Bifhop. 
 1 vol. i2mo. 
 
 6. A Review of the Cafe of Liturgies and 
 their Impofition, in A :, by 
 Ben. Robin/on. 1 vol. 8vo. 
 
 7. An Abridgement of Mr. Baxter's Hiftory 
 is Life and Times : With an Account el 
 
 Minifters who were ejccU. Kcilcration 
 
 of Charles II. By Edmund Calamy, D. D. 4 1 
 
 8. The Hiilory of the Puritans, from the Re- 
 formation, by Dai , M. A. 4 \< 
 
 (row out of print.) Alio in 2 \ols. 4to. the 
 edition a! wars referred to in this work. 
 
 9. Luuro to the Hon. Mr. Tuflict BU 
 concerning his Expofition « To- 
 
 ttaux, D, D. ^d 1