Chap.!. The HISTORY of the PURITANS. 447 " of England as they be eftablifhed by publick authority, to be true vi- lCingfames I. " fible churches of Chrift ; that we delire the continuance of our minift'ry rt M " in them above all earthly things, as that without which our whole life " would be wearifome and bitter to us; that we diflikenot a let form of " prayer to be ufed in our churches; nor do we write with an evil mind todeprave the book of common-prayer, ordination, or bookof homi- lies ; but to Thewour reafons why we cannot fubfcribe to all things con- " tained in them. Thefe extreme proceedings of the bithops, ftrengthened the hands of the BROWNISTS in Holland, who with great advantage declared againft the lawfulnefs of holding communion with the church of England at that time, not only becaufe it was a corrupt church, but aperfecuting one. On the other hand, the younger divines in the church who preached for pre- ferment, painted the feparatíiis in the moft odious colours, as hereticks, . fchaticks, fanaticks, precifrans, enemies to God and the king, and of un-- flableminds. Thevery fame language which the papifts had ufed againft the.. firft reformers. To remove thefe reproaches, and to inform the world of the real 'Principles of principles of the puritans of thefe times, the reverend Mr. Bradfhaw the puritans. publifhed a (mall treatife, entitled ENGLISH PURITANISM, containing, the main opinions of the rigidejl fortof thole that went by that name in the realm of England, which the learned Dr. Ames tranflated into latin for . the benefit of foreigners. The reader will learn by the following abftra t of it, the true Efate of their cafe, as well as the near affinity between the_ principles of the ancient and modern non-conformifts. CHAP. T. Concerning religion in general. " The puritans hold and maintain the abfolute perfection of the holyEnglith`pu:_ fcriptures, both as to faith and worship;. and that whatfoever is en- ritonzfm, " joined as a part of divine fervice, that cannot be warranted. by theprinsedr6o, " laid fcriptures, is unlawful. 2. " That all inventions of men, efpecially loch as have been abufed 'it to idolatry, are tobe excluded out of the exercifes of religion. 3. " That all outward means inftituted to exprefs and let forth the in- " ward worfhip of God, are parts of divine worship, and ought there- " fore evidently to be prefcribed by the word of God. 4. " To inftitute and ordain any myftical rites or ceremonies of re- ., ligion, and to mingle the fame with the divine rites and ceremonies it of God's ordinance, is grofs fuperftition." CHAP.
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