570 7he HISTORY of tbe PuRITANs. VoL. n. King 4 .. •• That fa. me of th.e bilh.ops exerc.ili.ed an arbitrary power, by fendCbarles II. <c f h 1 f {j mg art arttc es o VI ltatiOn, enqurrmg unwarrantably into feveral 166o. " ~ things ; and {wearing church-wardens to prefent accordingly. Alfo " many innovations and ceremonies were impofed upon minii1ers and " people not required by law. . " For remedy of thefe evils we crave leave to offer, I. '' The late mail: reverend primate of Ireland, his reduction of epif– " copacy into the form of fynodical government. 2. " We humbly defire, that the fojj'ragans, or cborepijcopi, may be " chofen by the refpective fynods. 3· " That no oaths, or promifes of obedience to the bilhop~, nor any " unneceifary fubfcriptions or engagements be made neceifary to ordinati– " on, infiitution, or induction, mini!1ration, communion, or immunities " of mini!1ers, they being refponfible for any tranfgreilion of the law. " And that no bifhops or ecclefiafiical governors may exercife their gc– cc vernment by their private will or pleafure, but only by fuch rule, ea– " nons, and con!1itutions, as !hall be efl:ablifhed by parliament." Secondly, " Concerning liturgy. 1. " We are fatisfied in our judgments concerning the lawfulnefs of a •' liturgy, or form of worfhip, provided it be for matter agreeable to the " ' word of God, and fuited to the nature of the feveral ordinances and– " neceilities of the church, neither too tedious, nor compofed of too " iliort prayers or refponfals, not dilfonant from the liturgies of other re– « formed churches, nor too rigoroufly impofed, nor the minill:er confin– " ed thereunto, but that he may alfo make ufe of his gifts for prayer and. " exhortation. 2. " Forafmuch ~s the book of common-prayer is in fome things " juftly offenfive, and needs amendment, we moll: humbly pray, that " fome learned, godly, and moderate divines of both perfuafions, may " be employed to compile fuch a form as is before defcribed, as much as " may be in fcripture words; or at leall: to revife, and reform the old; " together with an addition of other various forms in fcripture phrafe, to " be ufed at the minifier's choice." 'Thirdly, " Concerning cer.emo~ies. . . . " We hold ourfelves oblrged 111 every part of dtvme woralrp, to do " all things decently and in order, and to edification; and are willing to cc be determined by authority in fuch things, as being meerly circumfian– " tial, are common to human actions and focieties, and are to be ordered " by the light of nature, and human prudence. " As to divers ceremonies formerly retained in the church of Eng– «< land, we do, in all humility, offer to your majeil:y the following con– ~' fiderations. ''-That.
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