The interest of England in the matter of religion the first and second parts : unfolded in the solution of three questions / written by John Corbet.

Section XXVII.

Moreover, the publick state of these differences is such, that the Prelatists may and ought to descend to the Presbyteri∣ans in the proposed moderate way; but the Presbyterians cannot come up to the Prelatists in the height of their way. For the Prelates condescention stands only in omission or forbearance of certain things which seem to them lawful and laudable, but the subjection of the Presbyterians stands in subscribing and conforming to certain things which to them seem un∣lawful: And common equity will soon pass its verdict, that the condescention of the one is far more easie then the subjecti∣on of the other. Bishop Davenant in his Determinations resolves in one question, that a Protestant may not with a safe conscience be present at the Popish Mass, because he wounds his conscience by im∣pious dissimulation, thereby making a shew of approving that pretended expia∣tory sacrifice. In another Question he resolves, That Papists are bound to be present at the English Divine Service,

because nothing occurs therein, that can be by themselves reproved. In applying this to our case, it is far from my thoughts to make the comparison between Presby∣terians and Prelatists parallel with that between Protestants and Papists; but I make the reason of both cases parallel: for as Papists find nothing in the Prote∣stant Liturgy (according to their own principles) impious or unsound; in like manner the Prelatists can find no positive thing in the propounded terms of accom∣modation, contrary to divine right and primitive practice; only as the Papists find not so much as they would have in our Liturgy, so the Prelatists in the said proposals: Nay, the Papists have better colour of reason to separate from our publique Service, because, although they find nothing positively unsound, yet ac∣cording to the Roman Faith they may pretend fundamental defects therein; as the want of the sacrifice of the Mass: but the Prelatists can here alledge no such thing; the supposed defects and omissi∣ons being only in things remote from the

foundation of Faith and Religion. For we trust the greater number of them do not hold, that there is no Church with∣out a Prelate having sole jurisdiction o∣ver the Clergy; That there is no Mini∣stry but what is ordained by such a Pre∣late; That there is no true divine Ser∣vice, where the Common-Prayer Book is not used; and that there is no accepta∣ble worship, without humane mystical Ceremonies. Let them that have taken up such opinions sadly consider whether they are led therein by conscience, or by humour and designe.