Reply. To all this about Kneeling we say first, we have considered the Text in Mal. and what you say, and yet first, we find that our Betters even Christs Apostles, and the universal Church for many hundred years thought not kneeling more decent, nor did the Church in the first Age think sitting unmeet in that service to the King of the Church; and we hope you reprehend them not. 2ly. You require not the Adult that are baptized, to receive that Seal or Sacrament kneeling. 3ly. When kneel∣ing at Prayers was in use, in the Apostles times, yet kneeling in the re∣ception of the Sacrament was not. 4ly. Why can you so lightly put off both the practice, and Canons of the Church, in this more then in other such things? However you cannot here deny de facto, but that kneel∣ing on the Lords dayes in the receiving of the Sacrament was for many hundred yeares of the purer times of the Church dis-used, and condem∣ned; And why do you not tell us what other general Council repealed this, that we may see whether it be such as we are any way bound by? When you say [the Church may vary in such indifferent things.] First, if kneeling or standing at prayer be an indifferent thing, then so are they at this Sacrament. 2ly. Then you follow the changes, and we the old pattern. 3ly. Then the Canons of general Councils, and Customes pretended to be from Apostolical tradition may be changed. 4ly. What is it that you call the Church, that changeth, or may change these? A Council or a popular custome? Bring us not under a forraign power. 5ly. The thing then being so indifferent and changeable, you may change it if you please for ends that are not indifferent. 6ly. And if now the Ministers may pray standing, why may not the people receive stand∣ing. 7ly. When you say that to sit was never the use of the best times] you deny the Apostles and primitive times to be the best: as to the ex∣tent of the Church they were not the best, but as to purity of admini∣strations they were.
The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by His Sacred Majesty as commissioners for the review and alteration of the Book of common prayer, &c. : being an exact account of their whole proceedings : the most perfect copy.
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- Title
- The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by His Sacred Majesty as commissioners for the review and alteration of the Book of common prayer, &c. : being an exact account of their whole proceedings : the most perfect copy.
- Author
- Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.
- Publication
- London printed :: [s.n.],
- 1661.
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- Subject terms
- Commission for the Review and Alteration of the Book of Common Prayer.
- Church of England. -- Book of common prayer.
- Church of England -- Liturgy.
- Cite this Item
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"The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by His Sacred Majesty as commissioners for the review and alteration of the Book of common prayer, &c. : being an exact account of their whole proceedings : the most perfect copy." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A69535.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 1, 2024.