THE PROTESTATION Of the Two and twenty DIVINES, For the settling of the CHURCH: And the Particulars by them excepted against in the liturgy: Not that the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England should be utterly abolished, but purged of all Innovations and Absurdities.  
Ordered by them to be printed according to their own Directions.  
LONDON, March. 10 Printed for H. Beck, and are to be sold in the old bailie. Anno Dom. 1643. 1642   

The Innovations and Absurdities in the Book of Common prayer, excepted against by the two and twenty DIVINES.  

I. BEcause there be some things in it of which we know not how to make any reasonable sense, viz. 

1. Whatsoever is manifest, the same is right, Ephe. 5.13. See[ Epi. 3. Lent.]  
2. In the power of the divine majesty to worship the unity. See[ Col. Trin.]  
3. Every Parishioner must communicate thrice a year, and also receive the Sacraments and other rites. See[ Rubr. after Commu.]  
4. God is said to be father of all that is called father in heaven, Ephe. 3.15. See[ Epistle 16. Trinity.]  
5. This is the sixth month which was called barren, Luke. 1.28. See[ Gosp. Annunc.]  
6. Or ever your pots be made hot with thorns, so let indignation vex him, as a thing that is raw, Psal. 58.8. See[ Gosp. Annun.]  
7. When the company of the spearmen and multitude of the Mighty are scattered abroad among the beasts of the people( that they humbly bring pieces of silver) and when he hath scattered the people that delight in war, Then shall the Princes, &c. Ps. 68.30.    
II. Because as far as we are able to discern, there is contradiction in it. 

1. To the book of Articles, which denieth that Confirmation hath any visible sign, whereas the last prayer in Confirmation, makes imposition of hands a sign to certify the children of Gods favour and gracious goodness towards them.  
2. To itself, by affirming in the catechism, that there are but two Sacraments, and yet ascribing to Confirmation, all things that are required to the being of a Sacrament, either in that book, or in the book of Articles.    
III. Because, to our best understanding, it seemeth to contain in it some untruths. 

1. Innocents are said to be Gods witnesses, and to have confessed and shewed forth his praise, not in speaking, but in dying. See[ Col. Inno.]  
2. It affirmeth that faith and repentance are required of Infants, that are to be baptized, and that they perform the same by their sureties. See[ Addi. to the Cate.]  
3. That children baptized have all things necessary to salvation, and that they are undoubtedly saved. See[ Rubr. the Cat.]  
4. That we have sure and certain hope of every one to be butted, that he shall rise again to everlasting life. See[ In the burial.]  
5. That nothing is ordained by it to be red in Gods service, but the very pure word of God, the holy scriptures, or that which is undoubtedly grounded upon the same. See[ Preface.]  
6. That in the course of reading appointed, so much as possibly may be, the reading of holy scriptures, is so set forth, that all things shall be done in order, without breaking one piece from another. See[ Ibidem,]   

Some doubtful matters.  
It affirmeth that there be Archangels and that Michael is a created Angel. See[ Col. and Gospel Micha.]  
2. It alloweth baptism in a house merely private, and seems thereby to nourish the superstitious opinion of the necessity thereof. See[ Private Bap.]  
3. It appointeth the Minister to use conditional baptism in the public Congregation, after the child hath been privately Baptized, in this form, If thou be not baptized already: N. I baptize thee, in the name, &c.[ In fine.]  
4. It saith that there be two Sacraments onely as generally necessary unto salvation, wherein it is also dangerously implyed that there are more then two sacraments. See[ Addi. to the Cate.]  
5. It alloweth of a private Communion betwixt the Minister and the sick person onely. See[ Visi. of sick]  
6. It affirmeth that our Ceremonies pertain to edification, and that they are apt to stir up the dull mind of men to the remembrance of his duty to God, by some special and notable signification, whereby he may be edified. See[ Pref. of Cerem.]  
7. It calleth Ministers Priests, a thing avoided by the holy Ghost in the new Testament, as belonging to Sacrificers.  
8. It appointeth the Minister to say to the sick person. I( by Christs authority committed unto me) do absolve thee from all thy sins, In the name of, &c. See[ Visi. of sick.]    
IIII. Because the Holy Scripture is disgraced in it. 

1. The name of holy Scripture is given to the Apocrypha, which are made parts of the old Testament. See[ Rubri. of Lesson.  
2. They are red rather then the holy Scripture, when any Holy day fals on the Sunday.  
3. Sundry Chapters of them are appointed by the calendar to be red thrice in the year, and none of the canonical of the old Testament so often.  
4. Certain whole Books of the holy Scriptures, are left unread by appointment, viz. The Book of Cant. both the Books of Chron. and the Apoc. save c. 1.2.22. and one or two pieces for Epistles. Likewise the genealogy of our Saviour Christ, both in Saint Matthew and Saint Luke, is forbidden to be red in the Congregation.    
V. Because certain Chapters are appointed to be red out of the Apocrypha, contain manifest untruths. 

1. Tobi. 12. 9. 12. 15. See[ Octob. 4. Even.]  
2. Ecclesiastcus 24. ●1. 12 See[ Novemb. 7. morn.]  
3. judith 9. 4. 10. 13. See[ Octob. 10.]  
4. Tobi 3. 8. See[ S●ptem. 30.]    
VI. Because it enjoineth Ceremonies which as we are persuaded are unlawful. viz. 

The Surplice, cross, &c. being human inventions, without any warrant from Gods Word ▪ of mystical signification defiled with superstition; scandalous, of no necessary use, which ought to be according to the truth of the gospel, without carnal Rites.    
VII. Because it containeth some Prayers whereof the latter part depends not upon the former, viz. 

The Collects upon Innocents day. Epiphany. First Sunday in Lent. Sunday before Easter. Third Sunday after Easter. Trinity Sunday. Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity.  
And some prayers which are not warrantable, viz. The Collect upon 12. Sunday after Trinity, and on the first after the Offertory. 

1. We desire something that our prayers dare not presume to ask, whereas it is no presumption to ask any lawful thing in Christs Name.  
2. We pray for that which we say, we dare not pray for, which is a contradiction.      
VIII. Because we subscribe to the reading of we know not what, viz. 

All Homilies that hereafter shall be set forth by common authority.    
IX. 
Because the Collect, Epistle and gospel on the first day of Lent, and the Epistle and gospel on the first Sunday in Lent savour of superstition, in regard of the time, for which they are appointed.  
So also doth the custom of doing open penance in the beginning of Lent, the practise whereof is approved, and the restitution thereof, wished in the Commination.   
X. Because it permits any of the Communicants to make the public confession of this ( which also contains a Prayer) in the name of all the rest; which onely belongs to the Minister as his special Office, he being the mouth of the people, and in that case a public person.  
XI. Because it containeth in it divers corrupt translations of holy Scriptures. 

1. By leaving out of words. 

1. Higgaion, Selah and the titles of the psalms.  
2. The Conclusion after the 72. psalm, and these words ( praise ye the Lord) at the least 17. times.  
3. The Conclusion of the Lords Prayer, and that every where, throughout the Service, after the Popish manner.  
4. In the reading of the Commandements, these words, Which brought thee o●● of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  
5. In the Epistle on the first Sunday after the Epiphany these words, holy and beloved, Colos. 3.12.    
2. Putting to of words. 

1. psalm 14 three whole verses.  
2. psalm 136. a whole verse in the end.  
3. psalm 24.6. this word( O) added, corrupteth the text, by applying to Jacob, as spoken of him which belongs to God.  
4. Mat. 9.25. And said, damsel arise. See[ Gosp. 24. Trin.]  
5. jer. 23.5. With wisdom. See[ Epist. 25. Trin.]  
6. Luke 16.21. No man gave unto him. See[ Gosp. Trin.]  
7. Luke 19 42. Thou wouldest take heed.[ Gosp. 10. Tri.]  
8. luke. 24.36. It is I, fear not. See[ Epi. Saint Luk.] 2 Tim. 4.5. Be sober. See[ Epist. Saint Luke.]    
3. Perverting the meaning of the holy Ghost. 

1. Psal. 117.4. Because of mens works done against the words of my lips, &c.( for) concerning the works of men, by the words of thy lips, &c.  
2. Ps. 18.26. With the froward thou shalt learn frowardness( for) with the froward, thou wilt show thyself froward, spoken of God.  
3. Psal. 68.6. He makes men to be of one mind in an house( for) he maketh the solitary to dwell in families.  
4. Psal. 105.28. They were not obedient,( for) they were not disobedient.  
5. Psal. 106.30. Phineas pray,( for) executed judgement.  
6. Psal. 107.40. Though he suffered them to be evil entreated,( for) he poureth contempt upon nobles.  
7. Psal. 1●5. 3. The rod of the ungodly cometh not unto the lot of the righteous,( for) res●eth not upon it.  
8. Psal. 114.6. yea, I will pray yet against their wick●dn●●( for) within a while I shall even pray in their miseries.  
9. Isai. 63.11. Israel remembered( for) He( that is, God) remembered. See[ Epi. Mund. East.]  
10. Mat. 27.9. Whom they bought of the children of Israel, ( for) whom the children of Israel valued. See[ Gosp. last Lent.]  
11. luke. 1.28 Hail full of grace( for) freely beloved. See[ Annunt.]  
12. luke. 1.48. The lowliness of his handmaid( for) poor degree. See[ Magnificat.]  
13. 1. Cor. 9.27. Should be a castaway( for) reprovable. See[ Epi. septua.]  
14. Gal. 4.25. Agar in Arabia bordereth upon Jerusalem,( for) answereth to Jerusalem that now is. See[ Epi. 4. Lent.]  
15. Phil. 2.7. Christ was found in his apparel, like a man,( for) in shape as a man. See[ Epi. last sun. in Lent.]  
16. Heb. 9.25. The high Priest entred into the holy place, with strange blood( for) other blood, that is, not his own. See.[ Wednesday before Easter.]  
17. 1. Pet. 3.20. When the long suffering of God, was once looked for( for) The long suffering of God abode, or waited. See[ Easter eve.]      
XII. Because it misapplieth some place of the holy scriptures to the countenancing of erroneous and doubtful matters. 

1. Revel. 14.1. To those children whom Herod caused to be murdered, whom the collect calls Gods witnesses. See[ Innocents.]  
2. 1. Pet. 3.17. To the time that Christ abode in the grave. See[ Easter Eve.]  
3. Revel. 12.7. To Michael as a created Angel. See[ Michael.]     

The Protestation.  
WE Protest before almighty God, That we aclowledge the Churches of England, as they be established by public authority, to be true visible Churches of Christ, That we desire the continuance of our ministry in them, above all earthly things, as that, without which our life would be bitter and wearisome unto up: That we dislike not a set form of prayer, to be used in the Church, and finally, That whatsoever before written, is not set down of any evil mind, or with a purpose to deprave the books of Common prayer, Ordination, or Homilies, but onely to show some reasons why we cannot subscrib● to all things contained in the same.    
FINIS.