Observations Upon the Ordinance of the Lords and Commons at..

1645. Oxford: Printed by Leonard Lichfield, 1645. 34 pp.. Oxford: Printed by Leonard Lichfield, 1645. 34 pp. Anti-Puritan Criticism of the Westminster Assembly [Boughen, Edward (1587-1660?)]. Observations Upon the Ordinance of the Lords and Commons at Westminster. After Advice Had with Their Assembly of Divines, For the Ordination of Ministers Pro Tempore, According to Their Directory for Ordination, And Rules for Examination Therein Expressed. Die Mercurij. 2. Octob. 1644. Oxford: Printed by Leonard Lichfield, Printer to the University, 1645. [ii], 34 pp. Quarto (6-3/4" x 5-1/4"). Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light toning, leaves starting to separate at ends but secure, faint dampstaining to outer corners, light foxing and tiny spark burns to a few leaves, occasional early ink underlining, marginal marks and brief annotations (two or three-word glosses), many affected by trimming. $350. * One of two issues from 1645. The Westminster Assembly of Divines was called by Parliament in the lead-up to the first English Civil War. Influenced by Puritan theology, Parliament sought to strip out Catholic influences from the Church of England, including the anti-Puritan policies and appointments Charles I had made. The Assembly was another tool for this project. (It would eventually produce, among other important documents, the Westminster Confession of Faith.) Attributed to Royalist divine and Arminian theologian Edward Boughen, this pamphlet criticizes the Assembly's conclusions on the ordination of ministers, claiming that the Assembly had "neither skill nor authority to provide for Ordination" or other religious matters. English Short-Title Catalogue R20014. (Inventory #: 80053)