A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded upon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded vpon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…

Now these things which Gods Word leaveth free and indifferent (in respect of their nature and kind) are such things as it neither showeth to be good nor evil. Where we are further to consider, that the Word of God showeth unto us the lawfulness or unlawfulness, goodness or badness of things, not only by precepts and prohibitions, but sometimes also, and more plainly by examples. So that not only from the precepts and prohibitions of the Word, but likewise from the examples recorded in the same, we may find out that goodness or badness of humane actions, which taketh away the indifferency of them.

Now these things which Gods Word leaveth free and indifferent (in respect of their nature and kind) are such things as it neither sheweth to be good nor evill. Where we are further to consider, that the Word of God sheweth unto us the lawfulnesse or unlawfulnesse, goodnesse or badnesse of things, not onely by precepts and prohibitions, but sometimes also, and more plainly by examples. So that not onely from the precepts and prohibitions of the Word, but likewise from the examples recorded in the same, we may finde out that goodnesse or badnesse of humane actions, which taketh away the indifferency of them.

And as for those who will have such things called indifferent, as are neither commanded nor forbidden in the Word of Cod, I ask of them, whether they speak of plain and particular precepts and prohibitions, or of general only? If they speak of particular precepts and prohibitions, then by their rule; the baptising of young children; the taking of water for the Element of Baptism; A lectors public reading of Scripture in the Church upon the Sabbath day; the assembling of Synods for putting order to the confusions of the Church; the writing and publication of the decrees of the same; and sundry other things which the Word hath commended unto us by examples, should all be things indifferent, because there are not in the Word of God, either particular precepts for them, or particular prohibitions against them. But if they speak of general precepts and prohibitions, then are those things commanded in the Word of God, for which we have the allowed and commended examples of such as we ought to follow, (for in the general we are commanded to be followers of such examples,