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…

Having spoken of the nature of things indifferent, and showed which things be such; also of the rule whereby to try the Sect. I indifferency of things: which rule we have applied to certain particular cases. It remaineth to say somewhat of the main and general purpose, which is principally questioned in this last part of our Dispute, namely, whether Cross, Kneeling, Holy-days, Bishopping, and the other controverted Ceremonies, wherewith our Church is pressed this day, be such things as we may use freely and indifferently? The negative (which we hold) is strongly confirmed by those Arguments, which in the third part of this our Dispute we have put in order, against the lawfulness of those Ceremonies. Notwithstanding, we have thought fit, to add somewhat more, in this place. And first we say, whatsoever be the condition of the Ceremonies in their own nature, they can not be indifferently ⟨p. 35⟩embraced and used by the Church of Scotland, which hath not only once cast them forth, but also given her great Oath solemnly to the God of heaven; both witnessing her detestation of the Roman Antichrist his five bastard Sacraments, with all his Rites, Ceremonies, and false doctrine, added to the ministration of the true Sacraments, without the Word of God: all his vain allegories, Rites, Signs, and Traditions, brought in the Kirk without or against the Word of God. And likewise, Promising and swearing to continue, as well in the Discipline and use of the Holy Sacraments, as in the Doctrine of this Reformed Church of Scotland, which then first she embraced and used, after she was truly reformed from Popery and Popish abuses. And this which I say, may be seen in the general Confession of Faith, sworn and subscribed by his Majesties Father of everlasting memory, anno 1580, and by the several Parochines in the Land, at his Majesties strait command: which also, was renewed and sworn again anno 1596. by the general Assembly, by provincial Assemblies, by Presbyteries, and particular Parish Churches.

HAving spoken of the nature of things indifferent, and shewed which things bee such; also of the rule whereby to trie the Sect. I indifferency of things: which rule we have applied to certaine particular cases. It remaineth to say somewhat of the maine and generall purpose, which is principally questioned in this last part of our Dispute, namely, whether Crosse, Kneeling, Holy-dayes, Bishopping, and the other controverted Ceremonies, wherewith our Church is pressed this day, be such things as we may use freely and indifferently? The negative (which we hold) is strongly confirmed by those Arguments, which in the third part of this our Dispute wee have put in order, against the lawfulnesse of those Ceremonies. Notwithstanding, we have thought fit, to adde somewhat more, in this place. And first we say, whatsoever bee the condition of the Ceremonies in their owne nature, they can not bee indifferently