7. These Ceremonies are the accursed monuments of Popish Superstition; Sect. VII and have been both dedicated unto and employed in the public and solemn worship of Idols. And therefore (having no necessary use for which we should still retain them) they ought to be utterly abolished, and are not left free nor indifferent to us. Which Argument eI have also made good elsewhere. And in this place I only add, that both fHieronimus, Zanchius, and gAmandus Polanus, do apply this Argument to the Surplice, holding, that though it be in it self indifferent, yet quia in cultu Idololatrico veste linea utuntur Clerici Papani, & in ea non parum sanctimoniae ponunt superstitiosi homines: valedicendum est non solum cultui idololatrico, sed etiam omnibus idololatriae monumentis, instrumentis & adminiculis. Yea Joseph Hall himself, doth herein give testimony unto us: for upon Hezekias pulling down of the Brazen Serpent, because of the Idolatrous abuse of it: thus hhe noteth, God commanded the raising of it, God commanded the abolishing of it. Superstitious use can mar the very institutions of God: how much more the most wise and well grounded devices of men? And further in the end of this treatise entitled, The honour of the married Clergy, he adjoineth a passage taken out of the Epistle of Erasmus Roterodamus to Christopher Bishop of Basil, which passage beginneth thus. For those things which are altogether of humane constitution, must (like to remedies ⟨p. 46⟩in diseases) be attempered to the present estate of matters and times. Those things which were once religiously instituted, afterwards according to occasion, and the changed quality of manners and times, may be with more Religion and Piety abrogated. Finally, if Hezekias be praised for breaking down the Brazen Serpent, (though instituted by God,) when the Israelites began to abuse it against the honour of God; how much more s•h iZanchius are our Reformers to be praised, for that they did thus […]. R•tes instituted by men, being found full of Superstitious abuse, though in themselves they had not been evil.
7. These Ceremonies are the accursed monuments of Popish Superstition; Sect. VII and have been both dedicated unto and employed in the publike and solemne worship of Idols. And therefore (having no necessary use for which we should still retaine them) they ought to bee utterly abolished, and are not left free nor indifferent to us. Which Argument eI have also made good elsewhere. And in this place I onely adde, that both fHieronimus, Zanchius, and gAmandus Polanus, doe applie this Argument to the Surplice, holding, that though it be in it selfe indifferent, yet quia in cultu Idololatrico veste linea utuntur Clerici Papani, & in ea non parum sanctimoniae ponunt superstitiosi homines: valedicendum est non solum cultui idololatrico, sed etiam omnibus idololatriae monumentis, instrumentis & adminiculis. Yea Ioseph Hall himselfe, doth herein give testimony unto us: for upon Hezekias pulling downe of the Brasen Serpent, because of the Idolatrous abuse of it: thus hhe noteth, God commanded the raising of it, God commanded the abolishing of it. Superstitious use can marre the very institutions of God: how much more the most wise and well grounded devices of men? And further in the end of this treatise entitled, The honour of the married Cleargie, he adjoyneth a passage taken out of the Epistle of Erasmus Roterodamus to Christopher Bishop of Basil, which passage beginneth thus. For those things which are altogither of humane constitution, must (like to remedies ⟨p. 46⟩in diseases) be attempered to the present estate of matters and times. Those things which were once religiously instituted, afterwards according to occasion, and the changed quality of manners and times, may be with more Religion and Piety abrogated. Final•y, if Hezekias bee praised for breaking downe the Brazen Serpent, (though instituted by God,) when the Israelites beganne to abuse it against the honour of God; how much more s•h iZanchius are our Reformers to be praised, for that they did thus 〈…〉. R•tes instituted by men, beeing found full of Superstitious abuse, though in themselves they had not been evill.
- esupra part. 3. cap. 2.
- flib. 1. de cult. Dei extern. col. 4•6.
- gSynt. Theol. lib. 9. cap. 38.
- hlib. 7. contempl. of the Brazen Serpent.
- i•m. in Eph 5. de Bapt. cap. 7.
