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…

Secondly he allegeth, that the suffering of deprivation for refusing to conform, twofold more scandalizeth the Papist then conformity, for he doeth far more insult to see a godly Minister thrust out, and with him all the truth of God pressed, then to see him wear a Surplice, &c. Thirdly he saith, it twofold more scandalizeth the Atheist, Libertine and Epicure, who by the painful Ministers deprival, will triumph to see a door opened for him without resistance, to live in Drunkenness, Whoredom, Swearing, &c. Now, for answer to his second and third pretences, we say: 1. Mr. Sprint implieth indirectly, that when non-conforming Ministers are thrust out, Papists, Atheists, Libertines, and Epicures, expect but small Opposition from those conforming Ministers who come in their rooms. Our Opposites have a skilful Procter (forsooth) of Mr. Sprint. And indeed if Papists and Atheists were so affrayed of Conformists, as of Non conformists, they would not thus insult. 2. We must distinguish betwixt deprivation and the suffering of deprivation. Papists insult indeed, that their assured friends the Prelates, are so powerful, as to thrust out from the public Ministry, the greatest enemies of Popery. But as for the Ministers, their suffering of themselves to be thrust out, and deprived for refusing of Conformity, it is so far from giving to Papists any matter of insulting, that it will rather grieve them & gall them to the heart, to understand, that sundry powerful, painful, and learned Ministers, are so averse from Popery, that before they conform to any Ceremony of the same, they will suffer for refusal: and that their constancy and courage in suffering for such a cause, will confirm many Professors, in the persuasion of the trueth of their Doctrine, which they taught against conforming unto Popish Ceremonies. But to go on; Fourthly (saith he) it twofold more scandalizeth such a one; as doth truly fear the name of God, who could be more contented, to enjoy the means of his Faith and Salvation with a small inconveniency of some Ceremonies, which he grieveth at, then to loose his Pastor, the Gospel, and the ordinary means of his Faith and Salvation. Ans. 1. Mr. Sprint supposeth, that such a one, as for no respect whatsoever, would be contended with the practise of some inconvenient Ceremonies, doth not truly fear the name of God.

Secondly hee alledgeth, that the suffering of deprivation for refusing to conforme, twofold more scandalizeth the Papist then conformity, for he doeth farre more insult to see a godly Minister thrust out, and with him all the truth of God pressed, then to see him weare a Surplice, &c. Thirdly he saith, it twofolde more scandalizeth the Atheist, Libertine and Epicure, who by the painfull Ministers deprivall, will triumph to see a doore opened for him without resistance, to live in Drunkennesse, Whooredome, Swearing, &c. Now, for answer to his seconde and third pretenses, we say: 1. Mr. Sprint implieth indirectly, that when non-conforming Ministers are thrust out, Papists, Atheists, Libertines, and Epicures, exspect but small Opposition from those conforming Ministers who come in their rowmes. Our Opposites have a skilfull Procter (forsooth) of Mr. Sprint. And indeed if Papists and Atheists were so affrayed of Conformists, as of Non conformists, they would not thus insult. 2. We must distinguish betwixt deprivation and the suffering of deprivation. Papists insult indeed, that their assured frinds the Prelates, are so powerfull, as to thrust out from the publike Ministery, the greatest enemies of Popery. But as for the Ministers, their suffering of themselves to be thrust out, and deprived for refusing of Conformity, it is so farre from giving to Papists any matter of insulting, that it will rather grieve them & gall them to the heart, to understād, that sundry powerfull, painefull, and learned Ministers, are so averse from Popery, that before they conforme to any Ceremony of the same, they will suffer for refusall: and that their constancy and courage in suffering for such a cause, will confirme many Professors, in the perswasion of the trueth of their Doctrine, which they taught against conforming unto Popish Ceremonies. But to goe on; Fourthly (saith he) it twofolde more scandalizeth such a one; as doth truly feare the name of God, who could be more contented, to injoy the meanes of his Faith and Salvation with a small inconveniency of some Ceremonies, which he grieveth at, then to loose his Pastor, the Gospell, and the ordinary meanes of his Faith and Salvation. Ans. 1. Mr. Sprint supposeth, that such a one, as for no respect whatsoever, would be contended with the practise of some inconvenient Ceremonies, doth not truly feare the name of God.