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…

First then, the Ceremonies are inexpedient, because our most holy Faith, for which we should earnestly contend, receiveth no small harm and prejudice, and is like to receive still more and more by their means. Our case is not much different from the estate of the Churches in Germany, when Charles the 5. caused the book called Interim to be published, ^texpediency then was pretended, of settling the peace of Germany by this as the best way: but it produced a very great inconveniency, and in stead of effectuating peace, it brought forth a hotter contention, as well between the Protestants themselves, as between them and Papists. Expediency is now no less pretended for the Ceremonies, yet no more truly. But before the bad effects of the Interim were seen, the wiser sort of Protestants ^uwrote against it, and warned men, ut ab eo tanquam a praesentissima peste sibi caverent. Notwithstanding that the Emperor had straitly inhibit all impugning of it. And Sl•idane tells us, the reason which made them so mislike it, was, ^xbecause they thought such as were upon that course, were opening a way to the Popish Religion, peradiaphora seu res medias, and ^ybecause they wished to retain the saving Doctrine puram & salvam a technis illorum, qui nunc dum Ceremonias restaurare videri volunt, colluviem totam doctrinae Pontificiae rursus introducunt. The like reason have we to mislike Conformity with Antichrist, in these Ceremonies which are obtruded upon our Church; for may we not justly fear, that hereby we shall be drawn on, to conform with him also in dogmatical and fundamental points of Faith? Nay, what talk I of fear? we have already seen this bad consequence in a great part, for it is well enough known, how many Heterodox Doctrines, are maintained by Formalists, who are most zealous for the Ceremonies: ant Universal Grace, Free-Will, Perseverance, Justification, Images, Antichrist, the Church of Rome, Penance, Christ his Passion & descending into Hell, necessity of the Sacraments, Apocrypha books, Christs presence in the Eucharist, assurance of Salvation, &c. Their errors about those heads we will demonstrate, if need be, to such as doubt of their mind. In the mean time it hath been preached from Pulpits among our selves; That Christ died for all alike; That the Faithful may fall away from Grace; That Justification is a successive action;