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…

To conclude, we condemn the English controverted Ceremonies which are regarded as holy and significant, as most in expedient, because they derogate from the true inward and spiritual worship; for mans nature saith ⁿCamero, is delighted in that which is fleshly and outward, neglecting that which is spiritual and inward. And this is the reason, why least spiritual, lively, and holy disposition hath followed upon the addition of unnecessary Ceremonies; and why there was never so much zeal, life, and power of Religion inwardly, in the Church of Christ, as then, when she was freest of Ceremonies. This much ^oa Formalist of great note, is forced to a knowledge. Let us consider saith he, the Primitive Church, flourishing more in times of the Apostles, then ever it did afterwards: Who will not admire her great simplicity in all points, and especially in Ceremonies? for excepting the celebration of Baptism by washing of water; and of the holy Supper, according to the Lords institution, in taking the Bread and Wine, & distributing them after thanksgiving: excepting also the imposition of hands upon those who extraordinarily received the holy Ghost, whether it were in a general calling, or a particular, to a charge in the Church, and availing for a miraculous effect, of healing the sick; I say, these excepted, there will not be found any other Ceremony in those primitive times, so admirable was their simplicity.

To conclude, we condemne the English controverted Ceremonies which are regarded as holy and significant, as most in expedient, because they derogate from the true inward and spirituall worship; for mans nature saith ⁿCamero, is delighted in that which is fleshly and outward, neglecting that which is spirituall and inward. And this is the reason, why least spirituall, lively, and holy disposition hath followed upon the addition of unnecessary Ceremonies; and why there was never so much zeall, life, and power of Religion inwardly, in the Church of Christ, as then, when shee was freest of Ceremonies. This much ^oa Formalist of great note, is forced to a knowledge. Let us consider saith he, the Primitive Church, flourishing more in times of the Apostles, then ever it did afterwards: Who will not admire her great simplicity in all poynts, and especially in Ceremonies? for excepting the celebration of Baptisme by washing of water; and of the holy Supper, according to the Lords institution, in taking the Bread and Wine, & distributing them after thanksgiving: excepting also the imposition of hands upon those who extraordinarily received the holy Ghost, whether it were in a generall calling, or a particular, to a charge in the Church, and availing for a miraculous effect, of healing the sicke; I say, these excepted, there will not be found any other Ceremony in those primitive times, so admirable was their simplicity.