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…

himself forbeareth not to say, only he laboureth to plaster over his Superstition with the untempered mortar of this quidditative distinction; ^othat some things are holy by consecration of them to holy mystical uses, as water inbapt ism, &c. but other things are made holy by consecration of them, to holy political uses. This way (saith he) the Church hath power to make a thing holy, as to build and consecrate places to be Temples, houses to be Hospitals, to give rent, lands, money, and goods to the ministry, and to the poor, to appoint Vessels, and vestures, and Instruments for the public worship, as Table, Tablecloths, &c. Ans. 1. The B. (I see) taketh upon him to coin new distinctions at his own pleasure, yet they will not (I trust) pass current among the Judicious: to make things holy by consecration of them to holy uses for policy, is an uncouth speculation, and I dare say, the Bishop himself comprehendeth it not. Gods designation of a thing to any use which serves for his own glory, is called the sanctification of that thing or the making of it holy: and so the word is taken Isa. 13. 3. & Jer. 1. 5. as G. Sanctius noteth in his commentaries upon these places, and Calvin commenting upon the same places expoundeth them so likewise. But the Churches appointing or designing of a thing to an holy use, can not be called the making of it holy. It must be consecrated at the command of God, and by virtue of the Word and Prayer: thus are bread and wine consecrated in the holy supper. Res Sacrae saith ^pFennerus, sunt quae Dei verbo in praedictum usum sanctificatae & dicatae sunt. ^qPolanus speaking of the Sacramental elements, saith, sanctificatio rei terrenae est actio ministri, qua destinat rem teurenam ad sanctum usum, ex mandato Dei, &c. The ^rProfessors of Leiden call only such things persons, times, and places holy, as are consecrated & dedicated to God and his worship, and that divina prescription. If our ordinary meat and drink can not be sanctified to us, so that we may lawfully and with a good conscience use those common things, but by