A01760:393
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…
A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded upon the Church of Scotland Wherein not only our own arguments [sic] against the same are strongly confirmed, but likewise the answers and defences of our opposites, such as Hooker, Morton ... Forbesse, &c. particularly confuted.A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded vpon the Church of Scotland Wherein not only our ovvne argumemts [sic] against the same are strongly confirmed, but likewise the ansvveres and defences of our opposites, such as Hooker, Mortoune ... Forbesse, &c. particularly confuted.
Leiden: printed by W. Christiaens, 1637
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Last of all, read we not, in bthe fourth century of the Ecclesiastical history, that the frame of Christians in that age, was such, that nec cum haereticis commune quicquam habere voluerunt?
Last of all, read we not, in bthe fourth century of the Ecclesiasticall history, that the frame of Christians in that age, was such, that nec cum haereticis commune quicquam habere voluerunt?
- bMagd. cent 4. cap. 6. col. 458.
One would think that nothing could be answered to any of these things, by such as pretend no less, then that they have devoted Sect. 8 themselves to bend all their wishes & labours for procuring the imitation of venerable antiquity. Yet cHooker can coin a conjecture, to frustrate all which we allege. In things (saith he) of their own nature indifferent, if either Councils, or particular men, have at any time with sound Judgment misliked conformity between the Church of God and Infidels, the cause thereof hath not been affectation, of dissimilitude, but some special accident which the Church not being always subject unto, hath not still cause to do the like. For example (saith he) in the dangerous days of trial, wherein there was no way for the trueth of Jesus Christ to triumph over infidelity, but through the constancy of his Saints, whom yet a natural desire to save themselves from the flame, might peradventure cause to join with the Pagans in external Customs, too far using the same as a cloak to conceal themselves in, and a mist to darken the eyes of Infidels withal; for remedy hereof, it might be, those laws were provided. Ans. 1. This answer is altogether doubtful, and conjectural, made up of If, and peradventure, and it might be. Neither is any thing found which can make such a conjecture probable. 2. The true reason, why Christians were forbidden to use the Rites and Customs of Pagans, was neither a bare affectation of dissimilitude, nor yet any special accident which the Church is not always subject unto; but because it was held unlawful, to symbolize with Idolaters in the use of such rites, as they placed any religion in. For in the Fathers & Councils, which we have cited to this purpose, there is no other reason mentioned, why it behoved Christians to abstain