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…

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 ⟨p. 41⟩from those forbidden customs, but only because the Pagans and Infidels used so. 3. And what if Hookers divination shall have place? doth it not agree to us, so as it should make us unlike the Papists? yes sure, and more properly.

One would think that nothing could be answered to any of these things, by such as pretend no lesse, then that they have devoted Sect. 8 themselves to bend all their wishes & labours for procuring the imitation of venerable antiquity. Yet ^cHooker can coyne a conjecture, to frustrate all which we alleadge. In things (saith he) of their owne nature indifferent, if either Councells, or particular men, have at any time with sound Iudgment misliked conformity betweene the Church of God and Infidells, the cause thereof hath not beene affectation, of dissimilitude, but some special accident which the Church not beeing alwayes subject unto, hath not still cause to doe the like. For example (saith he) in the dangerous dayes of triall, wherein there was no way for the trueth of Iesus Christ to triumph over infidelity, but through the constancy of his Saincts, whom yet a naturall desire to save themselves from the flame, might peradvēture cause to joyne with the Pagans in externall Customes, too farre using the same as a cloak to conceale themselves in, and a mist to darken the eyes of Infidels withall; for remedy hereof, it might be, those lawes were provided. Ans. 1. This answer is altogither doubtfull, and conjecturall, 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 Customes of Pagans, was neither a bare affectation of dissimilitude, nor yet any speciall accident which the Church is not alwayes subject unto; but because it was held unlawfull, to symbolize with Idolaters in the use of such rites, as they placed any religion in. For in the Fathers & Councells, which we have cited to this purpose, there is no other reason mentioned, why it behoved Christians to abstaine