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…

For put the case, that those ancient Christians had not avoided conformity with Pagans, in those Rites and Customs, which we read to have been forbidden them, yet for all that, there had been remaining betwixt them and the Pagans, by a great deal more difference, then will remain betwixt us and the Papists, if we avoid not conformity with them in the controverted Ceremonies: for the Pagans had not the Word, Sacraments, &c. which the Papists do retain, so that we may far more easily use the Ceremonies, as a mist to darken the eyes of the Papists, then they could have used those forbidden Rites, as a mist to darken the eyes of Pagans. Much more then, Protestants should not be permitted to conform themselves unto Papists, in Rites & Ceremonies, lest in the dangerous days of trial (which some Reformed Churches in Europe do presently feel, and which seem to be faster approaching to our selves, then the most part are aware of,) they join themselves to Papists in these external things, too far using the same as a cloak to conceal themselves in, &c. 4. We find that the reason, why the fourth Council of Toledo, ^dforbade the Ceremony of thrice dipping in water to be used in baptism, was, lest Christians should seem to assent to Heretics who divide the Trinity. And the reason why the same Council ^eforbade Clergy men to conform themselves unto the custom of Heretics, in the shaving of the hair of their head, is mentioned to have been, the removing of conformity with the Custom of Heretics, from the Churches of Spain, as being a great dishonour unto the same. And we have heard before, that Augustine condemneth conformity with the Manichees, in fasting upon the Lords day, as scandalous. And whereas afterwards the Council of Caesaraugusta forbade fasting upon the Lords day, ^fa grave Writer layeth out the reason of this prohibition, thus, It would appear that this Council had a desire to abolish the Rites and Customs of the Manichean Heretics, who were accustomed to fast upon the Lords day. Lastly, we have seen from Constantine's Epistle to the Churches, that dissimilitude with the Jews was one (though not the only one) reason, why it was not thought beseeming to keep Easter upon the fourteenth day of the month.

For put the case, that those auncient Christians had not avoided conformity with Pagans, in those Rites and Customes, which we reade to have beene forbidden them, yet for all that, there had beene remaining betwixt them and the Pagans, by a great deale more difference, then will remaine betwixt us and the Papists, if we avoide not conformity with them in the controverted Ceremonies: for the Pagans had not the Word, Sacraments, &c. which the Papists doe retaine, so that we may farre more easily use the Ceremonies, as a mist to darken the eyes of the Papists, then they could have used those forbidden Rites, as a mist to darken the eyes of Pagans. Much more then, Protestants should not be permitted to cōforme themselves unto Papists, in Rites & Ceremonies, lest in the dangerous dayes of triall (which some Reformed Churches in Europe doe presently feele, and which seeme to be faster approaching to our selves, then the most part are aware of,) they joyne themselves to Papists in these externall things, too farre using the same as a cloake to conceale themselves in, &c. 4. We find that the reason, why the fourth Councell of Toledo,