A01760:411
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.
First, they are so erected and extolled, that they are more looked Sect. 2 to, then the weighty matters of the Law of God; all good Discipline must be neglected, before they be not holden up. A covetous man is a Idolater, for this respect among others, as hDavenant noteth, because he neglects the service which he oweth to God, and is wholly taken up with the gathering of money. And I suppose every one will think, that those iTraditions, which the Pharisees kept and held, with the laying aside of the commandments of God, might well be called Idols. Shall we not then call the Ceremonies Idols, which are observed, with the neglecting of Gods commandments, & which are advanced above many substantial points of Religion? Idolatry, Blasphemy, Profanation of the Sabbath, Perjury, Adultery, &c. are over looked and not corrected nor reproved, nay, not so much as discountenanced, in these who favour and follow the Ceremonies; and if in the fellows, and favourites, much more in the Fathers. What if order be taken with some of those abominations, in certain abject poor bodies? Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas. What will not a Episcopal conformitane pass away with, if there be no more had against him, then the breaking of Gods Commandments, by open and gross wickedness? But, O what narrow notice is taken of Non-conformity! How mercilessly is it menaced? How cruelly corrected? Well! the Ceremonies are more made of, then the Substance. And this is so evident, that kD. Burgess him self lamenteth the pressure of conformity, and denieth not that which is objected to him, namely, that more grievous penalties are inflicted upon the refusal of the Ceremonies, then upon Adultery and Drunkenness.
First, they are so erected and extolled, that they are more looked Sect. 2 to, then the weighty matters of the Law of God; all good Discipline must be neglected, before they be not holden up. A covetous man is a Idolater, for this respect among others, as hDavenant noteth, because he neglects the service which he oweth to God, and is wholly taken up with the gathering of mony. And I suppose every one will think, that those