A01760:496
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.
But against the lawfulness of such mystical and significant Ceremonies, thus we dispute, first, a chief part of the nature of Sacraments is given unto those Ceremonies, when they are in this manner appointed to teach by their signification. This reason being alleged by the abridgement of the Lincoln Ministers, ePaybody answereth, that it is not a bare signification that makes a thing participate of the Sacraments nature, but such a signification as is Sacramental, both in what is signified and how. Ans. 1. This is but to beg the question, for what other thing is alleged by us, but that a Sacramental signification is placed in those Ceremonies we speak of? 2. What calls he a Sacramental signification, if a mystical resemblance and representation of some spiritual grace which God hath promised in his Word, be not it. And that such a signification as this is placed in the Ceremonies, I have already made it plain; from the testimonies of our Opposites. This (sure) makes those Ceremonies, so to encroach upon the confines and Sect. 2 precincts of the nature and quality of Sacraments, that they usurp something more then any Rites which are not appointed by God himself can rightly do. And if they be not Sacraments, yet saith fHooker, they are as Sacraments. But in Augustine's Dialect, they are not only as Sacraments, but they themselves are Sacraments. Signa (saith the Father) cum ad res divinas pertinent Samenta appellantur. Which Testimony so masters Dr. Burgess that he breaketh out into this witless answer, gthat the meaning of Augustine was to show, that the name of Sacraments, belongeth properly to Divine things, and not to all Signs of holy things. J ⟨p. 82⟩take, he would have said, belongeth properly to the Signs of Divin• things.
But against the lawfullnesse of such misticall and significant Ceremonies, thus we dispute, first, a cheif part of the nature of Sacraments is given unto those Ceremonies, when they are in this maner appointed to teach by their signification. This reason being alledged by the abridgment of the Lincolne Ministers,