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…

Answ. There are three sorts of Signs here to be distinguished. 1. Natural Signs: so smoke is a sign of fire, and the dawning of the day a sign of the rising of the Sun. 2. Customable signs, and so the uncovering of the head, which of old was a sign of preeminence, hath through custom become a sign of subjection. 3. Voluntary signs, which are called Signa instituta; these are either Sacred or Civill. To appoint Sacred Signs of heavenly mysteries or spiritual graces, is Gods own peculiar, and of this kind are the holy Sacraments. Civill Signs for civill and moral uses, may be and are commendably appointed by men, both in Church and Common-wealth, and thus the calling of a Bell, is a sign given for assembling, and hath the same signification both in Ecclesiastical and Secular assemblings. Now, besides the Sacred Signs of Gods own institution, we know that natural Signs have also place in Divine worship; thus kneeling in time of Prayer signifieth the submission of our hearts & minds, the lifting up of our eyes and hands, signifieth the elevation of our affections, the renting of the garments signified the renting of the heart by sorrow, standing with a religious respect to that which is before us, signifieth veneration or reverence, sitting at table signifieth familiarity & fellowship. For which of you, ^zsaith our Master, having a servant ploughing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, go and sit down to meat. All these signs have their significations from nature. And if it be said that howbeit sitting at our common-tables be a sign natural, to signify familiarity amongst us, yet nature hath not given such a signification to sitting at the Lords-Table; I answer, that fitting is a natural sign of familiarity, at what Table soever it be used. At the Heavenly Table in the Kingdom of Glory, familiarly is expressed and signified by sitting Math 8. 11. Many shall come from the East and West, and shall sit down with Abraham, &c. Much more then at the Spiritual Table in the Kingdom of Grace.

Answ. There are three sorts of Signes here to be distinguished. 1. Naturall Signes: so smoake is a signe of fire, and the dawning of the day a signe of the rising of the Sunne. 2. Customable signes, and so the uncovering of the head, which of old was a signe of preeminence, hath through custome become a signe of subjection. 3. Voluntary signes, which are called Signa instituta; these are either Sacred or Civill. To appoint Sacred Signes of heavenly misteries or spirituall graces, is Gods owne peculiar, and of this kynd are the holy Sacraments. Civill Signes for civill and morall uses, may be and are commendably appointed by men, both in Church and Common-wealth, and thus the colling of a Bell, is a signe given for assembling, and hath the same signification both in Ecclesiasticall and Secular assemblings. Now, besides the Sacred Signes of Gods owne institution, we know that naturall Signes have also place in Divine worship; thus kneeling in time of Prayer signifieth the submission of our hearts & mindes, the lifting up of our eyes and hands, signifieth the elevation of our affections, the renting of the garments signified the renting of the heart by sorrow, standing with a religious respect to that which is before us, signifieth veneration or reverence, sitting at table signifieth familiarity & fellowship. For which of you,