A01760:72
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.
Some man perhaps will say, that we are bound to obey the laws Sect. X made about the Ceremonies, though not for the sole will of the Lawmakers, nor yet for any utility of the laws themselves, yet for this reason, that scandal and contempt would follow in case we do otherwise. Ans. We know that humane Laws do bind in the case of scandal or contempt. But that Non-conformity is neither scandal nor contempt, Parker mhath made it most evident. For as touching contempt, he showeth out of Fathers, Councils, Canon law, Schoolmen, and modern Divines, that non ob•dire is not contempt, but nolle ob•dire, or sup•biendo repugnare. Yea, out of Formalists themselves, he showeth the difference betwixt subjection and obedience. Thereafter he pleadeth thus, and we with him: What signs see men in us of pride and contempt? What be our cetera opera that bewray such an humour? let it be named wherein we go not two mile, when we are commanded to go ⟨p. 13⟩but one, yea wherein we go not as many miles, as any shoo of the preparation of the Gospel will bear us? What payment, what pain, what labour, what taxation made us ever to murmur? Survey our charges where we have laboured, if they be not found to be of the faithfullest subjects that be in the Land, we deserve no favour. Nay, there is, wherein we stretch our consciences to the uttermost to conform, & to obey in diverse matters. Are we refractary in other things as Balaam's ass said to his Master? have I used to serve thee so at other times? And as touching scandal, he showeth first, that by our not conforming, we do not scandalize Superiors, but edify them; although it may be we displease them, of which we are sorry, even as Joab displeased David, when he contested against the numbering of the people, yet did he not scandalize David, but edify him. And secondly, whereas it might be alleged, that Non-conformity doeth scandalize the people, before whom it soundeth as it were an alarm of disobedience, we reply with him? Daniel will not omit the Ceremony of looking out at the Window towards Jerusalem. Mordecai omitteth the Ceremony of bowing the knee to Haman; Christ will not use the Ceremony of washing hands, though a tradition of the Elders and Governors of the Church then being.