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…

But in all the Scripture Princes have neither a commendable example, Sect. XIX not any other warrant, for the making of any innovation in Religion, or for the prescribing of sacred significant Ceremonies of mens devising. Jeroboam caused a change to be made in the Ceremonies and form of Gods worship. Whereas God ordained the Ark of the Covenant to be the sign of his presence, and that his glory should dwell between the Cherubims. Jeroboam set up two Calves to be the signs representative of that God who brought Israel out of Egypt. And this he means while he saith, ^eBehold thy Gods, &c. giving to the signs the thing signified. Whereas God ordained Jerusalem to be the place of worship, and all the sacrifices to be brought to the Temple of Solomon, Jeroboam made, Dan and Bethel to be places of worship, and built there Altars and high places for the sacrifices. Whereas God ordained the sons of Aaron only to be his Priests, Jeroboam made Priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. Whereas God ordained the feast of Tabernacles to be kept on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, Jeroboam appointed ⟨p. 140⟩it on the sixteenth day of the eight month. Now, if any Prince in the world might have fair pretences for the making of such innovations in Religion. Jeroboam much more. He might allege for his changing of the signs of Gods presence, and of the place of worship, that since Rehoboams wrath was incensed against him, and against the ten Tribes which adhered unto him, (as appeareth by ^fthe accounting of them to be rebels, and by ^gthe gathering of a huge army, for bringing the kingdom again to Rehoboam) it was no longer safe for his subjects to go up to Jerusalem to worship, in which case God who required mercy more then sacrifice, would bear with their changing of a few Ceremonies, for the safety of mens lives. For his putting down of the Priests and Levites, and his ordaining of other Priests which were not of the sons of Levi: he might pretend that they were rebellious to him, in that ^hhey would not assent unto his new ordinances, which he had enacted for the safety and security of his Subjects, and that they did not only simply refuse obedience to these his ordinances, but in their refusal show themselves so steadfastly minded, that they would refuse and with stand even to the suffering of deprivation and deposition;