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…

Now to the Assumption. And first, that the controverted Ceremonies Sect. XXXII pertain not to the conservation of Religion, but contrary wise to ⟨image 139⟩the hurt and prejudice of the same, experience hath (alas) made it too manifest. For, o what a doleful decay of Religion have they drawn with them in this Land! Let them who have seen Scotland in her first glory, tell how it was then, and how it is now. ⁿIdle and idol-like Bishopping hath shut to the door painful and profitable Catechising. The keeping of some Festival days, is set up in stead of the thankful commemoration of Gods inestimable benefits: howbeit ^othe festivity of Christmas hath hitherto served, more to Bacchanalian lasciviousness, then to the remembrance of the birth of Christ. The kneeling down upon the knees of the body, hath now come in place of that humiliation of the soul, wherewith worthy communicants addressed themselves unto the holy Table of the Lord. And generally, the external show of these fruitless observances, hath worn out the very life and power of Religion. Neither have such effects ensued upon such Ceremonies among us only, but let it be observed every where else, if there be not least substance and power of godliness, among them who have most Ceremonies, where unto men have at their pleasure given some sacred use and signification in the Worship of God, and most substance among them, who have fewest shows of external rites. No man of sound judgement (saith ^pBaza) will denie, Jesum Christum quo nudior, &c. that JESUS CHRIST, the more naked he be, is made the more manifest to us: whereas contrariwise all false religions use by certain external gesturings to turn away men from divine things. ^qZanchius saith well of the Surplice and other popish Ceremonies, quod haec nihil ad pietatem accendendam, multum autem ad restinguendam valeant. ^rBellarmine indeed pleadeth for the utility of Ceremonies, as things belonging to the conservation of Religion. His reason is, because they set before our senses such an external majesty and splendour, whereby they cause the more reverence. This he allegeth for the utility of the Ceremonies of the Church of Rome. And I would know, what better reason can be alleged for the utility of ours.