Hitherto may we add popish superstitions in sacrifices, meats, holidays, apparel, temporary and bead-ridden prayers, indulgences, austere life, whipping, ceremonies, gestures, gate, conversation, pilgrimage, building of altars, pictures, Churches, and all other of that rabble.
To these may be added consort in music in divine service, feeding the ears, not edifying the mind. 1. Cor. 14.15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the understanding also. Justinus Martyr in his book of Christian quest. and Ans. 107. It is not the custom of the Churches, to sing their metres with any such kind of instruments, &c. but their manner is only to use plain-song.
Lastly, monastical vows, which I. repugn the law of God: as that unchaste vow of single life, and proud promise of poverty do plainly evince: for he that laboureth not, must not eat, saith Paul: And it is better to marry, then to burn in lust, saith the same Paul. II. They are greater then mans nature can perform: as in a single life, to live perpetually chaste. III. They disannul Christian liberty, and make such things necessary, as are indifferent. IV. They renew Judaism. V. They are idolatro•s, because they make them parts of Gods worship, and esteem them as meritorious. VI. Hypocrisy, which giveth to God painted worship, that is, if you regard outward behaviour, great sincerity: if the inward and hearty affections, none at all. Matth. 15.7. Hypocrites, well hath Isaiah prophesied of you, saying, This people cometh near me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Psal. 10.4. The wicked man is so proud, that he seeketh not for God.
The effects of hypocrisy are these: 1. To seek the pomp and glory of the world, and by all means to enrich it self, notwithstanding it make a glorious show of the service of God. 2. It is sharp sighted, and hath eagles eyes to observe other mens behaviour, when in the regarding its own, it is as blind as beetle. 3. To be more curious in the observation of ancient traditions, then the statutes and commandments of almighty God. 4. To stumble at a straw, and skip over a block, that is, to omit serious affairs, and ⟨p. 48⟩hunt after trifles. Matth. 23.4. 5• To do all things that they may be seen of men.
Hitherto may we adde popish superstitions in sacrifices, meates, holidaies, apparell, temporarie and bead-ridden prayers, indulgences, austere life, whipping, ceremonies, gestures, gate, conuersation, pilgrimage, building of altars, pictures, Churches, and all other of that rabble.
To these may be added consort in musicke in diuine seruice, feeding the eares, not edifying the minde. 1. Cor. 14.15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the vnderstanding also. I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the understāding also. Iustinus Martyr in his booke of Christian quest. and Ans. 107. It is not the custome of the Churches, to sing their meeters with any such kinde of instruments, &c. but their manner is onely to vse plaine-song.
Lastly, monasticall vowes, which I. repugne the law of God: as that vnchast vow of single life, and proud promise of pouertie doe plainly euince: for he that laboureth not, must not eate, saith Paul: And it is better to marrie, then to burne in lust, saith the same Paul. II. They are greater then mans nature can performe: as in a single life, to liue perpetually chast. III. They disanull Christian libertie, and make such things necessarie, as are indifferēt. IV. They renue Iudaisme. V. They are idolatro•s, because they make them parts of Gods worship, and esteeme them as meritorious. VI. Hypocrisie, which giueth to God painted worship, that is, if you regard outward behaniour, great sinceritie: if the inward and heartie affections, none at all. Matth. 15.7. Hypocrites, well hath Esaias prophecied of you, saying, This people commeth neere me with their mouth, and honour me with their lippes, but their heart is farre from me. Psal. 10.4. The wicked man is so proud, that he seeketh not for God.
The effects of hypocrisie are these: 1. To seeke the pompe and glorie of the world, and by all meanes to enrich it selfe, notwithstanding it make a glorious shewe of the seruice of God. 2. It is sharpe sighted, and hath eagles eyes to obserue other mens behauiour, when in the regarding its owne, it is as blinde as beetle. 3. To be more curious in the obseruation of ancient traditions, then the statutes and commandements of almightie God. 4. To stumble at a straw, and skip ouer a blocke, that is, to omit serious affaires, and ⟨p. 48⟩hunt after trifles. Matth. 23.4. 5• To doe all things that they may be seene of men.
