A fresh suit against human ceremonies in God's worship. Or a triplication unto. D.…A fresh suit against human ceremonies in God's vvorship. Or a triplication unto. D.…

But from neither of these, have the signs of mans devising any such virtue. Therefore no sign, of mans devising, can be a teacher of mine understanding, or an exciter of my devotion.

But from neyther of these, have the signes of mans divizing any suche vertue. Therfore no signe, of mans divizing, can be a teacher of mine understanding, or an exciter of my devotion.

This the Rejoinder confuteth first, with scornful words, as a sickly childish, and long some objection. After, he answereth, that our monitory Ceremonies, are only external occasions, and objects, whereby the mind of ⟨p. 259⟩man worketh upon it self, not causes working by some virtue in them.

This the Rejoynder confuteth first, with skornefull wordes, as a sickly childish, and long some objection. After, he answereth, that our monitorie Ceremonies, are onely externall occasions, and objects, wherby the minde of ⟨p. 259⟩man worketh upon it self, not causes working by some vertue in them.

Where 1. observe, how he mangleth and marreth the Argument, that he may master it: the words are, that such effects require virtue inherent, or assistant: he interpreteth them only of virtue in them, i. e. inherent, leaving out assistant: and yet dareth affirm, that upon this fiction of virtue in them (which is his own fiction) the whole objection is builded. 2. He maketh our Ceremonies to be only occasional objects, and no causes: whereas every instituted sign is a means, and so a cause of that effect for which it is appointed, as Logic teacheth. And if they were mere occasions of conceiving that which they signify, then a white Surplice would not prove half so significant a Ceremony of Ministers sanctity, as a white Cock, especially when it croweth, nor an aerial Cross, so significant, as a Gallows. Beside, if our Ceremonies be occasional objects only, then no man is tied to regard the whiteness of his Ministers Surplice, thereby to think of his sanctity, any more then he is bound to regard the foulness and soil of it, when for a long time, it is unwashed, and he also useth it in stead of a handkerchief, about his nose, thereby to think of the imperfection, spots, and blots, which are found in Ministers disposition, and conversation. Concerning, Letters, Characters, and Giblets, mentioned here again by the Rejoinder, answer was made before, in the first section of this Chapter.