2. The oldest Records we have (saith the Rej.) do mention humane mystical Ceremonies in Gods worship, as Apostolical traditions. Which 1. is not true: because those which call them Apostolical, use not to call, or esteem them humane. 2 The Records of the first age, which we have, are so imperfect, and uncertain, that God (in so disposing of them by his Providence) doeth in a manner warn us, not to depend on them, but only on his written Word. 3. The great variety that was found, in the first ages, about the observation of Lent, and Easter, doeth manifestly prove, they were not Apostolical: as Chamier showeth (De jejunio, cap. 7.) Not out of any certain law, but out of private devotions, and consequently Superstition. 1In the next place, for a main ground of this assertion (that the universal Church observing humane Rites, took them to have been of Apostolical allowance) the Rej. bringeth in the common text of Papists, out of Augustine, ep. 118. Such universal observations, not being written in Scripture, must be understood to be commanded by general Councils, or from the Apostles. Where 1. he faulteth twice in the translation, in (turning dantur intelligi, into must be understood, when D. Morton himself (Pr. Ap. lib. 2. cap. 28. •. 3.) maketh a strong probability only; and in turning commendata, by into commanded. 2. This being but a probable rule, and And Augustine's conjecture of that probability, being ⟨p. 352⟩also but probable, it may fail, with all that is built upon it. 3. Chamier (in the place fore-mentioned) answereth Bellarmine about it, that it must either include the Apostles time (whose history is in Scripture) and so the humane Ceremonies come not within the compass of it; or else it may be denied as false. 4. If this rule be good, then Apostolical Ceremonies cannot be known from other, but only by those who know certainly what is and hath been always observed in all Churches: which will fall hard upon most Christians. 5. Augustine (in the same place) complaineth of mens presumptions and burdensome Ceremonies, contrary to Christ his merciful institution; requiring the easiness and lightness of that yoke or burden which Christ hath imposed in his Sacraments, to be still preserved in the Church.
2. The oldest Records we have (saith the Rej.) doe mention humane misticall Ceremonies in Gods worship, as Apostolicall traditions. Which 1. is not true: because those which call them Apostolicall, use not to call, or esteeme them humane. 2 The Records of the first age, which we have, are so imperfect, and uncertaine, that God (in so disposing of them by his Providence) doeth in a manner warne us, not to depend on them, but onely on his written Word. 3. The great varietie that was found, in the first ages, about the observation of Lent, and Easter, doeth manifestly proove, they were not Apostolicall: as Chamier sheweth (De jejunio, cap. 7.) Not out of any certaine law, but out of private devotions, and consequently Superstition. 1In the next place, for a maine ground of this assertion (that the universall Church observing humane Rites, tooke them to have beene of Apostolicall allowance) the Rej. bringeth in the common text of Papists, out of Augustine, ep. 118. Such universall observations, not being written in Scripture, must be understood to be commanded by generall Councels, or from the Apostles. Where 1. he faulteth twice in the translation, in (turning dantur intelligi, into must be understood, when D. Morton himselfe (Pr. Ap. lib. 2. cap. 28. •. 3.) maketh a strong probabilitie onely; and in turning commendata, by into commanded. 2. This being but a probable rule, and And Augustines conjecture of that probability, being ⟨p. 352⟩also but probable, it may faile, with all that is built vpon it. 3. Chamier (in the place fore-mentioned) answereth Bellarmine about it, that it must either include the Apostles time (whose history is in Scripture) and so the humane Ceremonies come not within the compasse of it; or else it may bee denied as false. 4. If this rule bee good, then Apostolicall Ceremonies cannot be knowne from other, but onely by those who know certainely what is and hath beene allwayes observed in all Churches: which will fall hard upon most Christians. 5. Augustine (in the same place) complaineth of mens presumptions and burdensome Ceremonies, contrary to Christ his mercifull institution; requiring the easinesse and lightnesse of that yoke or burden which Christ hath imposed in his Sacraments, to be still preserved in the Church.
- 1N•t ex ul•a lege ce•ta, sed en privat•s religionibus, atgue adeo superstitionibus ▪
