9. Calvins grave collection, on Lev. 19.27. was by the Replier alleged, which thus soundeth, according to the Rej. his own emendation of the translation: Although rounding, or cutting the hair, was in it self indifferent, yet God would not have it indifferent to his people that they as ⟨p. 375⟩little children, might learn by small rudiments, that they could not have his favour, unless they should be unlike to the aliens, and uncircumcised, & be altogether and far different from their examples, especially in those Rites wherein religion was showed. The Rej. answereth 1. that the cause of this restraint, was the Jews childlike estate, by Calvins own words. But Calvins meaning is removed from the right centre. For that he meant not to exclude our age, he showeth in the next words: Experientia docet, &c. Experience doeth (not did) teach. And this childlike estate was the cause (according to him and truth) not of the doctrine taught, concerning unlikeness unto Idolaters, but of the manner, or means, wherein it was taught, namely, by abstaining from that fashion of hair, and beards, which Idolaters used. God teacheth us to teach our children, agreeably to their age, not that afterward they should forget, that which was taught them, but that they may remember what they were then taught, and not depart from it, when they are old. Prov. 22.6. And did he give us a contrary example? The precepts given in the Churches minority, are her direction (by proportion) in her ripest years. And what direction is in these precepts, for us, the Rej. doeth not show. Surely, I should think, if the common sort of God's people might not fashion themselves then to Idolaters, then neither now our Ministers: if not then in a matter of passion, much less now in actions pertaining to Gods worship: if not then in a tuft of hair, much less now in a Ministering garment, a Ceremony consecrating us and our children to Christ, and a solemn manner of receiving him in ⟨p. 376⟩his mysteries. The difference of child-hood, from perfect age, may teach us, that we should not look for such particular warnings now what things of Idolaters we are to shun, as were given in the Churches infancy, but make use of them; being now also generally warned to fly from all Idolatry, & that in the same forms of speech which then were used. 2.
9. Calvins grave collection, on Lev. 19.27. was by the Replier alleged, which thus soundeth, according to the Rej. his owne emendation of the translation: Although rounding, or cutting the hair, was in it self indifferent, yet God would not have it indifferent to his people that they as ⟨p. 375⟩litle children, might learne by small rudiments, that they could not have his favour, unlesse they should be unlike to the aliens, and uncircumcised, & be altogether and farr different from their examples, especially in those Rites wherin religion was shewed. The Rej. answereth 1. that the cause of this restraint, was the Iews childlike estate, by Calvins owne words. But Calvins meaning is removed from the right center. For that he meant not to exclude our age, he sheweth in the next words: Experientia docet, &c. Experience doeth (not did) teache. And this childlike estate was the cause (according to him and truth) not of the doctrine taught, concerning unlikenesse unto Idolaters, but of the manner, or meanes, wherin it was taught, namely, by absteyning from that fashion of hair, and beards, which Idolaters used. God teacheth us to teache our children, agreablie to their age, not that afterward they should forget, that which was taught them, but that they may remember what they were then taught, and not depart from it, when they are olde. Prov. 22.6. And did he give us a contrarie example? The praecepts given in the Churches minoritie, are her direction (by proportion) in her ripest years. And what direction is in these praecepts, for us, the Rej. doeth not shew. Surely, I should thinke, if the common sort ofGods people might not fashion themselves then to Idolaters, then neyther now our Ministers: if not then in a matter of passion, muche lesse now in actions pertayning to Gods worship: if not then in a tuft of hayr, much lesse now in a Ministring garment, a Ceremonie consecrating us and our children to Christ, and a solemne manner of receyving him in ⟨p. 376⟩his mysteries. The difference of child-hood, from perfect age, may teache us, that we should not look for suche particular warnings now what thinges of Idolaters we are to shunne, as were given in the Churches infancie, but make use of them; being now also generally warned to flie from all Idolatrie, & that in the same formes of speache which then were used. 2.
