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.…

Wherefore though for no other, yet for this very cause, such garments ought not to be thrust upon the Church of Christ, because that harlot of Rome hath abused, and doth still at this day abuse them (though in their own nature they be not evil) to evil, and to cover her fornications, or rather to entice men to commit fornication. For all these pomps, and Popish ceremonies are nothing else but whorish paintings invented and devised for this end, that men might thereby be allured to spiritual fornication. Is it not therefore a filthy and dishonest thing, to have these in the Church of Christ? If the brazen serpent, which had been ordained of God, and that for the wholesome use of the Israelites, was taken away by godly King Hezekiah, because the Israelites had abused it contrary to the word of God: and if Hezekiah be highly commended for this so doing, because he had turned that Serpent into ashes, and commanded them to be cast into the running water, that there might never be any print or sign of it extant any more; how much more then are these unclean garments to be banished out of the Church of God, seeing the Apostles never used them, but the whore of Rome hath used them in her Idolatrous worship, and to seduce men? For it is a very dishonest thing, that such things as are of themselves indifferent, and have been long used to the despite and dishonour of God, should be retained in the Church of God, to the hazard of the salvation of godly men. And much less that kind of garments, which is nothing but an invention of men, ⟨p. 53⟩or rather of the Devil himself, devised to seduce the simple ones: We all know what praise those common-wealths deserve, which make good laws that the subjects shall not wear out-landish and strange apparel, nor bring it into the Common-wealths, because it is a corruption of good and honest manners, and of the Common-wealths themselves.

Wherfore though for no other, yet for this very cause, such garments ought not to be thrust upon the Church of Christ, because that harlot of Rome hath abused, and doth still at this day abuse them (though in their owne nature they be not evill) to evill, and to cover her fornications, or rather to entice men to commit fornication. For all these pompes, and Popish ceremonies are nothing else but whoorish paintings invented and devised for this end, that men might thereby be allured to spirituall fornication. Is it not therefore a filthy and dishonest thing, to have these in the Church of Christ? If the brasen serpent, which had beene ordained of God, and that for the wholesome use of the Israelites, was taken away by godly King Ezekias, because the Israelites had abused it contrary to the word of God: and if Ezekias be highly commended for this so doing, because hee had turned that Serpent into ashes, and commanded them to be cast into the running water, that there might never be any print or signe of it extant any more; how much more then are these uncleane garments to be banished out of the Church of God, seeing the Apostles never used them, but the whoore of Rome hath used them in her Idolatrous worship, and to seduce men? For it is a very dishonest thing, that such things as are of themselves indifferent, and have beene long used to the dispight and dishonour of God, should be retained in the Church of God, to the hazard of the salvation of godly men. And much lesse that kinde of garments, which is nothing but an invention of men,