But if one spirit cross another,1 those spirits must be tried (saith the Apost.) and where there is want of reason and good ground, there is that spirit, which the Rej. blameth, and objecteth to others. Now upon a short trial, it may appear, where it waketh: The Rej. told us before, that some ceremonies are mixed, partly civill, and •artly sacred; now he telleth us with the same breath, that any ceremony in religious affairs is merely sacred and ecclesiastical: And by proportion any Cerem. in civill affairs must needs be merely civill, what then is become of the mixed or common sort: here sure is a contradiction from what spirit soever it come. 2. What •n assertion is this, any ceremony used in religious affairs, is merely sacred? If men and women come purposely in their best apparel to church, if they compose themselves to a grave posture, give the upper place to •he chiefest persons, and take such to themselves, as they may hear the preacher in, and yet have no exception taken against them for it, if all the places and seats be made cleanly and fit for a meeting, to be held in a comely fashion, all these are ceremo. according to the Rej. his definition, yet no man but out of contention •ill affirm they are merely religious, or ecclesiastical: For all these in the same manner & to the same immediate end, the same persons would do, if the meeting were to hear the magistrate propound unto them a grave civill business, concerning the common wealth ⟨p. 56⟩affairs. And surely that which remaining the same may be civill,2 is not merely and properly ecclesiastical, but common to both uses, and rather merely civill, then merely ecclesiastical, because civility is supposed and included in ecclesiastical affairs, but ecclesiastical proceedings are supposed and included in civill. Dr. Jackson in his original of unbelief, pag. 337. doth well observe: That decent behaviour doth change the subject only, not alter its own nature and form, whilst its used in matters sacred: Nor is the habit of civill complement, or good manners, such an unhallowed weed, as must be laid aside, when we come into the sanctuary. And indeed there is no more reason, to shut civility out of the church, or sacred business, then to shut religion out of the town-house or civill affairs. 3. That which is added of a civill use of the Ceremon. in question doeth nothing agree.
But if one spirit crosse another,1 those spirits must be tryed (saith the Apost.) and where ther is want of reason and good ground, there is that spirit, which the Rej. blameth, and objecteth to others. Now upon a short triall, it may appeare, where it waketh: The Rej. tould us before, that some ceremonies are mixt, partly civill, and •artly sacred; now he telleth us with the same breath, that any ceremony in religious affayres is meerely sacred and ecclesiasticall: And by proportion any Cerem. in civill affaires must needs be meerely civill, what then is become of the mixt or common sort: here sure is a contradiction from what spirit soever it come. 2. What •n assertion is this, any ceremony used in religious affay•es, is meerely sacred? If men and women come purposely in their best apparell to church, if they compose themselves to a grave posture, give the upper place to •he cheifest persons, and take such to themselves, as they may heare the preacher in, and yet have no exception taken against them for it, if all the places and seats be made cleanly and fitt for a meeting, to be held in a comely fashion, all these are ceremo. according to the Rej. his definition, yet no man but out of contention •ill affirme they are meerely religious, or ecclesiasticall: For all these in the same manner & to the same immediate end, the same persons would doe, if the meeting were to heare the magistrate propound unto them a grave civill busines, concerning the common wealth ⟨p. 56⟩affaires. And surely that which remaining the same may be civill,2 is not meerely and properly ecclesiasticall, but common to both uses, and rather meerely civill, then meerely ecclesiasticall, because civility is supposed and included in ecclesiasticall affaires, but ecclesiasticall proceedings are supposed and included in civill. Dr. Iackson in his originall of unbeleef, pag. 337. doth wel observe: That decent behaviour doth change the subject only, not alter its owne nature and forme, whilest its used in matters sacred: Nor is the habit of civill complement, or good manners, such an unhallowed weed, as must be layd asyde, when we come into the sanctuary. And indeed there is no more reason, to shutt civility out of the church, or sacred busines, then to shutt religion out of the towne-house or civill affaires. 3. That which is added of a civill use of the Ceremon. in quaestion doeth nothing agree.
- 1Contradiction.
- 2Many Ceremonies are of common use, in things civill & ecclesiastic.Many Ceremonies are of common use, in things civill & ecclesiastick.
