The story of Origen is well known, how he delivered Palm, to those that offered it to the image of Serapis, with this expression of his intention: come, and receive the bows, not of the image, but of Christ. Yet was he therefore censured as a worshipper of that Idol. Calvin writing of purpose concerning this very case, of going to Mass with such an opinion, accuseth them that do so, of externally professed idolatry: and therein was justified by Melanchthon, Bucer, Martyr, Opus. de vitandis superstitionibus. And if this be not right, then all external acts, and real professions, whether symbolizing with Papists, or with Turks, or Heathens, may be in themselves, (set scandal and danger aside) easily excused. So Calvin argueth, in the forenamed treatise and in a Homily, Opusc, pag. 532. he showeth, that those wise men which think otherwise, would have derided the simplicity of Sidrac. ⟨p. 106⟩Meshach, and Abednego, if they had then lived, in such a fashion: Miserable men, you may do that external act which is required of you: it is no worship, so long as you have no faith, trust, or devotion to that idol. 2. His second answer is that those which are present at false worship, by violence, are not false worshippers, and upon this he triumpheth, with fie man, fie. I may better say, alas alas, that good D. B. (I speak as I think) should be driven to such extremities, in defence of those Ceremonies, which he never loved, nor doeth at this day. For going to Mass, or doing all those external acts, which Masmongers use to perform, implieth more then violent carrying thither, and detaining there. 3. His third is, that nothing but opinion doeth make humane inventions essential worship of God. Which is an essential denying of the conclusion. 4. For that which was inferred of the Convocation house, he saith first, it is a fling. Let it be so, yet it may hit that Ceremonious Goliath, as it is such, in the fore head. He addeth, that the grossest rites of Popery cannot possibly be washed from their opinion. Which is not for a Rite, being an external thing or act, any Rite may be separated from any internal opinion. The last is, that some other Popish rites might be lawful, if they could be cleansed, though we need them not.
The storie of Origen is well knowen, how he delivered Palme, to those that offered it to the image of Serapis, with this expression of his intention: come, and receyve the bows, not of the image, but of Christ. Yet was he therfore censured as a worshipper of that Idol. Calvin writing of purpose concerning this very case, of goeing to Masse with suche an opinion, accuseth them that doe so, of externally professed idolatrie: and therin was justified by Melanchton, Bucer, Martyr, Opus. de vitandis superstitionibus. And if this be not right, then all externall acts, and reall professions, whether symbolizing with Papists, or with Turkes, or Heathens, may be in themselves, (set scandall and danger aside) easily excused. So Calvin argueth, in the forenamed treatise and in a Homilie, Opusc, pag. 532. he sheweth, that those wise men which thinke otherwise, would have derided the simplicitie of Sidrac. ⟨p. 106⟩Misach, and Abednego, if they had then lived, in suche a fashion: Miserable men, yow may doe that externall act which is required of you: it is no worship, so long as you have no faith, trust, or devotion to that idol. 2. His second answer is that those which are present at false worship, by violence, are not false worshipers, and upon this he triumpheth, with fie man, fie. I may better say, alas alas, that good D. B. (I speak as I thinke) should be driven to suche extremities, in defense of those Ceremonies, which he never loved, nor doeth at this day. For goeing to Masse, or doeing all those externall acts, which Masmongers use to performe, implieth more then violent carying thither, and deteyning there. 3. His third is, that nothing but opinion doeth make humane inventions essentiall worship of God. Which is an essentiall denying of the conclusion. 4. For that which was inferred of the Convocation house, he sayth first, it is a flinge. Let it be so, yet it may hit that Ceremonious Goliah, as it is suche, in the fore head. He addeth, that the grossest rites of Poperie cannot pos•iblie be washed from their opinion. Which is not for a Rite, being an externall thing or act, any Rite may be separated from any internall opinion. The last is, that some other Popish rites might be lawfull, if they could be clensed, though we need them not.
