THE next instance (like the former) is the kiss of peace. To which our answer is, that it was a natural indicant sign of peace and reconciliation. But the Def. borrowing light from some oratorial phrases of the Fathers, will prove the contrary: though it be as manifest as any thing can be, both by Scripture, and also by other histories, that it was a civill natural fashion used in those parts upon civill occasions as well as holy. Now what doth he prove? First the institution, so far as it was not commanded by Christ, was humane. This he affirmeth, but proveth not: and in his affirmation wavereth like a reed shaken with some wind. So far it was from Christ; and so far it was from man: and yet we hear not how far from either. The plain truth is, it was of no institution ⟨p. 48⟩at all: but of natural inclination and civill custom, used long before the coming of Christ, as is to be seen every where in the old Testament, Gen. 29. 13. 1. Sam. 20. 41. &c. yet by direction or custom it received constant application unto some special acts. Secondly, he saith, it was significant, that is, it had a natural fitness to declare the inward affection of love. What is this to a signification imposed by man? it was so significant as shaking of hands: which gesture also used to be joined with it: Tunc ambo nexi ad invicem dextras damus in osculo pacis sacrae, &c. It did so signify love as the turning away of the face doth signify alienation of mind. But (saith he) it signified Christian love. As if Christian love had not in it the common nature of love, and therefore cannot be signified partly by natural signs common to love. Cleanliness in the celebration of the sacraments, is the same that it is at another feast; though in regard of that application, it may be called Christian or holy cleanliness or decency. Thirdly, he saith, it was used in time of holy worship. So no doubt was giving of the upper place unto the Elders, &c. in token of reverence: and yet it was no religious instituted sign of mystical signification: such reasons as these bewray more confidence then good consideration.
THE next instance (like the former) is the kisse of peace. To vvhich our answer is, that it was a naturall indicant signe of peace and reconciliation. But the Def. borrowing light from some oratoriall phrases of the Fathers, will proue the contrarie: though it be as manifest as any thing can be, both by Scripture, and also by other histories, that it was a civill naturall fashion used in those parts upon ciuill occasions as well as holy. Now what doth hee proue? First the institution, so farre as it was not commanded by Christ, was humane. This he affirmeth, but proveth not: and in his affirmation wavereth like a reed shaken with some winde. So farre it was from Christ; and so farre it was from man: and yet we heare not how farre from either. The plain truth is, it was of no institution ⟨p. 48⟩at all: but of naturall inclination and civill custome, vsed long before the comming of Christ, as is to be seen every where in the old Testament, Gen. 29. 13. 1. Sam. 20. 41. &c. yet by direction or custome it received constant application unto some speciall acts. Secondly, he sayth, it was significant, that is, it had a naturall fitnesse to declare the inward affection of loue. What is this to a signification imposed by man? it vvas so significant as shaking of hands: vvhich gesture also used to be joyned with it: Tunc ambo nexi ad invicem dextras damus in osculo pacis sacrae, &c. It did so signifie loue as the turning away of the face doth signifie alienation of minde. But (sayth he) it signified Christian loue. As if Christian loue had not in it the common nature of loue, and therefore cannot be signified partly by naturall signes common to loue. Cleanlinesse in the celebration of the sacraments, is the same that it is at another feast; though in regard of that application, it may be called Christian or holy cleanlinesse or decencie. Thirdly, he sayth, it was used in time of holy worship. So no doubt was giving of the upper place unto the Elders, &c. in token of reverence: and yet it was no religious instituted signe of mysticall signification: such reasons as these bewray more confidence then good consideration.
