A reply to Dr. Mortons general Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the…A reply to Dr. Mortons generall Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the…

SECT. XXIIII.

I Had thought verily that the Def. would have brought some pregnant testimonies out of the Fathers, though he could find none in the holy Scriptures. But he is here also as far to seek as before: for he bringeth nothing at all worth the answering. The feast of Easter (which now the fourth time is brought upon the stage by the Def. in vain) was never generally observed at the same time with the Jews, nor ever so appointed by any decree or canon of Council: if it had, yet that had been but an agreement in a circumstance of time, and the translation of it to another time, did show, they liked of no conformity of Jews. There were feasts also appointed at times differing from heretics. What Cart-rope will draw a conclusion from hence for conformity with idolaters in their ceremonies? Besides, feasts & fasts, he nameth habits, but giveth no instance or proof at all of any such thing. Circumcision, he saith, was continued under many Christian Bishops of Jerusalem. But let him show that those Christian Bish. allowed of any such thing. ⟨p. 72⟩I never heard nor read of more confident conclusions out of such beggarly premisses.

I Had thought verily that the Def. would haue brought some pregnant testimonies out of the Fathers, though he could finde none in the holy Scriptures. But he is here also as farre to seeke as before: for he bringeth nothing at all vvorth the answering. The feast of Easter (which now the fourth time is brought upon the stage by the Def. in vain) was never generally observed at the same time with the Iewes, nor ever so appointed by any decree or canon of Councel: if it had, yet that had been but an agreement in a circumstance of time, and the translation of it to another time, did shew, they liked of no conformitie of Iewes. There were feasts also appoynted at times differing from hereticks. What Cart-rope will draw a conclusion from hence for conformity with idolaters in their ceremonies? Besides, feasts & fasts, he nameth habits, but giveth no instance or proofe at all of any such thing. Circumcision, he sayth, was continued under many Christian Bishops of Ierusalem. But let him shew that those Christian Bish. allowed of any such thing.