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…

He did but adventure neither to call the same plea presumptuous. For he can find no other reason to bear up this charge withal then, that they seem to arrogate to themselves a prerogative proper to the Apostles. How can this be I wonder, seeing they follow herein the direction of the Apostle himself, Tit. 2 15. Let no man despise thee. What this prerogative is, he doth not plainly tells us: but compriseth it in two places of Scripture, 1 Cor 15, Gal. 2 18, the first whereof is nothing at all to the purpose. For the Apostle doth not say as the Def. maketh him, If we be found false witnesses, then is your faith in vain: but if Christ be not risen; then are we false Witnesses, and your faith is vain: Which also any preacher of the Gospel may say without falsehood or presumption to his people. The second place, If I build again that which I have destroyed, I make my self a prevaricator, is appliable to any Minister that hath taught the truth against Popish superstition. This very doctrine M. Perkins gathereth out of the words. Proculcavimus superstitionem Papisticam &c. I hope the Def. doth not think he may build up any superstition, and not be accounted therefore a prevaricator: if he do; or though he do not, let him consider where the presumption lieth.

He did but adventure neither to call the same plea presumptuous. For he can finde no other reason to beare up this charge withall then, that they seeme to arrogate to themselues a prerogatiue proper to the Apostles. How can this be I wonder, seeing they follow herein the direction of the Apostle himselfe, Tit. 2 15. Let no man despise thee. What this prerogatiue is, he doth not plainly tels us: but compriseth it in two places of Scripture, 1 Cor 15, Gal. 2 18, the first vvherof is nothing at all to the purpose. For the Apostle doth not say as the Def. maketh him, If we be found false witnesses, then is your faith in vaine: but if Christ be not risen; then are we false Witnesses, and your faith is vaine: Which also any preacher of the Gospell may say vvithout falshood or presumption to his people. The second place, If I build againe that which I haue destroyed, I make my selfe a prevaricator, is applyable to any Minister that hath taught the truth against Popish superstition. This very doctrine M. Perkins gathereth out of the words. Proculcavimus superstitionem Papisticam &c. I hope the Def. doth not thinke he may build up any superstition, and not be accounted therefore a prevaricator: if he doe; or though he doe not, let him consider vvhere the presumption lyeth.