A19178:380
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…
A reply to Dr. Mortons general Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the surplice, cross in baptism, and kneeling at the receiving of the sacramental elements of bread and wine.A reply to Dr. Mortons generall Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the surplice, crosse in baptisme, and kneeling at the receiving of the sacramentall elements of bread and wine.
Amsterdam: printed by Giles Thorp, 1622
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
SECT. XIX. XX.
IN the next place the Papists are alleged as persons offended by Non-conformitie, because they are utterly unpersuadable to enter into a Church where all ancient rites are professedly rejected. But 1. the refusing of conformity by the Ministers, do not, I hope, make these ancient rites (much less all) to be professedly rejected by our Church. For then we may plead the profession of our mother as well as the Defendant: which he I am sure will not grant. 2. This assertion which is given as a reason, is evidently false. For in Scotland, France, the Low-countries, and such like Churches, where none of these ceremonies are retained, the power of Gods word (which doth not depend on human ceremonies) is as effectual to the conversion of Papists, as in England. 3. How doth this agree with that which the Defendant hath so often told us, that our ceremonies are not the same with the Papists ceremonies: and that the Papists have no great conceit of our ceremonies, cap. 2. sect. 1•. 4. If our contentions about these things be a scandal to the Papist, let them look to it that cast these apples of contention into the Church, under the pretence of peace and uniformity. 5. One minister without conformity, as old Mr. Midsly of Ratsdell, who was after silenced for his labour, hath converted more Papists then any (I might say then all) of the Bishops in England, with all his ceremonial observations. 6. It is well known that there are far more Papists and Popishly affected in those places where ceremonies are most observed, then where they have been disused. 7. It is answered in the Abridgement, pag. 47. 48. that ceremonies are not for the edification of the Papists, but for the hardening of them. And that Papists are not so much to be respected as brethren. To the latter of which words, the Defendant replieth with a descant upon the term Brethren, sect. 20. but saith nothing at all to the purpose. 8. What manner of converts they are usually who are addicted to humane ceremonies, we may see in the Archbishop of Spalato, and such others.