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. IIII. V.

IN the 4 Section, the Def. objecteth to himself under the name of the Abridgement, the words of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7. 35, This I speak to your profi•e, not that I might cast a snare upon you, showing that the imposition of necessity upon things indifferent, is a very snare of mens consciences. Now though these words are not in the Abridgement, yet because as D. Whitakers saith, de pont. de pont. c. 4 qu. 7• aureus bic locus est, nostrae libertatis vindex; this is a golden charter of liberty; therefore it is worthy of due consideration. The sum of the Def. his answer is, that to impose a necessity where God hath left a liberty, is indeed a snare: but this necessity is not taught in our Church. I answer, it is taught in our Church (now a days) that Ecclesiastical canons do bind mens consciences. It is taught in our Church that mans will is a sufficient reason for these canons about ceremonies. It is taught in our Church, that Sacraments may not be administered, or God publicly served without these ceremonies: that Ministers called and allowed of God for these ceremonies must be silenced; that they are to be excommunicated ips• facto, and accursed which oppose themselves unto them. It is taught also, that though a man doubte•• in his conscience of the lawfulness of them, though evident scandal vvill follow upon the using of them, yet they may not be omitted. If this be not necessity enough to ensnare a mans conscience, I know not what then is.

IN the 4 Section, the Def. objecteth to himselfe under the name of the Abridgement, the words of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7. 35, This I speake to your profi•e, not that I might cast a snare upon you, shewing that the imposition of necessity upon things indifferent, is a very snare of mens consciences. Now though these vvords are not in the Abridgement, yet because as D. Whitakers saith, de pont. de pont. c. 4 qu. 7 aureus bic locus est, nostrae libertatis vindex; this is a golden charter of liberty; therefore it is worthy of due consideration. The summe of the Def. his answer is, that to impose a necessity where God hath left a liberty, is indeed a snare: but this necessitie is not taught in our Church. I answer, it is taught in our Church (now a daies) that Ecclesiasticall canons doe binde mens consciences. It is taught in our Church that mans will is a sufficient reason for these canons about ceremonies. It is taught in our Church, that Sacraments may not be administred, or God publickly served vvithout these ceremonies: that Ministers called and allowed of God for these ceremonies must be silenced; that they are to be excommunicated ips facto, and accursed which oppose themselues unto them. It is taught also, that though a man doubte in his conscience of the lawfulnesse of them, though evident scandall vvill follow upon the using of them, yet they may not be omitted. If this be not necessity enough to insnare a mans conscience, I know not vvhat then is.