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. XV.

IN this Section answer is made to some allegations brought out of Protestant Writers (not unto all which the Abridgement citeth for the perfection of the Scriptures) where 1. the Defendant answereth for himself, that his meaning was not of matters merely ceremonial. And so, say I, the meaning of our argument was not of such mere ceremonies as the Defendant here ⟨image 10⟩describeth in the end of this Section, if he mean by mere ceremonies mere order and decency: but our ceremonies are of another nature, because they have doctrine or teaching in them, and therefore are doctrinal, as he pleaseth to speak, or mixed, 2. confessing that in one place he speaketh of ceremonies, he limiteth his speech to such ceremonies as are made essential parts of a sacrament, as Milk in stead of Wine: sopping in of bread into the cup, and wringing in of the grape; these ceremonies he accounteth doctrinal. But here I would fain hear a good reason, why sopping of the bread into the cup is more doctrinal, or more against the word, then the cross in baptism. Bread and Wine were ordained by Christ to a holy use in the Church: so is not the cross: sopping hath some agreement with reason: crossing hath none; sopping was used by Christ himself the same night, and at the same table where the sacrament was appointed: crossing was never used by Christ or his Apostles. In sopping there is no new material sign appointed, but a new fashion only of using the old: in crossing a new sign is obtruded. So that sopping seemeth to be better then crossing. If opinion of necessary use doth put a difference: our men can easily conclude in the Convocation house, that it is not the opinion of the Church of England, and then all will be well. If sopping seem to be a part of the sacrament: crossing when it is done in the very act of sprinkling, (as many times it is) maketh as much show of bearing a part in baptism. But what if out of the Lords Supper, a little before, or a little after, while the prayers are making which belong to the Supper, there should be appointed such a sopping to be used of all that communicate for mystical signification, I would know of the Defendant whether this were allowable or no by his doctrinal distinction? If not, why should he show more favour to the cross?