1First For customs,] J must confess, that whatsoever show was made of Arguments from Scripture misapplied, or other pretended reasons (as of less useful soldiers, and weapons in lighter skirmishes) yet customs and consequences were the Triarij, and main strength of the battle, in case of hazard: these ⟨image 30⟩were insisted upon by every one (almost) that pleaded for this disorder, as the principal plea they seemed to have. Now, howsoever I am, and shall be always ready to give all due respect unto those good customs of Churches, which are taken up,2 upon good warrant, and received and long continued amongst Gods people; yet I am of opinion, that is not lawful to do even good things only upon this ground, because it is the custom. For our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men. 3But to do a thing that is not warranted by Scripture, nor good reason,4 only in conformity to a custom (though it be a custom of some Churches) can by no rule be justified. For evidence whereof (not to insist upon those unnatural actions mentioned by Eusebius, for all which they might plead manner van 'tland, the custom of the place, as incestuous marriages with their own mothers, in Persia, killing their deerest children upon religious respects, in Scythia, murdering their parents and kinsfolks, amongst the Massagetae, slaying their ancient men, amongst the Tiburens, Hircanes, and the Caspians, many men marrying one woman of old, in Britanny, and many women marrying one husband in Parthia) let us consider the Church of God. For burning incense to the Q: of heaven, the Israelites pleaded ancient custom. But was that sufficient? could custom justify their offering sacrifice at Dan and Bethel? or did custom warrant the Samaritans worshipping God in mount Gerazim? Customs not warranted by the written word, what are they, but vain customs, abominable customs and to be taught against, and reproved, though they be the Priests customs, Howsoever, I confess, there is not the same degree of evil in all evil customs: yet, as the least commandment must not be broken, so the least evil must not be done, for any good that may come; seeing the Holy Ghost speaketh peremptorily saying. He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul but he that despiseth his way shall die.
1First For customs,] J must confesse, that whatsoever shew was made of Arguments from Scripture missaplyed, or other pretended reasons (as of lesse usefull souldiers, and weapons in lighter skirmishes) yet customs and consequences were the Triarij, and maine strength of the battaile, in case of hazzard: these ⟨image 30⟩were insisted upon by every one (almost) that pleaded for this disorder, as the principall plea they seemed to haue. Now, howsoever I am, and shall be allwayes ready to give all due respect unto those good customs of Churches, which are taken up,2 upon good warrant, and received and long continued amongst Gods people; yet I am of opinion, that is not lawfull to doe even good things only upon this ground, because it is the custome. For our fayth should not stand in the wisdome of men. 3But to doe a thing that is not warranted by Scripture, nor good reason,4 only in conformity to a custom (though it be a custom of some Churches) can by no rule be justifyed. For evidence whereof (not to insist upon those unnaturall actions mentioned by Eusebius, for all which they might plead maniere van 'tland, the custom of the place, as incestious mariages with their owne mothers, in Persia, killing their deerest children upon religious respects, in Scythia, murthering their parents and kinsfolkes, amongst the Massagetae, slaying their ancient men, amongst the Tiburens, Hircanes, and the Caspians, many men marrying one woman of old, in Britanny, and many woemen marrying one husband in Parthia) let us consider the Church of God. For burning incense to the Q: of heaven, the Israelites pleaded ancient custom. But was that sufficient? could custome justifye their offering sacrifice at Dan and Bethel? or did custom warrant the Samaritans worshipping God in mount Gerazim? Customs not warranted by the written word, what are they, but vaine customs, abominable customs and to be taught against, and reproved, though they be the Preists customs, Howsoeuer, I confesse, there is not the same degree of evill in all evill customs: yet, as the least commandment must not be broken, so the least evill must not be done, for any good that may come; seing the Holy Ghost speaketh peremptorily saying. He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his owne soule but he that despiseth his way shall die.
- 11. See Sect. 11.
- 21 Cor: 11.16.
- 31 Cor: 2.5
- 4Euseb: lib. 1. de praep. Evang. Cap. 2. & lib. 6. Cap. 8. Jer: 44.17 2 King: 10.19. Joh. 4.20. Jer. 10.3. Levit: 18.30. Act. 21.21. 1 Sam. 2.13.16. Mat: 5.19 Rom. 3.8. Pr. 19.16. Consuetudo impedire non debet, quo minus veritas praevaleat. Nam consuetudo sine veritate vetus•as erroris est. Cyp. Epist. ad Pompej.Euseb: lib. 1. de praep. Evang. Cap. 2. & lib. 6. Cap. 8. Ier: 44.17 2 King: 10.19. Ioh. 4.20. Ier. 10.3. Levit: 18.30. Act. 21.21. 1 Sam. 2.13.16. Mat: 5.19 Rom. 3.8. Pr. 19.16. Consuetudo impedire non debet, quo minus veritas praevaleat. Nam consuetudo sine veritate vetus•as erroris est. Cyp. Epist. ad Pompej.
