An account of all the proceedings of the commissioners of both persuasions appointedAn accompt of all the proceedings of the commissioners of both persvvasions appointed

doth plead his cause with the Presbyters, and whole Clergy of Neocesarea, that were offended at his new Psalmody, and his new order of Monastics, but he only defendeth himself, and urgeth none of them to imitate him, but telleth him also of the novelty of their own Liturgy, that it was not known in the time of their own late renowned Bishop Greg. Thaumaturgus, telling them that they had kept nothing unchanged to that day of all that he was used to, (so great alterations in 40. years were made in the same Congregation) ⟨p. 94⟩and he professeth to pardon all such things, so be it the principal things be kept safe. Socr. Hist. Ec. l. 51. c. 21. about the Easter difference, saith [that neither the Apostles, nor the Gospel, do impose a yoke of bondage on those that betake themselves to the Doctrine of Christ, but left the Feast of Easter, and other Festivals, to the observation of the free and equal Judgement of them that had received the benefits. And therefore because men use to keep some Festivals, for the relaxing themselves from labours, several Persons in several places, do celebrate of custom, the memorial of Christs Passion Arbitrarily, or at their own choice. For neither our Saviour, nor the Apostles commanded the keeping of them by any Law, nor threaten any mulct, or penalty, &c. It was the purpose of the Apostles not to make Laws for the keeping of Festivals, but to be Authors to us of the reason of right living, and of Piety. And having showed that it came up by private custom, and not by Law, and having cited Irenaeus, as before he addeth, [that those that agree in the same Faith, do differ in point of Rites, and Ceremonies] and instancing in divers, he concludeth [that because no man can show in the monuments of writings, any command concerning this, it is plain that the Apostles herein permitted free Power to every ones mind and will; that every man might do that which was good without being induced by fear or by necessity. And having spoken of the diversity of customs, about the Assemblies, Marriage, Baptism, &c. He tells us [that even among the Novatians themselves there is a diversity in their manner of their praying, and that among all the Forms of Religions and parties, you can no where find two, that consent among themselves in the manner of their praying.] And repeating the decree of the Holy Ghost, Act. 15.

doth plead his cause with the Presbyters, and whole Clergy of Neocesarea, that were offended at his new Psalmodi, and his new order of Monasticks, but he onely defendeth himself, and urgeth none of them to imitate him, but telleth him also of the novelty of their own Lyturgy, that it was not known in the time of their own late renowned Bishop Greg. Thaumaturgus, telling them that they had kept nothing unchanged to that day of all that he was used to, (so great alteations in 40. years were made in the same Congregation)