Catholic communion defended against both extremes, and unnecessary division confuted in five parts ...…Catholick communion defended against both extreams, and unnecessary division confuted in five parts ...…

20. Professing Signs in our Covenantings with God, and Confessing of our Religion, are left to be chosen only by the General Laws of Edification, and Order. When a Nation, or Church, or Person renew their Covenant with God, and their Confession of Faith, it may be done (when the Ruler demandeth their consent) either by word, or by subscribing ▪ or by lifting up the hand, or by standing up, or by bowing the Head; for these are all, or most found in Scripture instances; yea, sometimes they fell by Prostration to the Ground: yea, and so they oft did in receiving a Charge or Message from God, by his Ministers.

20. Professing Signs in our Covenantings with God, and Confessing of our Religion, are left to be chosen onely by the General Laws of Edification, and Order. When a Nation, or Church, or Person renew their Covenant with God, and their Confession of Faith, it may be done (when the Ruler demandeth their consent) either by word, or by subscribing ▪ or by lifting up the hand, or by standing up, or by bowing the Head; for these are all, or most found in Scripture instances; yea, sometimes they fell by Prostration to the Ground: yea, and so they oft did in receiving a Charge or Message from God, by his Ministers.

I will add no more Instances; These are enough. If yet it be said, That none of these be acts of Worship: I again Answer, 1. Then do not by Slander call them so, and say still, that Man's inventing or using these, is using false Worship. If they be no Worship, they are no false Worship. Confess then, that it's but a bare name that you charged with Idolatry: for its only such things as these that we would add. 2. But de nomine, If an Action done directly to honour God be to be called Worship; some of these at least may be called Secondary subordinate Worship: But if you appropriate the Name to Gods stated Ordinances, these must not be called Worship; but the manner, order, circumstances, or accidents of Worship. But call them what you will, they are but what God alloweth, and the General of them he commandeth.