Yea there are among you now many things of a lower nature, which some dare scarce plainly say, God commandeth or forbiddeth, and yet they are censorious enough about them: As heretofore many were against wearing the hair of any considerable length; Against wearing cuffs upon a day of humiliation: Against dressing meat or feasting at least, on the Lords day (which is a day of Thanksgiving of divine institution) and held, That it is necessary to feast twice at least, upon a day of Thanksgiving (of mans appointment:) That a Minister should not life up his eyes, much less kneel down to signify his ⟨p. 294⟩private prayer, when he goeth into the Pulpit. Nor any other when they enter into the Church: That no prayer may be used, and no Psalm sung in our common mixed Assemblies, which have any expressions, which all both good and bad may not fitly use as for themselves: That no Minister may use notes in preaching to help his memory. That the sacramental bread and wine must not (say some) or must (say others) be delivered by the Minister into each mans hand. That no gesture but sitting is lawful at the sacrament. That it is unlawful to wear a Gown in divine worship, if it be commanded: That it is unlawful to keep any anniversary day of humiliation or thanksgiving of mans appointment: That just such and such hours for family worship must be observed by all: Or as others say, that no set times or number of family prayers are to be observed. That it is not lawful to preach or hear a sermon upon a humane holiday. With abundance more such, (about phrases, and gestures, and fashions of apparel, and customs, &c. I am not at all now accusing these opinions of superstition, nor telling you whether I take them to be right or wrong: Much less would I persuade any to make no conscience how they order these or any other the smallest circumstances of their lives: Obedience must extend to the smallest parts of the laws of God. But I am showing you the circular course of many religious people in the world. Suppose now that the next age should make strict laws for every one of your own opinions, in all these points. And that the Religious people should then scruple them, because they are ⟨p. 295⟩imposed:
Yea there are among you now many things of a lower nature, which some dare scarce plainly say, God commandeth or forbiddeth, and yet they are censorious enough about them: As heretofore many were against wearing the hair of any considerable length; Against wearing cuffs upon a day of humiliation: Against dressing meat or feasting at least, on the Lords day (which is a day of Thanksgiving of divine institution) and held, That it is necessary to feast twice at least, upon a day of Thanksgiving (of mans appointment:) That a Minister should not life up his eyes, much less kneel down to signifie his ⟨p. 294⟩private prayer, when he goeth into the Pulpit. Nor any other when they enter into the Church: That no prayer may be used, and no Psalm sung in our common mixt Assemblies, which have any expressions, which all both good and bad may not fitly use as for themselves: That no Minister may use notes in preaching to help his memory. That the sacramental bread and wine must not (say some) or must (say others) be delivered by the Minister into each mans hand. That no gesture but sitting is lawful at the sacrament. That it is unlawful to wear a Gown in divine worship, if it be commanded: That it is unlawful to keep any aniversary day of humiliation or thanksgiving of mans appointment: That just such and such hours for family worship must be observed by all: Or as others say, that no set times or number of family prayers are to be observed. That it is not lawful to preach or hear a sermon upon a humane holiday. With abundance more such, (about phrases, and gestures, and fashions of apparel, and customes, &c. I am not at all now accusing these opinions of superstition, nor telling you whe•her I take them to be right or wrong: Much less would I perswade any to make no conscience how they order these or any other the smallest circumstances of their lives: Obedience must extend to the smallest parts of the lawes of God. But I am shewing you the circular course of many religious people in the world. Suppose now that the next age should make strict lawes for every one of your own opinions, in all these points. And that the Religious people should then scruple them, because they are ⟨p. 295⟩imposed:
