An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

Consider then to what antiquity and to what fathers you appeal. Many practices are very old, yet very erroneous. Many old sayings and old doings, must be unsaid and undone, or we shall be undone for ever. How many old sayings of the Jews doth Christ gain-say (Mat. 5.) Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, thus and thus, But I say unto you &c. And (Mat. 19.) answering the Question about divorce, Moses indeed for the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. Besides, some (like the Gibeonites) feign antiquity, they can put a grey beard upon a green head; and their opinions will be found fennowed and mouldy with error, not with age. As we must take heed of novelties so we must be cautious about antiquities. Some antiquities of old men are no better than old wives fables of which the Apostle bids us beware; unlearned old wives fables are as authentic as many learned mens antiquities pleaded for. To have an itch after novelties, and to dote upon antiquities, are alike vain and dangerous. Old fables and young fancies are with me at the same rate, No man having drunk old wine (saith Christ, Luk. 5.35.) strait way calls for new, for he saith the old is better. Old is better then new, if it be as good as new. But any new truth is better then the oldest error; and every error, the elder it is, the worser it is.

Consider then to what antiquity and to what fathers you appeal. Many practices are very old, yet very erroneous. Many old sayings and old doings, must be unsaid and undone, or we shall be undone for ever. How many old sayings of the Jews doth Christ gain-say (Mat. 5.) Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, thus and thus, But I say unto you &c. And (Mat. 19.) answering the Question about divorce, Moses indeed for the hardnesse of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. Besides, some (like the Gibeonites) feign antiquity, they can put a gray beard upon a green head; and their opinions will be found fennowed and mouldy with errour, not with age. As we must take heed of novelties so we must be cautious about antiquities. Some antiquities of old men are no better than old wives fables of which the Apostle bids us beware; unlearned old wives fables are as authentick as many learned mens antiquities pleaded for. To have an itch after novelties, and to dote upon antiquities, are alike vain and dangerous. Old fables and young fancies are with me at the same rate, No man having drunke old wine (saith Christ,