A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are…A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are…

7. The Prelatical ordinances were after the commandments and Doctrines of men, as the Apostle speaks, Col: 2, 22. compare Mat: 15. 9. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Where doctrines may fitly express the nature of significant mysterious ceremonies (such as was the Pharisaical washing of hands, cups, tables, &c. to teach and signify holiness) all sacred significant ceremonies of mans devising, we condemn as an addition to the word of God, which is forbidden no less then a diminution from it. Let many of those who object against our uniformity, examine whether their own way hath not somewhat in it, which is a sacred significant ceremony of humane invention, and without the word; for instance, the anointing of the sick in these days when the miracle is ceased, the Church Covenant, &c. For our part, except it be a circumstance, such as belongeth to the decency and order, which ought to appear in all humane societies and actions whether civill or sacred, we hold that the Church hath not power to determine or enjoin any thing belonging to Religion: And even of these circumstances we say that although they be so numerous and so various, that all circumstances belonging to all times and places could not be particularly determined in Scripture, yet the Church ought to order them so, and hath no power to order them otherwise, then as may best agree with the general rules of the Word. Now setting aside the circumstantials, there is not any substantial part of the uniformity according to the Covenant, which is not either expressly grounded upon the word of God, or by necessary consequence drawn from it, and so no commandment of men, but of God.

7. The Prelaticall ordinances were after the commandements and Doctrines of men, as the Apostle speaks, Col: 2, 22. compare Mat: 15. 9. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandements of men. Where doctrines may fitly expresse the nature of significant mysterious ceremonies (such as was the Pharisaicall washing of hands, cups, tables, &c. to teach and signifie holines) all sacred significant ceremonies of mans devysing, we condemne as an addition to the word of God, which is forbidden no lesse then a diminution from it. Let many of those who object against our uniformity, examine whether their own way hath not somewhat in it, which is a sacred significant ceremony of humane invention, and without the word; for instance, the anointing of the sick in these dayes when the miracle is ceased, the Church Covenant, &c. For our part, except it be a circumstance, such as belongeth to the decency and order, which ought to appear in all humane societies and actions whether civill or sacred, we hold that the Church hath not power to determine or enjoyne any thing belonging to Religion: And even of these circumstances we say that although they be so numerous and so various, that all circumstances belonging to all times and places could not be particularly determined in Scripture, yet the Church ought to order them so, and hath no power to order them otherwise, then as may best agree with the generall rules of the Word. Now setting aside the circumstantials, there is not any substantiall part of the uniformity according to the Covenant, which is not either expresly grounded upon the word of God, or by necessary consequence drawn from it, and so no commandement of men, but of God.