An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate…

Quest. Next to Holy-days, what do the Nonconforming-Ministers think of the Surplice, and the rest, commonly called Holy Garments; Is it not a superstitious and a very superfluous zeal which boils over so against these things?

Quest. Next to Holy-dayes, what do the Nonconforming-Ministers think of the Surplice, and the rest, commonly called Holy Garments; Is it not a superstitious and a very superfluous zeal which boyls over so against these things?

Answ. Some I confess are offended the Surplice because abused in the time, of Popery to superstition; and conceive possibly, that because Queen Elizabeth's In junctions or Articles say, that the grey Amice shall not be used, because it hath been so abused to Superstition; that there is the like equity for the disuse of the Surplice. There was a Learned, and Pious Person, once said, He had often worn the Surplice, but he thought he should rather be hanged than wear it again. For my own part, I should be loth to be a Martyr for or against the Surplice; being commanded to be used by the Church, not as having any holiness in it, but only as a decent Garment: Yea, I should be loth to be kept out of the Church or Pulpit by Suilling. The truth is, the Surplice is little beholding to those Doctors, that are the Champions for its use, when they tell us that it may teach us purity and holiness, wherewith we are to be clothed: And may it not as well mind us of the leprosy of sin wherewith we come into the World Lepers as white as Snow? Or when they tell us that the Saints that follow the Lamb in the Revelations, were all clothed with long White Robes; for by this reason all the People, men and women, as well as the Minister, should wear Surplices; and this too would make more for Uniformity.

Answ. Some I confess are offended the Surplice because abused in the time, of Popery to superstition; and conceive possibly, that because Queen Elizabeth's In junctions or Articles say, that the gray Amice shall not be used, because it hath been so abused to Superstition; that there is the like equity for the disuse of the Surplice. There was a Learned, and Pious Person, once said, He had often worn the Surplice, but he thought he should rather be hang'd than wear it again. For my own part, I should be loth to be a Martyr for or against the Surplice; being commanded to be used by the Church, not as having any holiness in it, but onely as a decent Garment: Yea, I should be loth to be kept out of the Church or Pulpit by Suilling. The truth is, the Surplice is little beholding to those Doctors, that are the Champions for its use, when they tell us that it may teach us purity and holiness, wherewith we are to be cloathed: And may it not as well mind us of the leprosie of sin wherewith we come into the World Lepers as white as Snow? Or when they tell us that the Saints that follow the Lamb in the Revelations, were all cloathed with long White Robes; for by this reason all the People, men and women, as well as the Minister, should wear Surplices; and this too would make more for Uniformity.