Five disputations of church-government and worship

§. 62. Yet had it been but a bare Professing sign, like writing or lifting up the hand, to signify consent, instead of words, I durst not have concluded so hardly of it: And thus it seems in ancient times it began to be brought into use: and the voluntary use of the cross on several occasions, in many countries at this day, doth seem to be no other. But, for my own part, I dare not be guilty by consent, of making a humane Sacrament, or stating such an engaging Sacramental sign, to all these uses, in the public worship of God. I had rather suffer or leave my Ministry, them venture on this, while I see so much to make me fear that it is a sin. But again I say, as I reverence the ancients that used the cross (I think amiss, and yet more warrantably then we,) so I presume not to censure them that judge it lawful; but only give the reasons that make me doubt, and rather think it to be unlawful, though still with a suspicion of my own understanding, and a love and honour to dissenters.

§. 62. Yet had it been but a bare Professing sign, like writing or lifting up the hand, to signifie consent, instead of words, I durst not have concluded so hardly of it: And thus it seems in ancient times it began to be brought into use: and the voluntary use of the cross on several occasions, in many countries at this day, doth seem to be no other. But, for my own part, I dare not be guilty by consent, of making a humane Sacrament, or stating such an engaging Sacramental sign, to all these uses, in the publick worship of God. I had rather suffer or leave my Ministry, them venture on this, while I see so much to make me fear that it is a sin. But again I say, as I reverence the ancients that used the cross (I think amiss, and yet more warrantably then we,) so I presume not to censure them that judge it lawfull; but only give the reasons that make me doubt, and rather think it to be unlawfull, though still with a suspicion of my own understanding, and a love and honour to dissenters.

§. 63. As for the Common prayer it self, I never rejected it because it was a form, nor thought it simply unlawful, because it was such a form, but have made use of it, and would do again in the like case. But I must needs say, 1. That the shredding it into such abundance of small parcels seemeth to me very inconvenient. It seems too light and ludicrous to toss sentences so formally between the Priest and Clerk, and to make such