A80635:91
Some treasure fetched out of rubbish
Some treasure fetched out of rubbish: or, Three short but seasonable treatises (found in an heap of scattered papers), which Providence hath reserved for their service who desire to be instructed, from the Word of God, concerning the imposition and use of significant ceremonies in the worship of God. viz. I. A discourse upon 1 Cor. 14.40. Let all things be done decently and in order. Tending to search out the truth in this question, viz. Whether it be lawful for church-governors to command indifferent decent things in the administration of God's worship? II. An enquiry, whether the church may not, in the celebration of the Sacrament, use other rites significative than those expressed in the Scripture, or add to them of her own authority? III. Three arguments, syllogistically propounded and prosecuted against the surplice: the Cross in Baptism: and kneeling in the act of receiving the Lord's Supper.Some treasure fetched out of rubbish: or, Three short but seasonable treatises (found in an heap of scattered papers), which Providence hath reserved for their service who desire to be instructed, from the Word of God, concerning the imposition and use of significant ceremonies in the worship of God. viz. I. A discourse upon 1 Cor. 14.40. Let all things be done decently and in order. Tending to search out the truth in this question, viz. Whether it be lawful for church-governours to command indifferent decent things in the administration of God's worship? II. An enquiry, whether the church may not, in the celebration of the Sacrament, use other rites significative than those expressed in the Scripture, or add to them of her own authority? III. Three arguments, syllogistically propounded and prosecuted against the surplice: the Cross in Baptism: and kneeling in the act of receiving the Lord's Supper.
London : s.n., printed in the year, 1660
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Again: What understanding is there in man, to assure him that he may lawfully annex signs of his own devising to the Word and Sacraments, which God hath ordained for the full instruction of his Church?1 God hath disallowed the institution of new rites not commanded: as Achaz and Manasseh building new Altars in the house of the Lord, are reprehended for it. And is there any wit of man that can devise how we should follow them in that kind; or in general do as they did; and not incur the same rebuke? As the sin of the Angels that fell, and the Sodomites, was one in kind, though different in its special nature; So is the sin of building an Altar, and devising Sacramental rites in the worship of God. Is it not our duty to acknowledge God so wise and gracious in the signs that he hath chosen; as to hold it presumption for any man to imitate him in devising of the like? Are not the Sacraments the seals of the heavenly King? and can any new print be added to the seal of a King, without high Treason? What Master of a Family in his house, What Prince in his Dominion, would grant power to any one, to change, alter, or reform any thing upon his own pleasure? The signs which the Lord hath instituted for the instruction ⟨p. 27⟩of his Church, are sufficient, and do better serve for the purpose than any that man can devise: Therefore it is needless to forge any other; yea, it is a vilifying of the wisdom of God. It is easy to show, that the godly Learned in all Ages have disliked the devising of new signs; howsoever, who men they have failed in some particulars, and ignorantly gone against what in general they soundly taught: He is too partial, as will not acknowledge this in the Fathers themselves, who did substantially maintain the perfection of Scripture, and the necessity of celebrating Divine Mysteries according to the precise institution delivered unto them: and yet gave more power and virtue to vain inventions, and urged the necessity of Traditions, further than the Truth would permit; or can stand with their own doctrine and positions truly laid down in other places of their Writings. It is well known, the Papists have miserably corrupted the Simplicity of Gods Ordinances, by their sinful, vain, and idle Ceremonies; yet some sparkles of this truth doth shine amongst them:
Again: What understanding is there in man, to assure him that he may lawfully annex signs of his own devising to the Word and Sacraments, which God hath ordained for the full instruction of his Church?