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This scruple here propounded, is nothing at all to the sum of this question▪ whether there crosse may be lawfully vsed, or no. For, what if some men had applied the name of a badge, not altogither properly vnto the crosse, doth it therfore fol∣low, that to vse it, is altogither vnlawfull? Surely tho••e
men will take any occasion to refuse it, that will take so light an occasion to condemne it. For what is it (I pray you) that in this name offendeth you? is it the title of Honorable? or the title of a Badge? For the first, that ought not: for I know none but infidels that doe hold the crosse a dishonour vnto Christians. And I know againe, that the ancient Christians did purposely vse this signe before the face of infidels, to shew them, that that which they counted their shame, they themselues esteemed to bee their glorie: so honorable a badge did they take the signe of the c••osse to bee. Is it the name of a Badge, which so much offendeth you? why? that is but onely a metaphoricall appellation, to signifie that it is a note or a cognisanse, whereby Christians may bee knowne. What is there in this name, that can offend any wise man? The name of a badge is so farre from being appropriated to the sacraments in the scripture, that it is not so much as once giuen them there, so farre as I remember. Onely, by analogy, it may bee applyed vnto them: and so may it likewise vnto ceremonies too, which (as I cited before out of Aquinas) be nothing els, but Protestationes quaedam fidei, that is, badges and testimonies of our faith and profession.
Ob. But you reason against that title in this manner.
There bee no moe badges of our profession but two: viz. the two Sacraments. But, the signe of the crosse is neither of them. ergo. No badge of our profession.
Resp. For your proposition, I take it to be vtterly false: and to be your owne sole and singular opinion, wherein (so farre as my reading stretcheth) I find not one fellow to keepe you company. No Diuine that I know, doth make the two Sa∣craments the sole badges of the Church. Caluin, vnto the Sacraments addeth the preaching of the word, as an other note of the Church. Luther, not onely addeth it vnto them, but also preferreth it before them; making, the Preaching of the word an essentiall note, as beeing of the very Esse of the Church. The Sacraments he maketh but onely accidentall,
as belonging but onely to the Bene esse. With whome like∣wise consenteth that worthy Doctor Whitaker, a man (as all men knowe) not otherwise Lutheranizing. Beza, vnto the word and Sacraments addeth also Discipline, as yet an other note of the Church. Luther againe in the forecited place, addeth ••euer other badges vnto his forenamed. viz: The power of the keyes. The ordination of ministers. Praier in publike assemblies. and the crosse of persecutions. By which it appeareth that though all Diuines do make the sacraments the badges of the Church, yet that none of them do make them the onely badges, as you expresly do.
Ob But you desire to haue it proued by scripture, that the signe of the crosse is a badge of the Church.
Resp. Let me answer you as CHRIST once answered the Pharisies. I wil also propound a like condition vnto you. Proue you by the scripture, that the crosse can not bee a badge of the Church: or that the sacraments are the onely badges of it. Either is this condition which I propound, equall, or else that which you propound, must needs bee vn∣equall. For (as Tertullian noteth, to this very purpose) ex∣postulantes scripturae patrocinium in parte diuersa, praeiudicant, suae quoque parti scripturae patrocinium adesse debere. If wee must bring scripture who haue the law for our doings: then much more should you do so, who haue the law against your doings But, that you can bring none, wee are verily perswa∣ded: and yet I will shew you that wee can bring some. In the old testament, GOD himselfe who appointed circum∣cision for a badge of their profession, g••ue them also (for an other badge) their Fringes and Phylactiries. In the new testament, our Sauiour CHRIST, who gaue vs his sacra∣ments for badges of our profession, yet (besides these two) he telleth vs of an other, and a surer. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you loue one an other: making Christian charity the cognisans of Christians. In the primitiue Church the first beleeuers, not contenting themselues with
the sacramēts for badges, tooke vnto them-selues a new one, to wit, The name of Christians. So that if a badge be nothing els, but a cognisās or note whereby a thing may be knowne, you see it now proued by the very scriptures, that not only sa∣cramēts be badges of our professiō, but also outward garmēts inward vertues, yea & significant names too: which (indeed) are nothing els, but Notae rerum, the markes, and badges, & as it were the Cognisances whereby things be knowne. These instances out of the Scripture show that the signe of the crosse, though it be not a sacrament of CHRISTS owne institution, yet that it may be a badge of our profession: as it was amongst the Christians in the primitiue Church, who tooke it vp in vse, for this speciall purpose, to testifie vnto the world, that they were Christians, and not Pagans.
If for this speciall ceremonie of the crosse, you still do re∣quire more particular testomony out of the scripture, I an∣swer with Peter Martyr, in a like case: Non necessario requi∣ritur, vt in sacris literis expressam mentionem exhibeamus, singularum rerum quas vsurp••mus. It is enough that wee haue not the Scripture against it, if wee haue the law for it.
Pag. 3••.
Cal. Instit. lib. 4. cap. 1. Sec. 9
Luther. lib. de concilijs et Ecclesia.
Whit. cont: Bellar: quaest: 5. de Ecles. Beza: lib. con∣fes cap: 5. Sect. 7:
Math. 21.24.
Tertul. lib. de Coron. cap: 2.
Num: 15.38.
Iohn. 13.35.
Acts. 11.26.
Martyr: Epist. ad Hooperum.