This wisedome of not conforming it selfe vnto the ceremonies of the Idolaters in things in∣different, hath the Church followed in times passed.
Tertullian sayth, O sayth he, better is the religion of the heathen, for they vse no solemnitie of the Christians▪ neyther the Lords day, neyther the Pentecost, and if they knew them, they woulde* 1.1 haue nothing to do with them, for they would be afrayd, least they shoulde seeme Christians, but we are not afraid to be called heathen.
Tertullian in that place speaketh against such Christians, as celebrated the feasts of the Gentiles togither with them remayning in their wicked abuse, as it appea∣reth in the words that go before, which are as followeth. Nobis quibus sabbata extranea* 1.2 sunt & neomenia, & feriae aliquādo a Deo dilectae, Saturnalia & lanuariae & Brumae & Matro∣〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ales frequentantur, munera commeant, strenae consonant, lusus, conuiuia constrepunt. O melior fi∣des nationum in suam sectam. &c. The feasts of Saturne, of Ianus, of Bacchus, and of Iuno are frequented of vs, vnto whome the sabbats, new mones, and holydays sometimes be∣loued of God, are straunge, gifts and presents are very ri〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e, sportes and banquets keepe a sturre. O better is the faith of the Gentiles in their sect. &c. Wherefore this saying of Tertullian may aptly be alledged against those, that frequent the popish solemnities togither with them, come to their Churches, communicate with them in worship∣ping their idols, and yet professe the knowledge of the Gospell, but it can by no meanes be drawen vnto such, as withdrawing themselues from suche kind of com∣municating with them, do in their seuerall Churches vse those good things well, which the Papists haue abused: as the scripture, the sacraments, prayers and suche like. Wherefore you do not well to alledge Tertullians words, omitting the cir∣cumstances which declare his meaning.
A man being pr〈1 line〉〈1 line〉sent at Idolatrous seruice must néedes giue great suspition that he is an Idolater, and therfore no man ought to be present at it, which in heart con∣demneth it. But as there is no honest and godly man, which can call our seruice Ido∣latrous or Papisticall, so is ther none that can suspect vs to be Idolaters or Papists. The whole world knowing that both our practise and profession is to the contrary.