A fresh suit against human ceremonies in God's vvorship. Or a triplication unto. D. Burgesse his rejoinder for D. Morton The first part

SECT. 22. Concerning the Crosse Popish and English.

IN this Section, ther is nothing material, save onely, that the Rejoynder undertaketh to prove, that the Church of England hath utterly and cleane taken away the Ceremonie of the Crosse, which was amonge the Papists a∣bused: or, that wheresoever, and howsoever the signe of the Crosse was a Ceremonie abused in Poperie, it is taken away in the Church of England.

But because in common understanding, this is to prove day, night, and night, day, he requireth two po∣sitions to be granted him (which before have been con∣futed) 1. that nothing is a Ceremonie properly so called, but in respect of, and in the use of it, as a Ceremonie. 2. That the signe of the Crosse, though it be but one kinde of thinge, yet is made so many several Ceremonies, as ther be several uses therof. And these things being taken for granted, he gathereth a Catalogue of many Popish abuses, which (thorough Gods mercy) we are freed from. Yet in his very first instance, he betrayeth his cause. For he ma∣keth it a Popish Ceremonie, to signe the breast with the forhead (and so the forehead) in signification, that the mysterie of the Crosse is to be beleeved in the heart, and confessed with the mouth. This Ceremonie (sayth he) we have not. Yes surely we have the very same formal

opinion and intention, so farre as signification com∣meth to. For not to be ashamed of confessing faith in Christ crucified, &c. is nothing else but to believe with the heart, and confesse with the mouth, hand, and feet, the mysterie of the Crosse.

But it is not worth the while, for to consider the se∣verals of this Catalogue. This onely I would know; if we have not taken the Ceremonie of the Crosse from Papists, from whom we took it? The beginning of it was (so farre as appeareth by bookes) from the Valen∣tinian haeretickes. The first honorable mention of using it among Christians, is in Tertullian, when (by the Re∣joynder his sentence) he was infected with haeresie: & his use our Defender and Rejoynder (I dare say) will not allow: at bordes, and beds, putting on apparel, and shoes, &c. Tell us (I pray you) from what Author, or Age, this Ce∣remonie of the Crosse was taken, which now is urged upon us? I have more then a doubt, that such exception may be taken against that propagation, and such proofes for the taking away utterly of the Crosse, as you have brought for the abolishing of the Papists Crosse. If it be a new Ceremonie, invented in England, just at the time of Reformation, the Author of that invention should be made knowen: and if he can approve his Ce∣remonie, to be grounded rightly, his name may be added in Polidor Virgil, de Inventoribus rerum.