A reply to Dr. Mortons generall Defence of three nocent [sic] ceremonies viz. the surplice, crosse in baptisme, and kneeling at the receiving of the sacramentall elements of bread and wine.

SECT. XIX.

HEre the Protestants themselues are brought in confessing as much as Bellarmine said of them. But the first witnesse Chem∣nitius saith nothing, but that some Ecclesiasticall rites, though they haue no commandement or testimonie in Scripture are not to be rejected: vvhich in the sense now often expounded, I wil∣lingly grant. Yet the Def. should not in stead of Testimonie of Scripture, haue put warrant of Scripture: For testimonie neither in usuall acception, nor yet in Chemnitius his own meaning, is so large as warrant.

The place of Calvin hath been answered before. Iunius is plain∣ly of the same minde, and so to be interpreted, so also Zanchius, Daneus and Whitaker: But because Iunius is stiled here by the Def. vvith his deserved title of Iudicious, it will not be amisse to shew his judgement fully about such additions as our ceremonies are. To name therefore one place for all at this time, because there he speaketh professedly his judgement, and bindeth it with a solemn oath, for the sincerity and impartialnesse of his conscience in that behalfe: The place I meane is in his Ecclestasticus, lib. 3 cap. 5. to∣wards the end. Where first he distinguisheth betwixt things neces∣sarie, and others not necessarie in the administration of the Church: and concerning even the latter sort, he modestly, but throughly sheweth how little libertie is left unto men. If any man (saith he) either by Civill or Ecclesiasticall authority will adde things not necessarie nor agreable to order, wee would not pertinaciously contend with him, but desire onely that he would seriously consider of three things. 1 By what authority or example he is led to thinke that the holy Church of God, and the simplicity of the mysteries of Christ (whose voyce onely is

heard by his sheep,* 1.1 according to the commandement of the Father, Ioh. 10 27) must be clad with humane traditions, which Christ doth reject •• 2 To what end he judgeth that his things should be added unto those that are divine? For if the end be conformitie with others, it were more equi∣tie, that other Churches should conforme to those which come neerest to the word of God, as Cyprians counsell is, then that these should conforme to the other. If the end be comelinesse, what is more comely then the simplicity of Christ? what is more simple then that comelinesse? If there be no other reason beside will, then that of Tertullian is to be thought of, the will of God is the chiefe necessitie, and that the Church of God is not tyed unto mans wills in things divine. The 3 thing to be thought on it, what event alwaies hath followed upon humane Traditions, as daily ex∣perience doth shew.

This vvas the judgement of Iudicious Iunius, vvherby it is manifest that he favoured not our ceremonies, nor would haue pleaded for them as the Def. under colour of his name.

Because Zanchius also is brought in with his deserved Title of a profound Divine, speaking nothing to the purpose in hand, I will set down his judgement concerning this point, out of that Epistle to famous Qu. Elizabeth, vvhere he treateth expresly of ceremo∣nies, and of our ceremonies. Est autem Ecclesia sicut in doctrina, sic etiam in ceremoniis ad Ecclesiae Apostlicae regulam informanda. The Church must be ordered by the rule of the Apostolicall Church, as vvell in ceremonies as in doctrine. What can be said more con∣trarie to the Def. his distinction?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iunius here speaketh to our Defen. who pag. 3. calleth his ceremonies The garments of Religion.