SECT. XXX.
WHen all faile, a contradiction must be found betwixt our conclusions, and our confessions and practises, but I as∣sure my selfe, there is not any reader so simple, but if hee look over this section, will presently see, that he hath not brought one example of any humane ceremonie, not necessarie, notoriously known▪ to haue been abused unto Idolatry, that is allowed by us. Why then should I spend ink and paper in labouring to un••wine such ropes of sand? Onely I would ask the Defendant certaine questions.
1. If a Temple, a Bell, or a Table-cloth haue such idolatry put up∣pon them by the Papists, as the crosse hath?
2 If his own heart do not tell him, that there is a civill use of such things, which cannot be imagined of the crosse?
3 What superstition there was in the meere significations given by Durandus unto Bells, and Bell-ropes, vvhich is not to be found in the Crosse and Surplice?
4 Whether the Pagan use of Bay-leaues vvhich was aboue a thousand yeares past, doth cast such a reflection upon our civill use of bay-leaues, as the Popish superstition doth upon our cere∣monies?
5 What sence he had to find fault with us for not altering the situation of Churches?
6 If it be all one to call a ship by the name of Castor and Pollux, as Paul doth, Act. 28. 11. and to use a religious ceremonie in Gods worship, vvhich is taken from these Idolls?
7 If it be one thing to change copes into cushions, and to use a Masse vestiment in Gods worship?
8 If it be not a kind of slander to say, that the Church of Ge∣neva imposeth a round wafer cake, like the Papists, to be used in the Lords Supper, when as onely unleavened bread is used, be∣cause custome in that part more prevailed, then the grave advice of Calvin, Farel, Viret, and the other excellent pastors? And if it bee not a wide leap, to bring in the practise of Geneva, for an instance of the Non-conformists practise in England?
By that time these questions be truely answered, the Defendant vvill haue but a small harvest out of our confessions and practises.