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. XII.

THE third instance of scandall is in vveak brethren, who will be drawn to yeeld unto the ceremonies against their consciences, or else doubtingly: and some also will grow to dislike some Ministers for these things, and so be hindred from profiting by their ministery. To this the Def. answereth in many words: but the summe of all he saith is, that these are not weake brethren, because they haue been diligent∣ly catechised by Non-conformists. But 1 the Corinthians no doubt vvere diligently catechised: and yet there were many weak among them. 2 The Def. I hope taketh order (or else he may be asha∣med) that all his Dioc••ffe be diligently catechised; yet I thinke he will not say but there are many vveak soules in that circuit: 3 The Catechisers he speaketh of haue had enough to doe, to teach the people the maine points of Religion: as for instructing them concerning the lawfulnesse of humane ceremonies, they left that to those that impose th••m, or to their servants: 4 After long teaching and sufficient knowledge, there may be still a weaknesse in regard of some things, through many circumstances required unto strength, beside bare knowledge. Lastly, we confesse, that (up∣on supposition that the Def. his doctrine be sound in these points) we are yet weak in these points, as we are also in some other,

wherein our adversaries are so strong, that they can beare many Churches and such like things, upon their shoulders, without feeling any burthen of them, which we cannot. See M. Park. ca. 6 sect. 18.