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. VII. VIII. IX. X.

IN all these Sections, the Def. goeth about to teach us the do∣ctrine vvhich concerneth binding of mens consciences. In the first his conclusion is good and sound, God therfore and not man doth properly and directly binde the conscience of man. It is sufficient there∣fore to note that it is an improper phrase to say that mens lawes doe binde mens consciences, in respect that God comman∣d••th to obey the just lawes of men: for so, as Gerson observeth, the Phisitions praescripts should also binde a sick mans conscience, in respect of Gods vvill, whereby a sick man is tied to follow the good and wholesome counsell of his Physition.

In the 8 Section two of our Divines are brought in to proue that men are bound in conscience to obserue the just lawes of Ma∣gistrates, which none of us ever doubted of.

The 9 Section is spent in proving, that Ecclesiasticall lawes haue as great force in respect of conscience as politicke. Which if it bee granted, yet nothing can from thence be concluded for the ad∣vantage of ceremonies unlawfully imposed. But 1 it is diligent∣ly to be observed, that the Church hath no commission for to make any lawes properly so called: as I haue formerly shewed in cap. 1 sect. 16. 2 the common received opinion of all our Divines is contrary to that which the Defendant heere saith: as may be seene in Bellarmine de Pont. Rom. l. 4 c. 15, and Iunius, Whit••kers, with the rest, who vvriting against Bellarmine doe not denie but defend that which he saith, Lutherani & Calvinistae om∣nes docent. 3 The interrogatories vvhich the Defendant mi∣nistreth unto us in this case doth not proue his Assertion. For the Church is a Society, but not compleat, if it be considered as not comprehending Christ the Head and onely Law maker of it. Breach of peace is not a sinne against an Ecclesiasticall, but a divine law. Obedience is to be yeelded unto lawfull Ecclesiasti∣call Governours, vvhen they bring the charge of Christ vvhose Ministers they are. See D. Whitakers de pont. Rom. cont. 4 q▪ 7 c. 2 ad 12. The Kings stamp, but vvith an act of Parliament ma∣keth a law in England. As for Apostolicall constitutions (to vvhich our canons are as like as Apples are to Oisters) the same answer which Doctor Whitakers, contra 4 q. 7 c. 2 ad 5. vvith other of our Divines giveth to Bellarmine, may serue for our Defendant.

In the 10 sect. he setteth downe nothing but that vvhich he knoweth we all grant.