A second part of The mixture of scholasticall divinity, with practical, in several tractates: wherein some of the most difficult knots in divinity are untyed, many dark places of Scripture cleared, sundry heresies and errors refuted ... Whereunto are annexed, several letters of the same author, and Dr. Jeremy Taylor, concerning Original Sin. Together with a reply unto Dr. Hammonds vindication of his grounds of uniformity from 1 Cor. 14.40. By Henry Jeanes, minister of Gods Word at Chedzoy in Somersetshire.

Jeanes.

1. The customes of some places in gestures, habits, and the like circum∣stances of Gods worship are very undecent, and it is not necessary to observe such customes: But you will perhaps 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that you except undecent customs, and then you are to be understood onely of decent customes; for every cu∣stome is decent or undecent: because decency and undecency are privatively opposed, and inter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 opposita non datur 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in subjecto 〈◊〉〈◊〉, between privative opposites there is no middle either of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or participation 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a ca∣pable subject: The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and upshot then of your meaning is, that, decently implyes, according unto decent customes; and then

• 1. The full of your meaning is but a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 speech, that proves nothing in the Controversie, unlesse you also prove the Ceremonies controverted, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so decent, as that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of them will be undecent in the service of God.
• 2. I would 〈◊〉〈◊〉 know, how you will suit unto it the proof of it: Custome is the onely rule of decency, for there too, by custome you understand that which is decent, so that your argument runs thus: decent custome is the onely rule of decency; therefore 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 decently, implyeth decent customs. And this argument most of your learned Readers will (to borrow your words concerning a saying of mine) despise under the appearance of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

2. If the full of your meaning in that passage, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 decently, im∣plyes according to custome, be, that in such things as these, of which then you spake, gestures, habits and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 circumstances of Gods publique service, &c. it is necessary to observe the customes of the place wherein wee live, why then I must be bold to tel you, that the full of your: meaning is very short of the meaning of the Apostle; for these words of the Apostle, let all things be done decently 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, prohibits all undecency not only that undecency against the custom of the place wherin we live, but also that undecency which is against the dictates of the Law of Nature. By this the Reader may see, how defective your exposition is: the Apostle saith, let all things be done decently, and your glosse is, let some things in Gods worship be

done according unto some customes, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, such as are decent.

3. I suppose that by gestures, habits, and the like circumstances in the ser∣vice of God, you mean such of them as are Symbolical ceremonies; for other∣wise your full meaning is nothing unto the purpose, because it will be no ground for that uniformity you plead for. Now that the Apostles words, let all things be done decently implyeth, that in humane Symbolical ceremonies it is necessary that we observe the customes of the place wherein we live, is a thing which I utterly deny, and shall be constant in such denyal, untill you drive me from it by some convincing argument; and that I do not do this out of stomack, will appear by the reason that I shall alledge: The words of the Apostle, let all things be done decently, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not disobeyed, unlesse there be some undecency committed in the worship and service of God; for decency and unde∣cency are privatively opposite, and therefore there is decency in those actions where there is no undecency; but now by the omission of Symbolical ceremonies of humane institution, such as the Crosse in Baptism, Surplice in Prayer and Preaching, which can plead custome of the present place we live in, there is committed no undecency in the worship and service of God, viz. in Baptism, in Preaching and Praying, as will be apparent unto any man that will attempt to prove syllogistically the contrary; therefore the Apostles precept is not disobeyed by the omission of such Symbolical ceremonies, and consequently the Apostles precept doth not in any way imply such Cere∣monies.