said to be the Exorcising of Devils, the rescuing of a person from the power of Satan, the delivery of him from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, otherwise than in an improper, tro∣picall, and metonymicall praedication, viz. as it is a sign and seal, and if you will, a moral instrument of the conditionall promise thereof.
But what advantage reap you unto your cause by this? why unto this Exor∣cising of Devils, the rescuing a person from the power of Satan into Gods fami∣ly, the use of the Crosse in Baptisme is exactly symbolical? Your argument (if there be any argument in your words) as I conceive, stands thus: That which is so exactly symbolical unto any thing signed, sealed, conveighed, and exhibited in Baptisme, is so decent, as that the omission thereof would be undecent: but the use of the Crosse in Baptisme is exactly symbolical unto that which is signed, sealed, and conveighed, or exhibited in Baptisme, viz. the Exorcising of Devils, the rescuing a person from the power of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into Gods Sonship and Family, therefore the use of it is so decent, as that the omission thereof would be undecent; you cannot but expect that the Major will be denled, and 'tis very strange that you leave it destitute of all proof; for you cannot be ignorant if you have read the Non-conformists, whom you oppose, that their great quarrell a∣gainst our Ceremonies, was their symbolicalnesse and mystical signification; their arguments against which you may read at large in the Abridgement, page 41, 42, &c. usque 〈◊〉〈◊〉 49. Ames his Reply to Mortons Generall Def. page 33, 34, &c. usque ad 58. As also in his Triplication to Dr. Burges Disp. about humane Ceremon. page 209, 210. usque ad 336. Parker. Treat. of the Crosse, part 1. page 97, 98, &c. usque ad 112. Didoclave, page 522, 523, &c. usque ad 536.
But, Sir, you may thinke to blow off all the Arguments with a silent scorne and contempt, and this indeed many doe with those arguments which they can∣not answer; but if you will not vouchsafe to read these Authors, if you please to accept of my service, I will abridge the substance of their arguments, and attend your answer unto them.
Then, for the Minor, I have four things to say unto it.
- 1. Baptisme it self is more proper, agreeable, or exactly Symbolical, unto the rescuing of a person from the power of Satan into Gods Sonship and Family, than the signe of the Crosse; and therefore the sign of the Crosse in Baptisme is a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, like the dimme and smoakie light of a candle in the presence of the clear and glorious light of the Sun at noon-day.
- 2. The Popish Exorcisme and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are as, if not more, proper, agree∣able, and exactly symbolical, unto the Exorcising of Devils as the use of the Crosse in Baptisme, and they have not been so much abused as it, and may as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be purged from all Superstition and Idolatry, and therefore you may as well conclude concerning them as the Cross, that they are so decent as that the omis∣sion of them would be undecent.
- 3. I much question whether or no two crosse motions of a finger or a thumb 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so proper, agreeable, and exactly symbolical, unto so high, dreadfull and pro∣found a mystery, as the delivery of us from the power of Satan and darknesse, and the translation of us into the kingdome of the dear Son of God, as you af∣firm; and I shall hardly beleeve you, unlesse you bring other proofs, besides the Hyperbolies of the Fathers.
As for that which in confirmation of the Minor, you quote out of Ter∣tullian:
1. It is urged by some, not onely for the signification, but also for the opera∣tion