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VVHerein I shew, that bowing of the Knee in this Text is not to be taken literally and expressely, for the bowing of that member of the body, which we call the knee. My first reason is because bowing in the Scripture is taken figuratively, therefore may otherwise be understood,* 1.1 Psal. 44. 25. Hab. 3. 6. And so secondly, are knees taken metaphorically. Here Mr. Barton
saith that these two reasons hold nothing: but Sir, I pray you take all my reasons together, and so they prove sufficiently what I intend, as it is said, out of the mouth of two or three witnesses every thing shall be established: one doth it not alone, but two or three united: You see, I except my two first from evidently pro∣ving, they shew onely that this exposition is agreeable to the Scriptures, my maine strength lies in my third Reason, confirmed by the other: where I prove that because An∣gels, Devills, soules of men must bow; besides sensitive, and insensi∣tive creatures; which have no proper knees: therefore proper knees are not commanded. For if such knees were properly commanded, it would be injustice in God to require such knees where they are not: as in a King if hee should command such a summe of mony to be payd by his subjects, which he knowes they are not able to pay. That which you answer to this is to no purpose; For it is absurd to say, because some creatures have knees, they are bound to bow proper knees expressely, and those creatures that have no knees, are bound to bow analogically: for the same bowing is injoyned to all, if the Text did make a difference it were something; but there is no difference in the Text. But you will prove that Angels have knees as well as Tongues, 1 Cor. 13. 1. and faces, Rev. 7. 11. and they are said to stand, to fall downe, which insinuate knees; and this you say is enough to those that will be satisfied with reason; Sir this reason will not satisfie any one that knowes the Scriptures: for because faces, tongues and bodily postures are ascribed to An∣gels, it will not follow that they have them properly, no more then because hands, face, eares, backparts, and postures of descen∣ding and marching on are ascribed to God in Scripture, that God hath these properly.
Now because you except things insensitive from this bowing, I will overthrow you by your owne infallible witnesse Doctor Page,* 1.2 who cites sundry authors to shew that this Text is to be understood of the subjection of all, both friends and enemies, to Christ, alledging for proofe that place of 1 Cor. 15. 25. We must reigne till he hath put all his enemies under his feet; in the next verse it is subjoyned, the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death: whereby it is expressely shewed that death also being an enemy must bow and fulfill the Text. I would faine know now what bodily
knees hath Death: Death doth in part bow already; because it is in part subdued: but how will you have Death bow at the mention of the Name Jesus? except you thinke the knee bones of the dead rattle in the graves, when you name Jesus in the Church over them; but you must make their hearts to under∣stand, and the Sculles to heare too, else it is past any under∣standing, to conceive how it can be done. But I must tell you Sir, how ever you will wrangle it out, that your friends and your selfe too understand this Text figuratively. For* 1.3 Doctor Page from Origen, and* 1.4 you your selfe from that Author doe understand it of the knees of the soule as well as of the body; so doth* 1.5 Sutten. Now what proper knees have soules? then what pro∣per knees have Angels? which are purer Spirits then soules: So that understanding it thus, you must needs understand it of the whole strength of the creature, for what proper knees have soules more then other parts of the body? yea, they come nearer to proper knees then the soule; being corporeall as the proper knee is, which soules are not. Therefore you expounding the Text of soul-knees, you cannot in any sense exclude the other parts of the body, besides the proper knee, and therefore whether you will or no, you must yeeld to me here; If you understand the Text of expresse corporeall knees, then are no other knees commanded, then are not Angels and Devills to bow because they have no such knees, and so it will be will-worship in you to give any part besides the knee, and then you sinne, when you put of your hat, and bow your bodie at the name; when in so doing you doe rather stiffen your knees, then bow them. If the proper knee be expressely commanded, that part onely must be given and nothing else in stead of it, then you cannot un∣derstand it of soule-knees; for soule-knees are no proper knees. Therefore you must with me here (yea you doe if you could see) understand by bowing every knee, the subjection of the whole creature to Christ. That 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are properly taken for such a bowing, as yeelds an outward expression, is nothing to the purpose, for such words as are taken properly are sometimes used improperly, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which properly signifieth to goe forth or walke on, is improperly applyed to God, Psal. 68. 7. So doth the word used Gen. 18. 21. properly signifie to goe downe, which is yet ascribed to God who properly cannot de∣scend.
So that in that I have said,* 1.6 I doe not deny the knee; but I affirme that it is no more commanded then the soule; or other parts of the body. For the second part of this Section, viz. the confession of the tongue; you doe extreamely triffle with mee; for you speake falsely in saying, that I exclude the tongue of the body properly so called, you see I mention it; but I un∣derstand it not of the said tongue expressely, and particularly, but in a generall sense, all tongues must speake as well as this tongue, soule tongues, and all bodily tongues, the vertures of the whole creature, yea as David saith, all my bones shall say, Lord who is like to thee? Psal. 35. 10. even as the insensitive crea∣tures, that have no tongues, are said to speake the praise of Christ* 1.7. Yea you plainely agree with me here, for you say no more then I, and I as much as you, you say the heart, and tongue, soule and body must be subject; and so confesse. Your acknowledging that irrationall creatures confesse Christ doth evidently over∣throw your Tenet of the not bowing of those creatures; for all that in the Text confesse, doe also blow the knee, seeing then these confesse they must needs bow; so that you and I doe not greatly fall out in this Section if you could see it: but you doe not see it as appeareth by your syllogisme, the minor whereof I deny, and have disproved.
Ezek 7. 17. Isay 35. 3.
Instit of bowing, p. 48.
Instit. of bowing, p. 87.
Ant. p. 44.
Learne to live, Chap. 14.
You doe not here answer the parallel of kissing Christ, Psal. 2. 12. by which subje∣ction is signifi∣ed as well as by bowing, but you say, Sect. 18. bow∣ing and the kisse hold not; because we have the name to bow to, nor the per∣son to kisse, but at the day of judgement hee will ap∣peare; belike then you will be so bold as to kisse Christ at that day, if once you be made Lord Bishop.
Rev. 5. 13. Psal 19. 1, 2, 3. Psal. 148.