Cassander Anglicanus shewing the necessity of conformitie to the prescribed ceremonies of our church, in case of depriuation. By Iohn Sprint, minister of Thornbury in Glocester-shire, sometimes of Christ-Church in Oxon.

Touching discipline.

THey haue Diocesan Bishops and Archbishops in Denmarke, and superintendants, and euen Abbots in Germany among the Lutherans, Melancht. consil. part. 1. fol. 95, 96, 225, 276, 610. Harm. confes. §. 17. fol. Augustan. Some Bishops of France conuerted from Popery, retained their place and office still by common consent of the French Church, Caluin. Epist. 373. fol. 646, 647, 648. So Martyr. Loc. com. ad finem, inter Ep. fol. 1143. Bezae.

They haue no vse at all of excommunication in the Churches of Countie Palatine Heluetia, of Witenberg, & Mompelgart. Erast. de excommunica. fol. 356, 382. Vrsin catech. part. 2. qu. 83, 84. fol. 620. Caluin. Epist. 166, 170, 366. neither ruling Elders, T. C. his admonit. fol. 83, 84.

They haue holy dayes of Christ his Natiuitie, Passion, Resurrection, Pentecost, &c. in the Heluetian Churches, lib.

de ritib. Eccl. Tigur. fol. 4. In the Churches of the Low-coun∣tries. Brownist 2. Letters to Iunius, in the Churches of Denmarke, Heming. Syntagm. 4 lex Decal. 22. 24. 25. fol. 363. 364. Also in the Church of Berne, Aretius Problem. loc. 99. fal. 289.

They haue holidaies consecrated to the memoriall of the Virgin Mary, the twelue Apostles, S. Paul, S. Iohn Baptist, S. Stephen, Innocents, Saint Michael, Al Saints, as appeareth in the Epistles which are before alleadged, also Heming. vbi sup. Harm. confess. §. 19. fol. 176. Bohem.

Their Ministers are called by them, Sacerdotes Priests, as are the Popish Mass-priests Harm. confess. Bohem. §. 11. fol. 47. & fol. 4. 62. Aug. Item. §. 13. fol. 93. Bohem. Heming. syn∣tag. 4. lex Decal. §. 11. fol. 43. albeit otherwise the Tigurines disclaime this name being taken in the worser sence Harm. confess. §. 11. fol. 38.

They haue Deacons not Collectors for the poore, but a degree to the Ministry and an assistant to him: yea sup∣plying the place of a Minister in his absence. Harm. confess. 11. fol. 47. lib. 2. de ritibus Eccle. Tigur. fol. 7. & 16.

Their Ministers in the Heluetian Churches doe play the Deacons, and gather contributions for the poore, lib. de ritibus. Eccles. Tigur. fol. 22.

They practise and maintaine auricular confession and pri∣uate absolution Harm confess. §. 8 fol. 142. 143. Bohem § ibid fol. 147. 150. August. ‖ ibid fol. 154. Saxon. ‖ ibid. fol 160. Witten∣berg. schlusselb. Theol. Caluinist. lib. 1. cap. 19. fol. 6. 9. Simlerus in vita Bullingeri. fol. 34. calleth it priuatam quandam confessio∣nem parum a Papistica differentem: yet looke Zepper. de Sa∣cram. cap. 35. fol. 787. 798.

They allow and practise a kind of preaching and absolu∣tion of repentant sinners by women, in the absence of the minister among the Lutherans, Colloqu. Mompelg. fol. 499.

And thus wee see in part the estate of reformed Churches

in respect of ceremonies, Not that hereby I doe goe about to iustifie these Ceremonies which they doe practise, but thinking and professing many of them rather most fit to be abolished in many respects, and the Churches of Christ to be reduced so much as is possible to Apostolicall simplicity. ‖ As neither doe I vtterly condemne their practise of these things, as knowing that there may bee iust and many oc∣casions for Churches to retaine inconuenient ceremonies, and that by the examples of the very Apostles, yet here wee may see how farre more iustifiable our Churches estate is which (to speake the truth) hath fewer, and those more con∣uenient and decent ceremonies, then many other reformed Churches, whose ceremonies are more lyable to excepti∣on then ours, whether we respect the number, or the nature, or the euill effect of the said ceremonies. Now it followeth that we consider of the iudgement, and practise of the most excellent teachers and classicall writers of our reformed Churches; who excelling in the greatest measure of know∣ledge, sanctification, power, & blessing, were made the mar∣ueilous and mighty instruments of God in this latter age, to propagate the euerlasting Gospell to the Church and to re∣ueale, and ruinat the kingdome of Antichrist. First of their iudgement touching ceremonies in generall appeareth to be this that followeth.

First touching the Fathers, albeit they doe testifie their dislike of the want of heedfullnesse, with abundance of curi∣osity, aemulation and of Zeale, with some Lacke of know∣ledge for their iniunction strict defending and multiplying of ceremonies in sundry of the Fathers, as may further ap∣peare, Caluin. Instit. lib. 4. cap 10. sect. 18. Beza confess. de eccles. cap. 5. §. 20. fol. 129. Idem Epist. 8. fol. 71. 72. 73. P. Martyr Loc. class. 2. cap. 5. §. 20. Zanch. de redempt. lib. 1. cap. 5. fol. 366. b & c ‖ yet they all generally approue of the fore alleadged doctrine and practise of the Fathers concerning the cere∣monies namely:

They iustify Irenaeus for reproouing Victor, and con∣demne

Victor for censuring other Churches for the diffe∣rence in such trifles. Also they commend the saying of Irenaeus: That the difference of fasting, doeth not dissolue the consent of faith, Caluin. inst. 4. 7. 7. Idem Epistola 118. fol. 215. Zanch. confess. cap. 24. §. 10. fol. 207. Idem compend. Loc. 16. fol. 654. Harm. confess. § 16. fol. 176. Heluet. Poster. Beza. Epist. 8. fol. 71. calleth the message of Irenaeus to Ʋictor, insignis Epistola. Looke also Polanus Symphonia, Cathol. cap. 47. fol. 1212. Zepper. Polit Eccles. lib. 1. cap. 11. fol. 74. Idem de Sacrament. cap. 13. fol. 329. Paraeus in Rom. 14. Dub. 4. fol. 1203.

They commend the iudgement and saying of Socrates: That the Apostles left no ordinance of Ceremonies in wri∣ting: That these things were left by them free for euery Church: That no Religion doeth obserue the same Rites: That they who agree in the faith, doe differ in their Rites among themselues, Harm. confess. § 16. Heluet. Poster. fol. 176. & ibid. Augustan. fol. 187. 191 Where they alleadge the saying of Socrates out of Tripartit. Hist. 9. 38. Harm. con∣fess. §. 17. Heluet. Poster. fol. 211. Zanch. Compend. Loc. 16. fol. 654. Zepper. Polit. Eccles. lib. 1. cap. 11. fol. 74.

They commend the practise of Polycarp with Anicetus, Pius, Higinnus, Telesphorus, and Xist: who as Grinaeus noteth in his note on Eusebius 5. 23. Propter adiaphora non mouebant certamina.

They commend the doctrine of Ceremonies contained in Augustine, and of Ambrose, alleaged by him, Epist. 86. 118. 119. before alleadged, Harm. confess. §. 16. fol. 187. 189. August. Caluin. Instit. 4. 10. § 13. 14. 19. Peter Martyr Loc. Class. 2. cap. 4. § 39. fol. 203. and Class. 4. c. 4. §. 4. fol. 7. Sadeel de verbo Dei Scripto, cap. 5. fol. 32. Regula 4. Ibid. fol. 34. Obi. 9. Aretius Problem. cap. 83. de adiaph. fol. 267. Paraeus in Rom. 14. Dub. 4. fol. 1203. Quibus de rebus in genere vehementer probamus at{que} amplectimur vtram{que} Epistolam Augustini ad Ianuar. saith Zanchius confess. cap. 24. § 15. fol. 2••1. and cap. 25. §. 30. fol. 251. yea they doe specially commend the

practise of that councill which was giuen by Ambrose to Aug. Namely that all men ought to fashion themselues for ceremonies according to the custome of the church, wherof they are, or whereto they come; So as those ceremonies be not against faith or good manners, Zanch de operibus re∣dempt. cap. 10. fol. 188. 6. & cap. 19. fol. 696. item Danaeus Isag. part. 3. lib. 4 cap. 18. fol. 410.

They allow of the doctrine of Hierom: ad Lucin. Epist. That the constitutions of euery Church are to be kept, and obserued which doe not hurt vnto the faith, Sadeel de ver∣bo Dei Script. cap. 5. Regula. 4. fol. 32. Zanch. comp end. Loc. 16. fol. 655. Polanus. Symphon. Catholike, cap. 49. Thess. 4. fol. 1239. and of this saying also of his in place, In his rebus abun∣det quaeuis in sensu suo P. Martyr Loc. Clas. 4. cap. 4. §. 4. fol. 711.

They doe partly excuse, and partly commend and al∣low the ceremonies, vsed by the Fathers, and mentioned in Tertullian Zanch. in Eph. 5. fol. 448.

They giue a probable and a commendable reason of the Fathers Studious commending of traditions & Ecclesiasti∣call rites, vt vias omnes schismaticis obstruerent, Sadeel. de verbi Dei Script. cap. 5. fol. 32.

They commend the saying of Pope Leo 9. & Nicholas the first, that the rites and customes which are diuersified ac∣cording to the circumstances of the place and time, doe neither hurt the vnity of the Church, neither the Saluation of beleeuers, Harm. confess. §. 16. fol. 191. August. & §. 17. fol. 215. Bohem. taken out of Decret. part. 1. Dist. 12. cap. 3. scit sancta.

They perswade and enforce the doctrine of Augustine a∣gainst the Donatists cont Parmen. 2. 1. and 3. 1. 2. that if priuat persōs do perceiue the corruptions of the Church to be but slackly reformed, they must not therefore presently depart from the church: or if the pastors themselues cannot reforme all abuses and corruptions as they would themselues, they must not therefore cast off their Ministery or (inusitatâ asperi∣tate) with extraordinary harshnes and eagernes trouble the

whole Church, because the life of Church discipline stands in this, to retaine the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace: and therefore out of Cyprian they doe exhort, Miserecorditer igitur corripiat homo quod potest quod autem non potest patienter ferat, & cum dilectione gemat atque lugeat, Caluin. inst. 4. 12. 11.

Next, let vs see their owne vniforme and intire doctrine and iudgement of those things, thus they teach.

That all Churches should labor, as much as possible may be, to Apostolicall simplicitie and paucitie of Ceremonies, which they iudge the safest, purest, and the best, Pet. Martyr. loc. com. inter Epist. fol. 1086. Hoopero & fol. 1125. amic. in Angl. Beza confess. de Eccle. cap. 5. §. 20. fol. 129. Zanch. confess. cap. 25. §. 30. fol. 249. Caluin. Epist. 303. fol. 497. Bucer. script. Anglican. fol. 705. Resp. ad literas, Iocun. Hooperi. de re vesti∣aria. Zepper. de Sacrament, cap. 13. fol. 32.

That Iesus Christ would not prescribe the particulars of externall discipline and ceremonies what we should follow: for that hee foresawe that these things depended vpon the condition of the times, neither did he iudge one forme to a∣gree to all ages, & therfore in this case the Church must run vnto the generall rule of the Word, namely of order, decen∣cy, and edification: of the which rules determination, cha∣rity must be the moderator, in adding, altering, abrogating, Caluin inst. 4. 10. 30. Bucer. vbi superius, fol. 708. Hoopero.

That albeit the Apostolical doctrine be exactly perfect, to the which we may neither derogate, neither adde anything: yet in rites and ceremonies of the Church it is otherwise, for that the Apostles themselues could not set downe at the be∣ginning what was expedient for the Church heerein: and therefore did of necessitie proceed by little and little. And that euen in their times the same rites or ceremonies were not vsed in all Churches: and againe, that many cere∣monies in their times in vse, were afterwards abolished, Be∣za Epist. 8. fol. 71.

That there must needes bee some certaine forme of rites

and orders in all Churches: and those established by lawes, else the Church must of necessitie bee weakened, and dissol∣ued, and that it would proue the mother of contention and confusion to suffer euery man to doe as hee list himselfe, Caluin. inst. 4. 10. 27. 31.

That the same ceremonies, rites and orders cannot pos∣sibly, nor ought to be the same in all places, or in all Chri∣stian assemblies, Harm. confess. §. 16. fol. 187. 191. Augustan. 11. ibid. §. 17. fol. 214. Heluet. poster. Zepper. de Sacram. cap. 13. fol. 328.

That ceremonies are alterable and to be disposed, accor∣ding to the circumstances of places, times and persons: some externall rites are profitable to some places, others more auailable for other places, Zanch. de operibus Re∣dempt. cap. 19. fol. 695. Zepper. de polit. lib. 1. cap. 11. fol. 73. 74.

That all true Churches haue libertie left vnto them of God to ordaine and establish, and to command such cere∣monies and traditions, in their nature not euill, but indiffe∣rent, as they shall perceiue and iudge to bee fittest for the edification of the Church, and furtherance of the Gospell, which therefore are to bee left free to euery Church, to make their choice as they shall perceiue and iudge to be fit∣test: To this end Bucer. script. Anglican. Hoopero de re vesti∣aria. Idem in Epist. Ioan. Alasco. Zanch. de redemp. cap. 19. fol. 696. Polani Symphon. cathol. cap. 49. thes. 4. fol. 1234 Whitaker. controuer. 3. de concil. qu. 1. cap. 3. fol. 18. Zepper. polit. Eccle. l. 1. c. 11. fol. 73.

That albeit in the manner of gouerning the Church, churches must not turne aside in any point that Christ hath specially ordained: yet this doth not hinder, but that there may bee certaine instituta ordinances in euery particular place, pront commodum visum fuerit, as shal seeme most com∣modious, Harm. confess. §. 17. fol. 216. Gallic.

That B Bs. may ordaine with the consent of the Church canons, or iniunctions of daies, feasts, reading Sermons for

edification and instruction of the true faith in Christ, Har. confess. §. 17. fol. 229. Witemberg.

That men must not immoderately contend, that rites and ceremonies bee in euery Church the same, and obser∣ued euery whereafter the same manner: But they should bee most carefull of this, that these ceremonies bee not repugnant to Gods Word. But that they may bee by our vttermost indeuors so ordered, as that they may further or∣der an edification in the Church. P. Martyr. loc. class. 2. cap. 4. §. 34. fol. 203. Zanch. confess. cap. 25. §. 30. fol. 250. 251. That vnitie of ceremonies in all Churches, albeit as much as may bee should bee laboured for, yet it is not ne∣cessary, but for the diuersitie of places and diuers respects and reason of the time, it is profitable to haue diuers rites in diuers Churches, Zanch. Confessio. Scriptu. 24. §. 15. fol. 21.

That diuersitie of Ceremonies in diuers Churches doth serue to testifie the Christian libertie, and doth greatly con∣duce to teach and manifest the true doctrine and iudge∣ment of ceremonies, namely that all men may by this di∣uersitie vnderstand, that those things which are not deliue∣red in the holy Scripture are not necessary to saluation: but may bee altered according, as the time and circumstance of edification doth require, Harm. confess. §. fol. 194. Witem∣berg. P. Martyr. loc. clas. 2. cap. 4. §. 39. fol. 203. Zepper. polit. Eccles. 1. 11. fol. 74.

That the externall vse of things indifferent, must be gui∣ded and moderated by the rule of charitie or loue: which is the end of the law and bond of perfection: Wherefore ce∣remonies must be squared to the edification & vnity of the Church, Caluin. in act. 15. 28. fol. 235. Idem. Inst. 4. 10. 30. Alesius vbi supra. fol. 375.

That the Lawe of Loue or of charitie teacheth men to obserue thinges in their nature indifferent (though in their vse in sundrie respects inconuenient) for the sake of weake brethren to preuent their scandall:

or hinderance of the Gospell and hurt of the Church, Pis∣cator in act. 15. 20. obseruat. in which respect the vse of such Ceremonies may be necessary not alway and euery where, but necessary for the peace of the Church, Piscat. ibidem in scholijs act. 15. 28. Caluin. in act. 15. 28.

That one Church must not condemne another, for the diuers obseruation of indifferent things: as it came to passe in the Primitiue Church (ingenti malo) with incredible mis∣chiefe, about the obseruation of Easter and fasting, Bucan. loc. 33. qu. 14. fol. 384.

That the Church of God, is euery congregation which worships God according to his Word, albeit there bee great dissimilitude of Ceremonies: The true Church of God is distinguished by doctrine and worship, and not by Ceremonies [hee citeth Ambrose and Augustine] Hem∣ming. Syntag. in 4. Decal. legem. §. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. fol. 364. 365.

That to the true vnitie of the Church, it is sufficient to consent in the doctrine and administration of the Sacra∣ments. Neither is it necessarie that humane traditions or rites ordained of men, should bee euerie where alike, Harm. confess. 10. fol. 19. August. Alesius vt sup.

That the vnitie of the Church, it resteth not in exter∣nall rites and Ceremonies, but rather in the truth and in the vnity of the Catholike faith the briefe of which Catho∣like faith is the Apostles Creed. Hence among the ancients there was diuers varieties of rites, but such as was free: by which difference no man euer thought the Ecclesiasti∣call vnitie to bee dissolued. Wherefore the true agree∣ment of the Church standeth in doctrines and in the true preaching of the Gospell, and in the rites expresly deliuered by Christ, Harm. Confess. §. 10. folio 8. Heluet. poster.

That it is a generall rule, that men must not contend about indifferent things, that the vnitie of the Churches should be thereby broken, Zanch. de redempt. c. 19. in 4 prae∣cept.

fol. 696. Neither the peace thereof troubled, Zepper. de sacram. cap. 13. fol. 314.

That if different rites bee found in diuers Churches, no man may thereby thinke that they are at dissention, Harm. confess. §. 17. fol. 20. Heluet. Posterioris: so that they agree in the summe of doctrine, Beza Epist. 1. fol. 7.

That the diuersitie of rites, is no sufficient cause why we should separate from any Church, seeing the Church hath alwaies varied in rites, according to the diuersitie of places and of times, Aretius loc. 57. fol. 177. He citeth Augustine, and approueth Irenaeus his reprouing of Victor, Bulling Deca. 5. serm. 2. fol. 360. 361.

That it is not lawfull for any man, vllâ de causâ, for any cause to make separation from the Church of Christ: that is as much to say; as in which, at least sound and sincere doctrine is retained, in the which standeth, incolumitas pie∣tatis▪ the safetie of piety, & where the vse of the Sacraments ordained of God is preserued: and they are Schismatikes that separate, and that therein they do sinne, Beza Epist. 24. fol. 148. No not although there be sundry errours and cor∣ruptions in doctrine, manners, externall policy, ceremo∣nies, Morneus de Eccles. lib. 2. fol. 32. Zanch. confess. cap. 24. §. 10. fol. 207. Idem in Philipians, 1. 25. 26. fol. 45. 46. Da∣naeus, Isagog. part. 3. cap. 13. fol. 148. Bucan. loc. 41. Qu. 22 fol. 505. & qu. 25. ibid.

That contentions and strifes about things indifferent, as rites and ceremonies, are such as before are mentioned in particular, to haue beene in the Primitiue Churches, must not be raised in the Church, Polanus symphon. cathol. cap. 49. thes. 4. fol. 1234. & cap. 47. thes. 1. fol. 1212. & cap. 48. thes. 2. fol. 1227. Idem syntag. lib. 9. cap. 29. fol. 4078. Zanch. de redemp. cap. 19. fol. 696.

That if there bee found any not pernitious dissimilitude of rites and ceremonies, no man ought to be offended, or to take scandall thereby, or for this cause to reproach or to harme others, or to bee the authour of Schisme or faction

seeing the forme of Ecclesiasticall constitution, was neuer heretofore one and the same, neither yet is to this day, Har. confess. §. 17. fol. 215. Heluet. poster.

That those persons doe grieuously sinne, who for indif∣ferent Ceremonies for the Churches edification, do trouble the Churches, or condemne other Princes, Magistrates, and Churches, for that it is opposite both to pietie and cha∣ritie. Zanch. de redemp. cap. 19. fol. 697.

That where there is a certaine forme of Ceremonies for the Churches edification ordained and receiued, there vni∣tie in those Ceremonies must be retained of euery one, and the Ecclesiasticall order must not be troubled, or interrup∣ted, according to that of the Apostle, 1. Cor. 1440. Zanch. confess. cap. 24. §. 15. fol. 211.

That in Ceremonies of indifferent nature, such as fast∣ing, &c. euery faithfull person (to auoid the giuing of of∣fence) is to follow the custome of the Church wherein hee is, or to which hee commeth, Polan. symphon. cathol. cap. 47. thes. 7. fol. 1226.

That because wee are men, and doe liue amongst men in the Church, it is not meete that in humaine manners, rites and traditions wee should bee found froward. Let diuine things bee obserued as diuine, and humane as humane, so long as with a free and pure conscience they may bee kept, Musculus Loc. part. 2. de tradit. §. 6. fol. 31.

That if any person wrangle, and will bee more wise then he ought against a common established order, let him looke how hee can giue a reason, of his frowardnesse to God, howbeit the saying of Paul should satisfie vs, 1. Cor. 11. 16. wee haue no such custome, neither the Churches of God, Caluin. instit. 4. 10. 31.

That things otherwise in themselues indifferent, doe after a sort change or alter their nature, when they are either commanded or forbidden by any lawfull authoritie, Beza Epist. 24. fol. 143.

That albeit Christian libertie hath taken away the yoke

of the Law Ceremoniall, and in steed thereof it is not law∣full for any mortall creature to lay or impose any other yoke: yet the too licentious vse of things indifferent, is by Gods word restrained; both in generall by the law of chari∣tie, whereby wee are commanded to doe nothing which may scandalize our neighbour, or omit any thing which may edifie him, so farre as in our calling wee may; as also in speciall by the politicke, or Ecclesiasticall consti∣tution, so farre as the Churches gouerners vnder God doe iudge it profitable to the Commonwealth or Church, and thereupon frameth a law, Beza Epist. 24. fol. 143.

That such constitutions doe binde the conscience, in as much as no man sciens & prudens rebellandi animo, witting and knowing with a minde of disobeying, or in case of scandall may without sinne doe that which is so forbid∣den, or omit that which is so commanded, Beza Epist. 24. fol. 143. Caluin. institu. 4. 10. 31. Harm. confess. §. 17. fol. 230. 231. Sweu. ibid. fol. 218. 224. Augustan.

And whereas it might bee here obiected, that these writers doe speake of Ceremonies rightly established, thus much they farther teach in generall;

That the Word and Sacraments are not administred rightly and exactly, secundum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as altogether agree∣ing with the prescript of the Lord, no not in all the world; yet albeit they be not administred according to that exact rule, and by reason of our frailtie cannot bee sodaine∣ly reformed, yet may they bee so performed, that they may be pleasing vnto God, and healthfull to the Church, yet so as the defect should bee lamented and acknowledged; which point if it bee not granted, there will bee no pure or true Church in all the world, Vrsinus catech. part. 2. ad quaes. 84. fol. 620.

That albeit many euill things do goe along and be done, yet these things are done by such as hinder reformation, and by the disobedient; not by such as wish and sue for a∣mendment: For blessed are they who hunger and thirst after

righteousnesse, Matth. 5. 6. (that is) which doe desire good things to be done in the Church, which if they be not done it is not their fault, they may in that case retaine a good con∣science, Vrsinus ibid. fol. 618.

That euery Ceremonie, or tradition haue some certaine causes, for which, and some certaine end to which they be ordained, and therefore euery Ceremonie must bee so obserued of the faithfull, that the obseruation thereof may answere to the reasons, and may bee aimed to the fulfilling of the end. And seeing there is a diuerse reason of traditi∣ons, some seruing to faith some to pietie, some to charitie and concord, others to discipline of manners and sancti∣tie of life: the people of God, must bee instructed by the diligence of Ministers, and vnderstand how they may apply themselues to euery of them, with fit and competent obseruation, Muscu. Loc. part. 2. de tradi∣tionibus § 6. fol. 31.

That if any man hath so profited in Christs religion, that himselfe can receaue either no profite, or very small from any on tradition: yet if this tradition bee so fitted as that it may serue for edification vnto the vnskilfull mul∣titude, hee ought to obserue that Ceremonie with that study of charitie, whereby such as are perfect, are debters to the more imperfect, so farre forth that they harme them not by their example in those things wherein they are bound, in the whole study of their life to profit them, Musculus ibid.

That when men vnder the colour of the study of perfecti∣on cannot indure any imperfection, either in the body or members of the Church; then are they admonished that the diuell attempteth to puffe them vp with pride, and to seduce them with hypocrisie, Caluin aduersus Ana∣baptist. art.

That where the foundation remaines entire, albeit there remaine behind some stubble error, or corruption in doc∣trine, externall policie, manners, or Ceremonies: there we

may, and ought bee present at Sermons, and receiue the Sacraments, and exercise, or hold charitie and peace with our brethren, yet so as making manifest our more sound doctrine, and perswasion of these corruptions, and farther to signifie that for these corruptions, wee will make no schisme, Zanch. in Philip. 1. fol. 37. Idem confess. cap. 24. §. 10. fol. 207. Mornaeus de ecclesia cap. 20. fol. 32. and in respect of corruptios it were to be wished indeed that the church were pure and without spot, yet if it be not, we must vse patience, else it is ineuitable, that wee must needes make a priuate schisme, which is most diligently to bee auoided of euery Christian man. Wherefore those errors for which a man shall separate from the Church, in which he is baptised and is conuersant, must not be of any other sort, but onely such as ouerthrow, and violate the very substance of faith, and articles of the faith, either directly and clearely, or in sence and consequence: Danaeus Isagog. part. 3. cap. 13. fol. 148. Bucanus Loc. 41. qu. 22.

That there are many things which are not to bee ap∣proued in the Church, which are not worthy of contenti∣on, Caluin. Epist. 51. fol. 100.

That there may and ought many things to be tollerated, which yet are not rightly commanded, Beza Epist. 12. fol. 98.

That many things must of vs be tollerated, which is not in our power to reforme, Caluin. Epist. 148. fol. 254.

That albeit men must endeauour to purge the Church of corruptions, which sprung vp out of superstition, yet this exception must go along, that certaine things although they bee not to bee approued, yet must bee borne with all, Caluin. Epist. 305. fol. 504. to Iohn Knox.

That some rites and Ceremonies, albeit not necessary are yet to bee tollerated, or borne withall for concords sake, Beza Epist. 8. fol. 70.

That as the maners of doting parents so the customs, of our vnaduised country must bee endured: yea the seruitude

which is without impietie, and that in matters of lesser na∣ture [in the Church] must bee borne withall, Harm. confess. §. 11. fol. 860. Melanctho concil. Thelog. part. 2. fol. 107. and that there is euer some kinde of seruitude of the Church, more milde somewhere, somewhere more hard: how∣beit more or lesse, there is euer some, Malanch. ibid. fol. 92.

And thus we see their iudgement and doctrine concer∣ning Ceremonies in generall. Now let vs see the generall practise of the Churches in these points: Thus they speake thereof,

Albeit our Churches doe not equally obserue all Rites and Cerimonies with other Churches, a matter which both cannot, neither yet is necessary to be done that namely in all places of Christian assemblies, one and the selfe same Ceremonies should bee vsed, yet doe they not impugne or oppose themselues to any good and godly constitutions: Neither are they so minded, that they would raise vp any dissentions for the cause of Cerimonies, albeit some of them might be iudged not very needfull: so as they be not found opposite to God, and to his worship and glory, and to the true iustifying faith in Iesus Christ, Harm. confess. §. 17. fol. 214. Bohem.

We the reformed Churches of these dayes, hauing diuer∣sitie of Rites in the celebration of the Lords Supper, and in some other things: yet in doctrine and faith we doe not dissent, neither is the vnitie and societie of our Churches rent or diuided thereby: But euer the Churches haue in these Rites, as in things indifferent, vsed liberty: That which we (the reformed Churches) at this day do also vse, ‖ Harm. confess. §. 17. fol. 211. Heluet. Poster.

So much for the iudgment and practise of the Churches, and of our classicall writers, concerning Ceremonies in ge∣nerall: Now also we will consider of them in particular: wherein we will giue notice of foure points. First of the iudgment & censure of our classicall writers, touching these

Ceremonies which are prescribed in our Church, and the like, and their aduice to others touching the practise there∣of, especially in a case of Depriuation. Secondly the vse and practise of these ceremonies, by the most excellent and worthy persons in this case. Thirdly, the reasons moouing them vnto this iudgement, practise, and aduice. And lastly, the obiections against these things, especially in the case of Depriuation answered by them.

Touching their iudgement and censure of our Ceremo∣nies, I find them in a threefold difference. For some of them doe approue sundry of our controuersed Ceremonies as fit and commendable. Some againe do iudge of many of them as of things indifferent, to bee vsed or not vsed, euen as the Church shall thinke fittest for it selfe. And lastly, some there be who account them as things in many respects vn∣lawfull and inconuenient: but yet in respect of greater in∣conueniences, (and namely of Depriuation) doe holde them tolerable and excusable: which difference if any man be desirous to make vse of, he may discerne it in the reading and obseruing of them seuerally.

In the iudgement, censure, and aduice of the godly lear∣ned touching our Ceremonies, we may obserue first, what they thought in generall of the Common prayer Booke of our Church, and of the Ceremonies therein contained. Secondly what they thought concerning them in the seue∣rall particulars, which are vsually excepted against.

Notes

• Simler. in vit. Bulling. fol. 35, 36. Heming. en∣chirid. class 3. cap. 10. ord. Eccle. fol. 348. Idem. Syntag. tit. gubernat. Eccl. §. 15, 16, 17. fol. 228.
• ‖

  Non dam∣namus ve∣teres illos qui morem hunc seruârunt; habuerunt enim graues pro ratione il∣lorum tempo∣rum causas. Chemnit. Ex∣am. part. 2. fol. 102.
• Alexander. A∣lesius in Pro∣oem. ad lib. or∣dinat. Angl. Bucer fol. 374 375. Polanus Syntag. The∣ol. lib. 9. cap. 29. fol. 4078. Canon 6.
• By tollerating them also, we meane practi∣sing, Beza Epist. 8.