Dispute Against the English-Popish Ceremonies, Part 2 · Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Against those of our Opposites, who plead for the Ceremonies, as things expedient.
AS for those who alledge some conveniency in the Ceremonies, Sect. I they say more then can abide the proofe of reason, which the induction of some particulars shall demonstrate. opartic. def. cap. 1. sect. 1.Dr. Mortone alledgeth for the Surplice, that the difference of outward garments can not but he held convenient, for the distinguishing of Ministers from Laicks, in the discharge of their function. Ans. This conveniency is as well seen to, without the Surplice. If a man having a blacke gowne upon him, be seene exercising the function of a Minister, it is very strange, if any man thinke him not sufficiently distinguished from Laicks. The act of Perth, anent Confirmation and Bishoping of Children, would make it appeare, that this Ceremony is most profitable, to cause young Children in their tender years, drinke in the knowledge of God and his Religion; Ans. 1. If this Rite be so profitable for the instruction of Children, then why doe Prelats appropriat it to themselves, who use to be imployed in higher affaires, that permit them not to have leasure for exact Catechising of Children? Or, 2. Though they might attend the discharging of this duty; why should it be made their peculiar? Is not the pa…ish Minister able to Catechise them? Or, 3. If it must depend upon Prelats, and wait upon their leasure; what hath imposition of hands adoe with Catechising? 4. How comes it, that Children who are not Bishopped, are as well Catechised, as they who are Bishopped.
Tilen pParaen. …. 16. p. 65.setteth out the expediency of Holy-dayes, for imprinting Sect. II in the minds of people, the sence and knowledge of the benefits of Redemption. Ans. 1. There is no meane so good for this purpose, as Catechising and Preaching, out of season & in season. 2. What could he say unto them, who have attained his end without his meane? I find people better instructed, and made more sensible of those benefites, where the Feasts are not kept, then where they are. 3. Thinke they their people sufficiently instructed in the grounds of Religion, when they heare of the Nativity, Passion, &c. What course will they take for instructing them in other principles of faith? Why doe they not keepe one way, and institute a Holy-day for every particular head of Catechise?
But B. Lindsey thinks yet to let us see a greater expediency for observing Holy-dayes. Certainely qProc. in Perth. assem. part. 3. pag. 7.saith he, nothing is so powerfull to abolish prophanenesse, and to roote out superstition of mens hearts, as the exercise of Divine Worship, in Preaching, Praying and Thanksgiving, chiefly then when the superstitious conceits of merite and necessity, are most pregnant in the heads of people; as doubtlesse they are, when the set times of Solemnities returne; for then it is meete to lance the oposteme, when it is ripe.
Ans. This is a very bad cure; and is not onelyonly to heale the wound of the people slightly, but to make it the more inve…rate & festered. I might object, that litle or nothing, is preached or spoken by him and his companions at the revolution of those festivities, against the superstitious keeping of them; but though they should speake as much as can be against this superstition, their lancing being in word onelyonly, and not indeed, the recidivation will prove worse then the disease. The best lancing of the oposterne were, not to observe them at all, or to preach against them, which are tried to worke this effect more powerfully, then the Bishops cure hath done: for all know, that there is none so free of this superstition, as those who observe not the Holy-dayes.
The same ribid. p. 121.Prelate pleadeth for the expediency of giving the Sect. III Communion to the sicke in private houses, because he thinkes they should not want this meane of comfort: As if the wanting of the Sacramentall Signes, not procured by a mans owne negligence or contempt, could stop or stay the comforts of the holy Spirit. Nay, it is not so: we have seene some who receaved not the Communion in time of their sicknesse, end more gloriously and comfortably, then ever we heard of any, who receaved the Sacrament for their viaticum, when they were a dying. sApol. part. 3. cap. 3. sect. 45. and 51.Paybody thinks kneeling in the act of receaving the Communion, to be expedient for the reverend using and handling of that holy Sacrament, and that much reverence ariseth to the Sacrament from it. Ans. I verily believe, that more reverence ariseth to the Sacrament from kneeling, then is due to it; But I am sure, there is no lesse true reverence of that holy Sacrament, among such as kneele not in the receaving of it, then among such as doe kneele. I hope it is not unknowen, how humbly and reverently many sincere Christians, with feare and trembling, doe addresse themselves to that most holy Sacrament, who yet for all the world, would not kneel in receaving it. Thus we see, that these expediencies pretended for the Ceremonies, are attained unto as well and better without them, then by them. But I will goe forward, to shew some particular inconveniences found in them.