Consideration of Certain Positions Archepiscopal, Position 1 – Dedication
A CONSIDERATION OF CERTAINE POSITIONS Archiepiſcopall.
1 Religion cannot ſtand without ſome Ceremonies, as kneeling &c.
REligion is the feare of God to ſerue him preciſely according to his word, and therefore it is called Godlines. Iſa: 29.13. Act: 2.5. & 10; 2. & 26.5. 2: Tim: 3.5. Heb: 9.1. Iam. 1.27. As by Superſtition his Majeſtie meaneth, when one reſtreignes himſelfe to any other rule in the ſervice of God, thā is warranted by the word. Bas. dor. pag 15. Which is therefore called Wilworſhip. Col: 2.21.23.
Howſoever it be Religion, out of the feare and louelove of God, to keepe his cōmandemēts as well of the ſecond as firſt table, yet the conſcionable obſerving of the commandements contein…d in the firſt table is, by an excellencie, called Religion; And wheras man cannot judge of ſuch obſerving the firſt and third commandements therfore is he eſteemed Religious, who maketh conſcience of the 2 and 4: commandements; In ſanctifiyng the Sabbath with ſuch an outward manner of worſhip, as is not after mans invention, but according to Gods word.
So that by Religion, in this poſition is meant the outward (eſpecially publique) worſhip of God: Religion being put for worſhip, becauſe the feare of God to ſerue him preciſely accordīg to his word, is, of all the actions of men, eſpecially to be manifeſted in worſhipping God. Who will be ſāctified in all them that come nere him if they offer ſtrange fire. Levit: 10.3. Religion (then) being put for Outward worſhip, the poſition is granted. For in deed the outward worſhip of God doth conſiſt only of ceremonies, that is, outward demonſtratiōs of inward worſhip. But, how doth this follow, The outward worſhip of God cānot ſtand without ſome Ceremonies, ergo. It cannot ſtand without the ceremonies in queſtion? As though Religion had no better ground than Dioceſan Biſhops hauehave, according to this maxime: No Ceremony, no Biſhop.
But more clearely to perceiue the truth, it is to be conſidered that ſome ceremonies by nature, or generall cuſtome demonſtrate inward worſhipp is not only ſignes thereof, but effects alſo. Other doe the ſame, as ſignes only by inſtitutiō. By which inſtituted ceremonies God is not worſhipped except they be by himſelfe preſcribed; For as no fire could make any ſacrifice a ſavor of reſt to God, but that which came from God. Levit. 9.24. and 10.1.2: So no warrant can make outward worſhip, or any part thereof acceptable to God, but that which commeth from God. Math. 15.9.
Therfore it doth not follow, that becauſe kneeling in prayer is lawful, therfore the ceremonies in queſtion (nāely the Surplice) be ſo to. For 1: Nature teacheth us to manifeſt inward reverence by outward geſtures. 2 Generall cuſtome amongſt us maketh kneeling the moſt ſolēne ſigne of the gr…ateſt reverence. 3 In true worſhippers of God kneeling is not only a ſigne of inward worſhip, but an effect alſo. 4: It is warranted by the word. And 5 it is not appropriated to the outward worſhip of God: For men doe uſually, & may lawfully, demonſtrat their inward reverencing of men by kneeling. Wheras the ceremonies in queſtion (namely the ſurplice) do not demonſtrat inward worſhip by nature: For then all religious worſhippers would (at leaſt) hauehave a diſpoſition to uſe the ſurplice at all times, and in all places. (2) None can affirme, that generall cuſtome maketh a Surplice a ſigne of inward worſhip. Becauſe the publicke uſe of it is moſt what omitted or inforced, and there is no ſuch matter as the private uſe thereof, and by privat perſons. In both which conſiderations it may be (3) denyed to be an effecte of inward worſhip, and the rather if it cānot be proved to be an effecte of the obedience of faith to ſome commandement of God, preſcribing the ſame. Which (4) cannot be; Seyng in all the new Teſtament there is nether precept, nor example; nor other matter of neceſſary concluſion warranting the ſame. And yet (5 It is appropriated to the ſervice of God, and therfore ſuperſtitious, and not religious, eſpecially beyng urged as it is.
2 Ceremonies are lawfull, when their doctrine is lawfull.
If by Doctrin of ceremonies be mēt their ſignification, then the Th ſis is d… nyed: For then other Pop…ſh ceremonies may be reſtored. As ſetting up of Candles to ſignifie that the workes of all chriſtians, Phil. 2.15. eſpecially Miniſters. Math: 5.14.16. ſhould ſhine before men; and yet it is pronounced in the 3 Injunction to be deviſed by mans phantaſie, beſides ſcripture, and therfore Superſtitious. And vnleavened bread in the Lords ſupper may ſignify Sinceritie & truth. 1: Cor: 5.8. And yet by the Communion booke (Rub: after the Communion ſect: 5.) it is reformed, To take away the ſuperſtition, which any perſon hath, or might hauehave: But many hauehave, and may hauehave Superſtition in Ceremonies reteined.
If the meaning of the poſitiō be this Ceremonyes are lawfull, when they are warranted by lawfull doctrine, it is to be graunted; but then the Hypotheſs… muſt be denyed. For it is petitio principii to affirme; that Ceremonies in queſtion are ſo warranted.
3 The doctrine of Ceremonies is part of the Goſpell.
This poſition is true, but onelyonly according to the diſtinctiō of the doctrine …f ceremonies by inſtitution. Which doctrine is either affirmatiue, ſhewing what Ceremonyes by inſtitution are to be uſed, and thoſe be only the two Sacraments, which are indeed Seal s, and not onelyonly Ceremonyes. Or Negatiue, teaching what ceremonies are not to be vſed. viz: Neither Ceremonyes of the Iewes, nor traditions of Elders. Iohn 4.20.21.23. Neither Carnall rites. Gal. 3.3. Heb. 9.10. Nor commandements of men. Col. 2.22.
Which negatiue doctrine of Ceremonyes, is indeed according to the truth of the Goſpell. Gal. 2.3.5.12.14 and that is contrary to the Ceremoniall law of Moſes. Becauſe that law ſtood in carnall rites. Heb. 9.10.11. That is, Ceremonies inſtituted to inſtruct & direct the outward man unto the inward ſervice of God, & therfore was that law called a carnal commandement. Heb: 7.16. and thoſe Ceremonyes accounted Rudiments of the world. Gal 4.3. So that after faith (that is the Goſpel) came, that law, and the Ceremonies therof gaue place, as being leſſe perfect, a childiſh paedagogy & beggerly rudiments. 1 Cor: 13.10.11. Gal. 3 25▪ and 4.2.3.9. In reſpect of the more perfect word of Chriſt, Col: 3.16. 2 Cor: 3.13.17.18. Who is that Meſsias, who, when he cam…, did tell us althinges concerning the outward worſhip of God. Iohn. 4.19.20.25.26. But Chriſt never told us the ceremonyes in queſtion.
Therefore if the negatiue doctrine againſt Iewiſh Ceremonyes inſtituted by God to the purpoſes aforeſaid, be part of the Goſpell, or word of Chriſt, much more is the negatiue doctrine againſt ceremonyes inſtituted by mā to the ſame purpoſes, without warrant of the word, part of the Goſpell. Col. 2.20.22.23. Gal: 1.6.7.8.10. And …e rather; becauſe the word ſayth, …at they, who burthen the Church …ith ordinances of the world, which …e traditions after the commande…ents and doctrines of men, doe not …old Chriſt the head. Col. 2.19.20.22 & 3.1. and oppoſing ſuch traditions …o the commandements of God, and …ith of Ieſus, maketh them parte of …e beaſtes marke. Revel. 14.9 12. Here …nto accordeth that which is affirmed in the booke of Cōmon prayer, in the preface of Ceremonyes, viz. Chriſt his Goſpell is not a Ceremoniall law (as much of Moſes was) but it is a religi… to ſerue God, not in bondage of the figure or ſhadow, but in the freedome of ſpirit.
4 Miniſters refuſing Conformitie are Schiſmatiques.
This word Schiſme according to thnow receaved uſe thereof in the Church, ſignifieth A voluntary renting of the Church onelyonly for matters of the outward goverment thereof. So that Schiſmatiques are by Doctor Bancroft, in his Notes before his Sermon at Pauls croſſe, Anno 1588. defined as out of Auguſtine, to be ſuch, as reteining with us the true faith, ſeperat themſelues from us for orders and Ceremonies. In which ſence though Brow…iſt: (ſo called) may be deemed Schiſmatickes, yet …n…ot Miniſters refuſing onelyonly to Conforme; be ſo accoumpted: Becauſe, their deprivation or ſuſpenſion notwithſtanding, they doe not ſeperat themſelues from the church, neither doe they (indeed) forſake the Miniſtery of the goſpell, which they deſire (before all worldly benefites whatſoever) to execure with a good conſcience, but are thruſt from it; and therefore, if men driven by excōmunication out of the Church be not ſchiſmatiques, much leſſe Miniſters driven by deprivation or ſuſpenſion only from the execution of their Miniſtery.
This word Schiſme is ſometimes ta…en for any diſſention in the church, …herby the peace, but not the vnity, …hereof is broken. 1. Cor: 11.18. In which ſenſe they are to be called ſchiſmatickes, who are ſpecially to be blamed for ſuch diſſention. But if all the Prelates cannot giuegive one Argument ſoundly concluded from the word, to proue, that the Ceremonies in queſtiō may be preſcribed by authority, and yeilded unto by the Miniſtery, without ſinne, then are they Schiſmatickes, according to the judgment of the Apoſtle. Who beſeecheth the brethren, to marke them diligently, who cauſe diviſion & offences, beſides the doctrine which they hauehave learned, and to avoyd them. For they that are ſuch, ſerue not the Lord Ieſus Chriſt but their owne bellies, and with faire ſpeach and flattering, deceiue the heartes of the ſimple. Rom. 16.17.18. By which anſwer Proteſtants doe ſufficiently juſtifie their ſeperation from Papiſtes. Much more may Miniſters juſtifie their refuſing to Conforme yet without ſeperation. But when any ſuch Argument ſhall be given (which hath not yet been heard of) then are Miniſters refuſing Conformity to be deemed Schiſmaticks. In meane while this Poſition is to be taken for Petitio principii.
A PROPOSITION.
CONCERNING KNEELING in the very act of receiuing Howſoever. Publiſhed to ſatisfie profeſſours, yet humblie, Submitted to the iudgment of Prophets.
Rom. 14.10.11.12.
Why doeſt thou condemne thy brother, for it is written I liue (ſaith the Lord) and eueryevery Knee ſhall bow vntounto me. So then, every one of vsus ſhall giuegive accountes of himſelfe vntounto God.
Cor. 10.14 22.
Flee from Idolatry, Yee cannot be partakers of the Lords table, & of the table of Deuils.
PRINTED. 1605.
To my Chriſtian frend, N. grace & peace.
Howſoeuer it greiueth mee to heare o… much more to ſe the troubles wherewith Sathan (knowinge his time to be ſhort) doth trouble the Church of God in all places about vnprofitable and Popiſh Cerimonies, yet (to tell you the whole troth) my greife is the leſſe when I conſider that both they them ſelues, who be moſt troubleſome, and do moſt vrge thoſe Reliques of Rome be ambitious,Rom. 16.17, 18 Phil 3.2.19 Gal. 6.12. or Dumme Dogges or, non Reſident, ſeruing their bellies, and minding Earthly thinges, euen like their Predeceſſors, who vrged the Cerimonies of Mozes in the Primitiue Churches, and their proceedinges (like them ſelues) be ſo exorbitant that they cannot but proue odious to all men. VVhat a- matter is this, that after the Sacramentall Bread is miniſtred, the Cup ſhould be denied becauſe of not kneeling? If any of theis ſcrupulous Miniſters had played ſuch apart, thoughe it were with one, openly knowne to li…e in ſinne notorious without repentance, whom by the 26. canon no Miniſter ſhall in any wiſe admit to the receiuing of the holy Communion, how would that Preciſian be trounced But in this Puritan Gouernement of the Church there is no fault but non conformitie to ſuperſtitious vanities, A Bird of theit fether may Preach ſcores of Popiſh Doctrines, be ſcandalous in life, and at his laſt caſt at dice when he hath loſt all, ſay, In the Spite of God let him do now what he can, and yet hould his owne well inough, An other mans owne and ill inough I mighte well ſay if the law might hauehave due courſe well, God amend all, and reſtraine the remnant of this Rage. In meane while I reioice to heare that it is giuen to any of Gods people not only to beleiue in Chriſt but alſo to ſuffer for his ſake, hauing the ſame fight which they ſee or heare to be in their Miniſters,Phil, 1, 27: as it becommeth the Ghoſpel of Chriſt, the ſincerity wherof belongeth as well to the people as to the Miniſters of Chriſt. for howſoeuer all are not to weare the where of Babilons Smocke, yet all are to make conſ…ence of bowing the knee to Baal. To confirme your zeale againſt the ſuperſtition of Kneeling I hauehave longe ſought (being often ſolicited ſo to do by you) and at length found a ſhort but (in my poore iudgement at leaſt to mee) a ſufficient diſcourſe which I hauehave printed, that I may comfort not onelyonly you but many other alſo who are in doubt, with that comfort wherewith I my ſelfe am comforted of God. I ſay Comforted. For when the iudgment is ſatisfied the heart is comforted▪ This onelyonly I requyre of you that there be no inquiring after or geſſing at the author or publiſher. If that hurtfull curioſity were mortified learned men now fearinge that humor would be boulder to wright and publiſh their Godly iudgments, touching points in cōtrouerſy among other I heare of a more larg & learned treatiſe of this point which no doubt the authour will publiſh in time or other for him if curſous heads itching eares, and wanton tongues do not hinder. In meane while let vsus make as good vſe of this, as wee can. And the Lord giuegive vsus vnderſtanding in all thinges
Farewell