A Second Discourse of the Religion of England, Section 14
SECT. XIV.
The alledged Reasons, why the Ceremonies are not to be taken away, Examined.
DIvers Reasons are alledged to prove a continued necessity for these Ceremonies, as, Because they that are for the Church, are unwilling to have them taken away: To revoke them, is to comply with those that will never be satisfied: Imputations have been laid upon the Things injoyned, as Antichristian, Idolatrous, Superstitious: A Warr was undertook to remove them: And it is a reproach to the Church, whose Foundation is upon the Truth, to be various. Hereunto we make answer: Whosoever delight in the use of the Ceremonies, may enjoy their liberty; but let it suffice them to use it, without laying a stumbling-block before others, or intangling their Consciences, or hindring all of a contrary Perswasion from the Ministry, from teaching School, yea, and from taking any Academical Degree. With what soberness can it be said, the Dissenters will never be satisfied, when hitherto they were never tryed with any Relaxation or Indulgence, although they have given evident proofs of their unfeigned desires of Accommodation? They do indeed esteem the Ceremonies an excess in the Worship of God; but suppose that some have been immoderate in disparaging those Rituals; on the other hand, shall their value be so inhansed, as to be thought more worth then the Church's Unity, and the exercise of mutual Charity among its Members? May not the Church salve her Honour, by declaring, That in remitting these Injunctions, she meerly yeelds to the infirmity of weak Consciences? As St. Paul declared concerning abstaining from meats, who had as much power to make a Canon, as any sort or number of Ecclesiastical persons can now pretend unto. As concerning the late Warr, it is easier said then proved, That it was undertaken to remove the Ceremonies; and it was not so declared by those that managed it. But if it were so indeed, as it is here suggested, let this Argument be well weighed, A dreadful Warr that had a dismal issue, was undertaken to remove certain Ceremonies that at the best are but indifferent, therefore let them never be removed, but still inforced to the uttermost upon Consciences that disallow them. As for the reproach of the Church by the appearance of being various, we conceive the controverted Ceremonies are no Foundation of the Church of England, nor any substantial part of her Religion, and do therefore hope, that some Indulgence therein will not fix upon her any brand of Inconstancy. It is objected, That the Popish Priests would hereby take advantage. It seems then, that greater care must be taken that the Papists, who are implacable Adversaries, be not offended, then that many thousand honestly minded Protestants should be relieved. But the strangest Reason comes up last. Dissentions about things indifferent, have necessitated the Church to make these Injunctions: That is, say the things are but indifferent, yet great dissentions have risen about them, and are like to continue without end; therefore the Church hath been necessitated to impose them with great severity upon multitudes who esteem them unlawful, and all for this end, That dissentions may be removed. We are astonished at this Argument from the Pen of a Learned man. The truth is, these alledged Reasons have more of Animosity in them, then of Equity; Charity, or good Advice. Indeed the Apostle saith, Mark those that cause divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine that ye have received; but he doth not so brand those that scruple unwritten Traditions, and needless Ceremonies, but adhere to the intire Doctrine of Christ, and all Divine Institutions.