Mixture of Scholastical Divinity with Practical Part 2, Treatise 2 · Excerpt 3
Former Edition.
After these limitations of the duty of abstinence from all appearance of evill; I cannot but wonder at our irregulars misapplication of it. They hence eagerly cry down the laudable discipline, and lawfull Ceremonies of our Church. What fearefull outcries do they make concerning their appearance of Idolatry, superstition, will-worship and Popery? … you see by the exceptions put to this precept, as much too bi for our innocent, and … Ceremonies, as Hercules Hooker.shoe, for a childs foot. Indeed our Ceremonies, for example, the Surplice, Crosse in Baptisme, kneeling at the Lords Supper, may have a materiall semblance with those that in Popery have been abused to Idolatry, and superstition, and so consequently taken materially, in respect of their materialls, may have an outward shew of Popish Idolatry, or superstition; but consider them as imposed by our Church, and generally used by her members, so they are formally differenced from those which Papists have applyed to Idolatrous ends and purposes. For our Church publickly professeth a quite contrary use or application, end, or intention of them. And externall actions have their specification, and consequently distinction from their end, and intention, from it they take their species, or kind, and accordingly are distinguished. Now since all Popish, whether superstitious, or idolatrous abuses of our Ceremonies, are publickly disclaimed, and their right use explained; who can justly imagine any shew of Popery in them? An Israelite was not to be smitten for an Egyptian, because for a while he once sojourned in Egypt, if afterward he had his constant abode in Canaan. The garment spotted with the flesh was no longer to be hated, than spotted: being once washed, it might againe be used. Our Ceremonies were defiled in Egypt, in Popery, with superstitiom, and Idolatrie; but our Church (God be praised) hath washed them from both in her publique, and professed use of them. And therefore now they stand above either calumnie or suspicion.