Selected quad for the lemma: faith_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
faith_n	believe_v	church_n	tradition_n	5,645	5	9.4779	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A69915	A plea for the Non-Conformists giving the true state of the dissenters case, and how far the Conformists separation from the Church of Rome, for their Popish superstitions and traditions introduced into the service of God, justifies the Non-Conformists separation from them for the same : in a letter to Dr. Benjamin Calamy, upon his sermon, called, Scrupulous conscience, inviting hereto : to which is added, A parallel scheme of the pagan, papal and Christian rites and ceremonies : with a narrative of the sufferings underwent for writing, printing and publishing hereof / by Thomas De Laune.	De Laune, Thomas, d. 1685.; Danson, Thomas, d. 1694.; De Laune, Thomas, d. 1685. Eikōn tou thēriou.; De Laune, Thomas, d. 1685. Narrative of the sufferings of Thomas Delaune.	1684 (1684)	Wing D893; Wing D891; Wing D892; ESTC R12757	93,215	122

Penalties But out of a Noble Christian Principle that you may have an Opportunity to discover with how much meekness of Wisdom and demonstration of Truth you can treat convince and satisfie a Gainsayer having so generously declared That you do not desire men should become your Proselites further than you give them good Reason and Scripture for it Club-Law being none of the Arguments you treat a scrupulous or tender Conscience with The Arguments and Objections are these that follow The first Objection we shall mention as brought against the Non-conformity and Separation of the Dissenters from the Church of England is this That they have no Reason or Cause upon a Conscientious Account so to do because the principal things they take offence at are not forbidden in the Scriptures and till they can produce a Scripture to the Negative as a Negative Article of Faith that says we are not to do so or so Kneel at the Communion Cross in Baptism keep Holy-days use Liturgies Letanies c. they can have no cause of just scruple And thus Sir you are pleased to Argue viz. That there can be no Transgression but by either omitting what the Law Commands or doing what the Law forbids For Instance If a man can shew where Kneeling at the Sacrament is forbidden in Scripture where sitting is required where praying by a Form is forbid and extemporary Prayers are enjoyned then indeed the Dispute would soon be at an end But if neither the one nor the other can be found as most certainly they cannot then Kneeling at the Sacrament and Reading prayers out of a Book must be reckoned amongst things lawful and then there is no need of scrupling them because they may be done without sin nay where they are required by our Superiors it is our Duty to submit to them because it is our duty to obey them in all lawful things This way of Arguing you say is very plain and convincing And to the same purpose we have Dr. Stillingfleet in his late Answers to several of the Dissenters affirming that those are Schismaticks that Deny submission to the Government of the Church of England and he tells us in plain terms assuredly that the Reasons of this Denial do not signifie a Button those saith he who seperate from the Church of England make this their fundamental principle as to Worship wherein the difference lies that nothing is lawful in the Worship of God but what he hath expresly commanded We say all things are lawful which are not frobidden and UPON THIS SINGLE POINT stands the whole Controversie of Separation as to the Constitution of our Church Here 's the Objection in words at length and which you will find to be no other then what the Papists make to the Church of England upon the same occasion which I shall transcribe in their own words and the Answers of your own Party to it which I hope will be esteemed a fair and satisfactory way of Reply Dr. Stillingfleet giving us an accout of his Popish Adversaries Plea and how he Returned the Negative Articles to be proved by him makes to him this Answer But the strangest Effort of all the rest is what he hath reserved to the last place viz. That the Charge of Idolatry against them must be vain and groundless because if I be pressed Close I shall deny any one of these Negative Points to be divine Truths viz. That honour is not to be given to the Images of Christ and his Saints that what appears to be Bread in the Eucharist is not the Body of Christ that it is not lawful to Invocate Saints to pray for us These are the Jesuits words requiring the Doctor to prove those Negatives upon which single Point he puts the stress of his Argument Then follows his Answer which I pray you to mind well because it is the Answer you must take to the like Question from us viz. But the Answer to this is so easie that it will not require much time to dispatch it For I do assert it to be an Article of my faith that God alone is to be worshipped with Divine and Religious Worship And he that cannot hence infer that no Created Being is to be worshipped hath the name of Reasonable Creature given him to no purpose What need we make Negative Articles of Faith where the Affirmative do necessarily imply them If I believe that the Scripture is my only Rule of Faith as I most firmly do Will any man that considers what he saith require me to make Negative Articles of Faith that the Pope is not Tradition is not Councils are not a private Spirit is not for all these things are necessarily Imply'd therein And so for all particular Doctrines rejected by us upon this principle we do not make them Negative points of Faith but we therefore refuse the Belief of them because not contained IN OUR ONLY RULE OF FAITH On this account we reject the Pope's Supremacy Transubstantiation Infallibility of the present Church in Delivering Points of Faith Purgatory and other FOPPERIES impos'd upon the Belief of Christians So that the short Resolution of our Faith is this That we ought to believe Nothing as an Article of Faith but what God hath Revealed and the compleat Revelation of God's will to us is contained in the BIBLE c. And what could have been spoken wi●h fuller Evidence and greater Demonstration of Truth Therefore as joyning issue with the Doctor that upon this single point stands the whole Controversie of Separation as to the Constitution of their Churches viz. That nothing is lawful in the Worship of God but what he hath expresly commanded as say the Dissenters and not all things lawful which are not forbidden as say the Advocates for the Church of England let his own words decide the matter and forever determine the Case For what need the Dissenters as the Doctor affirms on their behalf make Negative Articles of Faith where the Affirmative does necessarily imply them If they do believe with the Doctor that the Scripture is their ONLY Rule of Faith as they most firmly declare to do will any man that considers what he saith require them to make Negative Articles of their Faith that Popes Councils Private Spirits Traditions are not and so for all particular Doctrines rejected by them upon this principle They do not with the Doctor make them Negative points of faith but they therefore with him refuse the Belief of them BECAUSE NOT CONTAINED IN OUR ONLY RULE OF FAITH On this account they do with the Doctor Reject the Pope's Supremacy Transubstantiation Infallibility of the Church of Rome in Delivering points of Faith viz Purgatory and other Fopperies as Salt Oyl Spittle Exorcisms Conjurations baptizing of Bells c. And upon the same account do they Reject what the Protestants have received either from Pagans or Papists as to National Provincial Diocesan and Parochial Churches Because not Contained in

our ONLY RULE of Faith As also of the Government of the Church of Christ by Lord Arch-Bishops Bishops Deans Arch-Deacons Parsons Vicars Curates Chancellors Officials c. Because not contained in our ONLY RULE of Faith In like manner do the Dissenters also Reject the Consecrating of Churches Chappels Cathedrals Priests Garments Altars Liturgies Singing Service Letanies Bowings Crossings Cringings Holy-dayes Fasts Feasts Vigils because not one word of any of them is contained in our only Rule of Faith So that the short Resolution of the Dissenters and the Doctor 's Faith in this great Point is this that they ought to believe nothing as an Article of Faith but what God hath revealed and that the Compleat Revelation of Gods Will to us is contained in the BIBLE Therefore Christ having in the Affirmative compleatly Revealed to us his mind and will in the Bible both as to the Doctrine and Discipline of his Church we need not go to Pope Council Tradition or any other for Additions to either nor trouble our selves to make Negative Articles of Faith and Practice which would be as Ridiculous as Endless And this we hope the Doctor and all his Party will take for good Pay and that you your self Sir amongst the rest will joyn Issue and acknowledge That this way of Arguing is very plain and convincing But this being so well performed by the Doctor what shall we say that so wise so learned and so great a man as Dr. Stillingfleet should forgot himself so far as to make head and run counter against his own Argument and to that degree as to pawn the whole Controversie upon that single point which he had so infallibly and indisputably resolved which indeed is very strange and wonderful but yet upon serious Thoughts we shall find it but a fulfilling of that Word of the Lord viz. I will do a marvellous Work amongst this People even a marvellous Work and a Wonder But what is that Why the Wisdom of their Wise men shall perish and the Vnderstanding of the Prudent men shall be hid But when shall that be viz. When they teach for Doctrines the Commands or the fear or Worship of God for the Precepts of men Our very case and whereof we have frequent and continual experience For with what Evidence and Demonstration of Truth will the Papists argue against and censure the Heathen for their Idolatries and yet at the same time be guilty of the same thing themselves and expose themselves to the Censure of the Heathen on the one side and the Protestants on the other How wisely how spiritually will Protestants dispute with handle and judge the Papists for leaving the Word of God for Fables for their Will-Worship False-Worship Idolatry c. and yet at the same time be guilty of Will Worship themselves exposing themselves to the Censure both of Papist and Non-Conformist Of which we might give you divers Instances both of the one and of the other and whereof take one or two This very Jesuite who disputes with the Doctor falls out in a most severe Censure of the Pagans for their most damnable Diabolical Idolatry in Worshipping their inferior Deities as Venus Mars Bacchus Vulcan and the like Rabble of Devils as he calls them who were their Damons Hero's or Intercessors to their superior Deity Jupiter not being aware which also the Doctor improves against him that they were guilty of the same Crime themselves in setting up their Inferior Deities the Virgin Mary St. Peter St Paul and a hundred more as Mediators and Intercessors to the Supream and to whom as the Doctor observes they pay divine Honour and Worship bowing and kneeling before them and their Images also which he proves against them to be no less Diabolical Idolatry The Jesuite being quick-sighted returns smartly upon the Doctor That whilst he judges their bowing and kneeling before their Images to be Idolatry how can he justifie their bowing and kneeling before the consecrated Elements bowing at the Altar East Name of Jesus Putting off their Hats c. which the Jesuite on the one hand and the Dissenters on the other hand improve against him And so whilst Dr. Pierce severely censures the Papists for varying from the primitive Pattern in their Superstitions and Abominations Because it was not so from the beginning Sergent the Jesuit returns his own Argument smartly upon him for doing the same thing in many particulars and which the Dissenter also doth for the same viz. for varying in so many things from the primitive Pattern whilst he judges others for the same To which we might add divers Instances both as to Papists and Protestants especially in those three Points Idolatry Imposition and Persecution So that as it hath been generally observ'd the Papists Arguments againsts the Heathen the Protestants Arguments against the Papists are most substantial Arguments against themselves when their practice gives their principle the Lye so rendring themselves altogether inexcusable as faith the Text Therefore thou art inexcusable O man whosoever thou art that judgest for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thy self for thou that judgest dost the same things But be sure that the Judgment of God is according to Truth against them which commit such things And thinkest thou this O man that judgest them which do such things and doest the same that thou shalt escape the Judgment of God c. Another Objection that is brought against the Dissenters is Because they separate from the Church of England for ●eer Nicities for little things which in their own Nature are indifferent To that purpose you are pleas'd to express your self viz. A scrupulous Conscience is conversant about things in their own nature Indifferent and it consists Either in strictly tying up our selves to some things which God hath no where commanded as the Pharisees made great Conscience of Washing before they did eat and abundance of other unnecessary Rights and Vsages they had of mens own inventing and devising which they as Religiously nay more Carefully observed than the indisputable Commands of God himself Or in a Conscientious abstaining from some things 〈…〉 not forbid nor any ways unlawful Touch not tas●● not 〈…〉 not doubting and fearing where no fear is thinking that 〈…〉 as much offend God by eating some kind of Meats 〈…〉 Garments as they should do were they guilty of 〈…〉 Adultery Which is the case of many amongst 〈…〉 Scrupulosity about little matters seem more 〈…〉 ●uster● than other good and honest Christians are or 〈◊〉 need or ought to be And a little further you add A 〈◊〉 Conscience therefore starts and boggles where there is no real 〈◊〉 or Mischief is afraid of omitting or doing what may be omitted or done without sin Which I know not how better to illustrate than by those unaccountable Antipathies or Prejudices that s●me men have against some sort of Meats or living Creatures which have not the least harm or

with the Church of Rome that we have most clear evidence of its being a symbolizing with her in an Apostolical Institution Thus have you the Objection in words at length to which in each part the Dissenters do say or may be supposed to say as followeth In the first place If it be taken for granted that the Pattern is fetch'd from those times and not from the Popish times viz. Rome in its Apostacy we would inquire these two things 1. By what Rule or Reason they should be a pattern to us so as to have their Rites and Services Impos'd upon us for our Ritual And 2 whether there were not great Errors and Superstitions in those times as well as the succeeding Ages First Why should our first Reformers any more impose the Rites and Customs of those times upon us than any other Why were we more obliged to accept of the Ecclesiastical Laws of Constantine than his Civil as Doctor Taylor well urges That the Fathers met at Laodicea at Antioch at Nice at Gangra ● 1000 or 1300 years ago should have any Authority ●ver us in England so many Ages after is so infinitely unreasonable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the Fearful and Vnbelievers the Scrupulo●● and 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a slavish Nature and are in bondage 〈…〉 and know not how to stand in the Liberty by which 〈…〉 them free will account themselves in 〈…〉 upon this account the Rulers of the Church will 〈…〉 just warrantable Canon we are to obey in 〈…〉 they have power to Command But the 〈…〉 for being in the OLD CODES of the Church 〈…〉 than the LAWS OF CONSTANTINE No they 〈◊〉 higher or else it will not do To the first Primitive Christianity and Religion in the first Primitive times given as by Christ and his Apostles For Dr. Stillingfleet has well instructed us if we believe the Scriptures are the ONLY RVLE of FAITH then it follows Councils and Fathers Traditions and private Spirits are no more our Rule than the Pope himself and therefore with the Doctor we refuse the Belief of all the Additions Inventions Traditions because not contain'd in our only Rule of Faith To the La● and to the Testimony if they speak not according to that it is because there is no Light in them But secondly do we not find these very times abounding very much with Error and Superstiti●n Which is an Argument we should not receive them for our Pattern more tha● others whereof I shall give you some Instances from their Naevi or Errors mentioned by the Centurists viz That Origen asserted two Christs deny'd his Godhead the Head of the Arians and Pelagians holding as Jerom saith very desperately about the Spirit and very corruptly about Angels Devils Creation Providence Original Sin Church-Government and the Resurrection and Sacrificing for the Dead Orig. l. 3. in Jo. Baptism takes away Sin and that there must be a Baptism after the Resurrection They also say of Cyprian That Cyprian affirm'd the Church of Rome to be the Mother-Church that there ought to be one High Priest over the Church and that the principal Church is Peter's Chair from whence the Unity of the Priesthood ariseth and that upon Peter the Church is founded That he was a violent Impugner of Priests Marriages held that Sins are done away by Alms and good Works That the person Baptizing in the very Act conferreth the Holy Spirit that Chrysm and Exorcism are absolutely necessary and that there should be Sacrifices for the Dead though some suppose many of these things were foisted in by the Papists St. Austin prays for the dead the Soul of his Mother Monica St. Ambrose for the Soul of Theodosius St. Gregory for the Soul of Trajan St. Austin saith Prayers avail not unto all alike who are departed therefore when the Sacrifices of the Altar or of Alms are offered for all them who are baptized and are defunct for the good they are Thanksgivings for the not very bad they are Propitiations for the very bad though not help the dead yet comfort to the living Chrysostom was for offering Prayers for the dead with Alms and Oblations Austin a great friend to Reliques affirming great Miracles wrought by them Jerome a great defender of Reliques Adoration of them Constantine a great admirer of Reliques Mr. Mede says That Primitive Christians canonized Saints and honoured the Reliques in Imitation of the Gentiles their Daemon-worship thereby to allure them which saith he laid the foundation of Antichrist's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Idolatrick Apostacy They had Sufflation Trine Immersion Exorcism Chrysm white Garments Milk Honey to the new baptized giving the Eucharist to the Infant from the 4 to the 12 Century mingling Water with the Sacramental Wine the Eulogiae c. To which head you may add the Royal Witness in the beginning So that from the consideration of the Errors and Superstitions abounding in these times there is no ground why our first Reformers should propose them for our Pattern for if in one thing why not in another But in the next place I presume upon a fair Examination of particulars these two things will appear 1. That we in the Church of England do not in our Rites Services and Ceremonies symbolize with Antiquity And 2. that we do wholly symbolize in most if not in all of them with Popery 1. It is manifest that our first Reformers as we are told did not make such a perfect piece from pure primitive Antiquity in the first Reformation and forming of our Liturgy which contains so much the Rites Services and Ceremonies of the Church for if so there had been no such need to make so many Alterations and reform so often and in so many things the Reformation And that they have so done the Author of the Protestant Reconciler gives us this Account It is certain saith he that our Church hath already altered her Liturgy at several times and in several parts viz. the Lessons Festivals Ceremonies Rubrick Collects Prayers the Form of Administration of Sacraments the Catechism Confirmation Marriage Visitation of the sick the Burial of the dead and Commination All which he has demonstrated in each particular and from thence he makes these three Remarks 1. That the pretence of still retaining imposing the present Ceremonies out of due Reverence to Antiquity is false hypocritical 2. That it cannot justly be pretended that these Ceremonies are retained and imposed to manifest the Justice and Equity of the Reformation by letting their Enemies see they did not break Communion with them for meer indifferent things or that we left the Church of Rome no further than she left Antiquity 3. Hence it appears how senselesly it is alledged that we cannot abate or change these Ceremonies because they have been once received and owned by the Church BUT in the next place the descending into particulars will

use of these Ceremonies by reason of such his opinion should be superstition to him And Dr. Patrick in the Friendly Debate Then say they VVill-worship is erected when any thing is to be enjoyned to be done or not done as if it were the VVill and Command of God he should be so served when it is a meer Constitution of the Will of Man Then do we make Ceremonies to be parts of divine Worship when we suppose them to be so necessary that the doing of them would be a thing pleasing to God and the omitting of them the contrary although there were no humane Law which required the doing of them And secondly when we suppose them unalterable and obligatory so the Consciences of all Christians for this supposes an equal necessity with that of divine Institution All which so fully speaks the Sense of the Dissenters that there needs no better Answer to be given than what they themselves have put into their Mouths But saith Mr. Allen in Contradiction to his Brethern That things that are not used as Commanded by God taking for granted they had not so urg'd them and only as Matters of humane prudence cannot he saith be charged to be Will-worship But for his better Information we would refer him to the Protestant Reconciler and the many Authorities urged by their own Pens to clear the same with this Addition as to Jeroboam's Case who varied but in four particulars as to the Service and Ceremonies of Worship viz. the place of Worship Dan and ●ethel i●●●ead of Jerusalem 2. the Signs of Divine 〈…〉 Golden Calves instead of the Cherubims 3. 〈…〉 of the Feast 15 of the 8 Moneth instead of the 7th 〈…〉 administring making of Priests All 〈…〉 think were but Circumstantials about 〈…〉 not under the notion of being Commanded 〈…〉 as Mr. Allen observes of our Ceremonies 〈…〉 of humane prudence and for which 〈…〉 much to say to the Dissenters in that day who 〈…〉 separated from him for the same 2 Chron. 11. 16. 〈◊〉 13. and 14. as Mr. Anisworth in his Plea for Jeroboam most notably observes who kept in the mean time to the Articles of Faith and fundamental Ordinances of Religion and worshipping with Reverence the God of his Fathers making Alterations in things meerly Ceremonial whereof no express Law forbidding and being variable as time place and person gave occasion But however Jeroboam might ●ince the matter and make light of it as others do in like circumstances yet God being a jealous God would not admit of such Innovation and varying from his pure Worship but Reproves these for desperate Idolatry and Reputes it no other than the Worshipping of Devils 2 Chron. 11. 15. His Supremacy in the Kingdom not being able to bear him out in altering the Ordinances of the Service of God and so doing things out of his own heart 1 King 12. 33. it became his Sin and made Israel to sin thereby doing evil above all that went before him having made other Gods and Molten Images to provoke the Lord to Anger 1 Kings 14. 9. Casting him behind his back Therefore the Lord threatens in the next Verses in these words Behold I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam and will cut off Jeroboam him that pisseth against the Wall and him that is shut up and left in Israel and will take away the Remnant of the house of Jeroboam as a man taketh away Dung till it be all gone Him that Dyeth of Jeroboam in the City shall the Dogs 〈◊〉 and him that Dyeth in the Fields shall the Fowls of the Air ●at for the Lord hath spoken it And which all came to pass accordingly Which pregnant Instance the Judicious will I doubt not 〈…〉 consider that these prudent and in indifferent 〈…〉 Religious Worship as they are 〈◊〉 to 〈…〉 minced and extenuated may be of the 〈…〉 with Jeroboam's Idolatry With this 〈…〉 varied but in four and these in above 〈…〉 wherein they have presumed to swerve from 〈…〉 to Gods Word and Worship Another 〈…〉 this and none of the least viz. That Dissenters 〈…〉 to separate from the Church of England for Symbolizing with Romish Rites and Ceremonies because they only retain and practice such Rites and Ceremonies which were practised by Antiquity before Popery took place in the World To this purpose you are pleased to say in your Scrupulous Conscience Now our first Reformers here in England did not go about to invent a new species of Government to devise new Rites and Ceremonies and a new form of Worship such as should be least excepted against and then obtrude it upon this Nation as was done at Geneva and some other places but they wisely considered if they did but reject what the Romanists had added to the Faith and Worship of Christians lay aside their Novel Inventions Vsurpations and unwritten Traditions there would remain the pure simple Primitive Christianity such as it was before the Roman Church was thus degenerated nor have we any thing of Popery left amongst us but what the Papists had left amongst them of Primative Religion and Worship Thus saith the Resolution of the Case of Conscience That the Rites of the Church of England are exceeding few and those plain and easie grave and manly founded on the practice of the Church long before Popery appeared upon the Stage of the World And again As to our Churches prescribing a Liturgy of Set-forms of Prayer and Administration of Sacraments and other publick Offices it is easie to shew that Symbolizing with the Church of Rome herein is so far from being culpable and much more from being a just ground of Separation from our Church that it is highly commendable for as herein our Church no less symbolizeth with the Primitive Church than with that of Rome as she is now Constituted And Dr. Saravia who saith thus Satis est modestis 〈◊〉 Christianis satisfacere qui ita recesserunt a Superstitionibus Idolatria Romanae Ecclesiae ut probates ab Orthodoxis Patribus mores non rejicient That it may be a sufficient satisfaction to modest and pious Christians that there is such 〈…〉 from the Superstitions and Idolatry of the Church of 〈…〉 to reject the approved Customs of the Orthodox Fathers These our Rites and Ceremonies saith 〈…〉 are retained and kept out of due Reverence to 〈…〉 again These Ceremonies were retained or Impos'd 〈…〉 and Equity of the Reformation by 〈…〉 see they did not break Communion with them for 〈…〉 things or that they left the Church Rome no further than they left the Ancient Church The Doctor further assures us That as to Discipline respecting the Government of the Church by Bishops is to be made good by a Vniversal Tradition universally received since the Apostles times as the Apostolical Government viz. Diocesan Bishops As to the Government of our Churches by Bishops saith the Resolver this is so far from being an unlawful Symbolizing

into the Epistles and Gospels which was not heard of before the days of Popery I dare not Avow that this is that Reverend handling of the Scriptures and the right dividing of the Word of Truth which Saint Paul Requireth 2 Tim. 2. 15. Thirdly The great Inconveniency which hath followed this Book while it hath Maintained an Vnlearned Ministry and made it thought sufficient to have the Service Read wherein we have made the Spirit of God to speak in vain 1 Tim. 3. 12. which Requires the Ministers of the Gospel to be apt to Teach and to exhort and Reprove Tit. 1. 9. This is an other Cause why I cannot Subscribe unto the Book that it hath all things answerable to the Word of God But the Abridgment is much more full bringing Arguments from the Scripture The Fathers the Old Reformers and our own Old Protestant Doctors against it whereof I shall give this following Account First It is contrary to the Word of God to use such Ceremonies in the Worship of God as man has devised if they be notoriously known to have been of old and still to be abused unto Idolatry and Superstition by the Papists especially if the same be now of no necessary use in the Church where note that the Ceremonial part of the English Service that is like unto that of the Romish is what has been abused by the Papists to Idolatry or Superstition but yet are not so necessary to Divine Worship but that the Worship may be Compleat Devout and orderly without them which appears saith they First by the Second Commandment which forbids all provocation unto Spiritual Fornication as the 7th doth unto that which is Carnal Secondly By the Commandment and Direction God hath given us in his Word to Seperate our selves from Idolaters and be as unlike to them as may be especially in their Religions Observations and Ceremonies to abolish not only all Idols and that so as we may best shew our utmost Detestation to them and root out the very memory of them Thirdly By the Equity and Reasons of these Commandments which we find set down in Holy Scripture viz. 1. The detestation which the Lord our God being a Jealous God beareth unto Idolatry and all the Instruments and Tokens thereof as unto Spiritual Whoredom Secondly That it cannot be said sincerely we have Repented of the Idolatry of our Forefathers unless we be ashamed of and cast away with Detestation all the Instruments and Monuments of it Thirdly That we shall be in danger to be Corrupted in the Substance of Religion and Purity of Doctrine and even to fall back again to Idolatry if we Conform our selves to Idolaterous Ceremonies yea if we shew not all Detestation unto them Fourthly That our Conformity with Idolators in their Ceremonies wherein they Repose the greatest part of their Religion will be a special means to harden them in Superstition Fifthly That seeing the Pope is revealed to be that Great Antichrist and his Idolatry troubleth the Church at this day more than any other and our people Converse more with Papists then with any other Idolators there is more danger in the Retaining of the Ceremonies and Relicks of Popery then of any other Idolatry whatsoever By the Judgment of the Godly Learned of all Churches and Ages who have Constantly Taught and given Testimony of this Truth That Christians are Bound to cast off the Ceremonies and Religious Customs of Pagans Jews Idolators and Hereticks and Carefully to shun all Conformity with them therein In the Council of Nice it was Decreed That Christians might not keep the Feast of Easter at that Time nor in that manner the Jews did let us say they in nothing agree with that most detestable rout of the Jews And in another Councel That none should fast on the Lords Day because the Manachees had taken up that day to fast in That such Altars as were set up in the Country and High-ways in Memory of the Martyrs should be Abolished and that Solemn Requests should be made to the Emperor that all Reliques and Monuments of Idolatry might be utterly Destroyed and this Decree we find Cited by Dr. Fulk In another Councel That Christians should not Celebrate Feasts on the Birth days of Martyrs because that was the manner of the Heathens Tertullian is large and vehement in this point As saith he We may give nothing to the Service of an Idol so may you borrow nothing from the Service of an Idol if it be against Religion to sit at Table in any Idols Temple What is it to be seen in the Habit of an Idol Thou that art Christian must hate those things the Authors and Inventers whereof thou canst not choose but hate Austin himself Saith if you would win Pagans leave all their Solemnities for sake their Toyes The Judgment of the Church of Scotland in their Letter to the Bishops of England 1556. from a General Assembly at Edenborough thus writ if Surplice Corner Cap and Tipper have been Badges of Idolators in the very Act of Idolatry what have the Preachers of Christian Liberty and the open Rebukers of Superstition to do with the dress of the Romish Beast And in the Confession of their Faith sworn to by them and the Kings Majesty also We find these words and Detest all his Ceremonies and False Doctrines of the Roman Antichrist added to the Ministration of the True Sacraments We Detest all his vain Rites Signs and Traditions brought into the Church without the Word of God Mr. Rogers that Holy Martyr would not Consent to a Cannon that was to be made in K. Edwards Days for the Clergies Conformity in Cap Tippet and the rest of the Apparel unless it might be Decreed that the Papists for a Difference between them and others might be Constrained to wear upon their Sleves A Challice with a House upon it Bishop Pilkington misliked that in our Liturgy we are so like the Papists in Marriage and many other things this faith he is our fault generally that we differ not from them in all our Ministry Bishop Bilson Defending the Reformed Churches against a Slander of the Papists Approvingly Reporteth thus of them The Reformed Churches Saith he are so far from Admitting the full dost of your Heresies that by no means they can digest one Dram of your Ceremonies Dr. Humphrey Saith That we aught to Refuse to Conform our Selves to the Enemies of God in any of their Ceremonies Professing plainly his Desire and hope of the utter Abolishing of the Ceremhnies af all the Monuments of Popish Superstition that yet Remain in our Church Dr. Fulk Saith That if a man mislike our Form of Service as not differing sufficiently from yours he Sheweth his greatest Zeal in Detestation of your Idolatry and Blasphemy And again we abhor sath he whatsoever hath but a Shew of Popery Dr. Stu●liff maketh this one of his Principal Arguments against the Papists that they have derived most of their Ceremonies and Customs from the

ordinary in the Greek Church because not only Constantine the Great the Son of Helena a zealous Christian but also Gregory Nazianzen who was the Son of a Christian Bishop and brought up long by him was not baptized till he came to years as is saith he related in his Life Daille the learned French-man tell us That in ancient times they often deferred the Baptism of Infants as appeareth saith he by the History of Constantine Theodos●us Valentinian Gratian and in St. Ambrose and also by the Orations of Gregory Nazianzen and St. Basil on this subject And some of the Fathers have been of opinion that it is ●it it should be deferr'd But whence is it saith he that the very mentioning hereof is scarce to be endured at this day Vse of the Fathers l. 2. p. 149. Dr. Field saith That very many that were born of Christian Parents besides those that were converted from Paganism put off their Baptism for a long time insomuch that many were made Bishops before they were baptized On the Church p. 729. Mr. Baxter a great Asserter and Defender of Infant-Baptism doth ingenuously own after his long search into Antiquity thus much I will confess that the words of Tertullian and Nazianzen shew that it was long before all were agreed of the very time or of the necessity of baptizing of Infants before any use of Reason in case they were like to live to Maturity More Proofs p. 279. As for Baptizing Infants with Sureties Fidejussors or Gossips as the Liturgy enjoyns and such an Essential part of the Ordinance owning that the baptized Persons are required to repent and believe and that Infants are capable 〈◊〉 do neither but that they do both by their Sureties appears also if the learned are to be credited to be no less a Novelty as the Centurists declare Magd. Cent. 4. cap. 6 p. 419. De susceptoribus certi nihil Invenias that is you can find nothing certain of Godfathers in that Age. But that it came in the 5th Century Cen. 5. c. 4. p. 656. Adhibitos interdum susceptores sou Patrinos ex Autoribus hujus temporis liquet that is the Authors of the 5th Century mention Sureties or Godfathers Upon which Dr. Taylor saith I know God might if he would have appointed Godfathers to give Answer in the behalf of Children and to be Fidejussors for them but we cannot find any authority or ground that he hath and if he had that it is to be supposed he would have given them Commission to have transacted the solemnity with better Cir●umstances and have given Answers with more Truth for the Question is ask'd of Believing in the present and if the Godfather answers in the Name of the Child I DO BELIEVE it is Notorious they speak false and ridiculous for the Infant is not capable of Believing and if he were he were also capable of dissenting and how then do they know his mind And thefore saith he Tertullian and Nazianzen gave advice that the baptizing of Infants should be deferr'd till they could give an account of their own Faith Walafridus Strabo who lived about the year 840. saith De rebus eccl c. 26. That in the first times the grace of Baptism was wont to be given to them only who were come to that Integrity of mind and body that they could know and understand what profit was to be gotten by Baptism what was to be confessed and believed what lastly was to be observed by them that are new-born in Christ and confirms it by Austin's own Confession of himself continuing a Catechumen long before he was baptized But afterwards saith he Christians understanding Original Sin and least their Children should perish without any means of Grace had them he saith baptized by the decree of the Council of Africa and then adds how Godfathers and Godmothers were invented Johannis Bohemius lib. 2. de Gent. Moribus saith It was in times past the Custom to administer Baptism only to those that were instructed in the Faith and seven times in the week before Easter and Penticost catechiz'd but afterwards when it was thought and adjudged needful to eternal Life to be baptized it was ordained that New-born Children should be baptized and Godfathers were appointed who should make Confession and Renounce the Devil on their behalf As for the Liturgy it is another thing than can be found among the Antients Is it not clear that in the 3d Century they had no Directory or Book to pray by as Tertullian in his Apology mentions We look up to Heaven with our hands stretched forth as being innocent and bear-headed as not ashamed to make our Prayers sine Monitore without a Directory as coming from the free motion of our own hearts Platina tells us that in Celestine's time there was no other parts of the Mass but the Reading of the Epistles and ●ospels which was Anno 435. Platina in Celest 1. Justin Martyr in the second Century fully sheweth the manner of Christian Service in his time The Ancient Christians saith he had their Meetings on the Sunday they began with Prayers for the Church especially for the Inlightend which were baptized then the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles are read as time permits then a Sermon unto the People and exhorts them all unto the Imitation of the best things then all do rise up and pour forth their prayers again when their prayers are ended Bread and Wine mixed with Water are brought forth which being taken he who hath the Charge goeth before the People with an earnest voice in praising God and thanksgiving and the People do answer with a loud voice Amen Then the Deacons divide the holy Signs unto them all which are present and carry the same unto the absent this saith he we call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thanksgiving whereof none may partake unless he believe the true Doctrine and be washed in the laver unto Regeneration and Remission of sins and live so as Christ hath directed After this is a gathering of Alms. And p. 7. He who instructed the People prayed according to his ability Here was no Liturgy or Common Prayers mentioned Walafrid Strabo who wrote in the 9th Century saith in his Book de Rebus Ecclesiae All which is done now with a multitude of Prayers Lessons Songs and Cons●●rations which the Apostles and those who next followed them did with prayers and remembrance of the Lords sufferings even as he commanded Socrates saith That among all the Christians in that Age scarce two were to be found that used the same words in Prayer Pope Gregory the first made a new form of Service which they call the Mass and did add many Ceremonies that were not in use before So that Platina saith The whole Institution of the Mass was Invented by him we in England had ours from Gregory who by his Minister Austin first founded the Church and introduced most