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That the ceremonies practised by the apostles and apostolic churches were not inconvenient, it hath been already showed; that since their times, sundry churches, both ancient and reformed, have practised inconvenient ceremonies, we deny not: yet Mr Sprint himself will not defend all the practices of those churches, whose practice he allegeth against us.

Was there any need to allege more of Zanchius’s words than concerned the point which he had to prove? The Bishop allegeth also a testimony out of Perkins on Gal. iv. 10, which makes him but very little help; for albeit Perkins thought good, in some sort, to excuse the observing of days in his own mother church of England, yet I find in that place, 1.

Mr Sprint allegeth another example out of 2 Chron. xxx. 18-21: To perform God’s worship not as it was written, was a sin, saith he, yet to further God’s substantial worships, which was a good thing, was not regarded of God. Ans. One cannot guess from his words how he thought here to frame an argument, which might conclude the lawfulness of doing some evil, that some good may come of it.

V. Do not account ceremonies to be matters of so small importance that we need not stand much upon them, for, as Hooker observeth, a ceremony, through custom, worketh very much with people. Dr Burges allegeth for his writing about ceremonies, that the matter is important for the consequence of it.

When princes went beyond those limits and bounds, they took upon them to judge and command more than God hath put within the compass of their power. Sect. 6. But as touching the passages of holy Scripture which the Bishop allegeth, I will answer thereto particularly.

But let us hear what Mr Sprint can say to the contrary. He allegeth, the priests’ breaking of the Sabbath, David’s eating of the shewbread, and the apostles’ practising of very hurtful ceremonies; all which things being unlawful were done lawfully, to further greater duties.

Sect. 1. As for those who allege some conveniency in the ceremonies, they say more than can abide the proof of reason, which the induction of some particulars shall demonstrate. Dr Mortoune allegeth for the surplice, that the difference of outward garments cannot but be held convenient for the distinguishing of ministers from laics in the discharge of their function. Ans.

Bishop Spotswood allegeth his words anent the abolishing of these festival days, thus: Ego neque suasor neque impulsor fui, atque hoc testatum volo, si mihi delata optio, &c. Whereas the words in that epistle lie thus: Ego tametsi neque suasor, neque impulsor fui, sic tamen accidisse non moleste fero. Quod si statum nostrae ecclesiae aeque compertum haberes, non dubitares meo judicio subscribere.

As for his second condition, it is all one with that which I have already confuted, namely, that things abused to idolatry may be kept, if they be purged from their abuse, and restored to the right use. But he allegeth for it a passage of Parker, of the Cross, cap. 1, sect. 7, p. 10, where he showeth out of Augustine, that an idolothite may not be kept for private use, except, 1.

Bellarmine, indeed, pleadeth for the utility of ceremonies, as things belonging to the conservation of religion. His reason is, because they set before our senses such an external majesty and splendour, whereby they cause the more reverence. This he allegeth for the utility of the ceremonies of the church of Rome. And I would know what better reason can be alleged for the utility of ours.