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Updated: May 12, 2025
I answer thee, In matters of this nature and quality the sentence of thy superiors ought to direct thee, and that is a sufficient ground to thy conscience for obeying.” Thus we see that they urge the ceremonies, not only with a necessity of practice upon the outward man, but also with a necessity of opinion upon the conscience, and that merely because of the church’s determination and appointment; yea, Dr Mortoune maketh kneeling in the act of receiving the communion to be in some sort necessary in itself, for he maintaineth, that though it be not essentially necessary as food, yet it is accidentally necessary as physic.
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.
Dr Mortoune himself allegeth another case out of Tertullian, which maketh to this purpose, namely, that Christian proselytes did distinguish themselves from Roman pagans, by casting away their gowns and wearing of cloaks. But these things we are not to urge, because we plead not for dissimilitude with the Papists in civil fashions, but in sacred and religious ceremonies.
Saravia holdeth, that by the sign of the cross we profess ourselves to be Christians; Bishop Mortoune calleth the cross a sign of constant profession of Christianity; Hooker calleth it “Christ’s mark applied unto that part where bashfulness appeareth, in token that they which are Christians should be at no time ashamed of his ignominy;” Dr Burges maintaineth the using of the surplice to signify the pureness that ought to be in the minister of God; Paybody will have kneeling at the Lord’s supper to be a signification of the humble and grateful acknowledging of the benefits of Christ.
I cannot marvel enough how Dr Mortoune and Dr Burges could think to rub the superstition upon Non-conformists, whom they set forth as fancying their abstinence from the ceremonies to be a singular piece of service done to God, placing religion in the not using of them, and teaching men to abstain from them for conscience’ sake.
Though the Bishop muttereth here that no true worship can be occasioned by an image, yet belike he and his fellows will not stand to it, for many of them allow the historical use of images; and the Bishop hath not denied, though his antagonist objecteth it. Dr Mortoune plainly alloweth of images for historical commemoration; and herein he is followed by Dr Burges. 2.
So doth Dr Mortoune tell us, that the reason wherefore the church of England hath institute kneeling in the act of receiving the sacrament, is, that thereby we might testify our due estimation of such holy rites. Paybody makes one of the respects of kneeling to be the reverent handling and using of the sacrament.
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