Part 28 (1/2)
_Sect._ 10. 10. The ceremonies, as urged upon us, are also full of superst.i.tion; holiness and wors.h.i.+p are placed in them, as we have proven by unanswerable grounds,(1326) and by testimonies of our opposites themselves. Therefore were they never so indifferent in their own general nature, this placing of them in the state of wors.h.i.+p maketh them cease to be indifferent.
_Sect._ 11. 11. The ceremonies against which we dispute are more than matters of mere order, forasmuch as sacred and mysterious significations are given unto them, and by their significations they are thought to teach men effectually sundry mysteries and duties of piety. Therefore they are not free nor indifferent, but more than men have power to inst.i.tute; for except circ.u.mstances and matters of mere order there is nothing which concerneth the wors.h.i.+p of G.o.d left to the determination of men, and this argument also hath been in all the parts of it fully explained and strengthened by us,(1327) which strongly proveth that the ceremonies are not indifferent, so much as _quo ad speciem_. _Quare doctrina a n.o.bis tradita_ (these be Zanchius' words(1328)) _non licere n.o.bis, aliis externi cultus ceremoniis Deum colere, quam quas ipse in sacris literis per apostolis proescripsit, firma ac certa manet_.
_Sect._ 12. 12. Whatsoever indifferency the ceremonies could be thought to have in their own nature, yet if it be considered how the church of Scotland hath once been purged from them, and hath spued them out with detestation, and hath enjoyed the comfortable light and sweet beams of the glorious and bright s.h.i.+ning gospel of Christ, without shadows and figures, then shall it appear that there is no indifferency in turning back to weak and beggarly elements, Gal. v. 9. And thus saith Calvin(1329) of the ceremonies of the _interim_, that granting they were things in themselves indifferent, yet the rest.i.tution of them in those churches which were once purged from them, is no indifferent thing. Wherefore, O Scotland!
”strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die,” Rev. iii. 2.
Remember also from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else thy candlestick will be quickly removed out of his place, except thou repent, Rev. ii. 5.
THE END.
A BROTHERLY EXAMINATION OF SOME Pa.s.sAGES OF MR COLEMAN'S LATE SERMON UPON JOB XI. 20.
A BROTHERLY EXAMINATION
OF SOME Pa.s.sAGES OF
MR COLEMAN'S LATE SERMON UPON JOB XI. 20,
AS IT IS NOW PRINTED AND PUBLISHED:
BY WHICH HE HATH,
TO THE GREAT OFFENCE OF VERY MANY,
ENDEAVOURED TO STRIKE AT THE VERY ROOT OF ALL SPIRITUAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL GOVERNMENT,
CONTRARY TO
THE WORD OF G.o.d, THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT, OTHER REFORMED CHURCHES,
AND THE VOTES OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT,
AFTER ADVICE HAD WITH THE REVEREND AND LEARNED
a.s.sEMBLY OF DIVINES.
BY GEORGE GILLESPIE,
MINISTER AT EDINBURGH, 1642.
EDINBURGH:
ROBERT OGLE, AND OLIVER & BOYD.