246 The LIFE of the i, I B. I. Of Ceremonies. § z r.We conceived there needs nomore to bePaid for juftifying the Impolition of the Ceremonies by Law eltablifhed, then what is contained in the beginning of this Section :.which giveth a full and fatisfa&kory.Anfwer to all that is alledged or ob. jeáed in the following Difcourfe, which is-for the molt part rather Rhetoricalthan Argumentative. Inafmuch as lawful Authority hath already determined the Cere- monies in queftion tobe decent and orderly, and to ferve to Edification; and con- fequently to be agreeable to the GeneralRules of the Word. We acknowledge the Worlhip of God to be in it felfperfe& in regardof Effen- tials, which hindereth not but that it may be capable of being improved to us by addition of Circumftantials in order to Decency and Edification. As the Lord bath declared hìmfelFJealous in Matters concerning the Subffance of his Worlhip, fo hath he left the Church-at liberty for Circumltantials to deter- mine concerning Particulars according to Prudence as occafion fhall require, fo as the forefaid General Rules be.11ìll obferved5 And therefore the impofingand Ming indifferent Ceremonies, is not varying from. the Will of God , nor is there made thereby any addition to, or detraétion from the holy Dutiesof God'sWorlhip. Nor doth the fameany way hinder the Communicationof God's Graee or Comfort in the performance of fuch Duties. 122. The Ceremonies were never elteemed Sacraments, or impofed as fuch; nor was ever any Moral efficacy afcribed to them, nor doth the fignifrcancy ( without which they could not ferve to Edification) import or infer any fuch thing. § 2;. Ceremonies have been retained by moll of the Proteftant Churches a- t dPopery, been pvr nh he moft which Learned, ofth l uches hahavenote aied them. Every National for themfelysrto appoint in order to be thebeft and moft to Decency and Edification, Judge iout prefcribing toother Churches. § an.. That the Ceremonies have beenMatter ofContention in this or any other Churchwas not either from the Nature of the Thing enjoyned, or the enfoyniog of the fame by lawful Authority: but partly from the weaknefs of fome Men's Judgments unable to fearch into the Reafon ofThings: and partly from the un- fubduednefs of fome Mens Spirits more apt to contend, thanwilling to fubmit their private Opinions to the Publick Judgment of the Church. § 25. Of chore that were obnoxiousto the Law, very few (in comparifon) have been deprived, and noneof them ( for ought we know) but fuch as after admo- nition and long forbearance finally refufed to do, what not only the Laws required to be done, but themfelves elfoformerly had folemnly and (as they profeffed) wil- lingly promifed to do. a6. We do not feewith what Confcience any Man could leave the Exercife of his Miniltry inhis peculiar Charge, for not fubmitting to lawful Authority in the suing of fuch things as were in his own Judgment no more than inexpedient only. And it is certainly a great mi(take at the leali, to call the fubmitcing to Authority in fuch things, a bringing the Confcience under the poner of them. § 27. The Separation that bath been made from the Church, was from the ta- king a Scandal wherenone was given : The Church having fullydeclared her fence touching the Ceremonies impofed, asThings not in their Nature neceffary, but indifferent. But was chiefly occafioned by the Pra&ice, and defended from the Principles of thofe that refuted Conformity to the Law, the jufl Rule and Mea- fareof the ChurchesUnity. § 28. TheNature of Things being declared to be mutable, rheweth that they may therefore be changed, as they that 'are in Authority (hall fee it expedient; but it is no proof at all that it is therefore expedient that it Ihould be a lually changed. Yet it's a fufficient Caution againft the Opinion (or Objedtion rather) of their being held by the Impofers either neceffary or Subftantials of Worlhip. Befides, changing evenof good Laws, any would infer an of Laws the liable to fame
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