WIIITTINGHAM. 231 self with considerable freedom, upon the painful subject; thesubstance of which was as follows et " I understand," says he, " they are about to compel us, contrary to our consciences, to wear the popish apparel, or deprive us of our ministry and livings. Yet when I con- sider the weighty charge enjoined upon us by Almighty God, and the exact account we have to giye of the right use and faithful dispensation of his mysteries, I cannot doubt which to choose. He that would prove the use of the apparel to be a thingindifferent, and may be imposed, must prove that it tendeth to God's glory; that it agreeth with his word ; that it edifieth his church ; and that it maintaineth christian liberty. But if it wanteth these things., then is it not indifferent, but hurtful. And how can God's glory be advanced by those garments which anti- 4christian superstition has invented to maintain and beautify idolatry ? What agreement can the superstitions inven- tions of men, have with the pure word of God? What edification can there be, when the Spirit of God is grieved, the children ofGod discouraged, wicked papists confirmed, and a door openfor such popish traditions and antichristian impiety ? And can that be called true christian liberty, where a yoke is laid on the necks of the disciples ; where the conscience is clogged with impositions ; where faithful preachers are threatened with deprivation ; where the regular tdistensation of the word of God is interrupted ; where rbitgregations are robbed of their learned and godly pastors ; and where the holy sacraments are made subject to superstitious and idolatrous vestments ? " Your lordship will thus see, that to use the ornaments and manners of the wicked, is to approve of their doctrine. God forbid; that we, by wearing the popish attire, as a thing merely indifferent, should seem to consent to their supersti- tious errors. The ancient fathers with one consent, acknow- ledge that all agreement with idolatry, is so far from being indifferent, that it is exceedingly pernicious. Some will say, that the apparel is not designed to set forth popery, but for good policy. Will it then be deemed good policy, to deck the spouse of Christ with the ornaments of the Baby- lonish strumpet, or to force her faithful pastors to be decorated like superstitious papists ? God wouldnot permit his people of old, to retain any of the Gentile manners for Strype's Parker, Appel]. p, 43-4T.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=