HUMPHREY. 367 in by papists, and continued in their service as proper ornaments of their religion. Q. May any thing that is indifferent be enjoined as godly, for the use of the common prayer and sacraments? A. If it be merely indifferent, as time, place, and such necessary circumstances of divine worship, for which there may be ground brought from scripture, we think it may. Q. May the civil magistrate constitute by law, an absti- nence from meats on certain days ? A. If it be sufficiently guarded against superstition, he may appoint it, due regard being had to persons and times. Q. May a law be enacted to make a difference in the apparel of ministers from laymen ? A. Whether such prescription to a minister of the gospel of Christ be lawful, may be doubted ; because no such thing is decreed in the New Testament. Nor did the pri- mitive church appoint any such thing, but chose rather to have their ministers distinguished from the laity by their doctrine, not by their vestments. Q. Ought the ministers going in popish apparel, to be condemned for so doing ? A. We judgeno man. To his own master he standeth or falleth. Q. Ought such preachers to be reformed or restrained, or not ? A. Irenwus will not have brethren restrained from bro- therly communion, for diversity in ceremonies, provided there be unity of faith and charity; and it is desirable to have the like charitable permission among us. To these answers, they subjoined several additional arguments against wearing and imposing the habits : as, " Apparel ought not to be worn, as meat ought not to be eaten ; but according to St. Paul, meat offered to idols ought not to be eaten, therefore popish apparel ought not to be worn.-Weought not to give offence in matters of mere indifference; therefore the bishops who are of this opinion, ought notto enforce the habits.-Popishgarments have many superstitious mystical significations, for which they are consecrated ; we ought, therefore, to lay them aside.-Some suppose our ministrations are not valid, or acceptable to God, unless performed in the apparel; we apprehend it, therefore, highly necessary to undeceive the people.-- Things indifferent ought not to be made necessary, because then their nature is changed, and we lose our liberty.--And if weare bound to wear popish apparel when commanded, AR-
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