( 273 ) the Rule they gave was that all things which Chrifi bath commanded, were to be done and alerted, and for the doing of any thing elfe, they gave no Rule. Erpecially they gave not fuch a large Rule as this, that might ferve the turn and intereft of the worít of men, in impofing on the Church, whatever they efleemed Lawfid, as (not by vertue of any Rule ofthe Apoftles, but in an open Rejeecion ofall they gave) it afterwards fell out in the Church. This is a Rule, which would do the Work to the Turpofe of all that have the Reputation of Cover- flours in the Church, be it the 'Pope, or who it will. For they are themfelves the íòle Judges ofwhat is Law- ful 5 thePeople, as it is pretended, underftand nothing ofthefe things. Whatever therefore they have a Mind to introduce into the Worfhip of God, and to impofe on the Praecife ofmen therein, is to be done by vertue of this Afpoilolical Rule, for the Churches Peace, provided theyjudge it Lawful 5 and furelyno Pope was ever yet fo ftark mad, as to impore things in Religion, which he himfelfjudged unlawful. Befides, things may be Law- fidin themfelves, that is, Morally, which yet, it is not Lawful to introduce into the Worfhip ofGod, becaufe not expedient, nor for Edification Yea things may be Lawful to be done fimetimes, on ropme occafions, in the Worfhip ofGod, which yet, it would beunlawful to im- pore by venue of a general binding Rule for all times and feafons. Inflances may be multiplied in each kind. Therefore I fay the Apoflles never gave this Rule 5 they opened no fuch Door unto Arbitrary Impofition; they laid no fuch Yoke on the Necks of the Difciples, which might prove heavier, and did fo, then that ofthe jewifh Ceremonies whichthey had taken away; namely, that they were to do and obfirve all that Pad by their M m Ruler,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=