Cz92,), weakened. For no certain bounds could ever be afíign- ed unto thofe things that areexempted from the Regu- lation of the Scripture. And the fame Plea might be mannaged for many of the `Popfl Orders and Ceremo- nies that were rejected, as forcibly as for them that were retained.And whereas all the Reformed Churches agreed to abide by this Principle in Matters ofFaith, there fell out an admirable Harmony in their confeffions thereof But leaving the Neceffity of attending unto this Rule, in the Matterof Order, Ceremonies, Ritesand Modes ofWorfhip, with the ftate of Churches, in their Rule and Polity, thofe Differences and Divifions enfued a- mongft them, which continue unto this day. But this Perfwafion in fome places made a farther Progrefs, namely, that it was lawful to impofe on the Confefences and. `Prac`lifs of men , fuch things in Religious Worfhip, provided that they concerned outward Order, Rites, Rule and Ceremonies, as are no where prefcribed in the Scripture, and that on fevere Penalties Ecclefaftical and Civil. This almoft utterly deftroyed the great Jim damental Principle of the Reformation, whereon the ñrft Reformers juftiñed theirSeparation from the Church ofRome. : For whereas it is fuppofed the Right ofthem who are tobe the impofers, to determine what doth.be- long unto theHeads mentioned, they might under that pretence impofe what they pleafed, and rule thole whom they impofed them on, the Protection of the a-: forefaid Principle,namely,that nothing ought to befo im- poled that is not prefcribed in the Scripture. This hath proved the Rife of all endlefs Dferences and Schifrnes a mongttus, nor will they be healed until all Chriftiansare reftored unto their Liberty , of being obliged in the thingsofGod, onlyunto. the Authority ofthe Scripture.. The
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