If not, let them propose what they desire in point of expediency,
and acknowledge it to be no more.
This was proposed, doubtless, by one of your sensible men; it is so
plain, so plausible, shallow, 'nihili, nauci, pili, flocci-cal'. Why,
the very phrase "contrary to the word of God" would take a month to
define, and neither party agree at last. One party says:
The Church has power from God's word to order all matters of order so as
shall appear to them to conduce to decency and edification: but
ceremonies respect the orderly performance of divine service: ergo, the
Church has power to ordain ceremonies: but the Cross in baptizing is a
ceremony; ergo, the Church has power to prescribe the crossing in
Baptism. What is rightfully ordered cannot be rightfully withstood:--but
the crossing, &c., is rightfully ordered:--'ergo', the crossing cannot
be rightfully omitted.
To this, how easily would the other party reply;
1. That a small number of Bishops could not be called the Church:
2. That no one Church had power or pretence from God's word to prescribe
concerning mere matters of outward decency and convenience to other
Churches or assemblies of Christian people:
3. That the blending an unnecessary and suspicious, if not
superstitious, motion of the hand with a necessary and essential act
doth in no wise respect order or propriety:
Lastly, that to forbid a man to obey a direct command of God because he
will not join with it an admitted mere tradition of men, is contrary to
common sense, no less than to God's word, expressly and by breach of
charity, which is the great end and purpose of God's word.
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