“I hate vain inventions: but thy Law do I love.”
Ps. 119:113 Geneva Bible
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Mt. 15:9
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Subsections
Bowing to the Table
Critiques of Anglican Book of Common Prayer
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Order of Contents
Articles 10
Books 6+
Quotes 4+
Rutherford’s Propositions
Alasco’s Plea
Definition of ‘Ceremony’ 5
Natural Ceremonies 4
On 1 Cor. 14:40 2
Rules for 4
Unprofitableness: Warrant for Removal 1
Surplice 4
Cross 4
Bowing at Name of Jesus 2
Latin 3
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Articles
1600’s
Bradshaw, William
A Treatise of Divine Worship, tending to Prove that the Ceremonies Imposed upon the Ministers of the Gospel in England, in Present Controversy, are in their Use Unlawful (Middelburg, 1604) 47 pp. ToC
Calderwood, David – ‘Propositions on Indifferent Things & Ceremonies in Worship’ trans. T. Fentiman (1623; RBO, 2021)
Calderwood (1575–1650) was a Scottish minister and arch-presbyterian. This section of Calderwood is taken from his large Latin work refuting the polity of the Church of England being sought to be imposed on Scotland.
Specifically, these propositions were set against the Articles of Perth (1618) which had instituted in the Church of Scotland (1) kneeling in receiving Communion, (2) observing religious festival days (such as Christmas, Easter, etc.), (3) episcopal confirmation of youth, and (4 & 5) administering baptism and the Lord’s Supper in private places.
Calderwood’s propositions are solid, timeless and are pardigmatic of classical presbyterianism.
Cameron, John – An Examination of those Plausible Appearances which seem Most to Commend the Romish Church, & to Prejudice the Reformed… (Oxford, 1626)
ch. 10, ‘That the Ceremonies of the Romish Church do not Commend, but disparage her’, pp. 33-40
ch. 28, ‘That the Ceremonies of the Romish Church are not of Apostolical Institution’, pp. 113-17
Lunan, Alexander – ‘Problems put Forward by the Rev. Alexander Lunan, Presbyter’ in The First Book [of Two] of the Irenicum of John Forbes of Corse… tr. & ed. Edward G. Selwyn (1629; Cambridge Univ. Press, 1923), pp. 66-69
These problems were theological objections to the imposed ceremonies deriving from the Five Articles of Perth (1618) in the Church of Scotland. Lunan was a minister of the Church of Scotland (see p. 31). Forbe’s Irenicum was a response to Lunan’s Problems.
David Calderwood responded to Forbes in his Re-Examination of the Perth Articles (1636), as did George Gillespie in his Dispute Against the English-Popish Ceremonies (1637).
Rutherford, Samuel
‘Samuel Rutherford & Thomas Sydserff, Bishop of Galloway, ‘An Discussing of Some Arguments Against Canons & Ceremonies in God’s Worship’ 1636′ in Religious Controversy in Scotland, 1625-1639 ed. David G. Mullan in Scottish History Society, Fifth Series, vol 11 (Edinburgh: Scottish Historical Society, 1998), pp. 82-99 A debate between the two men.
The debate first centers around whether ceremonies in worship, claimed to be indifferent, are legitimately scandals to the weak or not. Then is more specifically discussed the episcopal practice of kneeling in order to partake of the Lord’s Supper. At the end Rutherford gives a definition of worship.
‘The Introduction’ & Ch. 1 of The Divine Right of Church Government 1646, pp. 1-192
Mather, Samuel – A Testimony from the Scripture Against Idolatry & Superstition in Two Sermons: the first witnessing in generall against all the idols and inventions of men in the worship of God: the second, more particularly against the ceremonies and some other corruptions of the Church of England: preached the one Sept. 27, the other Sept. 30, 1660 (Cambridge, Mass.: 1670)
Owen, John – Question 14, ‘May not the Church find out and appoint to be observed such religious rites as being adjoined unto the celebration of God’s instituted worship, may farther the devotion of the worshippers, and render the worship itself in its performance more decent, beautiful and orderly, as the appointing of Images, and the like?’ in A Brief Instruction in the Worship of God… (London: 1667), pp. 54-65
Chauncy, Isaac – ch. 22, ‘Of the Imposition of Ceremonies’ in The Catholic Hierarchy: or, The Divine Right of a Sacred Dominion in Church & Conscience Truly Stated, Asserted & Pleaded (London: Crouch, 1681), pp. 138-43
Calamy, Benjamin – A Discourse Concerning the Rise & Antiquity of Cathedral Worship in a Letter to a Friend (London, 1699) 35 pp.
Calamy (bap.1646-c.1685) was reformed.
Calamy argues against the Anglican cathedral worship, which, unlike the more simple English, parish worship, included instruments, musicians, conductors, choirs, interludes, complex music and singing, and other ceremonious displays as worship unto God.
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Books
1600’s
Bradshaw, William – Twelve General Arguments Proving that the Ceremonies Imposed upon the Ministers of the Gospel in England by our Prelates are Unlawful, & therefore that the Ministers of the Gospel, for the bare & sole omission of them in Church Service, for conscience sake, are most unjustly charged of disloyalty to his Majesty (Middelburg, 1605) 80 pp.
Ames, William
A Reply to Dr. Morton’s General Defence of Three Nocent [Noxious] Ceremonies. viz. the Surplice, Cross in Baptism & Kneeling at the Receiving of the Sacramental Elements of Bread & Wine ([Amsterdam] 1622) 114 pp.
This work mainly gives arguments against instituted ceremonies in general.
A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship, or a Triplication unto Dr. Burgess’s rejoinder for Dr. Morton ([Rotterdam?], 1633) Index ToC, Pt. 1, Pt. 2 GB
Gillespie, George – A Dispute Against the English-Popish Ceremonies Obtruded on the Church of Scotland… (1637)
This launched the 2nd Reformation in Scotland, in 1638. Gillespie here argues, with the authority of God’s Word, against much of contemporary presbyterian and reformed worship.
Baxter, Richard
5th Disputation, ‘Of Human Ceremonies: whether they are Necessary or Profitable to the Church and how far they may be Imposed or Observed?’ (London, 1658) in Five Disputations of Church-Government & Worship… (London, 1659), pp. 393-492
Table of Contents
ch.1, ‘Distinctions & propositions in order to the decision’ 395
ch. 2, Proposition 1, ‘Such ceremonies as God has forbidden, or given man no power to institute, are not to be imposed on the Church, as profitable or lawful’ 399
ch. 3, Proposition 2, ‘In such unlawful impositions… it is an aggravation of the sin if Governors pretend that their ceremonies are divine’ 425
ch. 4, Propositions 3 & 4, ‘If things unlawful are commanded as indifferent, or things indifferent as necessary, they are sinfully imposed, and the more because of such pretenses’ 427
ch. 5, Proposition 5, ‘A lawful and convenient thing is sinfully commanded, when it is commanded on a greater penalty than the nature and use of it does require, or than the common good will bear’ 429
ch. 6, Proposition 6, ‘It is not lawful to make any thing the subject’s duty by a command that is merely indifferent antecedently, both in itself, and as clothes with its accidents’ 433
ch. 7, Proposition 7, ‘Some things may be lawfully and profitably commanded at one time and place, and to one sort of people, that may not at, or to, another; no nor obeyed, if commanded’ 439
ch. 8, Proposition 8, ‘Those orders may be profitable for the peace of the Churches in one nation, that are not necessary to the peace of the Churches in many nations’ 445
ch. 9, Proposition 9, ‘There is no mere human, universal sovereign, civil or ecclesiastical, over the whole Church, and therefore none to make laws obligatory to the whole’ 448
ch. 10, Proposition 10, ‘If it be not our lawful governors that command us, but usurpers, we are not formally bound to obey them, though the thing be lawful which they command’ 452
ch. 11, Proposition 11, ‘The commands of lawful governors about lawful ceremonies must be understood and obeyed with such exceptions as do secure the end, and not to the subverting of it’ 458
ch. 12, Proposition 12, ‘It may be very sinful to command some ceremonies, when yet it may be the subject’s duty to use them when they are commanded’ 460
ch. 13, ‘The constant use of things indifferent should not be (ordinarily) commanded; but they should be sometimes used , and sometimes disused’ 464
14. ‘Reasons against the imposing of our late controverted mystical ceremonies, as crossing, surplice, etc. 467
15. ‘Reasons for obedience in lawful things’ 483
Satisfaction to certain calumniators 491-92
Cotton, John – Some Treasure Fetched out of Rubbish… concerning the Imposition & Use of Significant Ceremonies in the Worship of God: I. A discourse upon 1 Cor. 14:40… Whether it be lawful for church-governors to command indifferent decent things in the administration of God’s worship? II. …Whether the church may not, in the celebration of the Sacrament, use other rites significative than those expressed in the Scripture, or add to them of her own authority? III. Three arguments… against the Surplice: the Cross in Baptism: & Kneeling in the Act of Receiving the Lord’s Supper (London: 1660) 75 pp. ToC
Nye, Philip – Beams of Former Light: Discovering how Evil it is to Impose Doubtful & Disputable Forms or Practises upon Ministers: especially under the Penalty of Ejection for Non-Conformity unto the Same. As also Something about Catechizing (London: Byfield, 1660) 241 pp. ToC
Nye was an Independent puritan and Westminster divine.
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Quotes
Order of Quotes
Chemnitz
Beza
Ames
Gillespie
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On Chemnitz
J.V. Fesko, The Theology of the Westminster Standards (Crossway, 2014), pp. 343-44 citing Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans. Fred Kramer, vol. 2, pt. 2, of Chemnitz’s Works (1971; St. Louis: Concordia, 2007), 10.7 (pp. 113-16) Chemnitz was a Lutheran.
“Chemnitz enumerated eight reasons why human-instituted ceremonies have no place in worship:
1. The ceremonies have no institution from God.
2. The Son of God instituted the sacraments in such a way that the church is not permitted to add any other ceremonies in addition to them.
3. Ceremonies of human origin are said to add beauty to the ceremonies prescribed by God, hence the simplicity of God’s instituted ceremonies is deemed insufficient, which is an unacceptable conclusion.
4. The pomp and splendor of the human ceremonies obscures the ceremonies that have been prescribed by God.
5. The ceremonies of Rome supposedly impart blessings apart from any specific word or promise from God.
6. In the eyes of common people, the humanly devised ceremonies are deemed as important as those instituted by God, which is an unacceptable conclusion.
7. Numerous rites that were practiced in the ancient church were no required but were optional.
8. People in the church often confuse divinely commanded ceremonies with those of human origin, thus undermining the auhority of the Word of God.”
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On Beza
George Gillespie, English Popish Ceremonies (1637), pt. 2, ch. 4, p. 21
“…he [Saravia] says he could have wished that Beza had not generally condemned all ceremonies without making any difference.
Answer: Neither Beza, nor any other who mislike the English ceremonies, condemns such rites and circumstances in the external worship of God and serve only for decency; but those sacred and significant ceremonies which admonish men of their duty are not of this sort.”
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William Ames
A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship (Amsterdam: Thorp, 1633)
Manuduction, ch. 12, section 2, pp. 155-56
“Out of all these rules, testimonies, [and Scriptural] examples [put forth by an opponent] nothing follows in favor of our [imposed] ceremonies because no sound rule, just testimony or allowed example is brought for any ceremony of mystical signification, by man instituted, and brought into the solemn ordinary worship of God, for the use of teaching…”
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ch. 1, on sections 13-14, p. 29
“We never said, or thought, that all particular rites pertaining to order and decency are punctually determined in the Scripture. We never dreamed that all such rites being beside the particular determination of the Scripture, are against it; we speak of double or treble rites as the Rejoinder styles them, which no mere order and decency does necessarily require, but only the mere will of man enjoin.”
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ch. 1, section 17, pp. 84-85
“Now those first ceremonial observations [of the Early Church with evangelical feasts] are guilty of opening that gate for all the human presumptions to enter into God’s house which pressed in after them: which gate could never be shut from that day to this.
2. Those very feasts made a composition or mixture of human institutions with divine, and therefore did not preserve simplicity. They also were from their first rise not only equalled unto, but also extolled above the Lord’s Day. Easter brought in a superstitious Lent to attend upon it, made baptism wait for her moon: and conformed our Lord’s Supper unto the Jewish Passover in unleavened bread, etc.
[3.] It was the first apple of contention among Christians, the first weapon wherewith the Bishop of Rome played his prises [prices?] against other Churches, and after slew so many Britons with by Austin the monk. Holy-days in honor of Christ invited unto them saints’ holy days, etc.
4. It is presumtion to make men’s inventions as guiltless of evil consequences as God’s holy ordinances. They are active efficacious occasions given of evil: these [ordinances of God] are only passive occasions taken.”
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George Gillespie
English-Popish Ceremonies (1637), pt. 3, ch. 5, p. 83
“Thirdly, to introduce significant sacred ceremonies into the New testament, other than the holy sacraments of God’s own institution, were to reduce Judaism and to impose upon us again the yoke of a ceremonial Law, which Christ has taken off.
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Upon this ground also does Perkins condemn all human significant ceremonies. ‘Ceremonies,’ says he, ‘are either of figure and signification, or of order.’ (Com. On Gal. 3:24) The first are abrogated at the coming of Christ, etc.
Upon the same ground does Chemnitius condemn them, Quod vero praetenditur, etc. ‘But whereas,’ says he, ‘it is pretended that by those rites of men’s addition, many things are profitably signified, admonished, and taught: Hereto it may be answered that figures do properly belong to the Old Testament: but those things which Christ would have to be taught in the New Testament, he would have them delivered and propounded, not by shadows, but by the light of the Word. And we have a promise of the efficacy of the Word, but not of figures invented by men. (Exam., part 2, de rit. in admin. sacram., p. 32)”
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Rutherford’s 13 Propositions from Rom. 14 & 1 Cor. 7-8
The Divine Right of Church Government… (London, 1646), Appendix, Introduction to the Doctrine of Scandal, Question 1, ‘Whether or not ceremonies, & the use of things not necessary in God’s worship, when they scandalize, be unlawful?’, pp. 4-7
“1st Proposition. The weak are not to be thralled in judgement or practice in thorny and intricate disputes in matters indifferent. This is clear, Rom. 14:1. Therefore, when people know not misty distinctions of relative and absolute adoration, of worship-essential or accidental, they are not to be here thralled by a law to practice ceremonies-human.
2. If a weak one eat herbs, fearing the practice of things forbidden by God’s law, he is commended, and his abstinence praise-worthy, as Rom. 14:2-3; and he ought not to be judged, and so ought not to be a wed by a law. Then abstinence and non-conformity is lawful in such a case.
3. He that eats, he that eats not; he that practices, he that practices not indifferent things, is not to be judged: 1. God has received the eater. 2. You are not to judge another man’s servant. It is against the Law of Nations. 3. If the weak fall, God is able to raise them. Therefore, if he be not to be judged as a contemner of God’s law in things indifferent, far less should he be judged by the Church law.
4. Observers of days, or non-observers of days, should have certainty of faith in these indifferent things; Therefore, the light of the Word should lead rulers and people here, v. 5, in things indifferent.
5. The observer of indifferent things, as days in that case at Rome, and the non-observers of days, should not trouble one another, because both are to observe and not observe indifferent things for God’s glory: 1. Both give thanks. 2. Both live and die as Christ’s, for God’s glory, vv. 6-9. Therefore God’s glory is the end that rules the use of ceremonies, as they are indifferent.
6. vv. 10-12, a Christian should not condemn a Jew, nor one brother another, in things indifferent: 1. Because we are brethren. 2. Because it is Christ’s place to judge and condemn. 3. Because every man must give an account for himself. Therefore, laws of rulers to condemn or punish are not to be made in such cases.
7. v. 13, When the use of things indifferent is a stumbling block and scandal to our brethren they are against charity and unlawful.
8. v. 14, There is a prolepsis. Meats clean or not clean may be eaten, but all meats are clean; and Paul is persuaded of that by Jesus Christ. Therefore the apostle answers by denying the major proposition in two cases and sets down a distinction: All things are clean in themselves, but they become unclean in two cases:
1. If one weak in the faith believe that the meat that he eats is against the Word of God, the meat to him is unclean.
2. If he eat before one that believes it is forbidden in God’s Law to eat such meats, his eating is a stumbling block to the weak. But one might say it is a taken scandal and not given: for it is lawful to eat; thy brother deems it unlawful out of ignorance of Christian liberty; so say Formalists: ceremonies be indifferent; if any offend at the use of them, it is a scandal taken, not given. O but Paul forbids to scandalize, or to eat.
9. The use of things indifferent, as ceremonies, before any law be made of them, by confession of Formalists, is indifferent and may be done and not done; but if they scandalize, Paul proves by eight arguments [that] they are unlawful:
1. It fights with charity, that for meat, so little a thing, for the knot of a straw, a ceremony, thou slay thy brother for whom Christ died, v. 15. Where these reasons be: 1. It is uncharitable walking; 2. it is murder; slay not him.
3. It is contrary to Christ’s love, who died for thy brother.
4. It makes religion and Christian liberty to be evil spoken of, v. 16.
5. From the nature of these things which are indifferent, these in which the Kingdom of God consists not, as meats and surplice, crossing, kneeling, etc. when they scandalize, ought to be omitted, as being: [1.] against righteousness and being sins of murder. 2. against peace, sins of contention; 3. against joy of the Holy Ghost, making sad, and discouraging thy brother in his Christian race; and he that serves God in peace and righteousness and joy is acceptable, v. 18.
6. The use of things indifferent, in case of scandal, conduce not to peace and edification, v. 19.
7. It is a destroying of the work of God, v. 20, illustrated by a repeated prolepsis: But the meat is clean; yea, but (says Paul) it is evil, and so morally unclean to him that eats with offence, v. 20.
8. Ab equo et bono [from equity and the good], we are to do good, but to eat and drink with the scandalizing of our brother, and to practice ceremonies is not good.
10. The practicing of things indifferent, or ceremonies, for the very keeping of the faith, that we have Christian liberty to practice, or not practice in the case of scandal, is not lawful, v. 22, set down by a prolepsis: Keep the faith of thy Christian liberty (in case of scandal) to thyself and to God.
11. In the use of things indifferent, we are to allow ourselves, that is to have the approbation of our conscience, that what we do is lawfully, v. 22.
12. He that practices indifferent things with a doubting conscience, and not in faith, sins and is condemned, v. 23.
1 Cor. 6:12, ‘All things (indifferent) are lawful in themselves, but they are not expedient,’ if we be brought under the power or band of them by law. Therefore, in the means of worship, not only must we see what is lawful, but also what is profitable and conducing to the end. He reasons upon a given, but not granted hypothesis, that fornication is indifferent [v. 13], as the gentiles taught, as we do in the matter of ceremonies.
1 Cor. 7:6, ‘But this I speak by permission, not of commandment.’ Therefore in things in which God has granted us liberty, to do or not to do, permission has place, not obliging necessity or penal laws.
13. There cannot be commanding laws in things that are politicly good or evil according to the individual complexion, temperature, or gifts of singular men; to marry or not to marry, cannot be commanded, for where God looses, no power on earth can bind, v. 33.
1 Cor. 8:7, Paul condemns them in the use of their liberty Christian, ‘Howbeit there be not in every man this knowledge;’ then that rulers may make laws in things indifferent, without scandal, they must remove ignorance. 2. If there be but one person weak in knowledge (there is not in every man that knowledge), a law obliging all in things indifferent cannot be made.
v 8, There is a definition of a thing indifferent. It is a thing that commends us not to God, which neither helps, nor hinders piety, nor makes a man better or worse before God. Then ceremonies pretended to be for order, decency, edification, to stir up the dull mind to spiritual duties, cannot be things indifferent.”
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John Alasco’s Plea & Parable
‘Dedicatory Epistle to Edward VI’ (1552) in William Ames, A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship… (1633)
“Well does that father, and without doubt deserves praise, who having a daughter a virgin drawn by the guile of panders into some lewd and dishonest house, and there trimmed after the whorish guise does presently rescue her thence and bring her home to his owne house before she be utterly spoiled. But the same father (if he be wise) thinks it not enough for the safety of his daughter, and the honor of his house, that he has brought her home again, unless he take from her wholly whatsoever he knows to be accounted in those houses a whorish attire.
Neither does he inquire whence such attire came first: but judges it dishonorable to himself, and so unworthy his daughter and whole family that any such thing at all as strumpets have used for dressings in their houses, should appear in his.
Neither does he give ear to their persuasions who bear him in hand that all things are to be esteemed according to the father’s mind in his own house; and so think that the father’s approbation can make that honest, in his own house, for his daughter and whole family which in another house is most dishonest, for any daughters that regard their own credits: ascribing so much to the father’s prerogative that whatsoever he approves, must be of others well liked of, so far as it concernes his own house. For he knows full well that although all those things which he has authorized in his own house be there well thought of, yet that is not enough, since the honor of his daughter, and his whole family, must not only be cared for within his own house, but also throughout the whole city, that he may remove all evil suspicions from his family among all his neighbors; and is heedfull that the panders have not the least occasion left them, of challenging or laying claim to the said daughter, as having some of their whorehouse marks upon her.
Even so in the Church of God, as in a city, magistrates and ministers are in place of parents, having the pure and right administration of the sacraments committed unto them of God, for to be tended and tendered as their own daughter. It is therefore very commendable in these parents of the church (as we may term them) if they rescue the lawful and pure administration of the sacraments from the violence and tyranny of the Romish panders, by taking it into their own care and custody.
But here they ought to remember (especially they who are called by the Holy Spirit, eminent ministers of God and nursing fathers of his Church, i.e. Christian kings and monarchs, that it is not enough for them, thus to have brought this daughter out of the Papists’ stews, home into their own care and keeping, unles they also put off from her, all that dressing, which they know to be whorish in the said stews, that no such thing may be seen with them, which may be accounted whorish: Especially in that city where there is great variety of judgments, the overruling whereof by man’s authority is not to be expected, and where there are so mamy hucksters for the stews remaining.
Nor let them hear the delusions of those who suggest that such kinds of dressing from whence soever they be taken may be made good and honest by authority. For well they know they are not set over the whole Church of God, but only one part of it, as a family in a city, and that therfore though they could bear out such things at home by their authority, yet it is their duty (as they regard public chastity and honesty) to procure the honor of their daughter and family not only within their own walls but also throughout the whole city; not suffering anything to be seen within their house, which they know to be held, urged, and maintained by the Romish stews and their instruments as their proper whorish stuff.
Last of all they must be wary, least any signs or tokens be left upon their daughter, by which she may be questioned again by these panders as one of theirs.
Novv (if it please your excellent Majesty) you are one of these nursing fathers of the Church of God, blessed be his name therefore: and in this high calling (by God’s providence) you have this ministry of the sacraments rescued out of the popish brothels, and brought into your own care and keeping: Here therefore be pleased to set before your eyes the foresaid example of a good father in those things which yet remain to be performed, i.e. in providing for the credit of this your reduced daughter and so of your whole family, not only in this your flourishing kingdom, but also in the catholic Church of Christ whereof you are a citizen, unto whom a principal part thereof as an honorable family is committed in trust.
This is that which all the godly throughout the Christian world do expect from your hand, and that the more earnestly because they know that God has enriched you with such excellent gifts, and placed you in so high a place almost above all others; even to this very end, that you might remove from the ministry of the sacraments all those popish trinkets, wherewith it has been fearfully profaned, and restore unto it againe that virgin-like attire,
wherewith it was of old adorned by the high King of Kings, and Lawgiver, Christ the Lord in his holy institutions. So shall your faith and fidelity be famous throughout the Christian world: and the Church of England grow more honorable under your government.”
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On the Definition of a Ceremony
Article
Ames, William – pp. 44-48 of ch. 4, ‘Concerning the Nature & Definition of a Ceremony’ in A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship… (Amsterdam: Thorp, 1633), Manuduction
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May be an Action or Thing
Article
Ames, William – pp. 23-25 of ch. 4, ‘Concerning the Nature & Definition of a Ceremony’ in A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship… (Amsterdam: Thorp, 1633), Manuduction
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Quote
Samuel Rutherford
The Divine Right of Church Government… (1646), pp. 86-88
“Worship is an action, or performance, or thing, by which we tender our immediate honor to God from the nature of the thing itself:
1. I call it an action because the passion of dying or suffering is not formally worship, but only dying comparatively: rather than denying of Christ or dying so and so qualified: [in a comparative way] dying with patience and faith may be called a worship [2 Tim. 4:6].
2. I call it not an action only, but a performance or thing, because an office, as the priesthood, the ministry, is a worship and yet not an action; sometime[s], time itself, as the Sabbath Day is a worship; yet it is not an action: So the Lord calls it his Holy Day: and undeniably the Jewish days, the High Priest’s garment, and many things of that kind, were divine or religious performances, things or adjuncts of divine worship, but so as they are not merely adjuncts of worship, but also worship:
For the High Priest’s ephod was not only a civil ornament, nor was it a mere physical or natural means to fence off the injuries of sun and heaven; we do not think that the Lord in all, or any place of the Old or New Testament sets down any laws concerning garments simply, as they do fence off cold or heat; that belongs to art: only He speaks of garments, as contrary to gravity [being sober-minded], as signs of vanity and lightness, Isa. 3:16, etc.; Zeph. 1:8; 1 Pet. 3:3-4.
And of garments as religious observances, of which sort was the attire and garments of the priests and High Priests in their service, in which consideration the religious times, holy places, and Mosaical garments were divine worship, by which God was immediately honored; but [they were] not adjuncts only, or actions, but religious things or performances.
3. It is such a performance, as from thence honor does immediately redound to God. But that this may be the clearer, I conceive that there is a twofold, immediate honoring of God in the worship of God:
1. An honoring of God less immediate, as hearing of the Word, is an immediate honoring of God, because honor flows immediately from God, both ex conditione operis, and ex conditione operantis; ‘from the nature of the work’, and ‘[from the] intention of the worker’: yet it is a less immediate honoring of God, in regard that I may also hear the Word even from the condition of the work, and so from the intrinsic end of the worker that I may learn to know God and believe; for thus far I am led to honor God immediately in hearing the Word, that action of its own nature conveying honor to God; there intervenes also a medium amidst between me and honoring of God, to wit, the preacher or the Bible (to which no external adoration is due):
[2.] There is another more immediate worship, to wit, praising of God, from which, by an immediate result, God is honored, and in worship especially, strictly, immediate, God is immediately honored both in the intention of the work and the intrinsic end of it, and the intention of the worker; though no other thing be done, and others be not edified either in knowledge, increase of faith or any other ways:
And in this, duties of the Second Table, of mercy and justice, differ from worship in that such acts of love and mercy, as to give alms to save the life of my brother or of his beast, are not acts of worshipping God; their intrinsic end, and the nature of the work being to do good to the creature, principally, ex natura et conditione operis, though God also thereby be honored, yet in a more secondary consideration:
For I praying to God, do immediately, from the nature of the action, honor God, though no good should either redound to myself or to the creature; thereby it is true, God, by acts of love and mercy to our neighbor, is honored two ways:
1. In that men seeing our good works do thence take occasion to glorify our heavenly Father, whose truth teaches us by the grace of God to do these works, but the intrinsic and proper use of these is to do good to ourselves, as in works of sobriety, and to our neighbor, as in works of righteous dealing, but not immediately, and in the first and primary consideration to honor God, as in works of piety, holiness and worship, the honoring of God by secondary resultance, does issue also from these duties of righteousness, but not as from the acts of praying, praising, sacramental eating, drinking.
2. The doer of these acts of mercy may, and is to intend, the honoring of God.”
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Distinctions between Natural Aptness, Observation, Institution & Ceremonies
Article
Ames, William – pp. 26-27 & 40-41 of ch. 4, ‘Concerning the Nature & Definition of a Ceremony’ in A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship… (Amsterdam: Thorp, 1633), Manuduction
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The Same Religious Use & End as Divine Worship, Not Divinely Appinted, makes False Divine Worship
Article
Ames, William – pp. 45-47 of ch. 4, ‘Concerning the Nature & Definition of a Ceremony’ in A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship… (Amsterdam: Thorp, 1633), Manuduction
.
On Natural & Moral Signs & Ceremonies
Articles
Bradshaw, William – ch. 3, ‘Of Natural Ceremonies’ in A Treatise of Divine Worship… (Middelburg, 1604), pp. 8-13
Corbet, John –
.
Quotes
William Ames
A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship… (Amsterdam: Thorp, 1633), Manuduction, ch. 4, ‘Concerning the Nature & Definition of a Ceremony’, p. 27
“…natural ceremonies, such as bowing of the body before superiors, embracing of those who are dear unto us, lifting up the hands and eyes to heaven in ordinary worship, which nature itself does teach all nations to observe, without any institution, though not without some government of counsel, nor without such variety, as nature itself is subject unto…”
.
George Gillespie
English-Popish Ceremonies, pt. 3, ch. 5, pp. 90-91
“As for the veils wherewith the apostle would have women covered whileas they were praying (that is in their hearts following the public and common prayer) or prophesying (that is singing, 1 Sam. 10:10; 1 Chron. 25:1) they are worthy to be covered with shame as with a garment, who allege this example for sacred significant ceremonies of human institution.
This covering was a moral sign, for that comely and orderly distinction of men and women which civil decency required in all their meetings: wherefore, that distinction of habits [garments], which they used for decency and comliness in their common behavior and conversation, the apostle will have them, for the same decency and comeliness still to retain in their holy assemblies. And further the apostle shows, that it is also a natural sign, and that nature itself teaches it: therefore he urges it both by the inferiority or subjection of the woman vv. 3. 8-9 (For covering was then a sign of subjection) and by the long hair which nature gives to a woman v. 15. Where he would have the artificial covering, to be fashioned in imitation of the natural.
What need we anymore? Let us see nature’s institution, or the apostles’ recommendation for the controverted ceremonies (as we have seen them for women’s veils) and we yield the argument.
Last of all, the sign of imposition of hands, helps not the cause of our Opposites, because it the example of Christ, and the apostles, and their disciples, which our ceremonies have not: yet we think not imposition of hands to be any sacred or mystical sign, but only a moral, for designation of a person: let them who think more highly or honorably of it, look to their warrants.”
.
On 1 Cor. 14:40, ‘Let all things be done decently and in order.’
Article
Ames, William – A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship (Amsterdam: Thorp, 1633)
Manuduction, ch. 4, pp. 50-53
ch. 1, on section 16, ‘Concerning Order & Decency’, pp. 56-81
Rutherford – Divine Right
Cotton, John – ‘A Discourse upon 1 Cor. 14:40’ in Some Treasure Fetched out of Rubbish… (London: 1660), pp. 1-8
.
Rules for Ceremonies
Article
Ames, William – ch. 1, on section 15, ‘Concerning Rules for Ceremonies’ in A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship (Amsterdam: Thorp, 1633), pp. 47-51
Ames provides these rules from reformed divines, that ceremonies:
1. Offend not any, especially the Church of God
2. Tend to the glory of God
3. Be not impious
4. Be not opposite to the analogy of faith
5. Be not scandalous
.
Quotes
William Ames
A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship… (Amsterdam: Thorp, 1633), ch. 1, section 17, p. 84
“Those very feasts [in the Early Church] made a composition or mixture of human institutions with divine, and therfore did not preserve simplicity. They also were from their first rise not only equalled unto, but also extolled above the Lord’s Day.”
.
John Collinges
A Reasonable Account why some Pious, Nonconforming Ministers in England Judge it Sinful for them to perform their ministerial acts, in public, solemn prayer by the Prescribed Forms of Others… (London: 1679), ch. 4, p. 89
“In all religious commands there must appear to the person that obeys some reason from a divine command; either particularly or generally requiring the thing.
The mere will and authority of an another in these things is not reason enough to justify our obedience. In matters of that nature we must be very wary of idle and superfluous actions. To be of no use and insigni∣ficant is enough in worship to make a gesture or action sinful, yea, and an appropriated habit [garment] too.
There lies no necessity upon the superior to command any such things, nay, to do it will be a sin unto him, as Gideon’s ephod was a snare to his house, Judg. 8:27.”
.
Latin Article
Wendelin, Marcus Friedrich – end of thesis 4, p. 749 mid in ch. 6, ‘Of Ceremonial Worship’ in Christian Theology (Hanau, 1634; 2nd ed., Amsterdam, 1657), bk. 2, ‘Of the Worship of God’
.
Unprofitableness is Warrant for the Removal of Something Non-Necessary in Worship
Article
Ames, William – pp. 77-78 of ch. 7, ‘Touching other Partitions of Ceremonies’ in A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship (Amsterdam: Thorp, 1633), Manuduction
.
On the Surplice
See also ‘Vestments’.
.
Articles
1600’s
Ames, William – ‘Surplice’ in ch. 4, ‘Concerning Idolatrous Ceremonies’ in A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship… (Amsterdam, 1633), pp. 426-27
Baxter, Richard – ch. 14, ‘Reasons Against the Imposing of our Late Controverted Mystical Ceremonies, as Crossing, Surplice, etc.’ in 5th Disputation, ‘Of Human Ceremonies: whether they are Necessary or Profitable to the Church and how far they may be Imposed or Observed?’ (London, 1658) in Five Disputations of Church-Government & Worship… (London, 1659), pp. 467-82
Cotton, John – ‘Of the Surplice’ in Some Treasure Fetched out of Rubbish… (London: 1660), pp. 52-60
.
Book
1600’s
Ames, William
A Reply to Dr. Morton’s General Defence of Three Nocent [Noxious] Ceremonies. viz. the Surplice, Cross in Baptism & Kneeling at the Receiving of the Sacramental Elements of Bread & Wine ([Amsterdam] 1622) 114 pp.
.
Quote
Robert MacWard
The True Non-Conformist… (1671), 3rd Dialogue, pp. 111-12
“…whereas your surplice is arbitrarily institute[d], and imposed to signify innocency, without either real foundation or sufficient warrant, wherein, whether you do more usurp against God’s prerogative to appoint sacred and mysterious signs, and that simplicity, in which he hath set forth his Gospel, or be more grossly mistaken in the event, and fruit of your application, is a great question?
I grant, that necessity or decency have introduced many things circumstantial that are rational, and consequently upon some real antecedent ground expressive of their use and end: as grave apparel in pastors, a becoming covering of pulpits, tables in sacred use, regulation of time, postures, gestures and the like, without which worship cannot be performed;
But to ascribe a liberty to the Church of appointing ceremonies, having for reason of their signification, the will of the instituter, and their use only in the representation, is so manifest an impingement upon Divine authority and the sacraments thereby ordained, and has already produced such a mass of superstitious superfluity in the Romish-Church, that I much admire to find a serious person pleading for such fopperies…”
.
On Reverence to the Cross, Crossing & Crossing in Baptism
See also: ‘Crosses: Not for Places of Worship’, ‘Crosses apart from Worship: Lawful’ & ‘Cross around One’s Neck?’.
.
Article
1600’s
Bradshaw, William – A Short Treatise of the Cross in Baptism… (Amsterdam: I.H., 1604) 25 pp.
Ames, William – ‘Crossing’ in ch. 4, ‘Concerning Idolatrous Ceremonies’ in A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God’s Worship… (Amsterdam, 1633), pp. 427-28
Baxter, Richard – ch. 14, ‘Reasons Against the Imposing of our Late Controverted Mystical Ceremonies, as Crossing, Surplice, etc.’ in 5th Disputation, ‘Of Human Ceremonies: whether they are Necessary or Profitable to the Church and how far they may be Imposed or Observed?’ (London, 1658) in Five Disputations of Church-Government & Worship… (London, 1659), pp. 467-82
Cotton, John – ‘On the Sign of the Cross in Baptism’ in Some Treasure Fetched out of Rubbish… (London: 1660), pp. 60-64
.
Book
1600’s
Ames, William
A Reply to Dr. Morton’s General Defence of Three Nocent [Noxious] Ceremonies. viz. the Surplice, Cross in Baptism & Kneeling at the Receiving of the Sacramental Elements of Bread & Wine ([Amsterdam] 1622) 114 pp
.
Latin
Voet, Gisbert – Select Theological Disputations (Utrecht, 1659), vol. 3
60. ‘Cross-Worship, or the Worship & Abuse of the Cross’, pp. 884-93
61. pt. 2, pp. 893-900
62. pt. 3, pp. 900-31
63. ‘An Addition to the Disputations on Cross-Worship & Indirect Idolatry’, pp. 931-34
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On Bowing at Hearing the Name of Jesus
Articles
1500’s
Willet –
.
1600’s
Burton, Henry – Jesu-Worship Confuted, or, Certain Arguments against Bowing at the Name Jesus, proving it to be Idolatrous & Superstitious and so Utterly Unlawful… (London: H.C., 1660) 8 pp.
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Latin Articles
1600’s
Calderwood, David – ch. 9, ‘Of Indifferent Things & Ceremonies’ in The Altar of Damascus, or the Polity of the Anglican Church Obtruded upon the Scottish Church… (1623; Leiden, 1708), pp. 366-420 The eight propositions in this chapter are translated above in the English articles.
Alting, Henry – Syllabus of Controversies with the Lutherans, Part 2, ‘On Controversies Surrounding Ceremonies’ appended to A Logical & Theological Exegesis of the Augsburg Confession with an Appendix of the Problems Involved… (Amsterdam, 1647)
Table of Contents
Part 2, Controversies About Ceremonies 258
1. Of the Discrepancy of Rituals in the Administration of Baptism & the Supper 261 “Lutherans everywhere affirm [the following questions]; We, on the contrary, deny.”
Question 1, ‘Whether in the right administration of baptism, exorcism is adjoined; and in the administration of it in the case of necessity, it is able to be permitted to women by right?’ 261
Question 2, ‘Whether the breaking of the bread is so an indifferent ceremony that it may be left off? Whether the Supper ought to be offered separately to the sick? And whether rations of bread by place are to used for hosts (commonly so called) or circular wafers of bread?’ 265
Question 3, ‘Whether the Supper is to be administered on an altar?’ Whether the wine, in a goblet, is to be stretched forth and poured to the communicants, so that, indeed, the minister being dressed in white garments, each of the elements is not given into the hands, but is put into the mouths of the communicants?’ 270
2. Of Other Certain Rituals 274
“The State of the controversy is: Whether private confession and absolution is necessary? Whether bowing of the knees and an uncovering of the head is at the mention of the name of Jesus has been commanded? and lastly, whether Latin songs may be allowed in public assemblies? The Lutherans affirm; we deny.”
3. Of the Furnishing of Church Buildings [with Images & Organs] 278-81
“The state of the controversy is: Whether in church buildings of Christians images are to be tolerated, and also whether organs ought to be used? They affirm; we deny.”
Voet, Gisbert – Ecclesiastical Politics, vol. 1 (Amsterdam, 1663-1676), Pt 1, Bk. 2, ‘Of Ecclesiastical Things, or Acts & Exercises’, Tract 1, ‘Of Formularies, or Liturgies & Rituals’
ch. 1, ‘Of Formularies, or Liturgies’, pp. 343-360
Voet discusses regarding liturgies their (1) definition, (2) requisites and conditions, (3) divisions and (4) things opposite to them (false liturgies).
Under (1) their definition, Voet also discusses their genus, object and efficient cause (pp. 343-5).
Their (2) requisites and conditions are divided into those pertaining to their matter and those pertaining to their form (p. 345).
(3) How liturgies may be divided is discussed in sections 3-4 on pp. 346-54. They may be divided (1) on account of their material, extension or object, either partial or total, (2) on account of their form or construction, into guides and directories, formularies, or mixed; (3) on account of their efficient cause in public or private; (4) p. 347, according to Churches or nations:
1. ancient Churches, 2. p. 349, Swiss, 3. French, 4-5. Anglican, 6. p. 350, Scottish, 7. German, 8. Dutch; p. 351 Appendix on books of psalms and hymns by nations.
Section 4 (pp. 351-5) is on classifying liturgies according to groups outside of the protestant and reformed Churches, namely (1) the sects, (2) the Papacy, and (3) pp. 353-5 infidels (Jews, Samaritans, Muslims and heathens).
Section 5 on p. 355 discusses (4) the true and false liturgies of the ancients; Section 6, p. 356-9, of the modern eastern Churches.
ch. 2, ‘Some Questions on Liturgies & Liturgical Actions Determined’, pp. 360-374 “We come now to the problems, which are either of sacred [Scriptural] history and are didactic, or of Church history.”
1st Problem, ‘Whether ‘liturgy’ may designate a sacrifice properly so-called, it even being propitiating, or be a rule or order to be accomplished as like a sacrifice?’, p. 360
“We respond: it is further asked whether it be of a Scriptural or ecclesiastical use, or an ancient or new use.” 5 conclusions are given.
2nd Problem, ‘Whether the Old Testament Church from Moses to Ezra began to use and maintained liturgies?’, p. 361
3rd Problem, ‘Whether a liturgy from Ezra and the men of the great Synagogue (that consistory or Sanheidren, as it is termed in the Hebrew, beit deenu) was established, having been prescribed to the people of God, and was publicly used till Christ?’, p. 363 3 conclusions are given on p. 364.
4th Problem, ‘Whether forms & litugies were established in the apostolic Church from the apostles to that Church, such that they have been prescribed to all succeeding churches?’, p. 364 3 conclusions.
5th Problem, ‘Whether a universal liturgy ought to be formed and written, and imposed on all the Churches throughout the whole globe?’, p. 365 3 reasons are given.
6th Problem, ‘Whether one provincial or national liturgy ought to be established, and introduced into all of its consociating churches?’, p. 367 4 conclusions.
7th Problem, ‘Whether liturgies in the national language, whatever is commonly used to write, ought to be taken up in the churches?’, p. 368
8th Problem, ‘Whether a liturgy in Churches already settled, from their first gathering or its introduction at the Reformation, may be changed?, p. 369 1 conclusion.
9th Problem, ‘What is the Gregorian or Roman service (named after Gregory VII) and what is the Mozarabic, or Gothic, and in what place were they used, or are used in the Roman Church?’, p. 370
[No 10th Problem]
11th Problem, ‘How far it is better for a populace having been accustomed to the Roman liturgies and rites from the Papacy to the Reformation, to carry them over, if they had been so engaged initially by the reformers, having purged and yet retained the Missal, Breviary and other liturgical books and rites?’, pp. 372-4
ch. 3, ‘Of Rituals or Ecclesiastical Ceremonies’, pp. 374-384
This chapter is on the general introductory principles of the nature and properties of ceremonies, including (1) their name, (2) their nature and definition, (3) division and (4) opposites.
Under (1) Voet also briefly discusses adiaphora on p. 375.
Under (2) Voet gives numerous principles and distinctions as to worship (and its kinds) in general (p. 375) before delineating distinctions about ceremonies in general (p. 376).
p. 375, Voet distinguishes the following distinctions about worship: It is either natural or instituted. Natural is internal; instituted may be both internal and external. External is either alone or social, or private or public. Public worship is performed by the Church.
p. 376, Ceremonies are either divine or human. Divine ceremonies have been immediately instituted by God; therefore their observance is necessary. Divine ceremonies are either political or ecclesiastical. Political are either general and perpetual, observance of natural decorum, or particular, as ceremonies of the judicial law of Moses. Ecclesiastical are sacred, mystical and religious, either of the Old Testament (before or after Moses) or of the New Testament.
A human ceremony “which is observed in the practice of men, is called free. It is either civil or ecclesiastical. Civil is some external formality or a mode to be done between men, practiced by law or custom. These things are twofold: Either by a natural reason or necessity supporting, and therefore contributing to the essence or well being of something, such as a natural decorum or many aspects in the instruction of civil manners; or they are received by men as merely arbitrary and instituted. And such free ceremonies are either well-grounded or tolerated, or will be hissed at as vain, inept and rediculous as they may be seen openly in courts, halls, schools, barracks, colleges…”
p. 377, “Ecclesiastical is which is in the Church and is observed about the ecclesiastical exercises of religion; and the rite is called by another name, of indifferent things and decorum.”
Also under (2), Voet lists as requisites to ecclesiastical ceremonies, that they are to be: (1) few, (2) simple and easily observed, (3) free and indifferent, (4) that indifferent things in themselve may not be prescribed to the universal Church, that is, all churches, nor to the end of the world, nor to all particular churches in a nation, region, province or a city, nor by the magistrate, (5) they are to be held as mutable, even according to private pleasure, and (6) sister Churches may disregard them, not conform to them, but may retain their liberty as to what may serve them. (p. 378)
(3) On pp. 379-381 Voet discusses how human ecclesiastical ceremonies may be categorized by their (1) fundamentals, (2) efficient causes, (3) forms or modes, (4) subjects, or according to the times and states of the Church, or (5) by the ecclesiastical rites they occur in.
(4) In section 6, pp. 382-4, Voet (I) classifies those who oppose ceremonies:
(1) too much, the Enthusiasts and Libertines, in repudiating all external worship, (2) too little, who urge them as necessary and are indirectly involved in superstition, and (3) minimally, who bear up the appearance of evil and hold forth an occassion of evil and scandal.
Then (II) he says that ceremonies may be classified according to those who practice them, discussing the rites of:
(1) magicians and heathens, (2) the Jews, (3) the Muslims, (4) the Papists, (5) the Eastern Churches, (6) the Fathers and their successors, who merged into the Papal Antichrist, (7) the Anglicans & the Scots, and (8) the German, or Lutheran churches.
ch. 4. ‘The Controversy which Comes Between us & the Papacy on the Same Ceremonies, in General’, pp. 384-405 Irregular numbering
Section 1, Intro, p. 384
Section 2, 1st Consideration, p. 391 Irregular numbering
Section 3, 2nd Consideration, p. 392
Section 4, 3rd Consideration, p. 395
Section 5, 4th Consideration, p. 397
Section 6, 5th Consideration, p. 397
Section 7, 6th Consideration, p. 399
Section 8, 7th Consideration, p. 400
Section 9, Problem, ‘Whether all papal ceremonies, according to them, are properly sacred and mystical, mystically signifying or working sacred or spiritual things? I respond: Yes.’, pp. 404-05
ch. 5, ‘Of the Ceremonies yet Remaining in the Greater Part of the German [Lutheran] Churches’, pp. 405-413
p. 405, Voet lists as the Lutheran practices disputed by the reformed: using images and altars, keeping feasts on account of the apostles and saints, baring the head and bowing the knee at the name of Jesus, ministers using sacerdotal vestments, baptism with exorcism and the sign of the cross, practicing private confession and absolution in preparation for the Lord’s Supper, using unleavened bread and a money-changer[?] with respect to the Supper, the minister not breaking the bread in the Supper, baptism (of infants) by women and other private individuals, administering the Supper privately to the sick, receiving the eucharistic symbol by the mouth and not first receiving it in the hand, singing latin songs, using a harmonious concert and organs, lighting candles for the administration of the eucharist, and bowing the knee at the sight of the eucharist.
p. 406, Section 2, “we come now to an examination of the controversy. They contend that the ceremonies are indifferent things, even working for good order.” Voet gives 6 considerations against this in section 2.
p. 408, Section 3, “Reasons and exceptions in defence of those [Lutheran] ceremonies are either general or particular. The particulars which have been so judged by Eckhard, have been briefly and vigorously refuted by Alting (Syllabus of Controversies with the Lutherans, Part 2, ‘On Controversies Surrounding Ceremonies’)” Voet then gives 5 general exceptions, with responses, and then, pp. 409-13, 6 testimonies from various figures used in support of the ceremonies, with responses.
ch. 6, ‘On the Controversy about Some Ceremonies of the Anglican Church’, pp. 413-422
Voet first lists and describes the categories of those who oppose the Anglican ceremonies: (1) the conformists, (2) the puritans, and (3) the complete separatists (the Brownists and Barrowists). p. 414, bot, Voet describes the puritans, both conforming and non-conforming.
p. 415, mid, Voet lists as the disputed ceremonies: the cross and creed [catechismus] in baptism, confirmation, woman baptism, a white outer-garment [the surplice], reception to the communion of the Church and the Supper without a foregoing examination, a ring in the confirmation of matrimony, the succession[?, serie] of saints, bowing the knee or tipping the head at the name of Jesus, the reading of the apocryphal books [in the Church], a harmony of music, whether vocal or instrumental, without being accommodated for edification, the lengthy recitation of the liturgy and divine office, the terms ‘priest’ and ‘absolution’ and others occuring in the service-book, and kneeling at the Supper.
He also lists the ordinal of reading Scripture, involving the excluding from the public, ecclesiastical reading genuine books of Scripture, the reading of a translation which is not consistent, and the bad explanations and applications of Scripture texts in the service-book.
pp. 415-6, “Out of the ceremonies strictly so called, three are principal… genuflexion [bowing of the knees], that is, in the Supper, the cross in baptism and the white outer-garment [surplice] in the divine services.” Voet then gives a history of the literature of the dispute.
In Section 2, Voet gives 10 reasons which are commonly opposed to these ceremonies, pp. 416-8. On p. 418, Voet mentions the orthodox conforming clergyman and pious students who disputed with the puritans, over the point of conformity to inconvenient ceremonies on point of deprivation of the ministry, a leading author of which was John Sprint.
Section 3 gives a historical survey of how these old Anglican ceremonies and Papal relics were introduced (especially in Scotland by the Articles of Perth, 1618) and opposed by public authority.
Section 4, pp. 419-22, “I add now this small testimony” on how “the so-called indifferent ceremonies” entered England by law under Edward VI, and the context surrounding that. A’Lasco is block quoted near the end.
ch. 7. ‘Questions Further Explained on the Nature, Causes & Properties of the Ceremonies’, pp. 422-460 “On the public controversies [previously] explicated, we respond to various problems and questions on the ceremonies, by which the nature and properties of them may be the better laid open. I divide them into problems on ceremonies in general and on ceremonies in particular. The first classes [on ceremonies in general] pertain to what it is, or the definition, or the causes or properties.”
On the defintion of a ceremony:
1st Problem, ‘Whether precepts have been instituted about sacred or divine ceremonies by God immediately by positive law, being called by another name in Scripture than law or moral precepts? We respond: No.’, p. 422
2nd Problem, ‘Whether all rites and external observances about divine worship in the Old Testament Church may have been formally sacred or divine, even types or prefiguring? We respond: No.’, p. 423
3rd Problem, ‘Whether therefore rites of order or decorum, or of whatever indifferent, ecclesiastical observation in the Old Testament are of no use in the New Testament? We respond: No.’, p. 423
4th Problem, ‘Whether something divinely consecrated, that is, an institution, prescription of external form, or a promise and assignation of moral efficiency worked by God in divine worship and spiritual things is a foundation properly so called of a religious or sacred ceremony? We Respond: Yes.’, p. 424
5th Problem, ‘Whether Ceremonies of whatever significance in the Word of God, or institution or prescription in whatever thing, immediately works divine, mystical, sacred or religious things?’ We respond: We deny in three following ways, but it is conceded in one way.’, p. 424
6th Problem, ‘Whether an indifferent or ecclesiastical ceremony from and in the Churches after the apostles, being observed or instituted by the apostles, may be founded by divine law? We respond: positively we deny; permissively we affirm.’, p. 424
7th Problem, ‘Whether the material of a ceremony, whether properly called sacred, or human or ecclesiastical, is only an action; or whether it may also be a quantity, quality or relation, and this for all that is predicated of it, as Swarez would have it? We affirm’, indeed, if with regard to ‘substance’ you take it with a grain of salt.’, p. 424
8th Problem, ‘Whether even a ceremony may be able to be appointed by a privation, ommision or abstinence? We respond: Yes.’, p. 425
9th Problem, ‘Whether the use is of the essence of a ceremony, whether truly sacred, or only apparently or supposedly so? We respond: No.’, p. 425
10th Problem, ‘Whether in the O.T. before Moses there had been sacred ceremonies properly so-called, and the observing of indifferent ecclesiastical ceremonies for the sake of decorum and good-order? I respond: Yes.’, p. 425
11th Problem, ‘Whether in the time of the N.T. there were instiuted, or observed by the apostles ceremonies properly called sacred and mystical, whether in their signifying or working, which however were not parts of divine worship, nor instituted by divine law, nor consequently necessary by the necessity of a precept? I respond: No.’, p. 425
“Indeed, nothing like the example of a ceremony has been exhibited thus far. On the laying on of hands and of the holy kiss, we speak below.”
12th Problem, ‘Why may authors, the Papists as well as our own, be seen to vary in the definition of a ceremony in the assignment of, even, the genera, or the object, or the foundation, or the efficient cause or the end? See Thomas, 1.2, Q. 99, art. 3; Hemmingsen, Works in folio, pp. 471, 800, 1,389; Zegedinum, Common Places in folio, p. 53; Francis Junius, On the Polity of Moses, ch. 7; Polanus, Syntagma in folio, p. 635; Daneus, Introductions, bk. 3, pt. 4, ch. 22; also Melanchthon, Pezel and Aretius cited below. We respond: A various acceptation of the term is in case.”, p. 425
Section 2, “Problems surrounding the causes of the ceremonies are these:”
1st Problem, ‘Whether by an apostolic example or practice any ceremonies may have had been founded to be observed in the Churches of the New Testament? We respond, you ought to distinguish…’, p. 425, bot.
2nd Problem, ‘Whether order and decorum in the receiving of the Supper (1 Cor. 11:21-22) and in the exercise of prophecy (1 Cor. 14:29,34) are ceremonies having been instituted by the Church?’, p. 426
3rd Problem, p. 426 6 conclusions.
4th Problem, p. 427
5th Problem, ‘Whether ceremonies ought to be changed without a grave and urgent necessity? We respond, ceremonies ought to be distinguished…’, p. 427
6th Problem, ‘From who is a change able to be made, from whatever pleases a minister, or from whatever pleases a session, a presbytery, or a provincial or national synod?’, p. 430
7th Problem, ‘Whether it may be conducive to prescribe or prohibit all the indifferent ecclesiastical laws or canons, or at least decrees?’, p. 430 2 conclusions.
8th Problem, p. 430
9th Problem, p. 431
10th Problem, p. 431, 2 conclusions with a denial.
Section 3, “Problems on the affections or properties of the ceremonies follow…” p. 431, bot.
1st Problem, p. 431, 8 conclusions.
2nd Problem, p. 433
3rd Problem, ‘Whether a ceremony or rite, or type or shadow in the Old Testament may be turned back? We respond: No.’, p. 434
4th Problem, p. 436
5th Problem, p. 449
6th Problem, p. 451
7th Problem, p. 452
8th Problem, p. 452
Section 4, 9th Problem, ‘Whether rites in themselves and properly indifferent may always remain such even through the changed time and state of the Church? or whether indifferent things are able to be dismissed or taken off, and by what way?’, pp. 454-60
2 Conclusions, p. 454-7
6 Responses, p. 457
4th-6th Problems, pp. 457-60
ch. 8. ‘Questions on Some Rituals in Particular: on the Laying on of Hands, the [Holy] Kiss, Abstinence from Things Strangled & Blood, the Marriage Rite, Anointing, Shaking the Feet of Dust, Love Feasts, the Rite of Covenanting & of the Washing of Feet.’, pp. 460-81 3 sections
Section 1, p. 460 “Problems on rites follow, certainly not all, but only some select ones in particular that the Scripture has mentioned. Those remaining are nearly innumerable which occur in the books of the Old and New Testament or ecclesiastical writings, whether ancient, medieval, modern or recent…”
1st Problem, ‘What of the rite of laying on of hands in miracles (Mk. 16:18; 6:13)?’, p. 460 2 Conclusions.
2nd Problem, ‘Of what sort was the laying on of hands in blessing (Heb. 6:2)?’, p. 460
3rd Problem, ‘What ought to be decided about the laying on of hands in Acts 8 & 19:6 considered with Heb. 6:2?’, p. 461 3 Conclusions
4th Problem, ‘What is to be decided about the laying on of hands in ordination or the constituting of ministers (on which see 1 Tim. 4 & 5)?’, pp. 461-66
“I respond: The Papists make ordination a sacrament, and this the the material of it, the laying on of hands (see Cornelius a Lapide, Commentary in location). This opinion has been refuted, see their antagonists. The Lutherans however reckon it according to the indifferent rites (see Eckhardt in location cited); however they are seen to discover something in it mystical and necessary however often they knowingly touch upon our indifferent things on this rite. We, however varied in locations and possibly in however many churches this right is used, yet adjudge it to be merely indifferent. See Piscator, Daneus and other commentators in 1 Timothy and Acts 6 & 13; and Alting in the Exegesis of the Augsburg Confession, p. 90. This right was commonly used in synagogues, schools and the polity of the Jews, from where it is seen the apostles took it, which is the opinion of Calvin in his Commentary on Acts 6 & 13, and Institutes, bk. 4, ch. 3, section 16.”
Queries 1-4, p. 462
Queries 5-7, p. 463-4
Query 8, p. 465-6
Section 2, ‘We come now to the rite of the kiss (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26; 1 Pet. 5:14), of which it is queried, whether it may be a mystical or sacred rite, and have been by divine law imposed?’, p. 466
“I respond: It was a common rite, in species and form, from custom or practice then and there received; it was accustomed to be used as a sign of love, friendship, familiarity, even of subjection, etc.
On this rite: the Philology & Antiquary of [John de] Pineda [1558–1637, a Jesuit] on Job 31:27 has informed. Out of theologians other than Pineda: Aretius, pt. 3, [Jean de] Lorinus [1559-1634, a Jesuit] and [Andrew] Rivet on Ps. 2; and Lorinus in the same has cited Joseph Stephanus in the Tractate on Kissing the Feet of the Pontiff.”, p. 466
Section 3
Problem 3, ‘What ought to be made of abstinence from suffocated things and blood (Acts 15)? , p. 471
“I respond that it was a part of the obedience to the divinely given ceremonial laws until the death of Christ, and a fulfilling of the time of correction (Col. 2; Heb. 9). But by the death of Christ, it being one with the other ceremonials, became defunct as to observing it in conscience, yet not however until it had an honest funeral, but from reason of the scandal of the weak from amongst the circumcision, some of them were to observe them in parts till the Jews may be fully and plainly convicted of the cessation of the ceremonial law.”
Voet then says that this subject has been treated in other places and to see especially Hoornbeek’s Diatribe on Blood and Suffocation (not able to find on the net) and Andreas Libavius (1555-1616) on the Singulars (on the Hexameron), pt. 2 (the page number does not line up).
4th Problem, ‘Whether the joining of hands in the sign of a contract and the entrance of marriage is a divine, sacred or religious ceremony? I respond: None of them.’ p. 471
5th Problem, ‘What is to be decided of anointings or besmearings of oil and ointments?’, p. 472
6th Problem, ‘What of the Covering of Women in the Churches (1 Cor. 11)?’, p. 475 bot.
“It is not a rite indifferent, nor a sacred ecclesiastical ordinance, but a common one, by which out of a natural decorum it ought to obtain everywhere and ordinarily; where and however often women come together in some assembly or go out in public. That being, moreover, a covering or sheltering of the head, even [tum] natural, that is, the hair, or in addition [tum] something put on. Of that is put forth in verse 6 [14?], ‘Doth not nature teach…'”, pp. 475-6
7th Problem, ‘What about the shaking of the dust of the feet (Mt. 10:14; Mk. 6:11; Lk. 9:5, 10:11; Acts 13:51)?’, p. 476-8
8th Problem, ‘What about love-feasts?’, p. 478
9th Problem, ‘What of the rite of covenanting, or confederating, that is by a passing through slain, divided animal parts, which is mentioned in Gen. 15:17 & Jer. 34:18?’, p. 479
10th Problem, ‘What of the washing of feet (Jn. 13)?, p. 481
“I respond: Of this we have discussed above in the chapter, and thus I will not repeat it here.”
Voet may be referring to the 7th problem above on the command to shake the dust of of one’s feet. Though foot-washing is not explicitly mentioned in that section, the same principles would apply.
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“An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon… And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.”
Ex. 20:24-25
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”
Dt. 4:2
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Related Pages
The Regulative Principle of Worship
Against Conformity to What is Not Right
The Right of Continued Protest unto the Truth
On Customs, the Holy Kiss, Foot Washing, Anointing with Oil, Love Feasts, etc.