own
nature, they are not indifferent to us; neither may we freely practice
them, because Papists make advantage of them, and take occasion from them
to confirm sundry of their errors and superstitions, as we have likewise
elsewhere made evident.(1306) Now, _cum adiaphora rapiuntur __ ad
confessionem, libera esse desinunt_, saith the Harmony of
Confessions.(1307) Mark _rapiuntur_. Though they get no just occasion,
yet, if they take occasion, though unjustly, that is enough to make us
abstain from things indifferent. _Etiam ea_, saith Balduine,(1308) _quoe
natura sunt sua liberoe observationis, in statu confessionis, cum ab
adversariis eorum mutatio postulatur, fiunt necessaria._

_Sect._ 5. 5. Things which are most indifferent in themselves become evil
in the case of scandal, and so may not be used. So hold the Century
writers;(1309) so Pareus;(1310) so Zanchius;(1311) so Chemnitius;(1312) so
Augustine;(1313) and so hath the Apostle taught.(1314) But that out of the
practice of the ceremonies there groweth active scandal unto the weak, we
have most clearly proven.(1315) Wherefore, let them be in their own nature
as indifferent as anything can be, yet they are not indifferent to be used
and practised by us; and whosoever swalloweth this scandal of Christ's
little ones, and repenteth not, the heavy millstone of God's dreadful
wrath shall be hanged about his neck, to sink him down in the bottomless
lake; and then shall he feel that which before he would not understand.

_Sect._ 6. 6. It is not enough for warrant of our practice that we do
those things which are indifferent or lawful in themselves, except they be
also expedient to be done by us according to the Apostle's rule, 1 Cor.
vi. 12. But I have proven that many and weighty inconveniences do follow
upon the ceremonies,(1316) as namely, that they make way and are the
ushers for greater evils; that they hinder edification, and in their
fleshly show and outward splendour, obscure and prejudice the life and
power of godliness; that they are the unhappy occasions of much injury and
cruelty against the faithful servants of Christ, that they were bellows to
blow up, and are still fuel to increase the church-consuming fire of
woeful dissentions amongst us, &c. Where also we show,(1317) that some of
our opposites themselves acknowledge the inconveniency of the ceremonies;
wherefore we cannot freely nor indifferently practise them.

_Sect._ 7. 7. These ceremonies are the accu