holiness in them, forasmuch as they
have no other use and praise in sacred than they have in civil things, nor
yet were particularly determinable in Scripture, because they are
infinite, but sacred, significant ceremonies, such as cross, kneeling,
surplice, holidays, bishopping, &c., which have no use and praise except
in religion only, and which, also, were most easily determinate (yet not
determined) within those bounds which the wisdom of God did set to his
written word, are such things as God never left to the determination of
any human law. Neither have men any power to burden us with those or such
like ordinances, "For (saith not our Lord himself to the churches), I will
put upon you none other burden, but that which ye have already, hold fast
till I come," Rev. ii. 24, 25. Wherefore, _pro hac_, &c., for this liberty
we ought stoutly to fight against false teachers.(39) Finally, it is to be
noted, that though in some things we may and do commendably refuse
obedience to the laws of them whom God hath set over us, yet are we ever
obliged (and accordingly intend) still to subject ourselves onto them, for
to be subject doth signify (as Zanchius showeth(40)), to be placed under,
to be subordinate, and so to give honour and reverence to him who is
above, which may well stand without obedience to every one of his laws.
Yea, and Dr Field(41) also tells us, that "subjection is generally and
absolutely required where obedience is not."

IX. Forasmuch as some ignorant ones are of opinion, that when they
practise the ceremonies, neither perceiving any unlawfulness in them (but,
by the contrary, being persuaded in their consciences of the lawfulness of
the same), nor yet having any evil meaning (but intending God's glory and
the peace of the church), therefore they practise them with a good
conscience. Be not ye also deceived, but rather advert unto this, that a
peaceable conscience, allowing that which a man doth, is not ever a good
conscience, but oftentimes an erring, bold, presuming, secure, yea,
perhaps, a seared conscience. A good conscience, the testimony whereof
giveth a man true peace in his doings, is, and is only, such a one as is
rightly informed out of the word of God. Neither doth a good meaning
excuse any evil action, or else they who killed the apostles were to be
excused, because in so doing they thought they did God good service, John
xiv. 2. It is the observation even of Papists, that men may commit many a
so