a short
application of the doctrine unto you, honourable and beloved. You may
plainly see from what hath been said, that neither kings, nor parliaments,
nor synods, nor any power on earth, may impose or continue the least
ceremony upon the consciences of God's people, which Christ hath not
imposed; therefore let neither antiquity, nor custom, nor conveniency, nor
prudential considerations, nor show of holiness, nor any pretext
whatsoever, plead for the reservation of any of your old ceremonies, which
have no warrant from the word of God. Much might have been said for the
high places among the Jews, as I hinted in the beginning; and much might
have been said by the Pharisees for their frequent washings (Mark vii. 2,
3, 4, 7), which, as they were ancient, and received by the traditions of
the elders, so they were used to teach men purity, and to put them in mind
of holiness; neither was their washing contrary to any commandment of God,
except you understand that commandment of not adding to the word (Deut.
iv. 2; xii. 32; Prov. xxx. 6), which doth equally strike against all
ceremonies devised by man.

"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," Gal. v. 9; and a little leak
will endanger the ship. Thieves will readily dig through a house, how much
more will they enter if any postern be left open to them. The wild beasts
and boars of the forest will attempt to break down the hedges of the
Lord's vineyard (Psal. lxxx. 13), how much more if any breach be left in
the hedges. If, therefore, you would make a sure reformation, make a
perfect reformation, lest Christ have this controversy with England,
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee," Rev. ii. 4. And so much of
our duty.

The second doctrine concerneth God's decree, and it is this: "It is
concluded in the council of heaven, and God hath it in the thoughts of his
heart, to repair the breaches of his house, and to build such a temple to
himself, as is shadowed forth in this vision of Ezekiel." For the
comparing of this verse with ver. 7 in this same chapter, and with chap.
xxxvii. 26, 27, will easily make it appear, that this showing of the
pattern, and all this measuring, was not only in reference to Israel's
duty, but to God's gracious purpose towards Israel. According to that,
Zech. i. 16, "Therefore thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem
with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and
a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.