are not well advised to enter into combat with such Achillean strength
as they have on their side, yet must our opposites know, that we have more
daring minds than to be dashed with the vain flourish of their great
words. Wherefore, in all these four ways wherein I am to draw the line of
my dispute, I will not shun to encounter and handle strokes with the most
valiant champions of that faction, knowing that--_Trophoeum ferre me a
forti viro, pulchrum est: sin autem et vincar, vinci a tali nullum est
probrum_--But what? Shall I speak doubtfully of the victory, or fear the
foil? Nay, I consider that there is none of them so strong as he was who
said, "We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth," 2 Cor.
xxiii. 8. I will therefore boldly adventure to combat with them even where
they seem to be strongest, and to discuss their best arguments,
allegations, answers, assertions, and distinctions. And my dispute shall
consist of four parts, according to those four pretences which are given
out for the ceremonies, which, being so different one from another, must
be severally examined. The lawfulness of a thing is in that it may be
done; the indifferency of it in that it may either be done or left undone,
the expediency of it in that it is done profitably; and the necessity of
it in that it may not be left undone. I will begin with the last respect
first, as that which is the weightiest.

THE FIRST PART.

AGAINST THE NECESSITY OF THE CEREMONIES.

CHAPTER I.

THAT OUR OPPOSITES DO URGE THE CEREMONIES AS THINGS NECESSARY.

_Sect_. 1. This I prove, 1. From their practice; 2. From their pleading.
In their practice, who seeth not that they would tie the people of God to
a necessity of submitting their necks to this heavy yoke of human
ceremonies? which are with more vehemency, forwardness, and strictness
urged, than the weighty matters of the law of God, and the refusing
whereof is far more inhibited, menaced, espied, delated, aggravated,
censured, and punished, than idolatry, Popery, blasphemy, swearing,
profanation of the Sabbath, murder, adultery, &c. Both preachers and
people have been, and are, fined, confined, imprisoned, banished,
censured, and punished so severely, that he may well say of them that
which our divines say of the Papists, _Hoec sua inventa Decalago
anteponunt, et gravius eos-multarent qui ea violarent, quam qui divina
praec