from
superiors, to neglect the observation of their statutes, when we see
evident cause for so doing? They think that we have no power at our own
hand to judge that we have an evident cause of not obeying those who are
set over us; yet this much is allowed by this Papist, who also elsewhere
acknowledged(459) that there is nothing necessary in baptism but the form,
the minister, and the washing of water, and that all the other ceremonies
which the church of Rome useth in baptism are only for solemnity.
Bellarmine saith,(460) that the neglecting and not observing the
ceremonies of the church, with them is not a mortal sin, except it proceed
_ex contemptu_. And that he who, entering into a church, doth not asperge
himself with holy water, sinneth not,(461) if so be he do it _circa
contemptum_. Now, to be free of contempt will not satisfy our Formalists,
except we obey and do that very same thing which we are commanded to do.
Cornelius Jansenius,(462) commenting upon these words, "In vain do they
worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men," saith, that
the commandments of men there forbidden and condemned, are those which
command nothing divine, but things merely human; and therefore he pleadeth
for the constitutions of the church about feasts, choice of meats,
festivities, &c., and for obedience to the same upon no other ground than
this, because _pius quisque facile videt quam habeant ex scripturis
originem et quomodo eis consonant, eo quod faciant ad __ carnis
castigationem et temperantiam, aut ad fidelium unionem et edificationem_.
I know it to be false which this Papist affirmeth; yet in that he thus
pleadeth for those constitutions of the church from Scripture and reason,
forsaking the ground of human authority, he is a great deal more modest
and less superstitious than those our opposites, who avouch the ceremonies
as necessary, and will have us bound to the practice of them upon no other
ground than the bare will and authority of superiors, who have enjoined
them, as hath been shown in the first part of this dispute. Yea, some of
them place a certain and constant necessity in the ceremonies themselves,
even beside and without the church's constitution (which is more than
Papists have said of their ceremonies). Dr Forbesse(463) calleth the
Articles of Perth, _pauca necessaria_, &c., a few things necessary for
God's glory, and the promoting of piety in our church, for order, peace,
unity, and charity; a