h the temples of
Canaan; Hezekiah with the brazen serpent? Did they retain the things
themselves, and only purge them from the abuse? Belike, if these our
opposites had been their councillors, they had advised them to be
contented with such a moderation; yet we see they were better counselled
when they destroyed utterly the things themselves, whereby we know that
they were of the same mind with us, and thought that things abused to
idolatry, if they have no necessary use, are far better away than a-place.
Did Daniel refuse Bel's meat because it was not restored to the right use?
Nay, if that had been all, it might have been quickly helped, and the meat
sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Finally, Were the churches of
Pergamos and Thyatira reproved because they did not restore things
sacrificed to idols to their right use? Or, were they not rather reproved
for having anything at all to do with the things themselves?

_Sect._ 8. As for that which Dr Forbesse objecteth to us, we answer, that
temples, places of prayer, chairs, vessels, and bells, are of a necessary
use, by the light and guidance of nature itself; and matrimonial
benediction is necessary by God's institution, Gen. i. 28; so that all
those examples do except themselves from the argument in hand. But the
Doctor(534) intendeth to bring those things within the category of things
indifferent; and to this purpose he allegeth, that it is indifferent to
use this or that place for a temple, or a place of prayer; also to use
these vessels, and bells, or others. And of matrimonial benediction to be
performed by a pastor, he saith there is nothing commanded in Scripture.
_Ans._ Though it be indifferent to choose this place, &c., also to use
these vessels or other vessels, &c.; yet the Doctor, I trust, will not
deny that temples, houses of prayer, vessels and bells, are of a necessary
use (which exempteth them from the touch of our present argument);
whereas, beside that it is not necessary to kneel in the communion in this
place more than in that place, neither to keep the feast of Christ's
nativity, passion, &c. upon these days more than upon other days, &c., the
things themselves are not necessary in their kind; and it is not necessary
to keep any festival day, nor to kneel at all in the act of receiving the
communion. There is also another respect which hindereth temples, vessels,
&c. from coming within the compass of this our argument, but neither doth
it agree