Jones on Article XXXIV: Of the Traditions of the Church

greater pity it is that there should be such dissent in matters of small importance, in rites and circumstances, that by conten- tion in such things, the course of the gospel should be hindered, Christ’s adversaries strengthened, and his church offended.

THIRT r NINE ARTICLES.

The ministry cannot be well executed without her rites ; which rites are left indifferent to every policy, so that they be not disagreeing from the word, so that they tend unto edification, so that they be seemly and according to decent order. Be it granted that some rites, upon some consideration might be bettered, or omitted ; yet can I not say, neither any man I suppose can prove, that anything is set down to be observed in the Church wicked or contrary to the word of God. And it were scarce wisdom, when as in many years a beautiful and a costly house is builded, if a window be set a little awry, or some small like eye-sore do appear in respect thereof, to disturb the whole house, to pull it down and lay it flat with the ground. For every change being so full of peril, surely these great alterations upon so slight advice, these new commonwealths howsoever they be shadowed with the plausible name of refer- mation, yet in seeking (for undoubtedly this is sought, and that by many) to have the patrimony of the Church divided, mangled, and impaired, they threaten the utter overthrow of learning and religion.” — Ser. Phil. ii. 2 — 5.

” That certain learned men, bishops and others, may by her majesty be appointed to set down ecclesiastical orders and rules in all ecclesiastical matters, for the good government of the church of England, as shall be by them thought most meet.” — Advice concerning Rites and Ceremonies in the Synod, 1562.

” Thus do we perceive that this multitude of ceremonies which is seen in the mass, is the form of the Jewish law, utterly contrary to the Christian religion. I am not of that mind that I would disprove all ceremonies which do serve to honesty and a public order, whereby the more reverence is given to the sacrament ; so that they do well agree to the purpose and be sober. But that unmeasurable labyrinth may by no means be suffered ; forasmuch as it hath engendered infinite superstitions and made the people, as it were, amused without any manner of edification.” — On the Sacrament.

” The universal Church of Christ agrees in the necessary articles of our salvation ; but in certain outward orders and ceremonies, every country differs from other without any dishonour to God.” — Confutation of an addition.

” I said afore’ (and no man is able to improve it) that the universal church never made any one order of service through the whole world, but every country has and may have divers, without offending, so they agree in one substance of true doctrine. He knows no church but Rome, and yet Rome never decreed any one general order for the whole world : nor the whole world never obeyed nor received any. The pope’s portus and missal has beeu oft changed, as I proved afore, and every country has their divers order of service.” — Questions and Answers.

” I answer, that of traditions there be three kinds. Some that necessarily are inferred of the Scripture. Such were the Apostles’ traditions : as, that a woman in the congregation

should not be bare-headed these and the like I confess to

be necessary, and of all Christians to be retained But there

have been other things delivered to the church direct con- trary to the word : as Latin service These ought not in

anywise to be received The third kind of traditions is of

such as be indifferent ; neither utterly repugnant to the word of God, nor necessarily inferred in it. Herein we must follow the order of the church ; and yet not absolutely, but with limi- tation. First, we sec that those observances be not set forth as a piece of God’s service, wherein some special point of holiness or religion shall consist. For they may be kept, for order, for policy, for profit of the church ; but otherwise the scripture

itself hath God’s store Therefore wTe must especially beware,

that in our traditions, indifferent of themselves, we repose no holiness or devotion. Then also that we think them not to be such of necessity, that at no time they may be removed. The

church must still retain her right to he judge and determiner of such traditions ; either to bear with them, or else abolish them, as best may serve for edification.” — Answer to the Treatise of the Cross.

” Moreover, Paul speaketh not here of doctrines of faith and charity, which ever continue without changing, adding, or niin- ishing ; but of certain traditions, observations, ceremonies, and outward rites and bodily exercises, which as he saith, is little worth to God-ward, but to be used for comeliness, decent order, and uniformity in the church, and to avoid schism; which cere- monies every good man is bound to keep, lest he trouble the common order, and so break the order of charity in offending his weak brethren, so long as they be approved, received, and used by the heads and common consent. But they, and every one of such ceremonies, as be neither sacraments nor command- ments of faith and charity, may be altered and changed, and other set in their place, or else utterly taken away, by the authority of princes, and other their rulers and subjects in the church.” — Confutation of Unwritten Verities.

” England is not bound to the example either of Prance or Scotland. I would they were both (if it pleased God) touching

religion, in that state and condition that England is I do not

deny but that examples may be followed, and one ought to follow another in that which is good and convenient. But I have showed before, that one church is not bound of necessity, in all

things to follow another There is no reformed church that I

can hear tell of, but it hath a certain prescript and determinate order, as well touching ceremonies and discipline, as doctrine, to the which all those are constrained to give their consent, that will live under the protection of it ; and why then may not this

church of England have so in like manner? That matters of

ceremonies, discipline, and kind of government, be matters necessary unto salvation, is a doctrine strange and unheard of

to me I confess, that in a church collected together in one

place, and at liberty, government is necessary, but that any one kind of government is so necessary, that without it, the church cannot be saved, or that it may not be altered into some other kind, thought to be more expedient, I utterly deny ; and these reasons that move me to do so be these. The first is, because I find no one certain and perfect kind of government prescribed or commanded in the scriptures to the Church of Christ, which no doubt should have been done, if it had been a matter neces- sary unto salvation of the church ; secondly, because the essential notes of the church be these only : The true preaching of the word of God, and the right administration of the sacraments. My third reason is this, If excommunication (which is a kind of government) be necessary to salvation, then any man may separate himself from every church wherein is no excommuni- cation ; but no man may separate himself from every church wherein is no excommunication ; therefore excommunication (which is a kind of government) is not necessary to salvation Every particular thing that pertaineth to decency or come- liness, at what time, in what place, with what words, we ought

to give thanks, is not particularly written in scripture and

therefore (as I have proved before) in such cases the church hath to determine and appoint an order.” — Defence of the Answer, §c.