The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2)Gillespie, George
Religion
The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2)
Gillespie, George
Church of Scotland -- History; Gillespie, George, 1613-1648
_Sect._ 11. As for the veils wherewith the Apostle would have women
covered whilst they were praying (that is, in their hearts following the
public and common prayer), or prophesying (that is, singing, 1 Sam. x. 10;
1 Chron. xxv. 1), they are worthy to be covered with shame as with a
garment who allege this example for sacred significant ceremonies of human
institution. This covering was a moral sign for that comely and orderly
distinction of men and women which civil decency required in all their
meetings; wherefore that distinction of habits which they used for decency
and comeliness in their common behaviour and conversation, the Apostle
will have them, for the same decency and comeliness, still to retain in
their holy assemblies. And further, the Apostle showeth that it is also a
natural sign, and that nature itself teacheth it; therefore he urgeth it
both by the inferiority or subjection of the woman, ver. 3, 8, 9 (for
covering was then a sign of subjection), and by the long hair which nature
gives to a woman, ver. 25; where he would have the artificial covering to
be fashioned in imitation of the natural. What need we any more? Let us
see nature’s institution, or the Apostle’s recommendation, for the
controverted ceremonies (as we have seen them for women’s veils), and we
yield the argument.
Last of all, the sign of imposition of hands helpeth not the cause of our
opposites, because it has the example of Christ and the apostles, and
their disciples, which our ceremonies have not; yet we think not
imposition of hands to be any sacred or mystical sign, but only a moral,
for designation of a person: let them who think more highly or honourably
of it look to their warrants.
Thus have I thought it enough to take a passing view of these objected
instances, without marking narrowly all the impertinencies and falsehoods
which here we find in the reasoning of our opposites. One word more, and
so an end. Dr Burges would comprehend the significancy of sacred
ecclesiastical ceremonies, for stirring men up to the remembrance of some
mystery of piety or duty to God, under that edification which is required
in things that concern order and decency by all divines.
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