The Synod of Zeeland on purging the English Church of Romish corruptions

[Reformed Covenanter]

... As for such ceremonies and rites as have their origin all from minds arrogant, and not contented with divine institution, & to which an opinion of necessity is added, as if without these, holy things could not be decently gone about, and the worship but coldly performed; truly we cannot see how such ceremonies can be called indifferent.

Suffer never therefore (much honoured brethren) so far as is in you, that the English Kirks be forced to receive such ceremonies; but rather use all means that they and ye in Kirk-government may be brought to as near agreement as may be. Hence shall redound manifold and great utility.

• 1 The pure manner of worship being preserved, the inestimable treasure of the purity of doctrine, which is committed to us, shall be the better kept, and transmitted uncorrupt to Posterity.
• 2 If the Kirk be purged from all Popish leaven, she will be the more comely in the eyes of her bridegroom, and will obtain the larger shower of blessings; and, as a field purged of tares, shall be the more fruitful.
• 3. This will exceedingly settle the Estate of your Kirks against the continual Plots and Conspiracies of Papists; united Forces are strongest. The purity of worship being established, your Kirks shall grow up together with the English in a more solid and durable concord.
• 4 This will cut short the Popish Emissaries of all hope of coming speed by their crafty wiles. They perceive that the reformed Kirks do extremely abhor their Idolatry: therefore they despair to introduce the same wholly and together: but they essay to creep in by degrees. They labour to persuade, that there is no danger, if with the singing of Psalms, Organs be joined as a part of Divine worship: if for the simple and ordinary habit of Ministers the Surplice be used: if with the Lord’s day, there be celebrated also Festival days in memory of the Martyrs: If these things shall prosper in their hands; then in place of a Table, ye shall have an Altar; for sitting at Communion, kneeling: and if they have success herein, then shall ye have Images, and the whole mask of Popery: with this hope they uphold themselves, and of this hope they are to be cut short.
• 5 This also shall constrain such of ours who are busied about Reconciliation that is to say, who labour to make up a Communion between day and night, darkness and light, to relinquish their foolish undertaking. ...

For more, see The Synod of Zeeland on purging the English Church of Romish corruptions.

 

[NaphtaliPress]

Interesting that in 1643 a full synod did not accept the use of the organ. Was its use debated much like the holy days during the Nadere Reformatie?

 

[Charles Johnson]

Interesting that in 1643 a full synod did not accept the use of the organ. Was its use debated much like the holy days during the Nadere Reformatie?

Opposition to organs was the subject of a greater consensus than opposition to holy days. Voetius puts together a who's who in terms of opposition to organs among the continental reformed in his politica ecclesiastica, and most or all of the figures he lists tolerated holy days.