A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded upon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded vpon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…

I begin with Field himself, whose resolution of the question proposed, Sect. IX is, ^kthat we are bound only to give obedience to such humane Laws as prescribe things profitable, not for that humane laws have power to bind the conscience, but because the things they command are of that nature, that not to perform them, is contrary to Justice or Charity. Whereupon he concludeth out of Stapleton, that we are bound to the performance of things prescribed by humane Laws, in such sort, that the not performance of them is sinne, not ex sola legislatori• voluntate, sed ex ipsa legum utilitate. Let all such as be of this mans mind, not blame us, for denying of obedience to the constitutions about the Ceremonies, since we find (for certain) no utility, but by the contrary much inconveniency in them. If they say, that we must think those laws to be profitable or convenient, which they, who are set over us, think to be so, then they know not what they say: for, exeeming conscience from being bound by humane laws in one thing, they would have it bound by them in another thing. If conscience must needs judge that to be profitable, which seemeth so to these that are set over us, then (sure) is power given to them for binding the conscience so straitly, that it may not judge otherwise then they judge, and force is placed in their bare Authority, for necessitating and constraining the assenting judgement of conscience.

I beginne with Field himselfe, whose resolution of the question proposed, Sect. IX is, ^kthat we are bound only to give obedience to such humane Lawes as prescribe things profitable, not for that humane lawes have power to binde the conscience, but because the things they command are of that nature, that not to performe them, is contrary to Iustice or Charity. Whereupon he concludeth out of Stapleton, that we are bound to the performance of things prescribed by humane Lawes, in such sort, that the not performance of them is sinne, not ex sola legislatori• voluntate, sed ex ipsa legum utilitate. Let all such as be of this mans mind, not blame us, for denying of obedience to the constitutions about the Ceremonies, since we find (for certaine) no utility, but by the contrary much inconveniency in them. If they say, that we must thinke those lawes to be profitable or convenient, which they, who are set over us, thinke to be so, then they know not what they say: for, exeeming conscience from being bound by humane lawes in one thing, they would have it bound by them in another thing. If conscience must needs judge that to be profitable, which seemeth so to these that are set over us, then (sure) is power given to them for binding the conscience so straitly, that it may not judge otherwise then they judge, and force is placed in their bare Auctority, for necessitating and constraining the assenting judgement of conscience.