A01760:776
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…
A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded upon the Church of Scotland Wherein not only our own arguments [sic] against the same are strongly confirmed, but likewise the answers and defences of our opposites, such as Hooker, Morton ... Forbesse, &c. particularly confuted.A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded vpon the Church of Scotland Wherein not only our ovvne argumemts [sic] against the same are strongly confirmed, but likewise the ansvveres and defences of our opposites, such as Hooker, Mortoune ... Forbesse, &c. particularly confuted.
Leiden: printed by W. Christiaens, 1637
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now therefore we firmly hold, 1. That the Prince may not innovate Sect. XXV any Custom or Rite of the Church, nor publish any Ecclesiastical law, without the free assent of the Clergy, they being neither unable for, nor unwilling unto their Ecclesiastical functions ⟨p. 147⟩and duties: yea further, that so far as is possible, the consent of the whole Church ought to be had, whensoever any change is to be made of some order or custom in the Church. For that which toucheth the whole Church, and is to be used by the whole Church eab omnibus etiam merito curatur. Therefore fwhen there is any change to be made in the Rites of the Church, merito fit hoc eum omnium ordinum Ecclesiae consensu. Neither was there ever a rightly reformed Church, which was helped and not hurt, by such Rites and Customs, as to their grief and miscontentment Princes did impose upon them. Whence it was, that gthey who were orthodox did ever withstand such a Magistrate, as would have by his commandments tied the Church, to that which was burdensome to their consciences. That such inconveniences may be shunned, it is fit, that when any change is to be made in the Policy of a Church, not the Clergy alone, but the Elders also, and men of understanding among the Laity, in a lawful Assembly, freely give their voices, and consent thereunto. Good reason have our Writers to hold against Papists, that Laymen ought to have place in Councils, wherein things which concern the whole Church are to be deliberated upon. 2. Lest it be thought enough that Princes devise, frame, and establish Ecclesiastical laws, as them best liketh, and then for more show of orderly proceeding, some secrete and sinistrous way extort and procure the assent of the Synod of the Church; therefore we add, that it belongeth to the Synod (the Clergy having the chief place therein to give direction and advice,) not to receive and approve the definition of the Prince, in things which concern the worship of God, but it self to define and determine what orders and customs are fittest to be observed, in such things, that thereafter the Prince may approve and ratify the same, and press them upon his Subjects by his regal coactive Power. To me, it is no less then a matter of admiration;