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…

And thus far have we demonstrat to Princes, who be they, to whom Christ hath committed the power of Excommunication, that with them they may cause it to remain, and correct the usurpation of Prelates, who bereave them of it. Let us next consider, what Princes may, or should do, after that the sentence of any mans Excommunication, or Reconciliation, is given forth by them, to whom the power of this Discipline pertaineth. ^eThe Archbishop of Spalato is of opinion, that, not only it is free to Princes to communicate with excommunicate persons, but also, that if they shall happen to communicate with them, the Church (for the reverence she oweth to Princes) should straight absolve them, and that her sentence of Excommunication should no longer have any strength. What? Shall the Church draw, and put up again, the Spiritual Sword, at the pleasure of Princes? Or because Pr•ces will perhaps cast holy things to Dogs: must others do so likewise? O prodigious licentiousness, and hellish misorder, worthy to be drowned in the lake of Lethe! But what then is the part of the Prince, after that the Church hath given judgement? Surely, whensoever need is, he ought by the private judgement of Christian discretion, to try and examine, whether this Discipline be rightly execute, or not. If he find the execution thereof to be unreprovable, ⟨p. 193⟩and that yet the sinner goeth on in his contumacy, ^fthen by his Civill power he ought further to punish him in his person, or worldly estate, that he may either reform or repress, such a one as hath not been terrified by the Churches censures. But if after trial, he understand that the sentence given forth is unjust and erroneous, either through the ignorance or the malice of the Ecclesiastical and regular Judges, then he ought to interpone his authority, and cause a due proceeding, for in such extraordinary cases of the failing of Ecclesiastical persons, Princes may do much in things and causes Spiritual, which ordinarily they can not.

And thus farre have we demonstrat to Princes, who be they, to whom Christ hath committed the power of Excommunication, that with them they may cause it to remaine, and correct the usurpation of Prelats, who bereave them of it. Let us next consider, what Princes may, or should doe, after that the sentence of any mans Excommunication, or Reconciliation, is given forth by them, to whom the power of this Discipline pertaineth.