Affirmative precepts bind perpetually, but not to all times; to disposition and readiness always, but to practice, only, when time, place, and opportunity occurreth. For example, a man is ever obliged to think the truth, if he know it, but ⟨p. 47⟩not either to profess or speak the truth at all times. Of affirmative duties, some are absolutely necessary in men of age and discretion, without which there can be no salvation, as belief in Christ, and repentance from dead works. Others are necessary when God giveth hopportunity, and calleth a man forth thereunto; as profession of the faith, by joining our selves to the Church of God, and partaking of the Sacraments. Others oblige in a time free, which do not oblige in a time not free, as when urgent necessity, the circumstance of time and place, the state and condition of things do restrain and keep back. As the exercise of Ecclesiastical discipline against open obstinate offenders, is an affirmative duty, imposed by divine law upon the Governors of the Church, or (as you say) upon the whole Society. But it lieth not upon this or that particular member to do it, or separate, when others be remiss, and either be not persuaded of, or do neglect their duty, and will not be drawn unto it. They be not of the lowest rank who think it may and ought to be forborne, when it cannot be used without open and unavoidable schism. When a doctrinal error of less importance and small evil consequence prevaileth in a Church, by public authority, it is not the duty of a private Teacher publicly to strive against it, to manifest & apparent schisms, but rather in a mild and peaceable manner to cure them, and peaceably to tolerate some things, when the good of Gods Church doth call for and require it. Who doth not calmly and peaceably moderate that which he thinketh, but is ready incontinent to contentions, dissentions, and scandals, although he have not an heretical sense, most certainly he hath an heretical mind. And though the iGovernment of the Church dependeth upon the ordinance of God, yet it is not for every particular and private man to set up that order in societies, professing the faith publicly and established by Law, against the mind and pleasure of the Christian Magistrate.
Affirmative precepts binde perpetually, but not to all times; to disposition and readinesse alwayes, but to practice, onely, when time, place, and opportunitie occurreth. For example, a man is ever obliged to thinke the truth, if he know it, but ⟨p. 47⟩not either to professe or speake the truth at all times. Of affirmative duties, some are absolutely necessary in men of age and discretion, without which there can be no salvation, as beliefe in Christ, and repentance from dead works. Others are necessary when God giveth hopportunitie, and calleth a man forth thereunto; as profession of the faith, by joyning our selves to the Church of God, and partaking of the Sacraments. Others oblige in a time free, which doe not oblige in a time not free, as when urgent necessitie, the circumstance of time and place, the state and condition of things doe restraine and keepe backe. As the exercise of Ecclesiasticall discipline against open obstinâte offenders, is an affirmative dutie, imposed by divine law upon the Governours of the Church, or (as you say) upon the whole Societie. But it lyeth not upon this or that particular member to doe it, or separate, when others be remisse, and either be not perswaded of, or doe neglect their dutie, and will not be drawne unto it. They be not of the lowest ranke who thinke it may and ought to be forborne, when it cannot be used without open and unavoidable schisme. When a doctrinall errour of lesse importance and small evill consequence prevaileth in a Church, by publique authoritie, it is not the dutie of a private Teacher publiquely to strive against it, to manifest & apparent schismes, but rather in a milde and peaceable manner to cure them, and peaceably to tolerate some things, when the good of Gods Church doth call for and require it. Who doth not calmely and peaceably moderate that which he thinketh, but is readie incontinent to contentions, dissentions, and scandals, although he have not an hereticall sense, most certainly he hath an hereticall minde. And though the iGovernment of the Church dependeth upon the ordinance of God, yet it is not for every particular and private man to set up that order in societies, professing the faith publiquely and established by Law, against the mind and pleasure of the Christian Magistrate.
- hNeither do I know what warrant any ordinary Minister hath by Gods word in such a case, so to draw any such Church or people to his private ministry, that thereby they should hazard their outward state & quiet in the Commonwealth where they live, when in some competent measure, they may publicly with the grace and the favour of the Magistrate, enjoy the ordinary means of their salvation. Unreasona. &c. pag. 61. Aug. epist. contr. Parm. lib. 3. cap. 2. Bezacontr. Eras. de Excom. Feild of the Ch•. lib. 1. cap. 17. Eccl. Lugdun. lib. de tenenda verit. script: post medium in Biblioth. patr. tom. 4. par. 2. edit. 4.Neither doe I know what warrant any ordinary Minister hath by Gods word in such a case, so to draw any such Church or people to his private ministry, that therby they should hazzard their outward state & quiet in the Commonwealth where they live, when in some cōpetent measure, they may publikely with the grace and the favour of the Magistrate, injoy the ordinarie means of their salvation. Vnreasona. &c. pag. 61. Aug. epist. contr. Parm. lib. 3. cap. 2. Bezacontr. Eras. de Excom. Feild of the Ch•. lib. 1. cap. 17. Eccl. Lugdun. lib. de tenenda verit. script: post medium in Biblioth. patr. tom. 4. par. 2. edit. 4.
- iThe Apostleanever erected & planted public Churches and Ministers in the face of the Magistrate, whether they would or no, or in despite of them. But such in respect of the eye of the Magistrate, were as private as might be. Unreasonableness of Separate. pag. 59.The Apostleanever erected & planted publike Churches and Ministers in the face of the Magistrate, whether they would or no, or in despite of them. But such in respect of the eye of the Magistrate, were as private as might be. Vnreasonablenesse of Separat. pag. 59.
