Secondly, Considering it as it relateth to practice, 1something is to be forborne, and something is to be done. 1. For forbearance What might involve either party in the matter of fact contrary to their judgment, would be abstained; and this forbearance in practice would be as broad as forbearance in judgment, that, as Cyprian saith, (in another case) differing brethren may both have their judgment and practice in such things at their own free arbitrements, as to such restraints. Neither can this forbearance mar the peace of any, because if such things be indifferent, and although lawful, yet not necessary, the preserving of the Churches peace, and the preventing of what offence would follow, is ground enough to abstain from such things, out of respect to the consciences of ⟨p. 378⟩others. If the thing be necessary, then indeed it is not to be forborne, neither is that pleaded-for here; yet the doing of it upon the account of such an authority, is not necessary; but the matter of the thing or some uncontroverted ground may be had for warranting the same. 2. That which is to be done, we conceive, is this, That there be endeavours to have some united, uncontroverted authority established, by whose authority things necessary may be done, without infringing the authority of what was past in respect of those who acknowledge the same, and also without leaving the weight of the authority upon the former to those who question the same: And we conceive this being done, neither is there any conscience straitened, nor any thing necessary for the Churches good omitted; yea, by this means there is access unitedly to seek the Churches edification, without any prejudice by the former contention; because by laying this new foundation posterior to the former, the Church is put beyond that stumblingblock, and carried over, or by the same; And therefore there is no reason to fear falling upon such a difficulty, but rather with the greater speed to make progress when men may win by it and leave it behind them. This was the way that the Ancients took in the primitive times, even when Synods in this respect might have been said to have been corrupted, when God gave opportunity they set themselves to rectify the matter, and to do upon it what was fit for the good of the Church, without mentioning the nullity of the form thereof, or insisting thereupon.
Secondly, Considering it as it relateth to practice, 1something is to be forborn, and something is to be done. 1. For forbearance What might involve either party in the matter of fact contrary to their judgment, would be abstained; and this forbearance in practice would be as broad as forbearance in judgment, that, as Cyprian saith, (in another case) differing brethren may both have their judgment and practice in such things at their own free arbitrements, as to such restraints. Neither can this forbearance mar the peace of any, because if such things be indifferent, and although lawfull, yet not necessary, the preserving of the Churches peace, and the preventing of what offence would follow, is ground enough to abstain from such things, out of respect to the consciences of ⟨p. 378⟩others. If the thing be necessary, then indeed it is not to be forborn, neither is that pleaded-for here; yet the doing of it upon the account of such an authority, is not necessary; but the matter of the thing or some uncontroverted ground may be had for warranting the same. 2. That which is to be done, we conceive, is this, That there be endeavours to have some united, uncontroverted authority established, by whose authority things necessary may be done, without infringing the authority of what was past in respect of those who acknowledge the same, and also without leaving the weight of the authority upon the former to those who question the same: And we conceive this being done, neither is there any conscience straitened, nor any thing necessary for the Churches good omitted; yea, by this means there is access unitedly to seek the Churches edification, without any prejudice by the former contention; because by laying this new foundation posteriour to the former, the Church is put beyond that stumblingblock, and carried over, or by the same; And therefore there is no reason to fear falling upon such a difficulty, but rather with the greater speed to make progresse when men may win by it and leave it behind them. This was the way that the Ancients took in the primitive times, even when Synods in this respect might have been said to have been corrupted, when God gave opportunity they set themselves to rectifie the matter, and to do upon it what was fit for the good of the Church, without mentioning the nullity of the form thereof, or insisting thereupon.
- 1Or it relates to practice, and so something is to be tolerate and something done.
