The divine right of church-government and excommunication

Ye will say this argument is Popish, and leadeth men to acquiesce. without trial, upon the determination of the Church. But we answer in matters of faith the truth, whereof may be infallibly concluded out of the word of God▪ we ought not, without trial to acquiesce unto the Doctors of the Church, and in this respect we dissent from Papists, who ascribe too much to the authority of Councils, as if their decrees were infallible. But in matters of Policy, if we be certain, that in their own nature, they are indifferent, and if the expediency of them only be called in question, seeing no certain conclusion, concerning their expediency, can be infallibly drawn out of Gods word—we are to acquiesce to the decrees of the Church. 1. Because otherwise it is impossible to agree ⟨p. 44⟩in one conclusion, in matters of this kind. 2. Disobedience shall prove more hurtful then obedience.

Yee will say this argument is Popish, and leadeth men to acquiesce. without tryall, upon the determination of the Church. But we answer in matters of faith the truth, whereof may be infallibly concluded out of the word of God▪ we ought not, without tryall to acquiesce unto the Doctors of the Church, and in this respect we dissent from Papists, who ascribe too much to the authoritie of Councells, as if their decrees were infallible. But in matters of Policie, if we be certaine, that in their owne nature, they are indifferent, and if the expediencie of them onely be called in question, seeing no certaine conclusion, concerning their expediencie, can be infallibly drawn out of Gods word—we are to acquiesce to the decrees of the Church. 1. Because otherwise it is impossible to agree ⟨p. 44⟩in one conclusion, in matters of this kind. 2. Disobedience shall prove more hurtfull then obedience.

Answer 1. This is a wide step, to make all things in Scripture, either matters of faith, or matters indifferent. That there were eight persons in Noah's Ark, and that Sampson sew a thousand with the jaw bone of an ass, are not matters of faith, as matters of faith are contradistinguished, from things indifferent, many are saved, who neither know nor believe many things of this historical verity in Scripture, yet are they not matters indifferent. But the Doctors are reconcilers with the Belgic Arminians, who deny all the things controverted betwixt Papists and us, and betwixt us and Arminians, and Anabaptists, at least the most part of them to be fundamental and that either side may be believed, and holden, without hazard of salvation, and therefore we are to lean to the Churches determination in these without farther inquiry. 2 They mean, that in matters controverted, and in all things indifferent; as whether in this, or that fact, we do murder him for whom Christ died; We are to give our faith and conscience over to the Church without further trial. 3. What if we be not persuaded of the indifferency of the things commanded but doubt whether they be commanded or forbidden in the Word, as is now the present case of Ceremonies to us, for we cannot be persuaded of their indifferency, and the Doctors saith they are not matters of faith. Ergo, by their own doctrine their distinction is defective. 4. Scripture is also perfect in resolving us, what is scandal and murdering of our brother, as what is Idolatry and Blasphemy, and therefore we are not to hang our faith here upon the Churches Canons without farther trial, as you say. 5. That the Scripture is perfect in matters of faith, but imperfect in matters of Policy, that is in matters wherein we may kill him for whom Christ died, is no better then the Papists distinction, who teach us that the Scripture is perfect in the articles of faith, not in traditions, so Scotus