The divine right of church-government and excommunication

there is no reason why profaning of the Lords Supper, should not be ⟨p. 58⟩eschewed, in all the world, and at all times, as in Britain, and at this time; and Crossing and Surplice doth signify dedication to Christs service, and Pastoral holiness in all the world, as in Britain, and therefore they cannot be national rites and alterable, but must be universal, and at all times, and in all places doctrinal. 4. The very external Washings, Feasts, New-Moons, Offerings, though they should be thought free toward the conscience, are external burdens against Christian liberty, as our Divines, ^aCalvin, ^bChemnitius, ^cPolanus teacheth, and ^dBellarmine answereth, the places alleged speaketh of Jewish servitude. But our Divines especially ^eJunius and ^fWhittakerus answer Bellarmine, that Paul, Coll. 2. speaketh against all Commandments of men, yea, he speaketh against Angel▪ worship, which is not a Jewish shadow, whereof Christ is the body. But they say it is a wide rule, that all things that may be wanting in Gods worship, are to be omitted in the case of scandal. I answer, there be three sort of things here considerable. 1. Things not commanded of God, as all religious observances, these are utterly unlawful, when the using of them scandalizeth. 2. Things that fall under an affirmative precept, and these cannot be totally omitted, for eschewing scandal: for what ever God hath commanded is some way necessary. Ergo, it some ways, and in some cases, may be done, though offence be taken at it, but branches, or parts of affirmative precepts may be omitted, for eschewing of scandal, as such a particular kneeling in prayer, in such a place: but Gods affirmative precepts leave not off to be always scandalous actively though information be given, for where the use hurteth, the abuse and scandal is not taken away by teaching, to teach how Images should not be abused, make not Images to leave off to be scandalous objects. 3. There be some things of mere civill use, as Bells, Gowns, Pulpits, preaching on Tuesday or Thursday. These be considered two ways. 1 As necessary with necessity of convenience simply. 2. With necessity of conveniencie. secundum prevalentiam graduum, as convenient in the highest degree of necessity, or that morall, maximum quod sit, in the first degree, what scandalizeth is to be rejected;