Chap. XXVII. Point XXIV. Of Publishing the 8th Canons Excommunications. (Book 27)
VVHat is the Eighth Canon and its Excommunication?
Whoever shall hereafter affirm or teach that the Form and Manner of Making and Consecrating Bishops, Priests or Deacons containeth ANY THING in it that is repugnant to the Word of God,—Let them be Ex∣communicated ipso facto, and not to be restored until he re∣pent, and publickly revoke such his wicked Errors.
What have you against the Execution of this?
A great deal. In sum, it is unrighteous, oppressing and divi∣ding, to cast out all Persons from the Church of Christ, who think that nothing is faulty in the Book of Ordination, or in their Prin∣ciples or Practice there expressed: And we dare not curse those that Christ doth bless; should we do this for a Benefice, in what should we differ from the sin of Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness? whose iniquity and madness his Ass rebuked, saith St. Peter, 2 Pet. 2. 15. Yea, shall we not be far worse than he, that for an House full of Silver and Gold could not go be∣yond the Word of the Lord, and did not curse but bless Gods people? And it is not proud malignant Tongues reviling Gods Servants, and calling their Opinions wicked Errors that will make Christ disown his Members, or will warrant Balaam or us to curse them. O how unlike is this to the Spirit and Ministry