De adiaphoris Theological and scholastical positions, concerning the nature and vse of things indifferent. Where also is methodically and briefely handled, of ciuill and ecclesiasticall magistrates, of humane lawes, of Christian libertie, of scandall, and of the worship of God. A vowed worke, destinated (by the grace of God) to appease the dissentions of the Church of England. Written in Latine by M. Gabriel Powel, and translated into English by T.I.

CHAP. II. Of the CAVSES of Things Indifferent. And first of the EFFICIENT Cause.

THe EFFICIENT Cause of Things Indifferent, is two-fold, Principall, or Adiuuant.

2 The Principall Efficient Cause, is GOD (by whom Things Indif∣ferent are GENERALLY institu∣ted and commanded) who in his Word declareth vnto the Bishops and Gouernours of the Church, the fountaine, from whence they ought to be deduced and drawne, gouerning also their wittes, and directing their tongues in that busines. For GOD will haue all things to be done in good order, so as they may serue both for the set∣ting forth of his owne glory, and also for the edification of the Church (1. Cor. 14.40.) seeing he is the GOD of order, and not of confusion.

3 The Adiuuant Cause, is either the Whole Church toge∣ther, or Certaine wise and intelligent Men, to whom the Church hath committed the institution of Things indiffe∣rent.

4 The Whole Church, because she hath power to appoint and prescribe rites and ceremonies in particular (for all things are the Churches, 1. Cor. 3.22.) which performeth this her Office, with a Free, and Godly will. Free, being no manner of way compelled; Godly, that is, fitted and accom∣modated to the will of God, which may only regard the glorie of God, and the edification of good and godly men; and no way seeke after humane or worldly commodities, by the institution, or vse of any Indifferent things.

5 Now the institution and ordering of these rites and ceremonies, the Church ought to commit to the care of

certaine godly, wise and circumspect Men, whom she percei∣ueth to be endued with diuine gifts, and well able to iudge of such matters. So the Apostles command the Church, to chuse and ordaine such Deacons (Act. 6.3.) And that cho∣sen vessell of God, writeth vnto the Church of Corinth, that she ought to ordaine Iudges, who might vnderstand and decide the controuersies and causes of the Christians. 1. Cor. 6.7.

6 Concerning which Ceremonies notwithstanding, the iudgement and censure thereof, is to be permitted vnto the Church, as also of the whole Doctrine taught by the Mini∣sters and Pastors, according vnto that which the Apostle saith; Let two or three Prophets speake, and let the other iudge. And if any thing be reuealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. The Spirit of the Prophets is subiect to the Prophets. (1. Cor. 14.29.30.32.) And the Doctors and Tea∣chers of the Church, are not LORDS ouer the same; but Mi∣nisters and Seruants vnto it.

7 Out of these things which haue been spoken of the Efficient Cause, it is plainly gathered; that such Indifferent things, as by the Church haue been lawfully and orderly in∣stituted and approoued, are so farre Humane, as that they are also Diuine, and therefore haue more than Humane au∣thoritie, yea plainly DIVINE.

8 The reason hereof is. Because the Church is directed and gouerned by the Spirit of Christ, who is Truth: there∣fore the Precepts of the Church in THINGS INDIFFERENT, are both true and holy.

9 Moreouer, sithence the Church of Christ doth alwaies depend on the Word of God; insomuch that if it should erre (which notwithstanding is impossible) and fall from the same, it should not bee the Church of Christ: Therefore the Traditions and Constitutions which are ordained by the Church, following the Word of God, are grounded vp∣on the authoritie of GOD himselfe, and drawne out of the holy Scriptures; and therefore consequently DIVINE.

10 An example hereof we haue in the Surplice, which Ministers vse to put on, in the solemnizing of Diuine Ser∣uice, or the administration of the Sacraments. It is deman∣ded, Whether this be an HVMANE Tradition, or not? I answere: It is so an HVMANE Tradition, as that it is also DIVINE. It is DIVINE, so farre foorth, as it is a part of that Decencie, the care and obseruation whereof is commended vnto vs by the Apostle (1. Cor. 14.37.40.) But it is HVMANE, as it doth particularly designe, what hath been generally pointed at, rather than plainly declared. For it si our part, to determine in particular and precise forme and manner, that Decencie and Order, which in generall termes is deliuered in the ho∣lie Scriptures. By this one example may appeare what we are to thinke and iudge of all other of this kinde.

11 These things repugne and are contrarie to the Effi∣cient Cause, namely, I. To institute and ordaine such rites and ceremonies, as are contrarie vnto the will and Word of GOD.

12 Of which sort are in the Church of Antichrist, the Popes Supremacie, the Sacraments of Penance, Confirma∣tion, Order, Matrimonie, Extreame Vnction, the oblation of the sacrifice of the Masse, the Communion vnder one kind, Crucifixes, Inuocation of Saints, Prayers for the dead, Pur∣gatorie, Indulgences, Single life of Priests, Auricular con∣fession, Papisticall satisfactions, &c.

13 II. To peruert, contrarie vnto the Word of GOD, such Ceremonies, as are lawfully and aduisedly instituted by the Church.

14 III. To appoint and ordaine indifferent Ceremo∣nies and rites to be obserued, without the consent and ap∣probation of the Church.

15 IV. Wilfully or carelesly to neglect and omit those indifferent ceremonies, which the Church hath lawfully commanded and receiued: to despise them, as meerely Humane, and to account them superstitious and Idola∣trous.

16 V. The Church of Antichrist, or the Papacie, false Prophets and Heretiques, who imitate the Church of GOD in outward rites and ceremonies.

Thus much of the Efficient Cause: Next followeth the Ma∣teriall.

Notes

• The Effici∣ent Cause of Things indif∣ferent. 1. Principall.
• 2. Adiuuant: and this is, ei∣ther.
• The whole Church.
• Or, Certaine Men.
• Ecclesiasticall Traditions are not meer∣ly Humane, but also Di∣uine.
• Question.
• Answere.
• Note.
• What things are contrarie vnto the Effi∣cient Cause.