The Nature and Use of Things Indifferent, Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. Of SCANDALL. And who, in the Church of England, are the Authors of Scandall. Whether the Reuerend Biſhops, and the Ciuill Magistrates, who require Obedience in the receiued and approued Ceremonies; or certaine Ministers, who rather forſake their Miniſterie and places, then they will conforme themſelues?
SCANDALL, Scandall what it is.is whatſoeuer is either a cauſe, or an occaſion of offence vntounto any man. Or, it is a ſaying, or fact, or example, or counſell of ours, whereby our Brother or Neighbour is grieued, or troubled, or offended, ſo as he is thereby, either hindered in his right courſe vntounto the way of life, or turned aſide there from; or lead into ſome errour or ſinne, or confirmed in his euill may, Rom. 14.15. 1. Cor. 8.9.
2 Scandall is two-fold, Internall, and Externall.Scandall two-fold. 1. Internall.
3 Internall, or inward Scandall, is when the old Man giueth offence vntounto the new Man (Matth. 5.29.) If thy right eye offend thee, &c.
4 Externall, or outward Scandall, 2. Externall.is that which commeth from without, and giueth any man either cauſe, or occaſion of ruine.
5 Externall Scandall is two-fold, Actiue or Giuen; Externall Scandall two-fold.and Paſſiue or Receiued.
6 In both theſe, two things are to be obſerued; Firſt, NW.the Foundation or Matter, that is, the fact it ſelfe. Secondly, the Terme or Forme, that is, the occaſion of imitation and offence: whereupon it hath the name, Scandall.
7 ACTIVE or Giuen Scandall, is that, I Of Actiue Scandall.the fault whereof proceedeth from the Author of that thing or action wherof the Offence commeth. Or, it is when any man miniſtereth an effectuall cauſe of falling vntounto another.
8 And this, if you reſpect the Matter thereof, ariſeth either from a fact, which in it ſelfe is Euill, that is, expreſſely forbidden by the Law of God; or from a fact which in it ſelfe is Indifferent, but either done, or omitted importunely, againſt the rule of Charitie. In that, there is committed a two-fold ſinne; in this, one only.
9 Of the Former, Chriſt ſpeaketh vntounto Peter (Matth. 16.23.) Go behind me Satan, thou art a Scandall, or an offence vntounto me. For albeit indeed, Chriſt was not ſcandalized, yet it was not long of Peter, but that Chriſt being terrified with the cogitation of the Croſſe, did breake the courſe of his vocation: and the ſaying of Peter did verily grieue him; and, vntounto the weake, might hauehave been an occaſion of ruine.
10 VntoUnto this kind of Scandall are ſubiect, NW.all Hereſies, all hainous Crimes, all actions or omiſſions repugnant vntounto the Law of God; briefely, whatſoeuer is contrary vntounto the LoueLove of God, or of our Neighbour.
11 This Scandall ought all the godly, and ſuch as hauehave any care of their ſaluation, to beware of, no otherwiſe, then they would beware of Hell it ſelfe; ſeeing our Sauiour himſelfe hath ſaid, that it were better for a man, then to be the Author of this Scandall, that a Mil-stone were hanged about his necke, and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea, Matth 18.6.
12 Of the Latter kind, the Apoſtle ſpeaketh (1. Cor. 8.13.) For S. Paul would not, that any man ſhould, either vſe Things indifferent, or abſtaine from the vſe of them, with the offence of his Neighbour.
13 But heere we muſt conſider three ſorts of Men. Three ſorts of Men to bee conſidered in the vſe of Things indifferent.Some hauehave learned Christian Libertie, who therefore are accounted Firme and Strong. VntoUnto theſe an Indifferent fact cannot be a Scandall, but rather ioy and conſolation.
14 Some are Obstinate and indocible. Concerning theſe the Rule of Chriſt is to be obſerued: 1Let them go, they are blind, 2and the leaders of the blind.
15 Some are Weake, 3and as it were Yonglings in the Schoole of Chriſt. Of theſe there muſt ſpeciall regard and care be had in the Vſe of Things indifferent.
16 For whoſoeuer vſeth Things indifferent with the Scandall of ſuch, that is, of them that are Weake, he violateth the Law of Charity, and denieth the Faith of Chriſt.
And hitherto of Actiue or Giuen Scandall: it followeth that we ſpeake of that which is Paſſiue and Receaued.
17 PASSIVE or Receaued Scandall, II. Of Paſſiue Scandall.is that which Men take vntounto themſelues, either from the good deeds, ſayings or counſels of others; or from true Doctrine and the externall forme of the Church; or generally from any other thing whatſoeuer.
18 More ſpecially, It is ſome fact of ours, or ſaying, or counſell, that in it ſelfe is godly, iuſt, and honeſt, or at leaſt ſome Indifferent thing, not wickedly nor importunely done; for the which notwithſtanding, ſome man, either of peruerſe moroſitie, or of enuy and euill will, or of ſome other ſiniſter malignitie or error of mind, iudgeth euill of vsus, and ſo draweth it, into occaſion of Offence.
19 And this Paſſiue or Receaued Scandall is two-fold, Paſsiue Scandall two-fold.Humane, or Diabolicall.
20 Paſſiue Humane Scandall, is either of Wicked Men, 1. Humane, which is eitheror of Godly Weake Men.
21 The Paſſiue or Receaued Scandall of Wicked men, Of Wicked Men.either of Worldlings and Wiſe men out of the Church, or of Hypocrites in the externall Aſſemblies of the Church, is when the Wicked are offended,
22 I. Either with the baſe eſtate, humilitie, and croſſe of Chriſt in his aſſumpt Nature or Man-hood, 1 Cor. 1.23.
23 II. Or with the vnwiſely conceiued and ſuppoſed abſurditie of the Goſpel, the ſuſpicion of noueltie, the ſimplicitie of the Doctrine of truth, the preaching of Grace, the article of Predeſtination, and with the mortification of the old-Man, Matth. 15.12.
24 III. Or with the externall forme of the Church.
25 IV. Or with the Life and actions of the Godly, whereby they peaceiue themſelues to be reproued in the free vſe of Things indifferent.
26 V. Or with the Croſſe and perſecutions, which euer accompany the profeſſion of the Goſpell.
27 The Paſſiue or Receiued Scandall of the Godly, Or of the Godly-Weak.is that which is taken by the Weak ones which are in the Church, and they not of the worſer ſort: but is greedily caught by thoſe that are malignant, that they may make the doctrine of the Goſpell vncertaine and doubtfull vntounto the ruder and ſimpler people. And that,
28 I. Either from the oppreſſion of the Church, and puniſhment of ſuch as be Innocent.
29 II. Or from the Hereſies and Contention which diſturbe the Church.
30 III. Or from the multitude, power and authoritie of the Aduerſaries of the celeſtiall Doctrine.
31 IV. Or from the flouriſhing fortunes and proſperous ſucceſſe of the Wicked, Pſal. 73.2.
32 But the Godly ouercome this Scandall againe, the Holy Ghoſt confirming them, partly by the Examples of the Church of Chriſt in all ages, and partly by feruent Prayers, &c.
33 Paſſiue Diabolicall Scandal, 2. Diabolicall.is that when Men wickedly take hold of the falles and vices of the Saints, for licenſe of Sinning; that ſo without all ſhame, they may plunge themſelues in all licentious wickednes, Geneſ. 9.22. Geneſ. 19.30.31. 2. Sam. 11.2.3.15. Matth. 26.72.74. Luk. 19.8.
34 This kind of Scandall is termed Diabolicall, from the qualitie, not from the ſubiect, becauſe it is maliciouſly vſed to the ſhame and reproach of the holy Fathers, and to the diſhonor and contempt of almightie GOD. Wherfore this is moſt of all to be auoyded and abhorred.
Now let vsus applie theſe things vntounto our purpoſe.
35 As, Of the Reformation of the Church of England.amongſt all the Churches of Europe, none inſtituted the Reſtauration of Religion and Diuine Worſhip, more opportunely, nor embraced the fame in a more conuenient order and forme, then did the CHVRCH OF ENGLAND: wherein nothing was done tumultuouſly, nothing by force of armes, nothing by deceipt and fraude: but althings were reuoked & reſtored according vntounto the preſcript Rule of Gods word, and the vndoubted Example of the purer Primitiue Church, with the greateſt applauſe of all States and degrees, with the vniforme conſent both of Prince and People, of Nobles and Commons, euen in the open and publique Aſſemblie of Parliament.
36 So the OVTVVARD FACE, OR FORME OF THE CHVRCH, doth not any where elſe appeare, with more luſtre and magnificence, in other Prouinces or Kingdomes, wherein all things hanging on the pleaſure of the Presbyterie and plebeiall or common ſort of people, do not yeeld vntounto the beholders, that ſpecious grace of Eccleſiaſticall Policie, nor that delightfull ſhewe of orderly forme of things, which we ſee in ENGLAND.
37 And this moſt orthodoxe and pure Religion, wee hauehave now (by GODS grace) moſt conſtantly profeſſed, for the ſpace of almoſt threeſcore yeeres, excepting the lamentable fiue yeeres of Queene Mary, as manifeſtly appeareth out of the Liturgie, according vntounto the preſcript whereof, we celebrate Diuine Seruice.
38 But notwithſtanding that any man, being not monſtrous Cyclopicall, The rage of certaine Miniſters againſt the Liturgie of the Church of England.would willingly embrace and reſt in this Conſent both of GOD and the CHVRCH; yet (behold, alas!) ſome Men, interpreting all things into the worſe ſenſe, not knowing any thing aright, weighing no reaſons, and conſidering not the times, doe inſolently ſet vponupon, not the Doctrine (againſt which the Diuell himſelfe dares not mutter any thing) but the Diſcipline and Liturgie of the Church of England; and moſt boldly pronounce & iudge of other mens Counſels and actions. What is done, they reprehend and carpe at: what ought to bee done, they preſcribe and dictate. They loath what is well deliuered, and being full of arrogancie hunt after new opinions.
39 Neither do they theſe things, as good men are wont to doe, modeſtly, and timouſly, and in due place: but accuſatorily and inſolently, and in the pulpit, and before the Common-people, vntounto whom nothing is more pleaſing, than railing and backbiting.
40 Yea and in the Streetes and tipling-houſes they moue diſpute about Eccleſiaſticall Diſcipline and Ceremonies, and that very ſuperciliouſly and haughtily.
41 From hence alſo certaine INFAMOVS LIBELS flie abroad of ſuch factious and giddie braines, Infamous LIBELS.as feare, leſt by the moderation and gentlenes of ſome, all Controuerſies be compoſed, and ſolide peace once againe eſtabliſhed amongſt vsus.
42 This peruerſe improbitie, and importune licence with Tribuniticall clamours, hath giuen cauſe of horrible diſtractions.
43 For the moſt Reuerend Prelates of the Church, together with the wiſe Ciuill Magiſtrates, perceiuing that theſe are the Cenſures and clamours, not of Men ſeeking the truth, but for the moſt part of turbulent and ſeditious fellowes, ſuch as hate quietnes, or hunt after popular applauſe; or certainly of giddie and curious men, of which ſort there is not any man, but hee is maleuolent and enuious, as the Poêt noteth; will not permit any vntimely alteration in the Liturgie or Diſcipline of our Church, Alterations dangerous.in which alwaies euen in the moſt peaceable times there is ſome diſcommoditie: ſpecially ſeeing this Age, I know not by what deſtinie, ſeemeth to be ſubiect to often changes; and ſeeing the inconſtancie, curioſitie and wantonneſſe of mens wits, is marueilous ſtrange in theſe our times.
44 Wherefore, both for procuring of the peace of the Church, and for preſeruation of Order and Decencie in the Aſſemblies and Congregations, they adde alſo a Commination, that whoſoeuer refuſe to vſe the Common and publike Liturgie according vntounto the order eſtabliſhed, they depart from their places.The tumults of the Refractarie Miniſters.
45 Hereupon certaine turbulent men, being angrie and contentious, either by nature, or by euill cuſtome, louers of cauilling and ſophiſtrie, do not reſt, but perpetually braule, and fooliſhly contend where there is no neede.
46 And that they might ſtirre vp hatred, and heape vp ſuſpitions and iealouſies, they cite ſundrie places out of our Liturgie, which calumniouſly and malitiouſly they interprete, directly againſt the ſenſe and meaning of the Church. Then tumultuouſly they exact the ſuffrages and conſent of others; and here and there they picke out certaine ſentences, out of our Writers, that ſo they might ſeeme to hauehave, not only witneſſes, but alſo abbettors of their Schiſme and faction.
47 In the meane time tragically complaining of the moſt grieuous and intolerable Yoke (forſooth) of Ceremonies and Humane Traditions: (namely of the Surplice, What Ceremonies the Refractarie Miniſters diſlike.in the celebration of Diuine Seruice and adminiſtration of the Sacraments; of the Conſignation of the Croſſe, in the Sacrament of Baptiſm; and of Kneeling, in the Lords Supper) of a meere fooliſh moroſitie and contumacious obſtinacie and ſtubbornnes, they reſiſt and contradict their Gouernours, nouriſh ſtrife and contention; and, either for the care of retaining the opinion of conſtancie, or by the endeuour of gratifying others, or for deſire of licentious Libertie, or for the louelove of noueltie, The Refractatie Miniſters forſakers of their Churches.or for the hatred of peace and order, or out of the nature of the Spirit of giddineſſe, or for ſome other cauſe, they forſake their Churches and charge, and ſo by their owne pertinacious refractarines they impoſe deepe SILENCE vponupon themſelues.
48 Now then, ſeeing the matter ſtandeth thus, Who are the Authors of Scandall in the Church of England.it is no difficult and hard thing, to iudge, who in the Church of England, are THE AVTHORS OF SCANDAL.
49 But this ſuperſtitious and obſtinate SILENCE, the impietie whereof is apparant and manifeſt, Woe be vntounto me, if I preach not the Goſpell, &c. ought not to be preferred before the inuocation of the true GOD in the Aſſemblies of the Church, before the neceſſarie labours and works of our Vocation and calling, before the eternall ſaluation of many thouſand ſoules.
50 And albeit ſubtle and craftie men inuent fig-leaues to palliate and couer their error, yet this Veritie is ſo manifeſt, that it can be ouerthrowne by no Sophiſtrie, by no Sycophancie.
51 For this OBSTINACIE AND PERVERSENES of the Miniſters is a manifold SCANDAL. The Miniſters obſtinacie is a manifold Scandall.It grieueth the Holy Spirit of God in the Weaker ſort, who ſee themſelues ſorſaken of their Paſtors, without greater, without any cauſe at all. Alſo, they are brought in doubt, fearing that the vſe of Libertie, is not approoued by them, whom they know to excell in learning, and thinke to bee truly religious.
52 Neither are the ſighes and deſires of good men, in many Churches, obſcure; whoſe pitifull moane and grieuous teares, the Miniſters ought to regard, and bee affected with, if they would be accounted PASTORS, and not TYRANTS.
53 For this cauſe Many, being hindred for want of skil, yea ouerwhelmed in the darkneſſe of ignorance, doe not call vponupon, but rather flie from GOD.
54 And Many ruſh headlong into an Epicurean and Atheiſticall contempt of Religion, or are plunged ouer head and eares in the lamentable gulfe of Deſperation.
55 So that this moroſitie and contumacie of the Miniſters, hath drawne infinite multitudes of Soules from GOD, and driuen them headlong into the pit of eternall deſtruction.
56 O ſlintie hearts of Paſtors (forſooth) if they doe not conſider theſe ſo great miſchiefes! if they hauehave no commiſeration and pitie at the lamentable deſtruction of ſo many Soules! if they weigh not how grieuous a Sinne it is, to hinder the true inuocation of Gods holie name! if they think not that themſelues, being learned and diligent Teachers, are more profitable for the Churches, than vnlearned and negligent Miniſters!
57 Furthermore, the refractarie Miniſters confirme the enemies of the Goſpell in their errors, and in their furies againſt the true Church, who by this ſhamefull tergiuerſation and looking backe of the Miniſters, are now become more obſtinate, and more inſolent, than they were before.
58 Neither can there be any ſpectacle more wiſhed for, Diſſention among the Reformed Churches, a pleaſant ſpectacle vntounto Antichriſt.and pleaſing vntounto ANTICHRIST, than when he ſeeth the true Chriſtians, by mutuall diſſentions and domeſtique iarres, to be conſumed one of another; whom hee hath hitherto laboured in vaine to reduce vnderunder the yoke of his Tyrannie.
59 Contrariwiſe, there cannot happen any thing, But very lamentable vntounto the Church of Chriſt.more lamentable and more miſerable vntounto the CHVRCH OF CHRIST, than when ſhe beholdeth the fire of Diſſention to be kindled at home; and feeleth her owne bowels, to be pitifully torne and rent aſunder, by them who with one heart and hand ought to hauehave oppoſed themſelues againſt the Common Aduerſarie.
60 But theſe Diuine Comminations and threatnings are ſeriouſly to be conſidered and regarded, WOE vntounto the man, by whom the Offence commeth, &c. I will require my flock at their hands, and will confound them; which verily are not ſpoken in vaine.
61 Wherefore it were to bee wiſhed, that all theſe Challengers and Reſcuers of LIBERTIE, would hauehave ſome care and regard of their owne ſaluation; and that they would free themſelues from theſe ſo horrible Scandals. For this argument cannot poſſibly be refuted by any meanes.That the Biſhops are not: Authors of Scandall.
62 And in that they labour to retort the Scandall vponupon the BISHOPS and the Ciuill MAGISTRATE, affirming that they are the Cauſe thereof. We know well, that ſome clamorous Preachers mainely crie out, euen vntill they are hoarſe againe, that the Prelates prophane the Worſhip of GOD with horrible and intolerable impietie.
63 But, as it commonly happeneth in factions and parttakings, they do but indulge and giuegive the raines vntounto their partiall affections; ſhewing the extremitie of their hatred & contumacie againſt the Magiſtrate; & vniuſtly traducing the moſt reuerend Prelats of our Church; who now theſe many yeeres, to their great commendation and honor, with infinite trauell hauehave laboured to promote the Saluation of the people, to the ſingular profit and edification of the godly; and hauehave excellently wel deſerued of the Church of Chriſt.
64 Yet we deny not, but that euill and contentious men, might haply TAKE occaſion of Offence, out of the deeds and diſcipline of the Biſhops: but that they GAVE any, or could preuent al inconueniences, or are now bound to make all ſuch good; this is it that we conſtantly deny.
65 What? NW.If in the feeding of Chriſts ſheepe, and in the Gouerning of them, EVERY CHVRCH careth for the flock committed to her owne cuſtodie and charge, and preſcribeth nothing vntounto others, nor medleth with them; Is it not equitie & reaſon, that the CHVRCH OF ENGLAND ſhould enioy her owne Libertie? whereof alſo ſhe hath ſpeciall reaſon, and is ready to render an account thereof vntounto Chriſt Ieſus, the aſſertor of our Libertie, and to his Catholique Church?
66 But let the true Authors of Scandal look into themſelues, The Refractarie Miniſters are Schiſmatiques.and conſider what it is to rend the Church, and to ſow the ſeeds of SCHISME, but only to ayme and ſtrike at the throate of Charitie?
67 Which they verily do, who with priuate preiudice, carpe at, and reprehend the publike iudgment of the whole Church, and brand with a blacke coale the Magiſtrates authoritie in Things indifferent.
68 And thus am I forced to breake off this, not Diſputation, (becauſe the thing is euident and plaine) but Complaint; which verily is much ſhorter, and feebler, then is required by the greatnes of the miſchiefes and euils, which by the ouerflowing petulancie and licence, which euerie man hath to ſpeake, and to write what he liſteth; hauehave riſen in the Church, do ſtill riſe, yea and will ariſe daily more and more, vntill the Sonne of GOD, our Lord IESVS CHRIST ſhall deliuer his Church, ſhewing himſelfe vntounto all mankind, hauing rayſed the Dead.