BR

75

T2

A2

1828

V. 14

LONDON:

PRINTED BY THOMAS DAVISON, WHITEFRIARS.

CONTENTS

OF

THE FOURTEENTH VOLUME.

THE RULE OF CONSCIENCE.

BOOK III.-CHAP. IV.

CONTINUED.

OF THE POWER OF THE CHURCH IN CANONS AND CENSURES, WITH

THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND POWERS OVER THE CONSCIENCE.

RULE IX.

Excommunication, inflicted upon a light Cause, binds externally,

but not internally; but if it be inflicted upon an unjust Cause, it

binds not at all

...

RULE X.

It is not lawful to communicate with those, whom the Church hath,

by a just Sentence, excommunicated

Of Canons ecclesiastical

SECTION III.

RULE XI.

The Canons of the Apostles, which are of Order and external Govern-

ment, do oblige the Conscience by being accepted in several

Churches, not by their first establishment

RULE XII.

All those Rituals, which were taught to the Church by the Apostles

concerning Ministries, which were of divine Institution, do oblige

all Christendom to their Observation....

PAGE

1

16

17

21

RULE XIII.

In the Rules which the Apostles gave to their Churches in Things

indifferent, the Church hath a Liberty; but it is not used but for

great Reason and great Necessity, and for the Edification of the

People committed to their Charge..

RULE XIV.

The Canons of the ancient general and provincial Councils are then

Laws to the Conscience, when they are bound upon us by the

Authority of the respective Governors of Churches

RULE XV.

The laudable Customs of the Catholic Church, which are in present

Observation, do oblige the Conscience of all Christians....

RULE XVI.

The Decrees and Canons of the Bishops of Rome oblige the Con-

science of none but his own Subjects ..

....

SECTION IV.

Of the Matter and Conditions of ecclesiastical Laws required to the

Obligation of Conscience ...

RULE XVII.

Ecclesiastical Laws, that are merely such, cannot be universal and

perpetual

.....

PAGE

26

47

49

67

73

73

RULE XVIII.

Ecclesiastical Laws of Ceremonies and Circumstances of external

Observances, do not bind the Conscience beyond the Cases of Con-

tempt and Scandal

RULE XIX.

Ecclesiastical Laws must be charitable and easy; and, when they

are not, they oblige not

RULE XX.

Ecclesiastical Laws must ever promote the Service of God and the

Good of Souls; but must never put a Snare or Stumbling-block to

Consciences...

SECTION V.

Of ecclesiastical Laws of Faith, or Articles of Confession.....

RULE XXI.

The Catholic Church is a Witness of Faith, and a Record of all

necessary Truths; but not the Mistress and Ruler of our Creed;

that is, cannot make any Laws of Faith...

90

94

106

150

150

RULE XXII.

The Decrees of general Councils are of great Use in the Conduct of

Conscience, but not the proper Measure, or last Determination of

Matters of Belief

RULE XXIII.

PAGE

.. 154

Subscription to Articles and Forms of Confession in any particular

Church, is wholly of political Consideration...

CHAP. V.

OF LAWS DOMESTIC; OR THE POWER WHICH FATHERS OF FAMI-

LIES HAVE TO BIND THE CONSCIENCES OF THEIR RELATIVES.

RULE I.

Children are bound to obey the Laws and Commandments of their

Parents in all Things domestical, and in all Actions personal re-

lating to the Family, or done within it

158

163

RULE II.

Fathers have a Power to chastise their offending Children, but not a

Power of Life and Death

170

RULE III.

A Father hath Power over the Goods and Persons of his Children,

so as to be maintained by them....

174

RULE IV.

The Father's Power does not extend to Matter of Religion, and Per-

suasions of Faith

178

RULE V.

The Father's Power over the Children can remit an Injury done to

them, without their Leave or Consent.....

RULE VI.

A Father's Authority cannot abide, after his Death; but the Son's

Piety to his Father must, and may, pass upon him some indirect

Obligations....

RULE VII.

Neither the Father's Authority, nor the Son's Piety, can oblige

them to do an Action against the Laws of God, or of the Father

and our just Superior.....

RULE VIII.

It is not lawful for Children to enter into any lasting Course of Life,

against the Will or Approbation of their Parents...

181

182

185

191

CHAP. VI.

OF THE INTERPRETATION, DIMINUTION, AND ABROGATION, OF

When the Letter of the Law is burdensome and unjust, the Mean-

ing and Charity of the Law do only oblige the Conscience...... 223

SECTION II.

Judicial Interpretation

RULE II.

237

When the Power that made the Law, does interpret the Law, the

Interpretation is authentical, and obliges the Conscience as much

as the Law; and can release the Bond of Conscience so far as the

Interpretation extends, as much as if the Law were abrogated.. 237

SECTION III.

A contrary or ceasing Reason

RULE III.

A Law made for a particular Reason, when the Reason wholly ceases,

does no longer oblige the Conscience.

242

242

Dispensation

SECTION IV.

RULE IV.

The Legislator hath Authority to dispense in his own Laws, for any

Cause, that himself shall prudently judge to be reasonable, so that

no distinct Interest be prejudiced or injured

Commutation

SECTION V.

RULE V.

261

261

265

The same Power that can dispense, can also commute, a Duty ; and

as, in the first, it eases, so, in the latter, it binds, the Conscience 265

Contrary Customs

SECTION VI.

RULE VI.

A Custom can interpret a Law, but can never abrogate it without the

Consent of the supreme Power

267

267