Clearer split: religion’s substance vs indifferent rites and discipline
To cut ambiguity, some of our theologians prefer a clearer distinction.
They separate what is the substance — the body of Christian religion — necessary by divine institution not only for faith but for morals and church order, from mere appendages and ornaments of that body.
Those ornaments are not necessary by nature or divine institution; they are indifferent, kept for order and decency: many disciplinary canons, and rites and ceremonies universal or particular — freely observed, yet not to be despised or dropped by private authority alone.
Latin
VI. Ideoque ut vitetur omnis ambiguitas, nonnulli ex nostris Theologis utuntur hac distinctione clariori & commodiori. Observant enim distinguendum esse inter ea in quibus substantia est, & quasi corpus religionis Christianae, & quae ex vi divinae institutionis necessaria sunt non tantum ad fidem, sed etiam ad mores formandos, politiamque Ecclesiae continendam: & alia quae sunt tantum hujus substantiae veluti appendices, & corporis hujus ornamenta, quaeque nec ex natura sua, nec ex divina institutione, necessaria sunt, sed indifferentia, ordinisque tantum & decoris gratia in usum recepta: ut sunt multae disciplinae partes variis Canonibus sancitae, ritus etiam & caeremoniae variae, tum universales, tum particulares, observationis liberae quidem, sed hactenus ut nemo sua privata authoritate illa possit aut debeat contemnere rejicereve.