(67) not obferved and derived in the exercifeofChurch Difcipline, I willnot fay it is Anticbriflian, but will fay, it is highly in- jurious and diflionourable unto him. For all Church Power is in him, and derived from him ; nor is there any thing of thatnature which belongs unto it, but it muff be aâed in his Name, and effeemed both for the manner and matter ofit, tò be hisAá and Deed. For men therefore to pretend unto the exercife of this D f ipline, in a worldly frame of Spirit, with Pride and Pafiion, by tricks of Laws and Canons, in Courts Forein to the Churches themfelves which are pre- tended to be under this Difcipline, it is awoful and fcanda- Ious Reprefentation of Chrift his Wifdom, Care and Love to- wards his Church. But as for his Difcipline he hath ordain ed, that it (hall be exercifed in,and withMeeknefs, Patience, Gentlenefs, evidenceof Zeal for the good and companion of the Souls ofmen, with Gravity and Authority, fó as that therein, all the holy Affedions of his mind towards his Church, or any in it, in their miftakes, failings, and mifcar- risges, may be duly reprefented, as well as his Authority aáfed among them. If a . 4o. I . z Cor. .to. i . Gal. 5.22. z3, a Mel: 2.7. zTim. 2. 24, z5, 26. jam 3. 17. r Cor. r ;. 4. It is in part appointed to be an Evidence and Pledge of the future Judgment, wherein the whole Church lhall be judged before the Throne of Chrift Jefus. For in the Èxer- cife of this Difcipline Chrift is on his own Judgment Seat in the Church; normay anyman pronounce any Sentence, but what he believeth that Chrift himfelf would pronounce were he vifibly prevent, and what is according to his mind aes de- clared in his Word. Hence Tertullian calls the Sentence of Excommunication in the Church, futuri judicii prajudicium; A Reprefentationof the future Judgment. 4. In all that Degeneracy which the Chriftian profelling Church, hath fallen into, in Faith, Worfhip, and Manners; there is no lnftance can exceed the corruption of this Di- vine I jitution. For that which was the Honour of Chrif% K z and
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