('220 ) (2.) That which is publie,, in the Rulers of the Church, with and by its ownconfent. TheNature and Aëts ofit will be afterwards confidered. q., There are three things conhderable in this Difci- pline. (i.) The Power and Authority whereby it is ex- ercifed. (2.) The canner of its Adminifiration. (3.) The efpecial Object of it, both as it is Sufceptiveof 1Vlembers, and Corrective; Whereunto we may add its general End, I. The .Authority of it, is only a Power and Liberty to aft, andminifterially exercife the AuthorityofChrift hirnfelE As unto thole by whom it is exercifed, it is in them. an A& ofObedienceunto the CommandofChrift;. but with refpeec unto. its Objet the Authority of Chrift is exerted in it. That which is exereifed on any other Warranty or Authority,(as none can exertthe Authori- tyofChrift,but by vertue ofhis own Inftitutions) whole A.as are not As of Obedience unto Chrift, whatever elfe it be, it belongs not unto the Difcipline ofEvangeli- cal Churches. 2s As untothe Manner of its Admìniftration, as it is that which the Lord Chrift hath appointed to expref& his Love, Care, and Tendernefs towards the Church. Hence the As of it which are corrective are called la- menting or bexaili#g of them towards whom they, are exereifed; 2 Cor. 12. 20. Whatever therefore is done in it that is not expreffive of the Love, Care, Pati hence, and Fiolinefs, of Chrift, is difhonourable unto, him.. 3 :: The
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