3. The ObjeU of it, as it is Sufieptive ofMembers, is profeffed Believers; and as it is correëlive, it is thofe who, ftubbornly deviate from the Rule of Chrif , or live in difobedience to his Commands. Wherefore the general End of its Inflitution, is to be á eprefeen- tation of the Authority, Wifdom, Love, Care, and Pa- tience of Chriff towards his Church, with a Teflimony unto the certainty, Truth, and Holinefs of his future judgment. The efpecial nature of it, (hall be afterwards confidered: Unto this Difcipline either as unto its Right or Exer- cife, there is no Pretence in Parochial .fe'imblies, yea it is exprefly forbiddenunto them. Whereas therefore it is a Matter offo great importance in itfelf, fo fubfervient unto the Glory of Chriff, fo ufeful and neceffary unto theEdification ofhis Difciples, fo weighty a Part of our Profeffed Subje&ion unto him, without which no' Church can be continued in Gofpel Purity, Order and Peace ; the total want or negleíi ofit, is a fufficient caufe for any manwho takes care ofhis own Salvation, or is concerned in the Glory and Honour of Chrift, to re- frain the Communion of thofe Churches, wherein it is fo wanting or neglected, or at leaft not to confine him- feif thereunto: It will be fiid that this defeEi is fupplyed, in that the Adminifiration of Church Difcipline is committed unto others, namely, the Bithops and their Officers, that are more meet and able for it, than the Miniffers and Peo- ple of'Parochial hJmblies. What therefore is wanting in them, is fupplied fully another way, fo that no Pre- tence:
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