The other part of Christian questions and answers which is concerning the sacraments, writ[n]…The other parte of Christian questions and answeares which is concerning the sacraments, writte[n]…

247. Question.

But doest thou think this discipline to be so necessary (whereby until the testimony of repentance they are to be separated from the rest of the sheep, which might seem otherwise to infect the rest, or unless they be noted with this kind of mark, not to return into the flock from whence they have erred,) that where that is not, the Church can not stand?

But doest thou thinke this disciplyne to be so necessary (whereby vntill the testimony of repentance they are to bee separated from the rest of the sheepe, which might seeme otherwise to infect the rest, or vnlesse they bee noted with this kinde of marke, not to returne into the flocke from whence they haue erred,) that where that is not, the Church can not stand?

Answer. God forbid. For the foundation of the Church is far otherwise, which oftentimes ⟨image 167⟩even the very public ministry of the word, being as it were overwhelmed (as in the memory of our Fathers in many ages of Popery) was even as it were buried. But surely it pitieth me concerning those Churches in which every one, the judgement of the Church being silent, is left unto his own conscience, because Paul writing unto the Corinthians, having a great deal less occasion witnesseth, that so neither the profanation of the Lords Supper can be avoided, nor escape unpunished. But also I much more fear those churches, if they abuse that which is given to edification, to destruction.