A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

I shall add one Instance more with reference unto the State of the Church and that is in its Rule and Discipline. Here also hath been as fatal a miscarriage as ever fell out in Christian Religion. For the Truth herein being lost, as unto any sense and experience of its Efficacy or Power, a bloody Image destructive to the Lives and Souls of men was set up in the stead thereof. And this also shall be briefly declared: There are certain principles of Truth, with respect hereunto, that are acknowledged by all; as

1. That the Lord Christ hath appointed a Rule and Discipline in his Church, for its good and preservation; no Society can subsist without the power and exercise of some Rule in it self. For Rule is nothing but the preservation of Order, without which there is nothing but confusion. The Church is the most perfect Society in the Earth as being united and compacted by the best and highest bonds, which our nature is capable of, Eph. 4.16. Col. 2.19. It must therefore have a Rule and Discipline in it self, which from the wisdom and authority of him, by whom it was instituted must be supposed to be the most perfect.

2. That this Discipline is powerful and effectual unto all its proper ends. It must be so esteemed from the wisdom of him by whom it is appointed, and it is so accordingly. To suppose that the Lord Christ should ordain a Rule and Discipline in his Church, that in it self and by its just administration, should not attain its ends, is to reflect the greatest dishonour upon him. Yea, if any Church or Society of professed Christians, be fallen ⟨p. 241⟩