Two papers of proposals concerning the discipline and ceremonies of the Church of England…

The Reasons why we insist on the second Proposal, are these:

It being agreed on between us, that the younger, less discreeter sort of Ministers are unfit to pass the sentence of Excommunication without advice and moderation by others; And every Church is not like to be provided with grave, discreet, judicious Guides; the necessity of these frequent lesser Synods for such moderation, and advice, and guidance, will appear by these two general Evidences;

1. It is the very nature and substance of the Office of a Presbyter to have the power of the Keys for binding or loosing, retaining, or remitting sin: which therefore together, or apart, as there is occasion, they are bound to exercise. And this being the Institution of Jesus Christ, cannot be altered by man. In their Ordination, according to the established Order in England, it is said [Whose sins thou dost remit they are remitted, whose sins thou dost retain they are retained.] And they are commanded to minister the Doctrine, Sacraments, and Discipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded, and as this Realm hath received the same, as expressly as the Bishops are. And as the late Primate of Ireland observeth in his Reduction, that they may the better understand what the Lord hath commanded, the Exhortation of S. Paul to the Elders of the Church of Ephesus is appointed to be read to them at the time of their Ordination: Take heed to your selves, and to all the Flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers, to feed (or rule) the Congregation of God which he hath purchased with his blood. And it is apparent in this Acts 20.17, 18, 28. Act. 14.23.