CXI propositions concerning the ministry and government of the ChurchCXI propositions concerning the ministerie and government of the Church

But as there is much indeed to be given to the demand of the Magistrate; so is there here a two-fold caution to be used: for first, notwithstanding of a future revision, it is necessary that the former sentence of the Synod, whether concerning the administration of Ecclesiastic Discipline, or against any heresy, be forthwith put in execution; lest by lingering and making of delays, the evil of the Church take deeper root, and the gangrene spread and creep further: and lest violence be done to the consciences of Ministers, if they be constrained to impart the signs and seals of the Covenant of Grace to dogs and swine, that is, to unclean persons, wallowing in the mire of ungodliness; and lest subtle men abuse such interims or intervals, so as that Ecclesiastical Discipline altogether decay, and the very decrees of Synods be accounted as cobwebs, which none feareth to break down.

But as there is much indeed to be given to the demand of the Magistrate; so is there here a two-fold caution to be used: for first, notwithstanding of a future revision, it is necessary that the former sentence of the Synode, whether concerning the administration of Ecclesiastick Discipline, or against any heresie, be forthwith put in execution; lest by lingering and making of delayes, the evil of the Church take deeper root, and the gangrene spread and creep further: and lest violence be done to the consciences of Ministers, if they be constrained to impart the signes and seales of the Covenant of Grace to dogs and swine, that is, to unclean persons, wallowing in the mire of ungodlinesse; and lest subtile men abuse such interims or intervals, so as that Ecclesiasticall Discipline altogether decay, and the very decrees of Synods be accounted as cobwebs, which none feareth to break down.