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

Yea the Helvetian Confession in the place now cited, doth so tax the inordinate zeal of the Donatists and Anabaptists (which are so bent upon the rooting out of the tares out of the Lords field, that they take not heed of the danger of plucking up the wheat) that withal it doth not obscurely commend the Ecclesiastical forensicall Discipline, as distinct from the civill Power, and seeing ⟨image 26⟩(say they) tis altogether necessary that there be in the Church a Discipline; and among the Ancients in times past Excommunication hath been usual, and Ecclesiastical courts have been among the People of God, among whom this Discipline was exercised by prudent and Godly men: It belongeth also to Ministers according to the case of the times, the public estate and necessity, to moderate this Discipline; Where this rule is ever to be held, that all ought to be done to edification, decently, honestly, without tyranny and sedition; The Apostle also witnesseth, 2 Cor. 13. that to himself, was given of God a Power unto edification, and not unto destruction.

Yea the Helvetian Confession in the place now cited, doth so taxe the inordinate zeal of the Donatists and Anabaptists (which are so bent upon the rooting out of the tares out of the Lords field, that they take not heed of the danger of plucking up the wheat) that withall it doth not obscurely commend the Ecclesiasticall forensicall Discipline, as distinct from the civill Power, and seeing ⟨image 26⟩