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

34.

But that besides occasional Synods, ordinary Synods be kept at set times, is most profitable, not only that they may discuss and determine the more difficult Ecclesiastical causes coming before them, whether by the appeal of some person aggrieved, or by the hesitation or doubting of inferior Assemblies (for such businesses very often fall out;) but also that the state of the Churches whereof they have the care, being more certainly and frequently searched and known, if there be any thing wanting or amiss in their Doctrine, Discipline or Manners, or any thing worthy of punishment, the slothful labourers in the Vineyard of the Lord may be made to shake off the spirit of slumber and slothfulness, and be stirred up to the attending and fulfilling more diligently their calling, and not suffered any longer to sleep and snort in their office; the stragglers and wanderers may be reduced to the way; the untoward and stiff-necked, which scarce or very hardly suffer the yoke of Discipline, as also unquiet persons which devise new and hurtful things, may be reduced to order. Finally, whatsoever doth hinder the more quick and efficacious course of the Gospel, may be discovered and removed.

But that besides occasionall Synodes, ordinary Synodes be kept at set times, is most profitable, not onely that they may discusse and determine the more difficult Ecclesiasticall causes coming before them, whether by the appeal of some person agrieved, or by the hesitation or doubting of inferiour Assemblies (for such businesses very often fall out;) but also that the state of the Churches whereof they have the care, beeing more certainly and frequently searched and knowne, if there be any thing wanting or amisse in their Doctrine, Discipline or Manners, or any thing worthy of punishment, the slothfull labourers in the Vineyard of the Lord may bee made to shake off the spirit of slumber and slothfulnesse, and be stirred up to the attending and fulfilling more diligently their calling, and not suffered any longer to sleep and snort in their office; the straglers and wanderers may bee reduced to the way; the untoward and stiffe-necked, which scarce or very hardly suffer the yoke of Discipline, as also unquiet persons which devise new and hurtfull things, may bee reduced to order. Finally, whatsoever doth hinder the more quick and efficacious course of the Gospel, may be discovered and removed.