The second part of the office of the ecclesiastical Senators, is to reprove those which breed trouble in y• church, wherein it is to be noted: First, the manner to punish which the Church useth, is contrary to the civil punishments. For the Church useth no prisonments, nor amercements with money, nor corporal pains, but only with ⟨p. 121⟩the pure word of God, as it shall be said hereaftera. And if the apostles did at any time proceed with corporal painsb, it was by an extraordinary power because that at y• time, there was no Christian magistrate. Secondly, all the ecclesiastical causes may be divided into three kinds, the one concerning the doctrine: The other concerning the manners of Christians, the third touching the order which all men ought to keep in their estate, according to the ecclesiastical law. Concerning the doctrine, they may fail and err by Ignorance, or by malice, or by them both. Also malice bringeth forth his fruits according to his quantity, and according to that article of faith which it envieth against. In all such cases, first there must be used y• most easiest means. As in teaching the ignorant, and reproving the fault of those which offend by malice or purpose, according to the quality and greatness of their offence, and so to bear with them, if it be possible to win ⟨image 139⟩them by admonitions, both particularly and publicly, & also to call them before the ecclesiastical senators, if it be needful. Not to confound them but to bring them again into the right way, if it be possiblec. If all this will not serve, then they must proceed to the last remedy which is against the stubborn and incorrigible, of the which we shall speak hereafter.
THe seconde parte of the offyce of the ecclesiasticall Senators, is to reproue those which breede trouble in y• church, wherin it is to be noted: Fyrst, the maner to punishe which the Churche vseth, is contrary to the ciuyll punishments. For the Church vseth no prisonmentes, nor amerciamentes with money, nor corporal paines, but onely with ⟨p. 121⟩the pure word of God, as it shalbe sayde hereaftera. And if the apostles did at any time procéede with corporall painesb, it was by an extraordinary power because that at y• tyme, there was no Christian magistrate. Secondly, all the ecclesiastical causes maye bée deuided into thrée kindes, the one concerning the doctrine: The other concernynge the manners of Christians, the thyrde touchinge the order which al men ought to kéepe in their estate, accordinge to the ecclesiasticall lawe. Concerning the doctrine, they maye fayle and erre by Ignorance, or by malyce, or by thē both. Also malyce bringeth foorth his fruytes accordinge to his quantitie, and according to that artycle of faith which it enuyeth against. In all such cases, first there must be vsed y• most easiest meanes. As in teaching the ignoraunt, and reprouing the faulte of those whiche offende by malyce or purpose, accordynge to the quallytie and greatnesse of theyr offence, and so to beare with them, if it bee possible to wynne ⟨image 139⟩them by admonitions, both particularly and publikely, & also to call them before the ecclesiasticall senators, if it be needefull. Not to confound them but to bring thē againe into ye right way, if it be possiblec. If al this wil not serue, then they must procede to the lastremedy which is against the stubborn and incorrigible, of the which we shall speake hereafter.
- aLuke. 22 John. 18. 2. Cor. 10.Luke. 22 Iohn. 18. 2. Cor. 10.
- bActs. 5
- cRoma, 14. and. 15. Ephes. 4. 1. Timo. 2.
