A86000:216
A form for Church government and ordination of ministers, contained in CXI propositions, propounded…
A form for Church government and ordination of ministers, contained in CXI propositions, propounded to the late General Assembly at Edinburgh, 1647. Together with an Act concerning Erastianism, independency, and liberty of conscience. Published by authority.A form for Church government and ordination of ministers, contained in CXI propositions, propounded to the late Generall Assembly at Edinburgh, 1647. Together with an Act concerning Erastianisme, independencie, and liberty of conscience. Published by authority.
London: printed for Robert Bostock, 1647
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
104.
For thus he, In other Churches, where either no Excommunication is in use, or tis not lawfully administered, and nevertheless without all controversy, it is confessed and openly taught, that it ought justly to be received and be of force in the Church: and a little after, Lest also your Highness by this new opinion do sever your self and your Churches from all other Churches, as well those which have not Excommunication, as those which have it: Forasmuch as all of them do unanimously confess, and always confessed, that there is reason why it ought to be in use.
For thus he, In other Churches, where either no Excommunication is in use, or tis not lawfully administred, and neverthelesse without all controversie, it is confessed and openly taught, that it ought justly to be received and be of force in the Church: and a little after, Lest also your Hignesse by this new opinion do sever your self and your Churches from all other Churches, as well those which have not Excommunication, as those which have it: Forasmuch as all of them do unanimously confesse, and alwayes confessed, that there is reason why it ought to be in use.
105.
To the same purpose it tendeth which the highly esteemed Philip Melanchthon in his Common places, chap. of civil Magistrates, doth affirm: Before (saith he) I warned that civil Places and Powers are to be distinguished from the adhering confusions which arise from other causes, partly from the malice of the devil, partly from the malice of men, partly from the common infirmity of men, as it cometh to pass in other kinds of life and Government ordained of God. No man doubteth, that Ecclesiastical Government is ordained of God, and yet how many and great disorders grow in it from other causes. Where he mentioneth a Church Government distinct from the civil, and that jure divino, as a thing uncontroverted.