A86000:76
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.
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 Synods, ordinary Synods 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, being more certainly and frequently searched and known, if there be any thing wanting or amisse 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 stothfulnesse, 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 be reduced to the way; the untoward and stiffe-necked, which scarce or very hardly suffer the yoak of Discipline, as also unquiet persons, which devise new and hurtfull things may be reduced to order. Finally, whatsoever doth hinder the more quick and efficacious course of the Gospel, may be discovered and removed.