her national
synod, and so the reasons of both sides being thoroughly weighed, may be
lawfully determined in an ecclesiastical way.

92. But as there is much indeed to be given to the demand of the
magistrate, so is there here a twofold caution to be used, for, first,
notwithstanding of a future revision, it is necessary that the former
sentence of the synod, whether concerning the administration of
ecclesiastical discipline, or against any heresy, be forthwith put in
execution, lest by lingering, and making of delays, the evil of the church
take deeper root, and the gangrene spread and creep further; and lest
violence be done to the consciences of ministers, if they be constrained
to impart the signs and seals of the covenant of grace to dogs and swine,
that is, to unclean persons, wallowing in the mire of ungodliness; and
lest subtile men abuse such interims or intervals, so as that
ecclesiastical discipline altogether decay, and the very decrees of synods
be accounted as cobwebs, which none feareth to break down.

93. Next it may be granted that the matter may be put under a further
examination, yet upon condition, that when it is come to the revision of
the former sentence, regard may be had of the weaker which are found
willing to be taught, though they doubt; but that unto the wicked and
contentious tempters, which do mainly strive to oppress our liberty which
we have in Christ, and to bring us into bondage, we do not for a moment
give place by subjecting ourselves; for what else seek they or wait for,
than that, under the pretence of a revising and of new debate, they cast
in lets and impediments ever and anon, and that by cunning lyings in wait
they may betray the liberty of the church, and in process of time may, by
open violence, more forcibly break in upon it, or at least constrain the
ministers of the church to weave Penelope's web, which they can never
bring to an end.

94. Moreover, the Christian magistrate hath then only discharged his
office in reference to ecclesiastical discipline, when not only he
withdraweth nothing from it, and maketh no impediment to it, but also
affordeth special furtherance and help to it, according to the prophecy,
Isa. xlix. 23, "And kings shall be thy nursing-fathers, and their queens
thy nursing-mothers."

95. For Christian magistrates and princes, embracing Christ, and sincerely
giving their names to him, do not only serve him as men, but also use
their office to his glo