e Lord, and with all diligence go about
to shake off the yoke of the ecclesiastical discipline where now it is
about to be introduced, yea, also where it hath been long ago established,
and as yet happily remaineth in force, it was necessary to obviate their
most wicked purposes; which things being so, let all which hath been said
pass, with the good leave and liking of those orthodox churches in which
the discipline of excommunication is not as yet in use; neither can any
offence easily arise to them from hence, yea (if the best conjecture do
not deceive), they cannot but rejoice and congratulate at the defence and
vindication of this discipline.

103. For those churches do not deny, but acknowledge and teach, that the
discipline of excommunication is most agreeable to the word of God, as
also that it ought to be restored and exercised; which also, heretofore,
the most learned Zachary Ursine, in the declaration of his judgment
concerning excommunication, exhibited to Prince Frederick, the third count
elector palatine, the title whereof is, _Judicium de Disciplina
Ecclesiastica et Excommunicatione, &c._

104. For thus he: "In other churches where either no excommunication is in
use, or it is 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 yourself 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."

105. To the same purpose it tendeth which the highly esteemed Philip
Melancthon, 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.

106. Neither were the wishes of t