this manner of synodical censure, namely, of deposing
ministers from their office for some great scandal, is used in the
republic of Zurich, Lavater is witness, in his book of the rites and
ordinances of the church of Zurich, chap. 23. Surely they could not be of
that mind, that ecclesiastical discipline ought to be exercised upon
delinquent ministers only, and not also upon other rotten members of the
church.

109. Yea, the Helvetian Confession, in the place now cited, doth so tax
the inordinate zeal of the Donatists and Anabaptists (which are so bent
upon the rooting out of the tares out of the Lord's field, that they take
not heed of the danger of plucking up the wheat) that withal it doth not
obscurely commend the ecclesiastical forensical discipline as distinct
from the civil power; "And seeing (say they) it is altogether necessary
that there be in the church a discipline; and among the ancients, in times
past, excommunication hath been usual, and ecclesiastical courts have been
among the people of God, among whom this discipline was exercised by
prudent and godly men. It belongeth also to ministers, according to the
case of the times, the public estate and necessity to moderate this
discipline,--where this rule is ever to be held, that all ought to be done
to edification, decently, honestly, without tyranny and sedition. The
Apostle also witnesseth (2 Cor. xiii.), that to himself was given of God a
power unto edification, and not unto destruction."

110. And, now, what resteth but that God be entreated with continual and
ardent prayers, both that he would put into the hearts of all magistrates,
zeal and care to cherish, defend, and guard the ecclesiastical discipline,
together with the rest of Christ's ordinances, and to stop their ears
against the importunate suits of whatsoever claw-backs who would stir them
up against the church; and that, also, all governors and rulers of
churches, being everywhere furnished and helped with the strength of the
Holy Spirit, may diligently and faithfully execute this part also of their
function, as it becometh the trusty servants of Christ, who study to
please their own Lord and Master more than men.

111. Finally, All those who are more averse from ecclesiastical
discipline, or ill-affected against it, are to be admonished and
entreated, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that they be no longer entangled
and inveigled with carnal prejudice, to give place in this thing to human
a