But I have done, and shall leave it imto others to declare what mischiefs do ensue on these proceedings on civil accounts, and what an inroad is made by them on the govei'nment of the kingdom ; for a new tenure is erected by them, whereon all men must hold their birthright privileges, especially that which is the root whereon they all do grow, — namely, their personal liberty. They hold them no longer by the law of the land, nor can pretend unto security whilst they forfeit them not by that law : they are all put into the power of chancellors, archdeacons, commissaries, and officials; they may de- prive them of them all at their pleasure, against the protection of that law under which they are born, and which hath been looked on as the only rule and measure of the subject's liberties, privileges, and possessions. These things tend not only to the disturbance, but the ruin of all peace and trust among men, and of all good government in the world.
And if they should excommunicate all that by the law of Christ are to be excommunicated on the one hand, and all that are to be so by their own law on the other, and then procure capiases for them all, it is to be feared the king might want subjects to defend his realms against his enemies, unless he should do as they did of old at Rome in great distresses, — open the jails, and arm the prisoners; or it may be the lesser part would at length find it troublesome to keep the greater in prison. But these things concern not you nor me. I beg your excuse, as not knowing whether you will judge this hasty writing too little for the cause or too much for a letter. As it is, accept it from. Sir, your, etc.,
J. 0.
» See note, p. 171.— Ed.
A DISCOURSE
CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF CHURCH-CENSURES.
QuES. 1. May a true church of Christ err or mistake in the administration of church-censures?
Ans. a true church of Christ may err or mistake in the ad- ministration of the censures, or any act of discipline, whereby mem- bers of it, who are true members of Christ, may be injured, and sundry other inconveniences may ensue. And this is not unduly supposed : —
1. Because no particular church is absolutely infallible either in doctrine or administrations, especially in such points or things as overthrow not the foundation of faith or worship.
2. Because churches are more obnoxious and liable to error and mistake in their administrations and discipline than in doctrine ; for all doctrines of truth are absolutely determined and revealed in the Scripture, so that there is no principle, means, nor cause of mistake about them, -but what is only in the minds of men that inquire into them and after them. But the administration of the censures of the church hath respect unto many fallible mediums, requiring testi- monies, evidences, and circumstances, which of themselves may lead a church acting in sincerity into many mistakes, especially consider- ing how much in the dark unto us, for the most part, are the prin- ciples, causes, and ends of actions, [and] the frames of men's spirits in and after them ; all which, in such cases, deserve much consideration.
8. Churches have erred in not administering the censures of the gospel according unto order and their duty, 1 Cor, v. 2.
4. The experience of all ages confirms the truth of this supposi- tion. The first church-censure after the death of the apostles that is remaining on any record was that of the church of Corinth against some of their elders; wherein how they miscarried is evident from the epistle of the church of Rome unto them about that matter.
Corollary. In case any question arise about the administration of any church-censure in a church of Christ, it ought to be very jealous lest it have, in matter or manner, miscanied therein, seeing absolutely they may do so, and seeing there are so many ways and means whereby they may actually be induced into mistakes.
224 OF THE ADMINISTRATION
Q. 2. Is it necessary that such maladministrations he rectified?' A. It is necessary such maladministrations should be rectified by some way or means of Christ's appointment. And it is so, —
1. First on the part of the censures themselves; and that, — (1.) Because of their nullity; for they are null, and bind not, — [1.] "In foro coeli." They bind not in heaven: for the Lord
Christ ratifieth nothing in heaven but what is done in his name, by his commission, and according to his word; in some or all of which every maladministration faileth.
[2.] Nor " in foro couscientise;" for conscience is not bound, nor will bind, on mere external ecclesiastical authority, where the person is indeed free, and judgeth himself to be so according unto rule.
Only such censures may be said to bind for a season, in some cases, in the church, but that " quoad ordinem exteriorem et mere ecclesi- asticum," with respect unto outward order, that the peace of the church be not troubled, until mistakes may be rectified ; but not " quoad ordinem internum et mere spiritualem," with reference unto the dependence of the whole church on Christ the head.