III. Church censures are necessary for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren; for deterring of others from the [1986] like offenses; for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump; for vindicating the honor of Christ, and the holy profession of the gospel; and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the Church, if they should suffer his covenant, and the seals thereof, to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders. [1987] III. Omnino necessariæ sunt censuræ Ecclesiasticæ, lucrandis fratribus delinquentibus eisque in viam reducendis, reliquis autem a similibus delictis deterrendis, fermento illi malo, ne totam massam inficiat, expurgando; ad honorem Christi et Sanctam Evangelii professionem vindicandum, ut prævertatur denique ira Dei, quæ merito in Ecclesiam accendi posset, si ipsius foedus, hujusque sigilla ab insigniter ac pertinaciter delinquentibus impune profanari pateretur. [1988] IV. For the better attaining of these ends, the officers of the Church are to proceed by admonition, suspension from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper for a season, and by excommunication from the Church, according to the nature of the crime and demerit of the person. [1989] IV. Quo melius autem hosce fines consequantur, procedere debent Ecclesiæ officiarii, admonendo, a Sacramento coenæ Dominicæ ad tempus aliquod suspendendo, excommunicando denique ab Ecclesia, pro ratione criminis, atque personæ delinquentis merito. [1990] Chapter XXXI. Cap. XXXI. Of Synods and Councils. De Synodis et Conciliis. I. For the better government and further edification of the Church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called synods or councils. [1991] I. Quo melius gubernari, ac ulterius ædificari possit Ecclesia, conventus ejusmodi fieri debent, quales vulgo Synodi et Concilia nuncupantur. [1992]
The American edition here adds the following:
[And it belongeth to the overseers and other rulers of the particular churches, by virtue of their office, and the power which Christ hath given them for edification, and not for destruction, to appoint such assemblies (Acts xv.); and to convene together in them, as often as they shall judge it expedient for the good of the Church (Acts xv. 22, 23, 25).]
II. As magistrates may lawfully call a synod of ministers and other fit persons to consult and advise with about matters of religion; [1993] so, if magistrates be open enemies to the Church, the ministers of Christ, of themselves, by virtue of their office, or they, with other fit persons, upon delegation from their churches, may meet together in such assemblies. [1994] ^& [1995] II. Quemadmodum licitum est Magistratibus Synodum Ministrorum aliorumque qui sunt idonei convocare, quibuscum de religionis rebus deliberent ac consultent: [1996] Ita si Magistratus fuerint Ecclesiæ hostes aperti, licebit Christi ministris a seipsis virtute officii, eisve cum aliis idoneis, accepta prius ab Ecclesiis suis delegatione, in istiusmodi conventibus congregari. [1997] III. [II.] It belongeth to synods and councils, ministerially, to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of his Church; to receive complaints in cases of maladministration, and authoritatively to determine the same: which decrees and determinations, if consonant to the Word of God, are to be received with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement with the Word, but also for III. Synodorum et Conciliorum est controversias fidei et conscientiæ casus, ministerialiter quidem, determinare; regulas ac præscripta quo melius publicus Dei cultus ejusque Ecclesiæ regimen ordinentur constituere; Querelas de mala administratione delatas admittere, deque iis authoritative decernere. Quæ quidem decreta et decisiones, modo verbo Dei consenserint, cum reverentia sunt ac summissione excipienda; Non quidem solum quod verbo Dei sint consentanea, verum etiam gratia potestatis ea constituentis, ut quæ
the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God, appointed thereunto in his Word. [1998] sit ordinatio Dei id ad in verbo suo designata. [1999] IV. [III.] All synods or councils since the apostles' times, whether general or particular, may err, and many have erred; therefore they are not to be made the rule of faith or practice, but to be used as a help in both. [2000] IV. Synodi omnes sive concilia post Apostolorum tempora, seu generales sive particulares, errori sunt obnoxiæ, quin neque paucæ erraverunt. Proindeque fidei aut praxeos norma constituendæ non sunt, verum in utrisque auxilii loco adhibendæ. [2001] V. [IV.] Synods and councils are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or by way of advice for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate. [2002] V. Synodi et Concilia id solum quod Ecclesiam spectat tractare debent et concludere; neque civilibus negotiis, quæ rem publicam spectant ingerere se debent, nisi humiliter supplicando in casibus, si qui acciderint, extraordinariis; aut consulendo, quoties id ab eis postulat Magistratus civilis, nempe quo conscientiæ illius satisfiat. [2003] Chapter XXXII. Cap. XXXII. Of the State of Men [2004] after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead. De statu hominum post mortem, deque resurrectione mortuorum. I. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption; [2005] but their souls (which neither die nor sleep), having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. [2006] The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold I. Hominum corpora post mortem ad pulverem rediguntur, et corruptionem vident: [2007] At animæ illorum (quæ quidem nec morientur nec obdormiunt) ut quæ subsistentiam habent immortalem, ad Deum continuo earum datorem revertuntur. [2008] Animæ quidem Justorum iam tum perfecte sanctificatæ, coelis supremis accipiuntur,
the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies: [2009] and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. [2010] Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none. ubi Dei faciem in lumine ac gloria intuentur, corporum suorum plenum redemtionem expectantes: [2011] Animæ vero improborum conjiciuntur in Gehennam, ubi inter diros cruciatus in tenebris exterioribus conclusæ manent, ad judicium magni illius diei asservatæ. [2012] Locum autem animabus a corpore solutis extra hosce duos Scriptura Sacra non agnoscit ullum. II. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; [2013] and all the dead shall be raised up with the self-same bodies, and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever. [2014] II. Novissimo illo die, qui comperientur in vivis non morientur quidem sed mutabuntur; [2015] qui mortui fuerint resuscitabuntur omnes, ipsissimis iis corporibus quibus viventes aliquando fungebantur, ac non aliis, utut qualitate differentibus; quæ denuo animabus quæque suis æterno conjugio unientur. [2016] III. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor, and be made conformable to his own glorious body. [2017] III. Injustorum corpora ad dedecus per potentiam Christi suscitabuntur; justorum autem corpora per spiritum ejus ad honorem, fientque hæc conformia corpori ipsius glorioso. [2018] Chapter XXXIII. Cap. XXXIII. Of the Last Judgment. De ultimo judicio. I. God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, [2019] to I. Diem Deus designavit quo mundum in justitia judicabit per Jesum Christum; [2020] cui a Patre data est
whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. [2021] In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, [2022] but likewise all persons, that have lived upon earth, shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil. [2023] omnis potestas et judicium. [2024] Quo quidem die non solum judicabuntur Angeli apostatici, [2025] verum etiam omnes homines, quotquot uspiam in orbe terrarum aliquando vixerint, coram Christi tribunali comparebunt, ut cogitationum, dictorum, factorumque suorum rationem reddant, recipiantque simul juxta id quod in corpore quisque fecerit, seu bonum fuerit sive malum. [2026] II. The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect; [2027] and of his justice in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. [2028] For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fullness of joy and refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord: [2029] but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. [2030] II. Eo autem consilio Diem hum præstituit Deus, quo nempe misericordiæ suæ constaret gloria ex æterna salute electorum, justitiæ autem e damnatione reproborum, qui improbi sunt et contumaces. Tunc enim justi introibunt in vitam æternam, recipientque plenitudinem illam gaudii ac refrigerii, quæ a præsentia Domini ventura sunt: Impii autem, qui Deum ignorant, quique Evangelio Jesu Christi non morem gerunt, in æternos cruciatus detrudentur, æternaque perditione punientur a præsentia Domini et a potentiæ ipsius gloria profligati. [2031] III. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the III. Quemadmodum Christus nobis, futurum esse aliquando diem judicii, esse velit persuasissimum; tum quo omnes a peccato absterreantur,
greater consolation of the godly in their adversity: [2032] so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. [2033] Amen. tum ob majus piorum solatium in rebus adversis: [2034] ita sane diem ipsum vult ab hominibus ignorari, quo securitatem omnem carnalem excutiant, et nunquam non sint vigilantes (quum qua hora venturus sit Dominus ignorant) utque semper sint parati ad dicendum Veni Domine Jesu, etiam cito veni. [2035] Amen. Charles Herle, Prolocutor. Cornelius Burges, Assessor. Herbert Palmer, Assessor. Henry Robroughe, Scriba. Adoniram Byfield, Scriba.
[846] Rom. ii. 14, 15; i. 19, 20; Psa. xix. 1-3; Rom. i. 32; ii. 1.
[847] 1 Cor. i. 21; ii. 13, 14.
[848] Hebrews 1:1.
[849] Rom. ii. 14, 15; i. 19, 20; Psa. xix. 1-3; Rom. i. 32; ii. 1.
[850] 1 Cor. i. 21; ii. 13, 14.
[851] Hebrews 1:1.
[852] Prov. xxii. 19-21; Luke i. 3, 4; Rom. xv. 4; Matt. iv. 4, 7, 10; Isa. viii. 19, 20.
[853] 2 Tim. iii. 15; 2 Pet. i. 19.
[854] Heb. i. 1, 2.
[855] Prov. xxii. 19-21; Luke i. 3, 4; Rom. xv. 4; Matt. iv. 4, 7, 10; Isa. viii. 19, 20.
[856] 2 Tim. iii. 15; 2 Pet. i. 19.
[857] Heb. i. 1, 2.
[858] [So the Cambridge eds. of 1656 and 1659. The Edinb. ed. reads Testamenti.]
[859] Luke xvi. 29, 31; Eph. ii. 20; Rev. xxii. 18, 19; 2 Tim. iii. 16.
[860] Luke xvi. 29, 31; Eph. ii. 20; Rev. xxii. 18, 19; 2 Tim. iii. 16.
[861] Luke xxiv. 27, 44; Rom. iii. 2; 2 Pet. i. 21.
[862] Luke xxiv. 27, 44; Rom. iii. 2; 2 Pet. i. 21.
[863] 2 Pet. i. 19, 21; 2 Tim. iii. 16; 1 John v. 9; 1 Thess. ii. 13.
[864] 2 Pet. i. 19, 21; 2 Tim. iii. 16; 1 John v. 9; 1 Thess. ii. 13.
[865] [Am. ed. for.]
[866] 1 Tim. iii. 15.
[867] 1 John ii. 20, 27; John xvi. 13, 14; 1 Cor. ii. 10-12; Isa. lix. 21.
[868] 1 Tim. iii. 15.
[869] 1 John ii. 20, 27; John xvi. 13, 14; 1 Cor. ii. 10-12; Isa. lix. 21.
[870] 2 Tim. iii. 15-17; Gal. i. 8, 9; 2 Thess. ii. 2.