those that had no other aim but the Re'formation of the Church and the advantage of true Religion, endeavoured but could not to its full effect accomplish. But thi Difcourfe is not fo much concerned in what might occafion this failure in our Reformation, as in this that the Church of England hath expreffed its aim at a Reformation in this Point, which it could not reach, and expreffed a Godly Defire, that in future time the Primitive Discipline of the Church may be restored again.

CHAP. VII.

AND now if by the Reasons and Ar

guments in this Tract offered to confideration, a Proof hath been made according to what I undertook for in the beginning, that is to fay, that Difcipline had place in the Primitive Church by the Ordinance of Chrift and his Apostles; that Chrift left in his Church a Power and Authority for it, and the Apoftles gave in Charge for the Churches of their own. Planting to be governed by it; ( which things I take to have been herein proved beyond contradiction, by Scripture interpreted according to the Senfe of the first Chrifti

ans,

ans, and fo agreeably to Hiftorical Truth, that even common Senfe juftifieth the interpretation) It being alfo fhewn what Difcipline the Apostles Inftituted in the Church; as alfo upon what ground and to what purpofe, by what the Church immediately after them did Practife; by what was practised even throughout the whole Church; there being no part thereof bur what kept up a Difcipline and agreed in the neceffity of doing fo.) It likewise appearing to all that will fee, that which is plain to be feen in Church Writers of the feveral Ages, by what degrees the Decay, Abufes and Corruptions of Difcipline came on; that what now remaineth of it as visibly deriveth it felf from the Apoftles, as the corrupt Chriftianity of this time can derive it felf from that which they planted pure from the Fountain. These things cannot but give conviction that the Reformation of the Church confifteth in restoring of the Primitive Difci- oy pline to the ufe and effect it ought to have in the Church of hrift. And that if our firft Reformers fell fhort of their Aim in this Point, it is a work remaining for the Church of the prefent Age to bring to pass. And that an Obligation lieth on all Ranks of Chriftians to do their parts towards it. As in the firft place, on all that

not

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have share in the Office of the Ministry especially, forafmuch as Difcipline is part of the Charge of their Ministry. Upon whom therefore as there is a neceffity laid, that they take heed to the Ministry, which they have received in the Lord, that they fulfill it, I might in reafon well fuppofe there fhould be lefs need, and yet as the cafe ftands there is the more for my pref fing the Obligation, in that though it cannot be thought that they do not fee, or that they do not understand it, neverthe lefs it is apparent that they do, little to wards the difcharge of it, but have suffered even thofe Remains of. Difcipline, which at the Reformation of our Church were with difficulty preferved, to lye neglected in fuch a manner that now they are even came almoft to nothing. I take Grief therefore and even Shame to my felf on this account, when I remind my Superiors and Brethren, helpers as my self in the Work of the Miniftry, of what was nation and Wills Bishops and particular, when demand was made in the

Vid. Ordi

Priefts.

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I profefled to be our Minds what was

Name of God and of his Church touching the fame, of what was by us undertaken and promifed at our admillion to this Miniftration in prefence of the Congregation of God's People, whom we took to bear witness how we purposed and were minded

to

to behave our felves in the Church of God; and of the things given us in charge touching the fame, when we received our Miniftry in the Church: namely, that eve ry Bishop in this our Church at the time he was admitted to that Administration, hath declared himself as to this Point, and promised faithfuliy that by the help of God he would correct and punish the Disobedient and Criminous within his Diocefs, according to fuch Authority as he hath by God's Word and as to him fhall be committed by the Orai nance of this Realm hath likewife received it in Charge, to be fo Merciful that he be not too remifs, to minifter Difcipline, not forgetting Mercy; muft alfo have fully known the intention of the Church as to what himself fhould do in this part of his Office, by that Prayer which it maketh to Almighty God, befeeching that be would give Grace to all Bishops, the Paftors of his Church, that they may diligently preach his Word and duly adminifter the Godly Dif cipline thereof; as alfo by what was asked of God by the Church on behalf of him. felf in particular, that he would grant his Servant Grace to use the Authority given him, not to Deftruction but to Salvation. That alfo every one admitted to the Order, and Ministry of Priesthood within this Church hath undertaken and promised

P

that

that he will by the help of the Lord, give faithful diligence always fo to Minister the Doctrine and Sacraments, and the Difcipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded, and as this Church and Realm hath received the fame according to the Commandments of God; as alfo that the Lord being his helper he will be ready with all faithful Diligence to use both publick and private Monitions and Exhortations as need fhall require and occafion fhall be given: And that as Power hath been committed to him by the impofition of hands for the office and work of a Prieft in the Church of God, that Power which Chrift gave for Discipline in his Church, of retaining and remitting Sins; fo he hath received a Charge with it to be a faithful difpenfer of the Word of God and of his holy. Sacraments; which faithful difpenfation of the Sacraments shall ever imply the difcharge of that great Truft which God hath committed to them, to whom he hath given the Power of Miniftring them, for the Miniftration of the fame according to the Terms of the Gospel, that none be allowed the affurance of their hopes as to God's Promifes by thefe, but fuch as may reasonably be thought really and indeed qualified for thofe Promises which the Gospel tendreth. These things if we reflect on, and confider with our