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IT followeth then on the contrary, that they be without excuse, when they receyue to the communion of the Sacramentes, them which they knowe manifestly to be vnworthy?
Who may doubt that, prouided that they haue the mean to proue to thē their vnworthines?
Is the same first required?
Yea, for must néedes be that iudgement go before sentence and condemnation, and that this iudgement be had by the Church, accor∣ding to the rule and discipline of the same, and not by the ministers onely.
Why so?
Bicause that the ministers may not attribute to them selues alone the power the which God hath giuen to the whole Church, but so far foorth as they be execu∣tours in the name of the same, when that the iudgement of the same hath gone be∣fore: which also can not be done but by the worde of God.
This poynt is well to be noted, to the end that wrong be done to none, and that the ministers do not set vp tyrannie in the Church, and that they make not the discipline of ye same to serue their affections.
The same serueth thē well to discharge them of such sclaū∣der if they be true ministers.