Institutions of Christian religion framed out of Gods word, and the writings of the best diuines, methodically handled by questions and answers, fit for all such as desire to know, or practise the will of God. Written in Latin by William Bucanus Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Lausanna. And published in English by Robert Hill, Bachelor in Diuinitie, and Fellow of Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, for the benefit of our English nation, to which is added in the end the practise of papists against Protestant princes.

How many parts or degrees, bee there of Ecclesiasticall correction?

Three.

1. Increpation 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or obiurgation 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 comonefaction, which is a censure in respect of the sin, and fitted to the edification of an ob∣stinate sinner, or else of such of an one which doth truely confesse his sin, and repenteth for itb 1.1.

2. Exclusion, suspension, or keeping from the Lords Supper, for a time.

3 Excommunication, which is the sentence of the Church, law∣full notice going before, propounded in the name and authoritie of God, whereby a member of the same Church, if he haue offen∣ded the Church by any crime, or contumacie, and do refuse to ••e∣pent for the edification of the Church, is iustly excluded out of the fellowshippe of the Saints, or from the bodie of the Church, by Christs commandement.

Notwithstanding there hath beene a twofold kinde of excom∣munication: The first is called of the Hebrewes Niddui, that is a seiunction or exclusion from the common assembly: at this day it is called in the Churche, the lesse excommunication: if this auaile not, another shall be pronounced against the impenitent sinner,

which the Hebrewes call Cherem, that is Anathema, and at the length Schamatha, which is the last deuouing, or execration, and that Paul calleth, To deliuer to Sathan, for the mortification of the flesh, that the spirit may be safe. 1. Cor. 5.5. and 1. Tim. 1.20. But with this exception, vnlesse hee repent. Now this to be deliuered to Sa∣than, is not in respect of bodily affliction, as some doe expound it, seing Ecclesiasticall censures doe not appertaine to the bodie as ciuill doe, but properly vnto the soule: but amongst the Iewes there was casting out from the Synagoguea 1.2, and to be cut off from the peopleb 1.3, and to be reputed for an heathen and Publican, that is for pro∣fane and altogether irreligiousc 1.4: but to bee excommunicated a∣mongst Christians, is to lose the right of a Christian citie, vntill he repent: and to bee made a vassall of Sathan, who ruleth out of the Church.

Notes

• b 1.1

  2. Cor. 2.
• a 1.2

  Ioh. 9.22.
• b 1.3

  Gen. 17.14 Leuit. 7.2
• c 1.4

  Mat. 18.17,