TRACTS FOR THE TIMES.
subjects, over whom he reigns; that is, over the children of disobedience[1].
That Jesus Christ has also His kingdom and subjects; and when the Apostles gained over any of the subjects of Satan unto Christ, they are said to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God[2].
Now, when any of Christ's subjects become rebellious, and refuse to be governed by the laws of the Gospel, His Ministers are bound to admonish them of their sin, and of their danger; and if they refuse to obey their godly admonitions, then to turn them out of that society of which Christ is the head; and consequently, such persons fall under the power of Satan again, who useth his subjects like slaves. And God permits him to do so, that sinners, if they are not utterly lost, may with the prodigal, when he was forced to herd with swine, see the state they are fallen into, and repent; and desire to get out of the snare and power of the devil; and be restored to the favour of God.
So that excommunication is made use of, not as a punishment only, but as a remedy; that sinners, seeing the evil state they are in, being deprived of all hopes of salvation while they are out of the Church, may desire to be restored to God's grace, from which they are fallen, that they may work out their salvation with more fear for the time to come.
But here I must take notice of one thing that often hinders the Discipline of the Church from having this good effect upon sinners. They are apt to say, If I am shut out of this Church I can go to another. Why, has Christ more Churches than one[3]? Is Christ divided[4]? saith the Apostle. Do not all Christians profess to believe one holy, Apostolic Church[5]? And is not this Church a member of that holy Church? And have not the Ministers of Christ here the same authority from their Lord and Prince, as any other Christian Bishop; namely, the authority of binding, and loosing? And will not our sentence, when we proceed according to the rules which Christ hath given us, be con-
