[317] 1 Cor. v. 3, 6, 11; 2 John; Tit. iii. 10.
Quest. LXIV. What is the people's remedy in case of the pastor's mal-administration?
Answ. This also is here annexed for despatch, as being almost sufficiently answered already.
It must be supposed that all church disorders and mal-administrations cannot be expected to be remedied; but many while we are sinners and imperfect must be borne.
1. The first remedy is to speak submissively to the pastor of his faults, and to say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received."[318] And if he hear not more privately, for the people more openly to warn and entreat him; not as his governors, but as christians that have reason to regard Christ's interest and their own, and have charity to desire his reformation.
2. The next remedy is, to consult with the neighbour pastors of other churches, that they may admonish him; not as his governors, but as neighbour pastors.[319]
3. The next remedy is to seek redress from those governors that have the power to correct or cast out the intolerable.
4. The last remedy is that of Cyprian, to desert such intolerable pastors.
But in all this, the people must be sure that they proceed not proudly, ignorantly, erroneously, passionately, factiously, disorderly, or rashly.
[318] Col. iv. 17.