2.  Ordinances appertaining to the key of jurisdiction or of discipline, viz: 

1.  The ordination of presbyters with imposition of the hands of the presbytery, after praying and fasting, is a divine ordinance.  “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery,” 1 Tim. iv. 14.  Titus was left in Crete for this end, “To set in order things that were wanting, and ordain presbyters” (or elders) “in every city, as Paul had appointed him,” Tit. i. 5.  Timothy is charged, “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins; keep thyself pure,” 1 Tim. v. 22.  Paul and Barnabas came to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, and “when they had ordained them presbyters in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord,” &c., Acts xiv. 21, 23.

2.  Authoritative discerning, and judging of doctrine according to the word of God, is a divine ordinance.  As that council at Jerusalem, authoritatively (viz. by ministerial authority) judged of both the false doctrine and manners of false teachers, branding them for “troublers of the Church, subverters of souls,” &c.  “Forasmuch as we have heard that certain, coming forth from u, have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, ye ought to be circumcised, and keep the law, to whom we gave no such commandment,” Acts xv. 24; “it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to impose upon you no greater burden than these necessary things,” v. 28; and this was done upon debates from scripture grounds, “and to this the words of the prophets agree,” Acts xv. 15:  and afterwards their results and determinations are called “decrees ordained by the apostles and elders,” Acts xvi. 4.

3.  Admonition and public rebuke of sinners is a divine ordinance of Christ.  “If thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone:  if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more—­and if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Church,” Matt, xviii. 15-17.  “Whose soever sins ye bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,” John xx. 23.  One way and degree of binding is by authoritative, convincing reproof.  “Admonish the unruly,” 1 Thess. v. 14.  “An heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject,” Tit. iii. 1.  “Them that sin, convincingly reprove before all, that the rest also may fear,” 1 Tim. v. 20.  “Rebuke them sharply,” (or convince them cuttingly,) Tit. iii. 13.  “Sufficient to such an one is that rebuke, which was from many,” 2 Cor. ii. 6.

4.  Rejecting, and purging out, or putting away from the communion of the Church, wicked and incorrigible persons, is an ordinance of Christ.  “And if he will not hear them, tell the Church; but if he will not hear the Church, let him be unto thee even as a heathen and a publican.”  “Verily, I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth, they shall be bound in heaven,” Matt,