Preface to the Book of Church Order

Section 2 : The Preliminary Principles
Paragraph 8 : Of Spiritual Force

8. Since ecclesiastical discipline must be purely moral or spiritual in its object, and not attended with any civil effects, it can derive no force whatever, but from its own justice, the approbation of an impartial public, and the countenance and blessing of the great Head of the Church.

Footnote: Matthew 18:17; I Timothy 5:2; Confession of Faith Chapter 30. [as per M4GA, Appendix J, p. 203]

DIGEST : The current text arose as a recommendation from the Ad Interim Committee on Judicial Procedure (AICJP) which was adopted and sent down to the presbyteries for advice and consent by the Twenty-fourth General Assembly (1996) [M24GA (1996): 72]. The proposed change was then adopted by the Twenty-fifth General Assembly (1997) after forty-four Presbyteries voted in favor of the revised text. Five Prebyteries voted against revision. [M25GA (1997): 112-113]. The adopted change also included the addition of an unnumbered concluding paragraph.

BACKGROUND & COMPARISON:
PCA 1973, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, page 128
Lastly, that, if the preceding scriptural and rational principles be steadfastly adhered to, the vigor and strictness of its discipline will contribute to the glory and happiness of any church. Since ecclesiastical discipline must be purely moral or spiritual in its object, and not attended with any civil effects, it can derive no force whatever but from its own justice, the approbation of an impartial public, and the countenance and blessing of the great Head of the church universal.

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text, Preface, Preliminary Principles, paragraph 2
Lastly, that, if the preceding scriptural and rational principles be steadfastly adhered to, the vigor and strictness of its discipline will contribute to the glory and happiness of any church. Since ecclesiastical discipline must be purely moral or spiritual in its object, and not attended with any civil effects, it can derive no force whatever but from its own justice, the approbation of an impartial public, and the countenance and blessing of the great Head of the church universal.

PCUS 1866 draft, paragraph 8:
Lastly. That, if the preceding scriptural and rational principles be steadfastly adhered to, the vigor and strictness of its discipline will contribute to the glory and happiness of any church. Since ecclesiastical discipline must be purely moral or spiritual in its object, and not attended with any civil effects, it can derive no force whatever but from its own justice, the approbation of the public conscience, and the countenance and blessing of the great Head of the church universal.

[Note: The Preliminary Principles appeared solely in the 1866 draft of the PCUS Form of Government, as reported and published in The Christian Observer, vol. 45, nos. 40 & 41 (4 Oct. & 11 Oct. 1866). Inclusion of the Principles was rejected when the PCUS Assembly met in 1867.]

PCUSA, 1789
VIII. Lastly, That, if the preceding scriptural and rational principles be steadfastly adhered to, the vigour and strictness of its discipline will contribute to the glory and happiness of any church. Since ecclesiastical discipline must be purely moral or spiritual in its object, and not attended with any civil effects, it can derive no force whatever, but from its own justice, the approbation of an impartial public, and the countenance and blessing of the great Head of the Church universal.

COMMENTARY:
Hodge, J. Aspinwall, What Is Presbyterian Law? (Philadelphia, 1882, pp. 27) :
VIII. What is the eighth principle?
"The vigor and strictness of its discipline will contribute to the glory and happiness of any Church."
How can this be shown?
"Since ecclesiastical discipline must be purely moral or spiritual in its object, and not attended with any civil effects, it can derive no force whatever, but from its own justice, the approbation of an impartial public, and the countenance and blessing of the great Head of the Church universal." It is not the exercise of human power, but the application of divine laws. It is enforce by appeal to the infallible word of God and to Christ the great Head of the Church. Its object is to secure to the Church sound doctrine, godly living, encouragement to the well-doing and correction to the erring.