Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

To which end, among others, in the ancient Churches, it was usual in Confirmation to renew the Covenant more solemnly, where any flaw was found in the Baptism, which yet did not prove a Nullity. 6. And for external Church Privileges, I conceive, that as God doth not ⟨p. 328⟩by Covenant give this person a right to them, so it is the Ministers and Peoples Duty to deny them to the Parent himself, while he continueth notoriously ungodly: and the Error of wrong baptizing him, (or continuing him in the Church till now) will not oblige them to continue communion with him. But yet being admitted by Baptism, he should be solemnly cast out. But if the Guides of the Church be faulty and will not cast him out, then must the people distinguish between communion with him as a Christian in general, and as a member of that particular Church; as also between communion Moral, and merely Natural; and so, First, they must avoid Christian communion with him in ordinary ways wherein they are free; as all private or voluntary open familiarity: Secondly, But if he intrude (by the Pastors approbation) into Public communion, in Prayer, Praises, or Sacrament, they ought not to withdraw from the communion of the church, because of his presence First, because they have the Liberty of esteeming him as they please; Secondly, because it is not their fault, but the Pastors. Thirdly, and therefore it is but a Physical and not a Moral communion that they have with him. Fourthly, because they are bound to hold communion with the Church in the use of Ordinances.

To which end, among others, in the antient Churches, it was usual in Confirmation to renew the Covenant more solemnly, where any flaw was found in the Baptism, which yet did not prove a Nullity. 6. And for external Church Priviledges, I conceive, that as God doth not ⟨p. 328⟩by Covenant give this person a right to them, so it is the Ministers and Peoples Duty to deny them to the Parent himself, while he continueth notoriously ungodly: and the Error of wrong baptizing him, (or continuing him in the Church till now) will not oblige them to continue communion with him. But yet being admitted by Baptism, he should be solemnly cast out. But if the Guides of the Church be faulty and will not cast him out, then must the people distingu•sh between communion with him as a Christian in general, and as a member of that particular Church; as also between communion Moral, and meerly Natural; and so, First, they must avoid hristian communion with him in ordinary wayes wherein they are free; as all private or voluntary open familiarity: Secondly, But if he intrude (by the Pastors approbation) into Publike communion, in Prayer, Prayses, or Sacrament, they ought not to withdraw from the communion of the hurch, because of his presence First, because they have the Liberty of esteeming him as they please; Secondly, because it is not their fault, but the Pastors. Thirdly, and therefore it is but a Physical and not a Moral communion that they have with him. Fourthly, because they are bound to hold communion with the Church in the use of Ordinances.