The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…

M. The answer is obvious; 1. It is the duty of the Church to cast out wicked impenitent men; and this Christ commandeth them; but he never bids particular Christians to separate from the Church where some such are, because the Church omits its duty: For then you should separate from duty, from Gods Worship and holy Communion, on pretence of separating from sinners. 2. But for Family and Private Converse, every Christian is judge himself, and must refuse all familiarity with scandalous Christians which encourageth them in sin or seemeth to own it. God Commandeth no man to do that which is not in his power; to put a scandalous impenitent man from the Church, is in the Churches power, and so that command belongs to them; it is not in your power, and therefore belongs not to you, save to admonish men, and tell the Church; but to put men from your table and familiarity, is in your power and belongs to you. Suppose the King write to the City of London to put all Rebels out of their Company and Converse; its easy to understand, ⟨p. 232⟩that every one must do it only in his own place. Every single man cannot turn such out of the Common-Council: The City Rulers must do that, and till it be done, single men may not deny obedience to the Governors: But all may turn them out of their houses, shops and familiarity.

M. The answer is obvious; 1. It is the duty of the Church to cast out wicked impenitent men; and this Christ commandeth them; but he never bids particular Christians to separate from the Church where some such are, because the Church omits its duty: For then you should separate from duty, from Gods Worship and holy Communion, on pretence of separating from sinners. 2. But for Family and Private Converse, every Christian is judge himself, and must refuse all familiarity with scandalous Christians which encourageth them in sin or seemeth to own it. God Commandeth no man to do that which is not in his power; to put a scandalous impenitent man from the Church, is in the Churches power, and so that command belongs to them; it is not in your power, and therefore belongs not to you, save to admonish men, and tell the Church; but to put men from your table and familiarity, is in your power and belongs to you. Suppose the King write to the City of London to put all Rebels out of their Company and Converse; its easie to understand, ⟨p. 232⟩that every one must do it only in his own place. Every single man cannot turn such out of the Common-Council: The City Rulers must do that, and till it be done, single men may not deny obedience to the Governours: But all may turn them out of their houses, shops and familiarity.