E. G. Neighbours and Brethren, sin is so hateful an evil in the eyes of the most holy God, how light soever impenitent sinners make of it, that he hath provided the everlasting torments of Hell for the punishment of it; and no lesser means can prevent that punishment then the Sacrifice of the blood of the Son of God, applied to those that truly Repent of it and forsake it; and therefore God that calleth all men to Repentance, hath commanded us to exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, least any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, Heb. 3. 13. and that we do not hate our Brother in our heart, but in any wise rebuke our neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him, Lev. 19. 17. and that if our brother offend us, we should tell him his fault between him and us; and if he hear not, take two or three; and if he hear not them, tell the Church; and if he hear not the Church, he must be to us as a heathen or a Publican, Mat. 18. 17. and those that sin, we must rebuke before all, that others may fear, 1 Tim. 5. 20. and rebuke with all authority, Tit. 1. 15. Yea were it an Apostle of Christ that should openly sin, he must be openly reproved, as Paul did Peter, (Gal. 2. 11, 14.) and if they repent not, we must avoid them, and with such not so much as eat, 2 Thes. 3. 6, 12, 14. 1 Cor. 5. 11, 13. According to these commands of the Lord, having heard of the scandalous practice of N. N. of this Church (or Parish) and having received ⟨p. 104⟩sufficient proof that he hath committed the odious sin of—We have seriously dealt with him to bring him to repentance; but, to the grief of our hearts, do perceive no satisfactory success of our endeavours; but he seemeth still to remain impenitent (or, still liveth in the same sin, though he verbally profess repentance.) We do therefore judge it our necessary duty, to proceed to the use of that further remedy which Christ hath commanded us to try; and hence we desire him in the Name of the Lord without any further delay to lay by his obstinacy against the Lord, and to submit to his rebuke, and will, and to lay to heart the greatness of his sin, the wrong he hath done to Christ and to himself, and the scandal and grief that he hath caused to others; and how unable he is to contend with the Almighty, and prevail against the Holy God, who to the impenitent is a consuming fire! or to save himself from his burning indignation!
E. G. Neighbours and Brethren, sin is so hateful an evil in the eyes of the most holy God, how light soever impenitent sinners make of it, that he hath provided the everlasting torments of Hell for the punishment of it; and no lesser means can prevent that punishment then the Sacrifice of the blood of the Son of God, applyed to those that truly Repent of it and forsake it; and therefore God that calleth all men to Repentance, hath commanded us to exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, least any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, Heb. 3. 13. and that we do not hate our Brother in our heart, but in any wise rebuke our neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him, Lev. 19. 17. and that if our brother offend us, we should tell him his fault between him and us; and if he hear not, take two or three; and if he hear not them, tell the Church; and if he hear not the Church, he must be to us as a heathen or a Publican, Mat. 18. 17. and those that sin, we must rebuke before all, that others may fear, 1 Tim. 5. 20. and rebuke with all authority, Tit. 1. 15. Yea were it an Apostle of Christ that should openly sin, he must be openly reproved, as Paul did Peter, (Gal. 2. 11, 14.) and if they repent not, we must avoid them, and with such not so much as eat, 2 Thes. 3. 6, 12, 14. 1 Cor. 5. 11, 13. According to these commands of the Lord, having heard of the scandalous practice of N. N. of this Church (or Parish) and having received ⟨p. 104⟩sufficient proof that he hath committed the odious sin of—We have seriously dealt with him to bring him to repentance; but, to the grief of our hearts, do perceive no satisfactory success of our endeavours; but he seemeth still to remain impenitent (or, still liveth in the same sin, though he verbally profess repentance.) We do therefore judge it our necessary duty, to proceed to the use of that further remedy which Christ hath commanded us to try; and hence we desire him in the Name of the Lord without any further delay to lay by his obstinacy against the Lord, and to submit to his rebuke, and will, and to lay to heart the greatness of his sin, the wrong he hath done to Christ and to himself, and the scandal and grief that he hath caused to others; and how unable he is to contend with the Almighty, and prevail against the Holy God, who to the impenitent is a consuming fire! or to save himself from his burning indignation!
