Discourses, or, Sermons on several Scriptures

Secondly, ¹If they be our Equals, over whom we have no Jurisdiction, nor coercive Power, we are then to rebuke them, if they continue obstinate after Christian Admonition, by withdrawing our selves from all necessary Converse with them; not so as to deny them the offices of Civility, Courtesy, and our charitable Assistance to promote their temporal Good; but to break off all Familiarity and Intimacy with them: not to make such lewd and dissolute ⟨p. 9⟩Persons our Friends and chosen Companions. Thus the Apostle charges us, ²2 Thess. 3.6. We command you, Brethren, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the Tradition which he received of us. And this way of reproving them ought to be so managed by us, that it may appear it doth not proceed from any sour, morose, surly Humour, disdaining or hating of their Persons, but merely from conscience of our Duty towards the Glory of God, and to do an Act of Love and Charity, as indeed it is, both towards them, and towards our selves.

Secondly, ¹If they be our Equals, over whom we have no Jurisdiction, nor coercive Power, we are then to rebuke them, if they continue obstinate after Christian Admonition, by withdrawing our selves from all necessary Converse with them; not so as to deny them the offices of Civility, Courtesy, and our charitable Assistance to promote their temporal Good; but to break off all Familiarity and Intimacy with them: not to make such lewd and dissolute ⟨p. 9⟩Persons our Friends and chosen Companions. Thus the Apostle charges us, ²2 Thess. 3.6. We command you, Brethren, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the Tradition which he received of us. And this way of reproving them ought to be so managed by us, that it may appear it doth not proceed from any sowr, morose, surly Humour, disdaining or hating of their Persons, but meerly from conscience of our Duty towards the Glory of God, and to do an Act of Love and Charity, as indeed it is, both towards them, and towards our selves.