The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

Hereon it makes a Determination, designing in the first place the Recovery of the Person offending, from his Sin, by his hearing of its Counsel and Advice. But in case of Obstinacy, it is to remove him from its Communion, leaving him in the outward condition of an Heathen and a Publican. So is he to be esteemed by them that were offended with his Sin, and that because of the Authority of the Church binding him ⟨p. 202⟩in Heaven and Earth unto the punishment due unto his Sin, unless he doth Repent. The Rejection of an offending Brother out of the Society of the Church, leaving him as unto all the Privileges of the Church, in the State of an Heathen, declaring him liable unto the Displeasure of Christ, and Everlasting Punishment without Repentance, is the Excommunication we plead for; and the Power of it, with its Exercise, is plainly here granted by Christ and Ordained in the Church. (3.) According unto this Institution was the practice of the Apostles, whereof we have several Instances. I might insist upon the Excommunication of Simon the Magician, a baptized professor, by Peter, who declared him to have neither part or lot in the Church upon the discovery of his wickedness, Act. 8.13, 20, 21, 22, 23. Yet because it was the single Act of one Apostle, and so may be esteemed extraordinary, I shall omit it. However, that fact of the Apostle is sufficiently declarative of what is to be done in the Church in like cases, and which if it be not done, it cannot be preserved in its purity according unto the mind of Christ. But that which was directed by the Apostle Paul in the Church of Corinth towards the incestuous Person, is express, 1 Cor. 5.1, 2, 5, 6, 7. (1.) He declares the Sin whereof the Person charged was guilty, with the Ignominy and Scandal of it, Ver. 1. (2.) He blames the Church that they had not been affected with the Guilt and Scandal of it, so as to have proceeded to his Removal or Expulsion out of the Church, that he might be taken away or cut off from them, Ver. 2. (3.) He declares his own judgment in the case, that he ought to be so taken away or removed, which yet was not actually effected by that Judgment and Sentence of his, Ver. 3. (4.) He declares the causes of this Excision. (1.)