The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

so as that the Apostle doth not directly enjoin their immediate Excision; yet he declares what they did deserve, and what was the Duty of the Church towards them, when freed from their Delusions, Vers. 12. I would they were even cut off that trouble you. Men have exercised their Minds in curious conjectures about the sense of these Words, altogether in vain and needlessly. The curiosity of some of the best of the Ancients, applying it unto a forcible Eunuchism is extremely fond. No other Excision is intended, but that which was from the Church, and to be done by the Church in obedience unto the Truth. Neither the Subject Matter treated of, the nature of the Crime condemned, nor the state of the Church, or design of the Apostle, will admit of any other Exposition, 2 Thessal. 3.7. The Apostle gives command unto the Brethren of the Church, and that in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every Brother that walketh disorderly. What it is to walk disorderly he declares immediately, namely, to live in an open disobedience unto any of the commands of Christ, not after the Tradition which he received of us, that is, the Doctrine of the Gospel which he had delivered unto them. This withdrawing is as unto Church-Communion, which cannot be done but upon some act of the Church, depriving them of the Rights of it. For if every Member of the Church should be left unto his own judgment and practice herein, it would bring all things into confusion. And therefore, Vers. 14. he requires that a note be set on such a Person by the Church, that is, a Sentence be denounced against him, before the Duty of withdrawing ⟨p. 208⟩from him by the Brethren be incumbent on them. See to the same purpose Tit. 3.10, 11. 1 Tim. 5.20. Revel. 2.2, 14, 15, 20, 21.

so as that the Apostle doth not directly enjoin their immediate Excision; yet he declares what they did deserve, and what was the Duty of the Church towards them, when freed from their Delusions, Vers. 12. I would they were even cut off that trouble you. Men have exercised their Minds in curious conjectures about the sence of these Words, altogether in vain and needlesly. The curiosity of some of the best of the Ancients, applying it unto a forcible Eunuchism is extreamly fond. No other Excision is intended, but that which was from the Church, and to be done by the Church in obedience unto the Truth. Neither the Subject Matter treated of, the nature of the Crime condemned, nor the state of the Church, or design of the Apostle, will admit of any other Exposition,