The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

¹THERE have been many Disputes about it, as unto its Order and Kinds. Some suppose that there are two sorts of Excommunication; the one they call the lesser, and the other the greater: Some three sorts, as it is supposed there were among the Jews. There is no mention in the Scripture of any more sorts, but one, or of any Degrees therein. A segregation from all participation in Church-Order, Worship and Privileges, is the only Excommunication spoken of in the Scripture. But whereas an offending Person may cause great disorder in a Church, and give great scandal unto the Members of it, before he can be regularly cut off or expelled the Society; some do judge that there should a Suspension of him from the Lords Table at least, precede total or complete Excommunication in case of Impenitency. And it ought in some cases so to be. But this Suspension is not properly an especial Institution; but only an act of prudence in Church-Rule to avoid offence and scandal. And no Men question but that this is lawful unto, yea, the Duty of the Rulers of the Church, to require any one to forbear for a season from the use of their Privilege in the participation of the Supper of the Lord, in case of scandal and offence which would be taken at it, and ensue thereon. And if any Person shall refuse a Submission unto them in this Act of Rule, the Church hath no way for its Relief, but to proceed unto the total Removal of such a Person from their whole Communion. For the Edification of the whole Church must not be obstructed by the Refractoriness of any one among them.

¹THERE have been many Disputes about it, as unto its Order and Kinds. Some suppose that there are two sorts of Excommunication; the one they call the lesser, and the other the greater: Some three sorts, as it is supposed there were among the Jews. There is no mention in the Scripture of any more sorts, but one, or of any Degrees therein. A segregation from all participation in Church-Order, Worship and Privileges, is the only Excommunication spoken of in the Scripture. But whereas an offending Person may cause great disorder in a Church, and give great scandal unto the Members of it, before he can be regularly cut off or expelled the Society; some do judge that there should a Suspension of him from the Lords Table at least, precede total or compleat Excommunication in case of Impenitency. And it ought in some cases so to be. But this Suspension is not properly an especial Institution; but only an act of prudence in Church-Rule to avoid offence and scandal. And no Men question but that this is lawful unto, yea, the Duty of the Rulers of the Church, to require any one to forbear for a season from the use of their Privilege in the participation of the Supper of the Lord, in case of scandal and offence which would be taken at it, and ensue thereon. And if any Person shall refuse a Submission unto them in this Act of Rule, the Church hath no way for its Relief, but to proceed unto the total Removal of such a Person from their whole Communion. For the Edification of the whole Church must not be obstructed by the Refractoriness of any one among them.