The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

AND the Prayer required herein is of three sorts. (1.) That which is previous for guidance and direction in a matter of so ⟨p. 215⟩great weight and importance. It is no small thing to fall into mistakes, when Men act in the Name of Christ, and so engage his Authority in what he will not own. And the best of Men, the best of Churches, are liable unto such mistakes, where they are not under the guidance of the holy Spirit, which is to be obtained by Prayer only. (2.) In, or together with the Administration of it; that what is done on Earth may be ratified in Heaven, by the approbation of Christ, and be made effectual unto its proper End. (3.) It must be followed with the Prayer of the Church unto the same purpose; all with respect unto the Humiliation, Repentance, Healing and Recovery of the Offender.

2ly, IT is to be accompanied with Lamentation or Mourning. So the Apostle reproving the Church of Corinth for the omission of it when it was necessary, tells them, That they had not mourned; that the offender might be taken away from among them, 1 Cor. 5.2. It is not to be done without mourning: And himself calls the Execution of this Sentence from this Adjunct, his bewailing of them. I shall bewail many that have sinned already, 2 Cor. 12.2. Compassion for the person offending, with respect unto that dangerous condition whereinto he hath cast himself; the Excision of a Member of the same Body with whom they have had Communion in the most holy Mysteries of Divine Worship, and sate down at the Table of the Lord, with a due sense of the Dishonour of the Gospel by his fall, ought to ingenerate this Mourning or Lamentation in the Minds of them who are concerned in the Execution of the Sentence. Nor is it advisable for any Church to proceed thereunto, before they are so affected.

2ly, IT is to be accompanied with Lamentation or Mourning. So the Apostle reproving the Church of Corinth for the omission of it when it was necessary, tells them, That they had not mourned; that the offender might be taken away from among them,