A53732:673
The true nature of a Gospel church and its government
The true nature of a Gospel church and its government ... by the late pious and learned minister of the Gospel, John Owen ...
London: printed for William Marshall, 1689
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Chapter 10: Of EXCOMMUNICATION.Chapter 10: Of EXCOMMVNICATION.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Lastly, THE Nature and End of this Judgment or Sentence being Corrective, not Vindicative; for Healing, not Destruction, what is the Duty of the Church, and those principally concerned in the pursuit of it to render it effectual, is plainly evident. Of what use a Significavit and Capias may be in this case I know not; they belong not unto Christian Religion; much less do Fire and Faggot do so. Prayer for the person cut off; Admonition as occasion is offered; Compassion in his distressed Estate, which is so much the more deplorable, if he know it not; forbearance from common Converse, with readiness for the Restoration of Love, in all the fruits of it, contain the principal Duties of the Church, and all the Members of it towards them that are justly Excommunicate.
Lastly, THE Nature and End of this Judgment or Sentence being Corrective, not Vindicative; for Healing, not Destruction, what is the Duty of the Church, and those principally concerned in the pursuit of it to render it effectual, is plainly evident. Of what use a Significavit and Capias may be in this case I know not; they belong not unto Christian Religion; much less do Fire and Faggot do so. Prayer for the person cut off; Admonition as occasion is offered; Compa•sion in his distressed Estate, which is so much the more deplorable, if he know it not; forbearance from common Converse, with readiness for the Restauration of Love, in all the fruits of it, contain the principal Duties of the Church, and all the Members of it towards them that are justly Excommunicate.
WHAT farther belongeth unto this Head of Church-Rule or Order shall be spoken unto in the Resolution of some Cases or Enquiries, wherein also some Things only mentioned already, shall be more fully explained.
I HAVE made some enquiry before, whether Excommunication be an act of Authority and Jurisdiction in the Officers of the Church, or an act of Power in the Fraternity of the Church. But for the sake of some by whom it is desired, I shall a little more distinctly enquire after the Truth herein; though I shall alter nothing of what was before laid down. And,