A53732:680
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.
5. THERE are some Acts belonging hereunto, that the Church it self in the Body of the Fraternity, cannot be excluded from without destroying the nature of the Sentence it self, and rendering it ineffectual. Such are the previous cognizance of the Cause, without which they cannot be blamed for any neglect about it; preparatory Duties unto its Execution, in Prayer, Mourning and Admonition, which are expressly prescribed unto them; and a Testification of their consent unto it, by their common Suffrage. Without these things, Excommunication is but a Name with a noise; it belongs not unto the Order appointed by Christ in his Church.
5. THERE are some Acts belonging hereunto, that the Church it self in the Body of the Fraternity, cannot be excluded from without destroying the nature of the Sentence it self, and rendring it ineffectual. Such are the previous cognizance of the Cause, without which they cannot be blamed for any neglect about it; preparatory Duties unto its Execution, in Prayer, Mourning and Admonition, which are expresly prescribed unto them; and a Testification of their consent unto it, by their common Suffrage. Without these things, Excommunication is but a Name with a noise; it belongs not unto the Order appointed by Christ in his Church.
6. HENCE arise the Duties of the Church towards an Excommunicated Person, that are consequential unto his exclusion from among them. Such are Praying for him, as one noted by the Church, and under the Discipline of Christ; avoiding Communion with him in public and private, that he may be ashamed, and the like; all which arise from their own voluntary actings in his exclusion; and such, as without a judgment of the cause, they cannot be obliged unto.
6. HENCE arise the Duties of the Church towards an Excommunicated Person, that are consequential unto his exclusion from among them. Such are Praying for him, as one noted by the Church, and under the Discipline of Christ; avoiding Communion with him in publick and private, that he may be ashamed, and the like; all which arise from their own voluntary actings in his exclusion; and such, as without a judgment of the cause, they cannot be obliged unto.