A53732:681
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.
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.
7. YET on the other side, unto the formal completeness of this Sentence, an Authoritative Act of Office-Power is required. For, (1.) There is in it such an Act of Rule, as is in the hands of the Elders only. (2.) The Executive Power of the Keys in binding and loosing, so far as it compriseth ⟨p. 219⟩Authority to be acted in the Name of Christ, is entrusted with them only.
7. YET on the other side, unto the formal compleatness of this Sentence, an Authoritative Act of Office-Power is required. For, (1.) There is in it such an Act of Rule, as is in the hands of the Elders only. (2.) The Executive Power of the Keys in binding and loosing, so far as it comprizeth ⟨p. 219⟩Authority to be acted in the Name of Christ, is entrusted with them only.