A53732:686
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.
THE Troubles and Dangers intended, are three-fold. (1.) From the Thing it self. (2.) From the Persons to be Excommunicated. (3.) From the Church.
1. TROUBLE may arise from the Thing it self. For there being an exercise of Authority or Jurisdiction in it over the Persons of Men, not granted from the Civil Magistrate by the Law of the Land, those that execute it may be liable unto Penalties ordained in such cases.
2. THE Persons to be Excommunicated may be Great, and of great Interest in the World, so as that if they receive a provocation hereby, they may occasion or stir up Persecution against the Church, as it hath often fallen out.
3. THE Church it self may be divided on these considerations, so as that lasting differences may be occasioned ⟨p. 220⟩among them, which the omission of the Sentence might prevent.