A53732:693
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.
I ANSWER, On these suppositions I see no just Reason to countenance the omission of the Execution of this Sentence, or to acquit the Church from the guilt of Sin in so doing. For,
1. THE first presence of Danger is vain. There is not the least shadow of Jurisdiction in this Act of the Church. There is nothing in it that toucheth any thing which is under the Protection and Conservation of Humane Laws. It reacheth not the Persons of Men in their Lives, or Liberties; nor their Estates or the least Secular Privileges that they do enjoy; it doth not expose them to the Power or Censures of others, nor prejudge them as unto Office or Advantage of Life. There is therefore no concernment of the Law of the Land herein, no more than in a Parents disinheriting a Rebellious Child.
1. THE first presence of Danger is vain. There is not the least shadow of Jurisdiction in this Act of the Church. There is nothing in it that toucheth any thing which is under the Protection and Conservation of Humane Laws. It reacheth not the Persons of Men in their Lives, or Liberties; nor their Estates or the least Secular Privileges that they do enjoy; it doth not expose them to the Power or Censures of others, nor prejudge them as unto Office or Advantage of Life. There is therefore no concernment of the Law of the Land herein, no more than in a Parents disenheriting a Rebellious Child.
2. AS unto danger of Persecution, by the means of the Person provoked, I say, (1.) The same may be pleaded as unto all other Duties of obedience unto Jesus Christ wherewith the World is provoked; and so the whole profession of the Church ⟨p. 221⟩should give place to the fear of Persecution. To testify against Sin in the way of Christs appointment, is a case of Confession. (2.) The Apostles were not deterred by this consideration from the Excommunication of Simon Magus, the seducing Jews, Hymeneus and Alexander, with others. (3.) The Lord Christ commandeth and reproveth his Churches, according as they were strict in the observation of this Duty, or neglective of it, notwithstanding the fear of Persecution thereon,