A53732:698
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.
Answ. 1. SOME say it is enough, if it be declared in the Church that such an one hath cut off himself from the Church, and is therefore no longer under their watch or care, but is left unto himself and the World. And this is sufficient with them who own no Act of Office-Power or Authority in Excommunication, but esteem it only a noted cessation of Communion, which destroys a principal Branch of the Power of the Keys. Wherefore,
2. WHERE the offence is plain, open, scandalous, persisted in; where Admonition is despised or not complied with, it is the Duty of the Church to denounce the Sentence of Excommunication against such a Person, notwithstanding his voluntary departure: For,
1. NO Man is to make an Advantage unto himself, or to be freed from any Disadvantage, Censure or Spiritual Penalty, by his own Sin; such as is the voluntary Relinquishment of the Church, by a Person under Admonition for scandalous Offences.
2. IT is necessary unto the Church, both as unto the Discharge of its Duty, and the vindication of its Honour; as also from the Benefit and Edification it will receive by those Duties of Humiliation, Mourning and Prayer, which are necessary unto the Execution of this Sentence.