A53732:699
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.
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.
3. IT is necessary for the good and benefit of him who so deserves to be Excommunicated. For, (1.) The end of the Institution of the Ordinance, is his Correction, not his Destruction, and may be effectual unto his Repentance and Recovery. (2.) It is to be followed with sharp Admonition and Prayer, which in due time, may reach the most profligate Sinner.