A53732:742
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.
1. TO Eat compriseth all ordinary Converse in things of this Life; Give us our daily Bread. (2.) To Note, is either the act of the Church, setting the Mark of its Censure and Disapprobation on him; or the Duty of the Members of the Church, to take notice of him, as unto the End of not keeping company with him. Wherefore,
1. TO Eat comprizeth all ordinary Converse in things of this Life; Give us our daily Bread. (2.) To Note, is either the act of the Church, setting the Mark of its Censure and Disapprobation on him; or the Duty of the Members of the Church, to take notice of him, as unto the End of not keeping company with him. Wherefore,
2. HEREIN all ordinary Converse of Choice, not made necessary by previous occasions, is forbidden. The Rule, I say, forbids, (1.) All ordinary Converse of Choice; not that which is occasional. (2.) Converse about Earthly secular Things, not that which is Spiritual; for such an one may, and ought still to be admonished, whilst he will hear the word of Admonition. (3.) It is such Converse as is not made previously necessary, by Mens mutual Engagement in Trade and the like. For that is founded on such Rules of Right and Equity, with such Obligations in point of Truth, as Excommunication cannot Dissolve.
3. NO suspension of Duties antecedently necessary by virtue of natural or moral Relation, is allowed or countenanced by this Rule. Such are those of Husband and Wife, Parents and Children, Magistrates and Subjects, Masters and Servants, Neighbours, Relations in propinquity of Blood. No Duties arising from or belonging unto any of these Relations, are released, or the Obligation unto them weakened by Excommunication. Husbands may not hereon forsake their Wives if they are Excommunicated, nor Wives their Husbands; Magistrates may not withdraw their Protection from any of their Subjects; because they are Excommunicate; much less may Subjects withhold their Obedience on any pretence of the Excommunication of their Magistrates, as such. And the same is true as unto all other natural or moral Relations.