A53732:746
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.
X. HOW ought persons Excommunicated to be received into the Church upon their Repentance?
Answ. 1. AS unto the internal manner; with all readiness and cheerfulness; with, (1.) Meekness, to take from them all Discouragement and disconsolation, Gal. 6.1. (2.) With Compassion, and all means of Relief and Consolation, 2 Cor. 2.7. (3.) With Love in all the demonstrations of it, Vers. 8. (4.) With Joy, to represent the Heart of Christ towards Repenting Sinners.
Answ. 1. AS unto the internal manner; with all readiness and chearfulness; with, (1.) Meekness, to take from them all Discouragement and disconsolation, Gal. 6.1. (2.) With Compassion, and all means of Relief and Consolation, 2 Cor. 2.7. (3.) With Love in all the demonstrations of it, Vers. 8. (4.) With Joy, to represent the Heart of Christ towards Repenting Sinners.
2. THE outward manner of the Restoration of such a person consists, in, (1.) His Testification of his Repentance unto the satisfaction of the Church. (2.) The express Consent of the Church unto his Reception. (3.) His renewed Engagement in the Covenant of the Church, whereby he is re-instated, or ⟨p. 231⟩jointed again in the Body, in his own proper place. In all which the Elders, by their Authority, are to go before the Church.