Five disputations of church-government and worship

§. 23. 7. And upon the same grounds it will follow that one Church or Pastor on just occasion may avoid Communion with another, and declare that they so resolve to do; and this without usurping any Jurisdiction over them, it being not the casting out or Excommunicating of a member of our charge, as the Rulers of that Church, but the obeying of a plain command of the Holy Ghost, which requireth us to Avoid such, and have no company or Communion with them, and with such no not to eat: And therefore it is a fond Argumentation of the Papists, that would conclude their Pope to be Head and Governor, as far as they find he ever did excommunicate.

§. 23. 7. And upon the same grounds it will follow that one Church or Pastor on just occasion may avoid Communion with another, and declare that they so resolve to do; and this without usurping any Jurisdiction over them, it being not the casting out or Excommunicating of a member of our charge, as the Rulers of that Church, but the obeying of a plain command of the Holy Ghost, which requireth us to Avoid such, and have no company or Communion with them, and with such no not to eat: And therefore it is a fond Argumentation of the Papists, that would conclude their Pope to be Head and Governour, as far as they find he ever did excommunicate.

§. 24. He that doubteth of any of this, must not first enquire, Whether a Minister have so much Power, but first Whether he may be obliged to so much work and suffering as his duty. And then he shall find that if there were no special examples or commands, yet the general commands, which require us to do good ⟨p. 292⟩while we have time to all, to be the servants of all, and seek their salvation, &c. do as certainly oblige us to particular duties, as if they were named.