A77988:513
Gospel-Worship
Gospel-worship: or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general. And particularly in these 3. great ordinances, [brace] viz. [brace] 1. Hearing the Word. 2. Receiving the Lords Supper 3. Prayer. By Jeremiah Burroughs, the Gospel-preacher to two of the greatest congregations in England, viz. Stepney and Cripple-gate, London.Gospel-worship: or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in generall. And particularly in these 3. great ordinances, [brace] viz. [brace] 1. Hearing the Word. 2. Receiving the Lords Supper 3. Prayer. By Jeremiah Burroughes, the Gospel-preacher to two of the greatest congregations in England, viz. Stepney and Criple-gate, London.
London: printed for Peter Cole and R.W., 1647
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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. I answer, first it is true, that in the Church of God there have been wicked men, and is like there will be wicked men to the end of the World; but yet wheresoever there is a right communion of Saints, there ought to be the power of Christ exercised to cast out those wicked men, or at least to withdraw from them. This is the Law of Christ, that if there be any that have communion with you, if any of them do appear to be wicked, you are bound in conscience to go and tell them; if they do not reform, you are bound to take two or three, and if they do not yet reform, then you are bound to tell the Church, to tell the Assembly of the Saints when they meet together; for so the word Church doth signify, and we find in the 1 Cor. 5. chap. that when there was an incestuous person to be cast out, it was done in the presence of the congregation: Thus far you are bound to do, otherwise you cannot say that it is nothing to you if wicked men be there, for you have not discharged your conscience, and so you come to be defiled, and you do not sanctify Gods Name in this Ordinance, because you have not done to the uttermost of your duty for the casting out of those wicked men.
Answ. I answer, first it is true, that in the Church of God there have been wicked men, and is like there will be wicked men to the end of the World; but yet wheresoever there is a right communion of Saints, there ought to be the power of Christ exercised to cast out those wicked men, or at least to withdraw from them. This is the Law of Christ, that if there be any that have communion with you, if any of them doe appear to be wicked, you are bound in conscience to goe and tell them; if they do not reforme, you are bound to take two or three, and if they doe not yet reforme, then you are bound to tell the Church, to tell the Assembly of the Saints when they meet together; for so the word Church doth signifie, and wee find in the 1 Cor. 5. chap. that when there was an incestuous person to bee cast out, it was done in the presence of the congregation: Thus farre you are bound to doe, otherwise you cannot say that it is nothing to you if wicked men bee there, for you have not discharged your conscience, and so you come to be defiled, and you doe not sanctifie Gods Name in this Ordinance, because you have not done to the uttermost of your duty for the casting out of those wicked men.