B20736:321
The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches…The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches…
The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches walking in brotherly equality, or co-ordination, without subjection of one church to another measured and examined bight golden reed of the sanctuary, containing a full declaration of the church-way in all particulars / by Mr. J. Cotton ...The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches walking in brotherly equalitie, or co-ordination, without subjection of one church to another measured and examined bythe golden reed of the sanctuary, containing a full declaration of the church-way in all particulars / by Mr. J. Cotton ...
London: printed by Matthew Simmons, 1645
THE Way of the Churches of Christ in NEW-ENGLAND, Measured by the G… › Chapter 5 › Section 2
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.
SECT. II.
And thus the Church proceedeth, in case the offence be private at first, and and less scandalous; but if the offence be be public, and heinous and grossly scandalous, such as is condemned even amongst the Heathens, by the light of nature; as those mentioned by the Apostle, 1 Cor. 5.11. Fornication, Adultery, Incest, ⟨p. 93⟩Murder, Railing, Extortion, and the like; or such as are generally accounted damnable and detestable amongst Christians, as Idolatry, Blasphemy, Profaneness, &c. We take our selves bound to proceed more roundly against such; for in such cases the Apostle doth not direct us to such gradual proceedings by private admonitions, but if any Brother (saith he) be a fornicator, or covetous, or an Idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such a one no not to eat: For it doth not stand with the glory of God, or honour of his Church to accept an acknowledgement of such gross and scandalous crimes without further censure; but it becometh the Church, (being a communion of Saints) rather to free themselves from the guilt and fellowship of such notorious wickedness, by expression of their zeal and just indignation against such sins by casting out the committers thereof from fellowship amongst them; for though the blood of Christ, and the repentance of an offender do remove any offence, though never so heinous in the sight of God and man, yet God being jealous of his own glory, and of the honour of his Church, is not wont ordinarily to grant repentance unto such notorious sinners, until the censure of the Church have passed upon them.
ANd thus the Church proceedeth, in case the offence be private at first, and and lesse scandalous; but if the offence be be publike, and hainous and grosly scandalous, such as is condemned even amongst the Heathens, by the light of nature; as those mentioned by the Apostle, 1 Cor. 5.11. Fornication, Adultery, Incest,