3. It is to be accompanied with a due sense of the future judg- nnent of Christ ; for we herein judge for Christ in the matters of his house and kingdom. And woe to them who dare pronounce this sen- tence without a persuasion, on good grounds, that it is the sentence of Christ himself! And there is a representation also in it of the future judgment, when Christ will eternally cut oft" and separate from himself all hypocrites and impenitent sinners. This is well expressed by Tertullian : " Ibidem etiam exhortationes, castigationes et censura divina" (speaking of the assemblies of the church), " nam et judicatur raagno cum pondere, ut apud certos de Dei conspectu ; summumque futuri judicii pra3Judicium est, si quis ita deliquerit ut a communica- tione orationis et conventus, et omnis sancti commercii relegetur," Apol. cap. xxxix. "Were tliis duty observed, it would be a preserva- tive against that intermixture of corrupt affections and corrupt ends
OF EXCOMMUNICATION. 1 71
wliicli often impose themselves on the minds of men in the exercise of this power.
Lastly, The nature and end of this judgment or sentence being C07'rective, not vindictive, — for heaUng, not destruction, — what is the duty of the church and those principally concerned in the pursuit of it, to reader it effectual, is plainly evident. Of what use a "signifi- cabit" and " capias"^ may be in this case I know not; they belong not unto Christian religion, — much less do fire and fagot do so. Prayer for the person cut off, admonition as occasion is offered, com- passion in his distressed estate (which is so much the more deplorable if he know it not), forbearance from common converse, with readiness for the restoration of love in all the fruits of it, contain the principal duties of the church and all the members of it towards them that are justly excommunicated.
What further belongeth unto this head of church rule or order shall be spoken unto in the resolution of some cases or inquiries, wherein some things only mentioned already shall be more fully explained.
I have made some inquiry before whether excommunication be an act of authority and jurisdiction in the officers of the church, or an act of power in the fraternity of the church ; but, for the sake of some by whom it is desired, I shall a little more distinctly inquire after the truth herein, though I shall alter nothing of what was before laid down. And, —
1. It is certain, it hath been proved, and I now take it for granted, that the Lord Christ hath given this poiuer unto the church. Where- fore, in the exercise of this power, both the officers and members of the church are to act according unto their respective interests; for that exercise of power in the church towards any which is not an act of obedience unto Christ in them that exercise it, is in itself null. There is, therefore, no distinction or distribution of power in the church, but by the interposition of especial duty.
2. The institution of Christ with respect unto a church as it is a jjeculiar society, for its especial ends, doth not deprive it of its natu- ral right as it is a society. There is in every community, by volun- tary confederation, a natural right and j)ower to expel those from its society who will not be ruled by the laws of its constitution. And if the church should, by the institution of a power new as unto the way, manner, and ends of its exercise, be deprived of its original, radical power, with respect unto the general end of its own preserva- tion, it would not be a gainer by that institution. It may be easily understood that the Lord Christ should, in particular, appoint the way and manner of the exercise of this power, or administration of this sentence, committing the care thereof unto the officers of the
' Siijnificahit, Capias. The first words of certain legal Avrits issued to prosecute the Ecntciices of the church, and mniutuiu its authority. — Ed.
1 72 TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH,
church; but it cannot be well understood that thereby he should deprive the church of its right, and forbid them their duty in pre- serving their society entire and pure. Neither can it be in so an especial manner committed unto any, as that upon their neglect, whereby those who by the law and rule of Christ ought to be cast out of the church's communion are continued in it, unto its sin and defilement, the church itself should be free from guilt. Wherefore the apostle expressly chargeth the whole church of Corinth with sin and neglect of duty, in that the incestuous person was not put away from among them. This could not be, if so be the power of it were so in the hands of a few of the officers that the church had no right to act in it ; for none can incur guilt merely by the defect of others in discharge of their duty.
3. The church, essentially considered, is before its ordinary officers; for the apostles ordained officers in every church. But the church in that state hath power to put away from among them and their communion an obstinate offender: they have it as they are a so- ciety by voluntary confederation. Wherein this comes short of au- thoritative excommunication will immediately appear.