1. The first pretence of danger is vain. There is not the least shadow of jurisdiction in this act of the church. There is nothing in it that toucheth any thing which is under the protection and con- servation of human laws. It reacheth not the persons of men in their lives, or liberties, or estates, or the least secular privileges that they do enjoy; it doth not expose them to the power or cen- sures of others, nor prejudge them as unto office or advantage of life. There is, therefore, no concernment of the law of the land herein, — no more than in a parent's disinheriting a rebellious child.
2. As unto danger of 'persecution by the means of the person pro- voked, I say, — (1.) The same maybe pleaded as unto all other duties of obedience unto Jesus Christ wherewith the world is provoked, and so the whole profession of the church should give place to the fear of persecution. To testify against sin in the way of Christ's appoint- ment is a case of confession. (2.) The apostles were not deterred by this consideration from the excommunication of Simon Magus, the seducing Jews, Hymeneus and Alexander, with others. (3.) The Lord Christ commendeth or reproveth his churches, according as they were strict in the observation of this duty or neglective of it, notwithstanding the fear of persecution thereon, E.ev. ii., iii. And, — (4.) He will take that care of his church, in all their obedience unto him, as shall turn all the consequences thereof unto their advantage.
3. As unto danger of differences in the church there is nothing to be said, l)ut that if rule, order, love, and duty, will not prevent such differences, there is no way appointed of Christ for that end ; and if they are sufficient for it (as they are abundantly), they must bear their own blame who occasion such diffi3rences.
Secondly. But it may be said, WJiat if such an offender as justly deserves to he excommunicated, and is under admonition in order thereunto in case of impenitency, shotdd voluntarily witJidraw him- self from and leave the communion of the church, is there any neces- sity to proceed against him hy excommunication?
Ans. ]. Some say it is enough if it be declared in the church that such a one hath cut off himself from the church, and is there-
OF EXCOMMUNICATION. 1 75
fore no longer under their watch or care, but is left unto himself and the world. And this is sufficient with them who own no act of office- power or authority in excommunication, but esteem it only a noted cessation of communion; which destroys a principal branch of the power of the keys. Wherefore, —
2. Where the offisnce is plain, open, scandalous, persisted in, — where admonition is despised or not complied with, — it is the duty of the church to denounce the sentence of excommunication against such a person notwithstanding his voluntary departure; for, —
(1.) No man is to make an advantage unto himself, or to be freed from any disadvantage, censure, or spiritual penalty, by his own sin, such as is the voluntary relinquishment of the church by a person under admonition for scandalous offences.
(2.) It is necessary unto the church, both as unto the discharge of its duty and the vindication of its honour, as also from the benefit and edification it will receive by those duties of humiliation, mourning, and prayer, which are necessary unto the execution of this sentence.
(3.) It is necessary for the good and benefit of hitn who so deserves to be excommunicated; for, — [1.] The end of the institution of the ordinance is his correction, not his destruction; and may be effectual unto his repentance and recover3^ [2.] It is to be followed with sharp admonition and prayer; wliich in due time may reach the most profligate sinner.
(4.) It becomes not the wisdom and order of any society intrusted with authority for its own preservation, as the church is by Christ himself, to suffer persons obnoxious unto censure by the fundamental rules of that society to cast off all respect unto it, to break their order and relation, without animadverting thereon, according to the autho- rity wherewith they are intrusted. To do otherwise is to expose their order unto contempt, and proclaim a diffidence in their own autho- rity for the spiritual punishment of offenders.
(5.) One end of the appointment of the power and sentence of ex- communication in the church, is to give testimony unto the future final judgment of Christ against impenitent sinners, which none of them can run away from nor escape.
A THIRD inquiry may be, WhetJter, in case of any great and scan- dalous sin, the church may proceed unto excommunication without any previous admonition?
Ans. 1. Persons may be falsely accused o/ and charged with great sins, the greatest of sins, as well as those of a lesser degree, and that both by particular testimonies and public reports, as it was with the Lord Christ liiraself ; which daily experience confirms. Where- fore all haste and precipitation, like that of David in judging the case of Mephibosheth, is carefully to be avoided, though they are pressed under the pretences of the greatness and notoriety of the sin.
176 TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CIlURCn.