2. There is no individual actual sin but is capable of great ag- gravation or alleviation from its circumstances. These the church is to inquire into, and to obtain a full knowledge of them, that all things being duly weighed, they may be affected with the sin in a due manner, or after a godly sort; which is essential unto the right administration of this ordinance.
3. This cannot be done without personal conference with the offender, who is to be allowed to speak for himself This confer- ence, in case guilt be discovered, cannot but have in it the nature of an admonition, whereon the church is to proceed, as in the case of previous solemn admonition, in the order and according to the rule which shall be immediately declared.
Fourthly. Whether, on the first Jcnoivledge of an offence or scandalous sin, if it he knoiun unto the church that the offending 'party is penitent, and luilling to declare his humiliation and re- pentance for the satisfaction of the church, the church may proceed unto his excommunication, in case the sin he great and notorious?
Ans. 1. It is certain that, in an orderly progress, as unto more pri- vate sins, a compliance by repentance with the first or second admo- nition doth put a stop unto all further ecclesiastical procedure.
2. But whereas the inquiry is made concerning sins either in their own nature or in their circumstances great and of disreputa- tion unto the church, I answer,^ — ■
If repentance be evidenced unto the consciences of the rulers of the church to be sincere, and projDortionable unto the offence in its outward demonstration, according unto the rule of the gospel, so as that they are obliged to judge in charity that the person sinning is pardoned and accepted with Christ, as all sincerely penitent sinners undoubtedly are, the church cannot proceed unto the excommuni- cation of such an offender ; for, —
(1.) It would be publicly to reject them whom they acknowledge that Christ doth receive. This nothing can warrant them to do ; yea, so to do is to set up themselves against Christ, or at least to make use of his authority against his mind and will. Yea, such a sentence Avould destroy itself; for it is a declaration that Christ doth disap- prove them whom he doth approve.
(2.) Their so doing would make a misrepresentation of the gospel, and of the Lord Christ therein ; for whereas the piincipal design of the gospel, and of the representation that is made therein of Clirist Jesur^, is to evidence that all sincerely penitent sinners, that repent according unto the rule of it, are and shall be pai'doned and accej)ted, by the rejection of such a person in the face of his sincere repentance, there is an open contradiction thereunto. Especially it would give an undue sense of the heart, mind, and will of Christ to- wards repenting sinners, such as may be dangerous unto the faith of
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believers, so far as the execution of this sentence is doctrinal ; for such it is, and declarative of the mind of Christ according unto the judgment of the church. The image, therefore, of this excommuni- cation which is set up in same churches, wherein the sentence of it is denounced without an}'^ regard unto the mind of Christ, as unto his acceptance or disapprobation of those whom they excommuni- cate, is a teacher of lies.
(3.) Such a procedure is contrary unto the nature and end of this sentence ; for it is corrective and instructive, not properly punishing and vindictive. The sole end of it, with respect whereunto it hath its efficacy from divine institution, is the humiliation, repentance, and recovery, of the sinner; and if this be attained before, the inflic- tion of this sentence is contrary to the nature and end of it.
It will be said "That it hath another end also, — namely, the preser- vation of the purity of the church, and the vindication of its honour and reputation, wherein it suffers by the scandalous offences of any of its members." Whereunto I say, — (1.) No church is or can be made impure by them whom Christ hath purged, as he doth all those who are truly penitent; (2.) It is no dishonour unto any church to have sinners in it who have evidenced sincere repentance; (3.) The present offence and scandal may be provided against by an act of rectorial prudence, in causing the offending person to abstain from the*Lord's table for a season.
Fifthly, It is inquired, Whether such as voluntarily, cause- lessly, and disorderly, do leave the communio7i of any church whereof they are members, though not g^iilty of any scandalous im- moralities, may and ought to be excommunicated f
Ans. 1. Where persons are esteemed members of churches by ex- ternal causes, without their oivn consent, or by parochial cohabita- tion, they may remove from one church unto another by the removal of their habitation, according unto their own discretion; for such cohabitation being the only formal cause of any relation to such a church in particular, upon the ceasing of that cause, the relation ceaseth of its own accord.
2. Where persons are members of churches by mutual confedera- tion or express personal consent, causeless departure from them is an evil liable unto many aggravations.