3. False opinions in lesser things, when the foundation of faith and Christian practice is not immediately concerned, may be tole- rated in a church ; and sundry rules are given unto this end in the Scripture, as Rom. xiv. 1-3, etc., Phil. iii. 15, 16. Howbeit, in that low ebb of grace, love, and prudence, which we are come unto, it is best for edification that all persons peaceably dispose themselves
180 TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.
into those societies with which they most agree in principles and opinions, especially such as relate or lead unto practice in any duties of worship. But, —
4. With respect unto such opinions, if men will, as is usual, ivrangle and contend, to the disturbance of the peace of the church, or hinder it in any duty, with respect unto its own edification, and will neither peaceably abide in the church nor peaceably depart from it, tliey may and ought to be proceeded against with the censures of the church.
Eighthly. Whether persons excommunicated out of any church miay he admitted unto the hearing of the luord in the assemblies of that church?
Ans. 1. They may he so, as also to be present at all duties of moral worship ; for so may heathens and unbelievers, 1 Cor. xiv. 23, 24.
2. When persons are under this sentence, the church is in a state of expecting of their recovery and return, and therefore are not to prohibit them any means thereof, such as is preaching of the word.
Ninthly. How far extends the ride of the apostle towards per- sons rejected of the chiLrch, 1 Cor. v. 1 1, " With such an one no not to eat;" as that also, "Note that man, and have no company with him, that he may he ashamed," 2 Thess. in. 14?
1. To "eat" compriseth all ordinary converse in things of this life: " Give us our daily bread." To '' note " is either the act of the church setting the mark of its censure and disapprobation on him, or the duty of the members of the church to take notice of him as unto the end of not keeping company with him. Wherefore, —
2. Herein all ordinary converse of choice, not made necessary by l^revious occasions, is forbidden. The rule, I say, forbids, — (1.) All ordinary converse of choice, not that which is occasional ; (2.) Con- verse about earthly, secular things, not that which is spiritual, for such an one may and ought still to be admonished whilst he will hear the word of admonition ; (3.) It is such converse as is not made previously necessary by men's mutual engagements in trade and the like, for that is founded on such rules of right and equity, with such obligations in point of truth, as excommunication cannot dissolve.
3. No suspension of duties antecedently necessary by virtue of natural or moral relation is allowed or countenanced by this rule ; such are those of husband and wife, parents and children, magis- trates and subjects, masters and servants, neighbours, relations in propinquity or blood. No duties arising from or belonging unto any of these relations are released, or the ol)ligation unto them weakened, by excommunication. Husbands may not hereon forsake their wives if they are excommunicated, nor wives their husbands; magistrates may not withdraw their protection from any of their subjects because they are excommunicated, much less may subjects withhold their obe-
OF EXCOMMUNICATION. 181
dience on any pretence of the excommunication of their magistrates as such. And the same is true as unto all other natural or moral relations.
4. The ends of this prohibition are, — (1.) To testify our condemna- tion of the sin and disapprobation of the person guilty of it, who is excommunicated ; (2.) The preservation of ourselves from all kinds of participation in his sin ; (3.) To make him ashamed of himself, that if he be not utterly profligate and given up unto total apostasy, it may occasion in him thoughts of returning.
Tenthly. Ho.w ought persons excommunicated to he received into the church upon their repentance?
Ans. 1. As unto the internal manner, with all readiness and cheerfulness, with,— (1.) Meekness, to take from them all discourage- ment and disconsolation, Gal. vi. 1 ; (2.) "With compassion and all means of relief and consolation, 2 Cor. ii. 7; (3.) With love in all the demonstrations of it, verse 8; (4.) With joy, to represent the heart of Christ towards repenting sinners.
2. The outivard manner of the restoration of such a person con- sists in, — (1.) His testification of his repentance unto the satisfaction of the church ; (2.) The express consent of the church unto his re- ception ; (3.) His renewed engagement in the covenant of the church, whereby he is re-instated or jointed again in the body in his own proper place ; — in all which the elders, by their authority, are to go before the church.
All sorts of persons do now condemn the opinions of the Novatians in refusing the re-admission of lapsed sinners into the church, upon repentance. But there may be an evil observed amongst some leading that way, or unto what is worse; and this is, that they seek not after the recovery of those that are excommunicated, by prayer, admonition, exhortation, in a spirit of meekness and tenderness, but are well satisfied that they have quitted themselves of their society. It is better never to excommunicate any, than so to carry it towards them when they are excommunicated. But there is a sort of men unto whom if a man be once an offender, he shall be so for ever.