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2. On the part of other churches. A church may, either cause- lessly or with just cause, cast out or withdraw communion from such a number of their members as, bearing themselves on their own in- nocency and right, may continue in a society, and plead that the power, authority, and privilege of the church do abide with them. How, in this case, shall other churches know with which of these societies they may Jlnd ought to hold communion, unless they may and ought to examine and consider the causes of the dissension be- tween them? And they may justly, and ought to withhold com- munion from that party of them, which shall refuse to tender their case unto such consideration,
3. On the part of the persons supposed to be injured, and that either for their restoration or their conviction and humiliation; for, —
(1.) If they are innocent, it is meet that they should be heard (as the Israelites heard the Reubenites), and necessary that they should be restored. Now, it being supposed that the church which hath re- jected them will not rescind their own act without new light and evi- dence,— which, for many reasons, is not likely to spring from among themselves, — this is the only way left for that necessary relief which the Lord Christ requires to be given; for what is our duty towards a person repenting, in reference to his restoration, is certainly our duty towards a person who hath not sinned, when his innocency shall be discovered.
(2.) For their conviction and humiliation, if they be found of- fenders. Whilst they see not right the regularity of the church's proceedings with them, whilst they are able to justify themselves in their own consciences, and their hearts condemn them not, it is not to be expected that the sentence of excommunication, which works only by the means of men's light and conviction, will have its effect upon them. But when there shall be the concuri'ence of many churches in the apj)robation of the censure inflicted on them, which probably will be accompanied with a contribution of new light and conviction, it is a most useful means to bring them to humiliation and repentance. It was an aggravation of the censure inflicted on the incestuous Corinthian that it was given out against him by " many," 2 Cor. ii. 6, — that is, by the common consent of the church; and it will add thereunto when the censure shall be confirmed and approved by the concurrent advice of many churches.
Gorol. The Lord Christ having provided all things necessary for the peace and edification of his church in all things that are evidently of that importance, his mind and will is diligently to be inquired after.
IV. This whole order and practice are grounded on especial war- rant and approbation, recorded Acts xv.; concerning which we may observe, —
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1. That the occasion there mentioned fell out in the providence of God, and the practice upon it was guided by the Holy Ghost, that it might be an example and rule for the churches of Christ in cases of a like concernment unto them in all ages, and so have the force and warranty of an institution : as it was in the case that gave occasion unto deacons, Acts vi., — a matter of fact, wherein was some disorder, rectified by a practice answering the necessity of the church, became an institution for order in all future ages.
2. That in that synod things were not determined by immediate inspiration, but the truth was searched out, and the mind of the Holy Ghost searched into by reasonings, arguings, and the consi- deration of Scripture testimonies ; whereby they were guided in their conclusion and determination.
S. That the institution and rule given is not in its exercise to be confined to that particular case and instance there mentioned (which to do would overthrow many other rules and observations which we admit), but it is to be extended, in proportion and parity of reason, unto all cases of a like nature: for the reason of any law is the rule of its interpretation ; and so it is of any institution. That that which gives offence and trouble unto any church, — that wherein many churches are concerned, that which in any chiu'ch hinders edifica- tion and disturbs the faith or peace of any of its members, whether it be in doctrine or practice, that which is not or cannot be composed in any one church, — should be considered, advised upon, and deter- mined, by more churches holding communion together, and meeting for that purpose by their messengers, is the sense, meaning, design, and importance of this institution.
Corol. To deny an institution of so great necessity to the peace and edification of the churches, will give great countenance unto men who, supposing such defects, are ready to supply them with their own inventions.
V. The order asserted is confirmed by the practice of the first churches, after the decease of the apostles; for when the church of Corinth had, by an undue exercise of discipline, deposed some of their elders, the church of Rome, taking cognizance of it, wrote unto them reproving their rashness, and advised their restoration. And when the church of Antioch was afterward troubled with the pride and false opinions of Paulus Samosatenus, the neighbouring bishops or elders came unto the church, and joined their consent in his depo- sition.