The Holy Arbor, Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII. Of Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline.
ECcleſiaſtical Diſcipline is that other Key of the Kingdom of Heaven, which is joyned with that of the Preaching of the Goſpel; and doth open or ſhut, when according to the Commandment of Chriſt, they who in Name are Chriſtians, but in their Doctrine or Life, ſhew themſelves aliens from Chriſt, Rom. 12.7, &c. After they, having ſometime been admoniſhed, will not depart from their Errors and Wickedneſs, are made known unto the Church, or to them that are appointed for that matter, and purpoſe of the Church; and if neither then they obey the Admonition, are of the ſame men by interdiction from the Sacraments ſhut out from the Congregation of the Church, and by God himſelf out of the Kingdom of Heaven: And again, if they profeſs, and indeed declare amendment of life, are received as Members of Chriſt and his Church, Matth. 18.17, &c. 1 Cor. 5.2, &c. 2 Theſ. 3.14, 15.
This Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline is to be miniſtred by the Paſtors of the Church, whereunto are adjoyned certain Elders, for this end as Neceſſities ſhall require, choſen of the Church. For Excommunication is an Action of the Church, performed in the Name of Chriſt, whereby a grievous Tranſgreſſor, or an open, ungodly and obſtinate Sinner, is baniſhed from the Fellowſhip of the Faithful, by the judgement of the Elders, by the conſent of the Church, by the Authority of Chriſt, and by the Holy Scriptures.
They who are to be Excommunicated, are chiefly ſuch as deny ſome Article of the Faith, or ſhew that they will not repent, nor ſubmit themſelves to the Will of God, according to his Commandments, neither make any ſcruple of perſiſting ſtubbornly in manifeſt Wickedneſs. The chief and principal part in Excommunication, is Denunciation, whereby is denounced, That he that denyeth Faith and Repentance, is no Member of the Church, as long as he continueth ſuch. And this Denunciation whereby one is Excommunicated, is not in the Power of the Miniſter of the Church, but in the Power of the Church, and is done in the name of the Church, becauſe this Commandment was given by Chriſt unto the Church; and not for the deſtruction of the Sinner which is to be Excommunicated, but for his Edification or Salvation, 1 Cor. 5.5.
Some draw the Original of this Church Cenſure even from Adam, whom the Lord caſt out of Eden, and by an Angel kept him from re-entring, and ſuffered him not to touch or taſte of that Tree, which was a Sacrament of Life unto him. So ſome obſerve touching Cain, whom the Lord caſt out and baniſhed from his face; and indeed, the Face of God may be called The place of his ſolemn Worſhip, where he more ſpecially appears. In the time of the Law were many Ceremonies to this purpoſe; the unclean were kept from coming to the Tabernacle, from entring into the Temple, from the partaking of the Sacrifices, and from eating the Paſſover, Num. 19.13, 20. & 9.13. And Abraham is commanded to caſt out the Bond-woman and her ſon out of his Family, which was the Church, Gen. 21.10, 11. So in the New Teſtament, Matth. 16.19. & 18.18. The uſe of the Keys to open and ſhut, and the words of binding and looſing come directly to this purpoſe. This was executed on Hymeneus and Alexander, 1 Tim. 1.19, 20. From all which it is very clear, That Excommunication is a ſentence of the Church, whereby a Member thereof convicted of ſome grievous Crime, and by no means brought to Repentance, is driven out of the Church, and cut off from the Communion and Fellowſhip of the Faithful, that thereby he may be driven to Repentance.
The Church is the City of God, Excommunication is the Sword: That the School of Chriſt, this is the Rod: That the Temple of God, this is as it were the Whip to ſcourge out ſuch as abuſe it and themſelves: That the Body of Chriſt, this is as a Medicine to cure the ſick Members thereof: That the Vine and Sheepfold, this ſerveth to keep the Foxes and Wolves from it. The Mark whereat Excommunication aimeth, and the end whereto it tendeth, is, That the Sinners being aſhamed, may be brought to Repentance, and that ſuch as live in the Church might not be corrupted; for the cauſe of the Inſtitution of Excommunication, is not ſo much the puniſhment of Sin, as the Salvation of a Sinner, the edifying of the Church, and the glory of God: For the Church, according to the Doctrine of Chriſt, ſmiteth none with the Spiritual Sword, but ſuch as are impenitent; and doth not this unto death, but unto life; and therefore receiveth them that repent.
The Cenſure of Excommunication muſt be uſed as an Ordinance of God, not as an Invention of Man, not onelyonly knowing the nature and uſe of it, but practiſing it to the glory of God, and to the good of others: Not like the Church of Rome, that playes faſt and looſe with the ſouls of men for gain, nor like their Apes of Modern Times, little regarding whether the Excommunicate repented or not, but more adviſing them to pay their Fees and diſcharge the Court, then to repent of their Offences. The perſons that are liable to this Cenſure of the Church, are onelyonly ſuch as have confeſſed Chriſt, and called upon God the Father together with us, albeit they have denied him in their deeds; and being exhorted, will not hear; being admoniſhed, will not obey; being reproved, will not repent. As for them that are without, the Lord will judge them, the Church hath nothing to do with them, 1 Cor. 5.12, 13. For thoſe that were never of the Church, cannot be caſt out of it, being never of the number of the Faithful: And here alſo know, That one perſon may not be Excommunicated for another, but onelyonly the party offending.
Now if any man be truly ingrafted into Chriſt, indued with Faith in Chriſt and Repentance from dead works, being a Member of his Body, in Deed and in Truth, Excommunication ſhall hurt him nothing at all in regard of that Spiritual Union or Communion, foraſmuch as the Sentence ſo given is in that particular void and fruſtrate. And though a man juſtly deſerveth to be Excommunicated through his ſin, and to be ſeparated from the Communion of Saints, yet Excommunication is not the firſt and chief cauſe thereof, but his own ſin and the continuance in it; ſeeing it doth not ſever him from God, but declareth him to be ſevered through his impenitency; as the Prieſts under the Law, putting out the Leprous, did not defile them with the Leproſie, but pronounced them to be defiled; or like the ſentence of the Law, which is but declared onelyonly by the Judge upon the Malefactor: So it is impenitency, obſtinacy, and perſeverancy in ſin, that ſeparates a ſinner from the Church, Excommunication is onelyonly the Declarative ſentence thereof.
Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline is the Order in the Church inſtituted by God, eſpecially for theſe two ends; viz.
1. That the Miniſtery of God may be preſerved, and that all things may be done in the Church decently, and in order.
2. That the Converſation of every one may be looked into, that ſuch as have given offences may be amended, and according to the degrees preſcribed by Chriſt.
The order which the Church doth uſe in the exerciſe of her power, may be comprehended in theſe three Verſes of the eighteenth Chapter of Matthew; viz.
1. If thy Brother treſpaſs, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he hear thee, thou haſt won thy Brother, Matth. 18.15.
2. If he hearken not unto thee, let him be again privately admoniſhed by thee, taking one or two others with thee, Mat. 18.16.
3. If he will not vouchſafe to hear them, tell it unto the Church; if he refuſe to hear the Church alſo, let him be unto thee as a Heathen man and a Publican, Matth. 18.17.
In Excommunication there are three Judgements to be conſidered; viz.
1. Of God; when he doth hold any obſtinate Sinner guilty of his offence, and ſo guilty of condemnation.
2. Of the Church; after that God hath holden him guilty; for the Church is onelyonly to pronounce, and to declare him ſo to be; not abſolutely, but with condition of Repentance.
3. Of God again; whereby he ratifies that in Heaven which the Church hath done on earth.
The Power of Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline is very neceſſary in ſeveral reſpects; viz.
1. In reſpect of the Commandment of God, 1 Cor. 5.5.
2. In reſpect of Gods glory, which would be much impeached, if without difference the wicked and blaſphemers go in the number of Gods children.
3. Leſt the Sacrament of the Lords Supper be prophaned by the wicked, and that be given them in the Supper, which is denied them in the Word.
4. For the ſafety of the Church, which ſhall be puniſhed if ſhe permit willingly the prophanation of Chriſts Ordinance.
5. For avoiding offence in the Church that others be not corrupted, 1 Cor. 5.6.
6. For the ſafety of ſinners, that they being often admoniſhed may return to Repentance, and be received again into the Church.
7. For avoiding of offence among thoſe that are without; and that the Name of God may not be blaſphemed, nor evil ſpoken of; nor they who are not as yet Members of the Church, kept from coming into it; nor the Covenant of God deſpiſed nor reproached.
8. That from the ſinners themſelves puniſhments may be averted, becauſe the wicked approaching to the Lords Table, eat their own damnation.
The difference between ChurchDiſcipline and State-Government; viz.
1. The power committed unto the Church dependeth on Gods Word, the Civil power is armed with the Sword.
2. In the Church Judgement proceedeth according to Gods Laws, in the Civil State according to Civil Laws.
3. The Church puniſheth the obſtinate with the Word of God, yet ſo as it pierceth unto their Conſciences: The Civil State puniſheth the obſtinate onelyonly with corporal puniſhments.
4. Oftentimes the Diſcipline of the Church hath place where there is none for Civil Judgement; and the Civil Government oftentimes hath place where there is none for Church Diſcipline.
5. The Judgement of the Church hath degrees of Admonition before it comes to puniſh; but the Civil Judgement proceedeth to puniſhment without it.
6. The Church does often reverſe and retract her Judgement and Puniſhment, if there come Repentance; but it is otherwiſe with the Civil Magiſtrate.
Touching Excommunication, obſerve theſe four things from Matth. 7.6. viz.
1. The Foundation thereof; it is an Ordinance of God; for all obſtinate enemies of God by Chriſts Commandment, muſt be kept from holy things: A man living in the Church may be worſe in practice then an open enemy; and ſuch an one was Iſhmael, who for mocking Iſaac, the Son of the Promiſe, was caſt out of Abrahams Family; that is, out of the Church of God, Gen. 21.10, 11. For Abrahams Family at that time was Gods viſible Church.
2. The End thereof; which is, to preſerve the holy things of God from pollution, contempt, and prophanation; even the Word, Prayer, and Sacraments, which wilful Enemies would trample upon, as Swine upon Pearls: And herein we may ſee the abuſe of this Ordinance, when it is made for Politique and Civil Reſpects.
3. Who muſt execute this Cenſure of the Church; namely, they to whom the diſpoſing and keeping of the holy things of God is committed; that is, The lawful Miniſters of the Word and Sacraments, but without the Exerciſe of this Cenſure which God hath given unto the Church, they cannot keep thoſe holy things pure which God hath committed unto them.
4. How far this Cenſure of the Church reacheth and extendeth againſt obſtinate and wilful Enemies; namely, to the debarring of them from the uſe of the Saints Communion in Prayer and Sacraments. Indeed if the party be excommunicated for ſome particular Crime, and there be hope of his Repentance, becauſe he doth not maliciouſly perſiſt by wilful obſtinacy in his ſin and contempt of the Church, then although he be excluded from Communion with them in the Sacraments and Prayer, yet he may be admitted to the hearing of the Word, becauſe that is a means to humble him for his ſin, and to bring him to Repentance, which is the end of all Eccleſiaſtical Cenſures.
The Cenſures of the Church are of three ſorts, all of them having their proper time, and place, and uſe, and object, according to the nature of the offence, and party offending;
1. Admonition or Exhortation to amendment, which alſo is joyned with reprehenſion and denunciation of Gods judgements againſt the party not repenting, but perſiſting in his evil way, Gen. 3.11. & 4.6, 7.
2. Suſpenſion, whereby the offenders for a time are barred from the Lords Supper: This is not a Separation from all holy things but ſome onelyonly, till clearer evidence produce either farther puniſhment or abſolution, 2 Theſ. 3.14, 15.
3. Excommunication, which is a Separation from all holy things, and the Priviledges of the Church, and the Communion of Saints, becauſe to their ſin they adde this obſtinate contempt of the Admonitions given unto them, Gen. 17.14. Ezra 10.8. Matth. 18.17.
There is a twofold Communication or Communion from wch an excommunicate perſon may be ſaid to be excluded; viz.
1. Inward and Spiritual, which every Faithful one hath by Faith and Love; firſt with God, and then with the Saints of God, 1 Joh. 1.3, 7. From this Fellowſhip can none be excluded, but by ſin, which is it alone can ſeparate any man from the Grace of God, and from Communion with him. The Church Excommunication can bar and ſhut out no man from this Communion.
2. Outward and Corporal, which ſtandeth in a common partaking together in the Word, in Prayers, and in the receiving of the Sacraments, and in familiarity and friendſhip one with another; from all which Excommunication ſeparateth.
The Bands or Duties which no Excommunication doth diſpence withal; viz.
1. Natural; if any Excommunicate perſon be in want or any diſtreſs, we muſt miniſter unto him ſuch things as are neceſſary for his preſervation.
2. Domeſtical, as the duties of Wives, Children, and Servants, may not be ſhaken off under any colour or pretence of Excommunication. Provided, that they ceaſe not to pray for them, to admoniſh them, to hate their ſins, and ſee they defend them not in their wicked courſes, or joyn with them in opinion.
3. Civil or Politique; it is lawful to buy of him or to ſell unto him; yet we ought not to converſe and commerce with him as with a Friend.
The Duties which are to be performed to Excommunicate perſons; viz.
1. We muſt love the Perſons of the Excommunicate in the Lord, and thirſt after their ſouls health, and for their converſion.
2. We muſt exhort and rebuke them; ſo that albeit we love them, we muſt take heed that we do not flatter them, and ſo harden them in their ſins.
3. We are bound to pray for thoſe that are bound by the Church Cenſures; we are not to pray with them, but it is required of us to pray for them.
4. We are to aſſure them that upon their Repentance we are ready to embrace them, and to receive them as Brethren; foraſmuch as there is joy in Heaven for one ſinner that is converted from the error of his ways.
The fearful eſtate and condition of Excommunicated perſons; viz.
1. Their Names, whileſt they perſiſt in their obſtinate Impenitency, are cancelled out of the number of the people of God, Gen. 1.7.
2. The Sentence that is pronounced on Earth, is ratified in Heaven, Matth. 18.18, &c. for Chriſt is the Author of it, 1 Cor. 5.4.
3. They are barred from the Word and Sacraments, and from Prayers with the Congregation; the Word prevailed not to do them good, the Sacraments would do them hurt.
4. They are infamous, for they are to be called and accounted as the Heathens and Publicans, Matth. 18.17.
5. Such as thus contemn the Admonition and Reprehenſion of the Church, loſe the Communion of Saints, and become the bondſlaves of Satan, 1 Cor. 5.3, 4, 5.
6. Being caſt out of the Church they are baniſhed out of all Churches; the Churches of God have all caſt them out whom one hath caſt out; And if we be not of the Church of God, we are of the Synagogue of Satan.
7. The ſundry Decrees and Conſtitutions eſtabliſhed by Humane Laws, do much aggravate and ſet forth the hideous condition of ſuch as are worthily caſt out of the Church.
The ends of Excommunication are theſe, viz.
1. The good of the perſon Excommunicated, that if it be poſſible he may be won.
2. The Salvation or preſervation of the whole Church, 1 Cor. 5.13. leſt others be infected.
3. That the reſt may fear, and be kept within the bounds of their duty, 1 Tim. 5.20.
4. That thoſe Puniſhments which hang over the Church for ſin, may be kept off and avoided, Joſh. 7.11. Numb. 25.7.
5. The Glory of God; and if this be before their eyes that are Governors of the Church, it will keep them from declining either to the right hand or the left, from winking at the ſins of great ones, and cenſuring the faults and infirmities of thoſe of low degree too ſharply; from winking at great beams in ſome, and from having Eagles eyes to pry into the motes of others.
The uſe of Excommunication ought to be perpetual and univerſal in the Church, becauſe the cauſes of this power of the Church are perpetual and univerſal: As
1. The Commandment of Chriſt, Matth. 18.18. 1 Cor. 5.5.
2. That obſtinate Sinners being made aſhamed, may be brought to Repentance.
3. That no others ſhould be infected by their evil life and corrupt example.
4. Becauſe it is the ordinary Office of the Church to judge them that are within, 1 Cor. 5.12.
Obſtinate Sinners are to be caſt out of the Church, wch ought not to Tolerate open Offenders, for theſe Reaſons; viz.
1. Becauſe it is a comely thing for the Saints of God to purge themſelves of them; that as they differ from Heathen men, ſo they may differ from Heathen Meetings: for, They are a holy people, Deut. 2.14.
2. Becauſe for the neglect of this Duty the Wrath of God falleth upon the Sons of men, Col. 3.6.
3. Becauſe it is a cauſe of great Mercy, and wonderful Bleſſing from God, when ſuch as tranſgreſs are reſiſted and puniſhed, Joh. 7.13. & 8.1, 2.
4. Becauſe it would be reproachful to God and his Son Jeſus Chriſt, if they who lead wicked and wretched lives, ſhould be admitted freely to his Table, as if his people were a company or conſpiracy of prophane perſons: whereas the Church is the Body of Chriſt, Col. 1.24.
5. By continual company of the wicked, the godly are corrupted, 1 Cor. 5.6, 7. it is better that one Member be cut off, then that the whole Body of the Church ſhould periſh.
6. They are to be cut off, to the end that ſuch as are wicked livers may begin to be aſhamed of themſelves and their wickedneſs, who by winking at their ſin, would grow the more obſtinate, but by this chaſtiſement may be reclaimed and preſerved, 1 Cor. 5.5. We muſt have no company with ſcandalons livers, that they may be aſhamed, 2 Theſſ. 3.14.
Excommunication deſcribed by its ſeveral parts; viz.
1. It is a Sentence of the Church. Mat. 18.17.
2. It muſt be executed upon him that is a Member of the Church, 1 Cor. 5.11, 12.
3. The party Delinquent muſt be convicted of ſome grievous crime, Tit. 3.10.
4. It ſtretcheth to him that cannot be otherwiſe brought to Repentance.
5. He is driven from the viſible and outward Communion of the Saints.
6. The end or uſe of it is to make him aſhamed that hath offended.
From the firſt part of the deſcription of Excommunication, we learn,
1. That ſuch as are themſelves out of the Church, and no true parts thereof, have nothing to do herewith.
2. How great the honor and dignity of the Miniſtery is, to binde and looſe offenders, to open and ſhut Heaven, to remit and retain Sins, ſo that it belongeth not to private perſons.
3. That thoſe Churches are deceived that caſt from them this Ordinance of Chriſt.
From the ſecond part of the deſcription of Excommunication, we learn,
1. What perſon is to be Excommunicated; even ſuch an one as was called our Brother, and regiſtred in the number of the children of the Church, and not ſuch as are without.
2. To Diſcern the groſs folly and corrupt dealing of the Church of Rome, which hath nothing to do herewith, being not the true, but a falſe Church.
3. Such as are without the Church, may not hence be encouraged to continue in Sin, becauſe they are without Church-Cenſures, but let them haſten to come within the Church, leſt their condemnation be to come.
From the third part of the deſcription of Excommunication, we learn,
1. That a man is not to be Excommunicated and put out of the Church for every trifle, or for every Sin, but for Scandals and Offences againſt the Firſt or Second Table, and ſuch as are moſt notorious.
2. That it is not to be uſed as the firſt, but as the laſt Remedy; ſo that there is required Patience and much Lenity, waiting whether he will by private Admonitions and Exhortations, private Reproofs and Rebukes, be amended or not.
3. That whileſt Sin is ſecret and unknown, no man can be Excommunicated, but then onelyonly when it is made publike and manifeſt unto all; and it is then made publike, when the Church is acquainted with it.
From the fourth part of the deſcription of Excommunication, we learn,
1. That ſuch as have offended, and truly repent of their ſins, giving evident Teſtimony of their unfained Converſion, ought to be ſpared, and not cenſured; to be comforted, not terrified; to be retained in the Church, not rejected and caſt out of the Church.
2. That Impenitency is a moſt grievous Sin, and next to Infidelity the greateſt: for as Faith is the Mother of Repentance, ſo the unbelieving heart the cauſe of Impenitency.
3. To make a difference between Sin and Sin, between Sinner and Sinner, ſome fight againſt their Sins as againſt their Enemies, others cheriſh Sins in themſelves, and are reſolved to continue in them.
From the fifth part of the deſcription of Excommunication, we learn,
1. To avoid the converſation of ſuch as are caſt out of the Church, ſo far as poſſibly we can.
2. That to be familiar with ſuch, encourageth them to continue in their dangerous eſtate.
3. That it is the duty of the Church, to purge it ſelf of ſuch Offenders, as a Body of corrupt, groſs and ſuperfluous Humors.
From the ſixth and laſt part of the deſcription of Excommunication, we learn,
1. Not to condemn the Cenſure, or open our mouthes againſt this Ordinance of God, ſo ſoveraign, ſo profitable, ſo neceſſary; foraſmuch as the Church caſteth them out for a ſeaſon, that it may receive them again for ever.
2. Not to condemn ſuch perſons as are Excommunicated; though we cannot admit of them as Chriſtian Brethren, yet they are natural Brethren, and may belong to Gods Eternal Election: The inceſtuous Corinthian was Excommunicated, yet repented, and laid hold of the Promiſes.
3. That whatſoever power is given to the Paſtors of the Church, is given to Edification, and not to Deſtruction, 2 Cor. 10.8. This Ordinance is good for all that abuſe it not.
The Uſe we are to make of this Sentence of Excommunication, when it is denounced againſt others; viz.
1. We muſt mourn for them as for the loſs of a Member, though themſelves do not; yea, and pray for them moſt earneſtly.
2. We muſt beware and look to our ſelves that we come not into that eſtate, leſt their condition be ours.
3. We muſt take heed that we do not harden them in their ſins, but ſeek by all lawful means to reclaim and recover them, that they with us may joyn in lauding and magnifying the Name of the Lord. To whom be Glory for ever.
This Sentence flows but from the Church alone,
Deriv'd from Chriſt, Denounced againſt none
But Members of the Church, when as they be
Duly Convicted of Delinquency.
It's Power extends not unto ſuch, who may
Be Conquer'd to Repent ſome other way:
If not, it may pronounce Excluſion
From the Saints viſible Communion,
Ʋntil the Church receive clear Evidence
Of godly Sorrow and true Penitence.
FINIS.