A Scripture Catechism, Chapter 25
CHAP. 25. Of Church Diſcipline.
Q. OUght men firſt to be admoniſhed once, twice, or thrice, before they be caſt out of the Church, or that men are bound to ſeparate from their ſociety?
A. Math. 18.15, 16, 17. Moreover, if thy brother ſhall treſpaſſe againſt thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: —but if he will not heare thee, then take with thee one or two more: —and if he ſhall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Church: but if he neglect to heare the Church, let him be unto thee as an Heathē man, & a Publican. Tit. 3.10. A man that is an Heretick, after the firſt & ſecond admonition, reject.
Q. If a man, that hath given offence, profeſſe true repentance, may not he be readmitted to fellowſhip both in civil and ſacred things, at our own tables, and at the Lords table?
A. 2 Corinth. 2.6, 7, 8. Sufficient to ſuch a man is this puniſhment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwiſe, ye ought rather to forgive him, and conſider him, leſt perhaps ſuch a one ſhould be ſwallowed up with over much ſorrow: wherefore I beſeech you, that you would confirme your love towards him. Luk. 17.3, 4. If thy brother treſpaſſe againſt thee, rebuke him, and if he repent, forgive him. And if he treſpaſſe againſt thee 7 times in a day, and 7 times in a day turn againe to thee, ſaying, I repent, thou ſhalt forgive him.
Q. Hath the Church or her Officers power to admoniſh, and cenſure, and ſtop the mouths of falſe teachers?
A. Rev. 2.20. Notwithſtanding, I have a few things againſt thee; becauſe thou ſuffereſt that woman Jezebel, which calleth her ſelfe a Propheteſſe, to teach, and to ſeduce my ſervants to commit fornication, and to eate things ſacrificed unto Idols. Tit. 1.10, 11, 13. For there are many unruly, and vain talkers, and deceivers, ſpecially they of the Circumciſion, whoſe mouthes muſt be ſtopped. — wherefore rebuke them ſharply, that they may be ſound in the faith. Tit. 3.10. A man that is an Heretick, after the firſt and ſecond admonition, reject.
Q. Was Excommunication, or any thing like it, uſed in the Church of the Jewes?
A. Joh. 9.22. Theſe words ſpake his Parents, becauſe they feared the Jewes: for the Jewes had agreed already, that if any man did confeſſe that he was Chriſt, he ſhould be put out of the Synagogue. And 12.42. Nevertheleſſe, among the chiefe Rulers alſo many beleived on him: but becauſe of the Phariſees they did not confeſſe him, leſt they ſhould be put out of the Synagogue.
Q. Was Excommunication, or caſting out of the Church, uſed in the Chriſtian Church in the Apoſtles dayes?
A. 1 Cor. 5.4, 5, 13. In the name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, when ye are gathered together — to deliver ſuch an one unto Satan, for the deſtruction of the fleſh: —Therefore put away from among your ſelves that wicked perſon. 3 Joh. 10. Wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doth: —neither doth he himſelfe receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and caſteth them out of the Church.
Q. If the Church neglect to do her duty, is it lawfull for a Chriſtian Magiſtrate to puniſh falſe teachers, by ſilencing, or ſuſpending them from their office, or ejecting them out of their places?
A. Iſ. 49.23. And Kings ſhall be thy nurſing fathers, & their Queens thy nurſing Mothers; they ſhall bow down to thee with their faces toward the earth, and lick up the duſt of thy feet, and thou ſhalt know that I am the Lord: for they ſhall not be aſhamed that waite for me. Ro. 13.4. For he is the miniſter of God to thee for good: but if thou do that which is evill, be afraid, for he beareth not the ſword in vain: for he is the miniſter of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evill. Compared with Phil. 3.2. Beware of dogs, beware of evill workers, beware of the conciſion. & Gal. 5.19, 20. Now the works of the fleſh are manifeſt, which are theſe, —wrath, ſtrife, ſeditions, hereſies.