The True Form of Church Government, Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII.
THose that be not reclaimed from their faults by admonition, are by the Eldership to be suspended from the Lords Supper, or being officers of the Church, from the execution of their office, untill they do either give good testimonie of their amendment, or just cause to be further proc…ded against. Neither is there any controversie betwixt them and us, about this point; saving that (as in the former) they will denie it to appertain to the Eldership, which is proved before. I will therefore (for their understanding that desire direction in the truth) first, shew that it is a course that hath warrant in the Scripture…; secondly, that it is of very profitable use in the Church of God: the first is thus proved.
1 Whatsoever is enjoyned, as a dutie to be done by every Christian, if he leave it undone,Suspention warranted by the Word, being upon such grounds as the Word setteth down. he is to be compelled by the governours of the Church to do it, Luke 14.17.23. But if a mans brother have any thing against him, and he make no conscience to leave his gift there, and be first reconciled, Mat. 5.24. he is to be compelled to do it: Therefore separation from the Lords Supper is warra…ted by the Word.
2 If that commandment of Christ, Matth. 7 5. give not that which is holy unto dogs, can neither be properly understood of them, that were never of the Church, nor them that be excommunicated; then it is a warrant for such separation of the unworthy, and consequently, that separation is warranted in the word: But the former is true, as appeareth by this, that the meanest of the Jews did know, that holy things belonged to neither of them, and so the commandment had been needlesse: Therefore suspention is warranted by the Word.
3 If there be sinners that are not to be excommunicated, and yet it were offensive to give them the Lords Supper, then is this course warranted by the Word, for else should Christ have left his Church destitute of direction, in common and usuall difficulties, which is proved in the first chapter to be otherwise: But such s…ners there are as the notorious sinner repenting; men mainly suspected of notorious transgressions, &c. Therefore suspention hath his warrant in the word.
4 The course that God prescribed in the shadow, for corporall purifyings, must in the body (in respect of the substance) be observed in the spirituall clensing of every member of the Church: But many were separated from the publike sacrifices for a season, by reason of their corporall uncleannesse, who, yet were not worthy to be excommunicated▪ Therefore must also some be kept from the Lords Supper for a season, who yet appeare not so hainously to have sinned, as to deserve excommunication.
5. The Church cannot without great offence, suffer one that hath fallen into some open sinne, or that is vehemently s…spected, to have hainously offended, continue in the administration of any publike function: But the Church cannot justly displace such a man at the first, making shew of repentance, or standing upon his purgation: Therefore he must be separated for a time.
6. That which was commanded under the Law to be done to the Priest, that was uncleane in body, or suspected to be a Leaper; that same must much more under the Gospell, be done unto the Minister, or other Church-Officer, that hath sinned, or is suspected to have committed a great sinne. But such a Priest was to be separated from offering of sacrifices for a certaine time: Therefore much more must the like be done to a Church-officer in the like case.
The Conclusion.Therefore, if the Church be to compell a private man to doe his dutie; if, give not holy things to dogges, be understood of them within the Church; if there be sinners that cannot without offence be admitted to the Lords Supper, and yet deserve not excommunication; if for corporall uncleannesse under the Law, they were to abstaine a certaine time; and if the church cannot without great offence, suffer him that hath committed an open sinne (though he repent) or that is vehemently suspected of a notorious sinne, continue in the execution of his office, untill the congregation be satisfied; Lastly, if the Priest that was uncleane, or suspected of leprosie, might not offer sacrifices: then is it plaine, that both the separation of some men from the Lords Supper, and other from the execution of their publique function for a time; is a thing warranted by the word of God.
The us… of suspention profitable in the Church.The latter part, which is that this kinde of suspention hath a profitable use in the Church of God, is thus proved.
1. That which keepeth the godly in more carefull obedience, and keepeth in the hypocrites, that they breake not out, is very profitable for the Church of God: But such is the use of the separation from the Lords Supper, and from executing publike function in the Church: Therefore it is profitable in the Church of God.
2. That which removeth (even) the appearance of offence, from the Church of God, is very profitable for the same: But such is the separation: Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God.
3. That which declareth unto the world, that the Church of God is carefull to practice that which it professeth, is very profitable: But such is this separation, for it sheweth that they cannot away with ungodly life; no, not among themselves: Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God.
4. That which giveth occasion to the church, to be exercised in the actions of Religion, with more sound comfort, is profitable for the same: But such is this separation, for every one shall see thereby, the unworthy (for whose sakes, God might be angry with them all, Josh. 7.11.) weeded from among them: Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God.
5. That which is a speciall meanes to procure the Lord (in mercy) to continue his Word unto his Church, is profitable for the same▪ such is this separation; for it is a notable means to keep men in obedience to that which they professe: Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God.
Therefore, if separation of the knowne or suspected sinner,The Conclusion. from the Lords Supper, and such a Church officer from the execution of his publike function, doe keepe men in obedience that be godly, and restraineth hypocrites from outrage; if it remove the very appearance of evill; if it let the world see, that the Church laboureth to practice that which it doth professe; if it make every member of the Church to be exercised in the actions of Religion, with greater comfort; lastly, if it be a speciall mean to procure the Lord in mercy, to continue his Word; then must it needs follow, that it is of very profitable use unto the Church of God.