be freely and generally voted that no members may complain of being dispriviledged and good reason for it because they are to be as Fathers to educate and feed them and to provide their souls food in order to their spirituall interest and everlasting good Fourthly 'T is doubtless the Brethrens Priviledge to have the knowledge of recieving or excluding any member or members into or out of communion with them especially in doubtfull or difficult Cases because they are to be or not to be members of the same body 1 Cor. 5.4 5. and to have fellowship with them in the same holy mystery and if there be any sin contracted either in denying recieving detaining or excluding any person the evil may reflect upon the whole Congregation Fifthly Another Priviledge is If any Brother hath any injury offered him or wrong done him he ought to bring it legally to the Church and there claim his Priviledge to be heard and relieved and to call for justice to be executed Then 't is the Churches duty to proceed and do them equity consonant to that good ancient Rule of doing as a man would be done by Mat. 8.7 and that without delay and partiallity that while we are complaining for want of justice from others we may not neglect to do justice in the Churches Sixthly Such among the Lords People as are justly poor being of the body have a right to be relieved in their outward necessity for as there is a right of propriety Heb. 13.3 so there is a right of charity 't is the Lords Rent-charge the Poors due and the Churches duty There are some unjustly poor who are either idle persons or led through their lusts into poverty others by mans oppression are brought into penury there are some impotent poor so naturally and there are the Lords poor who become so through the consequences of Christianity Seventhly There is another Priviledge that belongs to Christians That if any Person or Party in a Congregation should verily judge and absolutely believe they were oppressed and over-ruled by the rest of the Congregation in any case or controversie that it amounts to high contention and disputation Deut. 17.8 9 10. after all christian and serious means used he or they may make their humble appeal to some other Church in the same Faith and if the case be very weighty then to have recourse to some generall Assembly Acts 15.2 that by all means schisme may be prevented and peace and concord preserved To conclude these things There are other Rights Immunities and Priviledges that of right appertain to Church-Members that if any have a gift in Prayer 1 Pet. 4.10 or by way of Exhortation to have his seasonable time of liberty for the exercise of his gift and to have encouragement in so good a work Moreover if any are under temptation as wounding of spirit sickness of body or any other afflictions he may and ought to have recourse to the Ministers and to ask counsell and assistance of the Elders Jam. 5.14 or to call for them to be their visitants and the Elders ought to attend them in waiting upon their duties by Prayers Instruction or any other services wherein Christs Ministers are obliged and become concerned as they are spirituall guides and Gospel-Physitians Thus we may both learn and discern the great Priviledges that pertain to such as belong to Gospel-Churches to have interest in such provisions and advantages and all within themselves under Christs government and dominion and within their own limits and jurisdiction where all rights and proprieties are equally to be distributed their souls duely nourished their temptations considered burdens removed their bodies healed their poverty supplied their injuries redressed and their priviledges maintained and their causes heard and contentions determined Thus ought Christians to have things common in the spirituall Commonwealth and holy Nation and to maintain a free fellowship and communion both in priviledges and sufferings The truth is the charge of these things chiefly respects Officers to whom the Church hath committed her power and upon whom they have cast the burden of their care who ought as instruments in the name of Christ with the Churches consent to exercise the severall parts and offices of Government and as they are intrusted by God so they ought to act faithfull according to his Word and as they ought not to exercise lordship to usurp authority so they ought not to deface and diminish ought of Christs or his Churches power and dignity For if our Lord died to enter the government and our liberties and priviledges were purchased at so dear a rate and now committed to the care of the Churches there is a great obligation lyes upon the Congregation to see that these things be carefully maintained and constantly preserved and especially such as are in publick trust to improve their places and discharge good consciences to be a just defence to all persons in their spirituall rights and immunities that there may be no just cause of complaints in all our streets or borders Fifthly What Disorders are to be prevented corrected and removed AS when duties are put into the best form they appear with the most beauty so when the branches of impiety are set in order they appear in their ugly shape of deformity I will set some before you which I believe are sometimes found amongst you which are a dishonour to Christians and are great disturbances to the peace of the Churches and these evils are both of omission and commission First 'T is found too much neglected by teachers and leaders that the People are not taught but are very ignorant in the orders and principles of true discipline and right government Secondly When a man doth not prize and tender the unity and Peace of the Church as he ought but shall inconsiderately and indiscreetly publish and possibly endeavour to enforce a Principle upon the People or a Practice upon a Person before they themselves have sufficiently tried and proved it or the People or Person are prepared to bear it Ioh. 16.12 or made fit and capale to receive it and so oft-times a disturbance attends it Thirdly Another Disorder which doth mostly respect the Elders That is when disorderly walkers who are known to live and continue in sin and the Church neglects her Duty in Discipline not remembring all the time this sin is unpunished 1 Cor. 5.2 God is dishonoured their Duty neglected the Truth reproached the most religious grieved and scorners at Religion rejoyced Gods appointed Ordinance to destroy the flesh omitted and the proper means neglected by which the sinner should be restored Fourthly Another Disorder is when the members of one Congregation shall receive a member or members from another Congregation without their knowledge or consent or a letter of Recommendation from them to whom he or they did belong except in any case extraordinary by which disorders follow bad consequences Rom. 16.1 2.
Christianity indeed OR The well-disciplin'd Christian the Delight of Christ SHEWING How Believers in Christ ought to go in and out each before other in Gospel-Order Governing and being Governed as the children of one Father By Fr. Stanley Phil. 4.8 Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report If there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Chap. 1.27 Onely let your Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ c. LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-bar To the most worthy my well beloved and dear Relations in the Lord of the Congregational Churches both Officers and Members whom I humbly crave to Patronize this small and mean Treatise for whose sake I chiefly formed it and for whose benefit I now present it For whom I can do no less but wish all increase of Grace and fulness of Peace and as a further Duty and Obligation to pray and intercede for your Perfection My Beloved and Christian Friends IT is the holy Scriptures commendation That it 's written for every Mans Instruction and as there is a mystery of Godliness and Piety so there is a mystery of Sin and Iniquity and as there are Mines of Heavenly Treasure so there are Minerals of Tin and Clay Now Many are so wrapt in darkness in the depth of Impiety and others busied labouring in the Earth for Clay that they have not hitherto discovered the Celestial and hidden Mysteries nor found out the Spiritual Mines of Divine Treasures which precious things cannot be obtained unless by Gods holy Spirit a Man be inspired for by Divine light a Man must come to discern everlasting Mines and Mysteries and by the eternal Spirit which searcheth the hidden and most secret things And as these are not Matters of Indifferency or Temporary so they are to be sought with more than ordinary diligence and industry and for our better guidance and more sure direction we must make use of the helps of Divine Inspiration I can do no lesse but call upon all Christian Professors to betake themselves to the Canonical Books of the holy Scriptures For among all other Benefits and Benedictions we are to bless God for those holy Writings for they are the best helps that are helps in the best things And as a Mapp directs both to Town and Country so doth holy Writ discover the Borders and Treasures of the Heavenly and Holy City indeed they are like a light to our feet and a lanthorn to our paths to guide us aright in all Gods pure and holy wayes and to the finding out of the most choyce and invaluable Riches far better to the Saints than Pearls and Jewels for they are more than a Library for Instruction like a Store-house for Soul-provision and like a Spiritual Armorie for Munition where is to be found all manner of heavenly Food for Nutriment and all kinde of holy Garments for Ornament I may say 't is like an Apotheries shop for Receipts and Remedies even the most soveraign helps against all in troubles and diseases such Minerals will make Potions for Soul-sick Patients which being skilfully compounded and carefully applied may prove effectual Means and powerfull Remedies to expel and drive away most dangerous Distempers From hence Christians may be directed and provided with Skill and right Judgement and principled and furnished with Rules for all Order Discipline and Government whether it be within the Dominion of Congregational Personal or Family Jurisdiction Besides this a Man may collect and form an Evidence in order to the claiming an Interest to the everlasting Inheritance To be be short here is all variety of Soul-concernment and Contentment towards the fitting a Mans self clearing his Assurance for his Eternal Preferment We may say of the Holy Scriptures in Resolution as once was said in answer to Circumcision That they are profitable every way even to such as order their Lives according to them have both the promise of this life and that which is to come Now as the Sun goes his course and gives light in his place and every Star in his order gives some light in his course So ought every Christian to be a light in his day with respect to order and place and as a Member of the Mystical Body I would cast a Mite into the Publick Treasurie and as one of the unworthy Successors of our antient Fathers who sent their Epistles to the Believing Churches I have now an Occasion as well as a Pattern to present something to Christs Congregation Or any Well-wishers who see any thing worth of acceptation that may deserve the place of Counsel or Direction wherein they may see themselves concerned in Conscience and ingaged in Duties to conform thereunto according to Scripture-obligations Now because a Paper-direction may be received where a Mans Person will be refused and a Matter printed may be imbraced where a Sermon cannot be preached and because the greatest things have the smallest beginnings and the Lord hath ordained strength out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings are moving Causes of my entering upon this Work and so I commit this small Labour to be perused and proved consonant to the prime Rules of Christianity and the pure Principles of Charity and so to receive its approbation or correction Now if this little Mite be by any accepted and imbraced if any by it be instructed and profited the Author hath his End and is well recompenced and satisfied Brethren This is the first of my looking towards the Press I hope I shall have an Allowance from you more or less where I have failed in Method or Circumstance I hope you will blot it out of your Remembrance THE Preface or Premonition presented to the Readers serious Consideration or Meditation Christian Courteous and Impartial Reader AS the worth and loss of Heaven can neither be imagined or valued so the dreadfull and perpetuall torments of Hell can neither be measured nor reported To design the obtaining of the one and to endeavour to escape the other is the great task and speciall care of every Gospell-professor and in order to these things as it is the Christian mans wisdome to ask counsell of God and his holy writings so 't is also his discretion to have an eye to his present dispensations 1 Chron. 12.32 We have lived to be eye and ear-witnesses to hear and behold Gods eminent hand both in respect of judgements and mercies wherein his fatherly care hath been famously and affectionately discovered by the soul-provisions he hath made for us and his princely respect hath been eminently demonstrated by the constant protection and speciall security he hath given us who hath also attended and alarmed us by loud calls by happy instruments miraculous mercies and admonished us by fearfull apparitions particular accidents and dreadfull judgements
all doubtless to provoke to duty and that we might have a childs part in the present mercy to escape the present severity to avoid the future misery and to preserve and conduct us to the haven of Eternity The Lords princely favours and acts of indempuity and compassion have been marvelously commended to us in his great patience long-suffering and forbearance of us yet preserving our priviledges enlarging our liberties augmenting our graces and that while others have fallen by calamities Nay have not many cause the whole term of their lives to remember how eminently they have been preserved from the sword pestilence and as brands pulled out of the fire It becomes us as obedient Children and concerns us as loyall Subjects to give ear and humbly submit to the Lords voice whether by mercies or threatnings warning or corrections Christian Reader we are admonished by this dispensation to hear the rod of correction Amos 3.6 and to consider who appoints it Is there any evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it 't is more than prophesied for many have already both known and felt what it is for a jealous God to come down out of his place and to shew his angry face in his hot displeasure For proof let the Citizens especially remember who live in the Metropolitan City whom I might call to witness if need did require to tell their experience of Gods late Method in the pestilence and fire and if we needed any further testimony to ask the Sea-men concerning the sword devouring in the Sea It doth therefore properly and more than ordinarily concern every Christian to be strict in attention and speedy in observation and study to learn what the Lord speaks to us in this present dispensation before the Lord pour out the remainder of his wrath upon the children of men For among whom is there such a reformation that might give us just ground to believe the righteous God will stay his hand of destroying only he is long-suffering surely to see what use will be made of the last Visitation Let us therefore study the point and state the question what sutable sacrifice we should prepare for and present to the God of Heaven that might be as fruit in its season from us and acceptably received and resented by him for certainly our trespasses are aggravated by not improving our mercies we have enjoyed Doubtless the abuse of mercies is the door that lets in all our miseries There is therefore nothing more incumbent upon us than thankfully to improve our blessings and remove far from us that which procures Gods displeasures and to prize our unexpected and undeserved favours and freedomes and sensibly to acknowledge our precious immunities and benefits in the use of them that we may never know their price and loss in the want of them for sins commited against benefits received and that in the midst of calamities which for season and circumstance are no less than miracles and wonders which being not prized thankfully we may expect severity to take place in the room of mercy For truly such have been the eminent appearances of God the nature number and measure of our priviledges who hath by his most admirable and remarkable acts of power and his more invisible and secret way of providence defended and secured his poor heritage not only when the multitude have stood for us but since they have turned their force against us So that he that turned aside as Moses may see a great sight to be admired to see as it were the Bush to burn and yet not consumed ingratitude for such experiences without doubt will return in great severities Let us therefore consult our knowledge and recollect our memories cast up accounts render unto the Lord his due in returning praises and chearfully acknowledge our debts and speedily pay our vows that we may be counted worthy to be the Lords Tenants that we may still hold our benefits and possess our priviledges For if in these things Christians are found in neglects and security they may expect to find the Lord in wrath and fury For the Lord hath made our famous City the beauty and glory of our Nation to be as a Beacon to alarm the Countrey and to give them warning He might have made us presidents of warning to others but 't is our priviledge to make others examples of warning to us Let not us he like some who cry out of certain persons sad accidents and complain of bad times and yet put the cause of all these things from themselves not pondering nor reflecting upon the matter that 't is our deserts we deserve no better There is no sort or sect of men the righteous God hath spared in this sad Visitation then which is the people that are to be exempted in the reformation Now that our mercy may not be turned into miseries and our chastisements into judgements Reader let it be the next question what the Lord requires in duty to be done the resolution may be taken out of that short Breviate of Micah the Prophet Mic. 6.9 the summe of which duty consists in justice mercy and humility for this is to bear the rod to do justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with God For indeed this is the work of our day and these are the weightier matters of Gods Law and as Ecclesiasticall Government and true discipline is a prime part of Religion so 't is a proper work to purge Christs Congregation and because our holy God hath a quick and strict eye upon his own people and his jealousie is hottest about the Altar Ark and Sanctuary witness the severity of his justice upon Nadah and Abihu Lev. 10.2 Corah Uzzah and Ely Also remember the state of the Church of the Corinthians which may be a Mapp and glass for Christians in these late times Numb 16.32 wherein we may discover our misdemeanours the nature of our calamities and a method for our remedies who suffered because the Church was not purged and because they presumed to be Communicants at the Lords Table and did not discern the Lords Body but came unworthily and kept their Communions irreverently and disorderly insomuch for this cause the Lord in flicts upon them weakness sickness 1 Cor. 11.30 and mortality So that it first and most concerns the Church of God to set afoot this materiall duty even the exercise of justice mercy and humility and impartially to judge our selves that we may not be judged of the Lord nor condemned with the world but hasten to put judgement into execution to cleanse our Camps purge our Tabernacles and Churches both from our own and other mens sins both Nationall Congregationall Family and Personall crimes for true Government hath this commendation by its execution it orders purges and establishes Christs Congregation Thus runs the duty of a Christian fervently to serve the Lord applying themselves to the time and occasion And further Christian Reader
he was never their Father and so untaught in his word and Oracles that they are no whit like his Disciples and Scholars neither respecting Principles nor Orders and some are already departed being never well grounded nor really and truly converted 3. By Direction By a due and seasonable instructing and directing such as are admitted into Membership 2 Tim. 4.2 to acquaint and educate them in the knowledge of God and the Affairs of the Gospel to learn them to know the Principles of Order true Forms of Government which are to be exercis'd under the New Testament to keep close to the direct Rules of Discipline and right orders of Governing and to beget in them a Respect and Honour to the Truth with all it's Oracles and it 's due Circumstances and to second and seal this with a holy and well ordered and a right governed Conversation admonishing them to observe the true Methods of proceedings towards all differing dissenting weak faln and offending Brerhren Mat. 18.15 To admonish the offending Brother timely before sin hath hardened him Secondly If it be a private Offence to tell him of it privately between thee and him alone which is the ready way to gain him Thirdly To do it in Charity wherein a man most resembles the God of Piety Fourthly the end must be to restore the sinner but to destroy his iniquity alwayes remembring them to perform duty that relates to each other with Compassion and Piety as children of the Father of Mercy Even consonant to their Heavenly Parentage Spiritual Pedegree of the Select number chosen Generation Royall Priest hood peculiar People holy Nation like men of the new Creation such as are redeem'd from a vain Conversation being as dead men to sin buried with Christ in Baptisme risen with him to Newness of life so to exercise a spiritual Dominion and give no place or subjection unto Sathan but to endeavor to raign over the body of flesh and sin But alas how oft is this general and known Rule abused and broken wanting Charity to the person offending or Fidelity to the Rule directing The truth is much of the Churches grief and care breaks in among them at this door but let Christs Ministers lead and guide the Members into Rules of Piety and Orders of Decency and to second their Exhortation by going before them as a pattern and by good Counsel and by good Example to establish the Believers in Doctrine Discipline and other Gospell orders 4. By impartial Admonition and due Correction for as the Scripture saith in another case in a Church-sence we may say in this that Christ's Rulers bear not the spiritual sword in vain but to turn the edge of the Word against all vice iniquity 2 Tim. 3.16 1 Thes 5.12 and to be a defence to all acts of Vertue and Piety waiting all approaches watching all designs of Sathan and all motions and appearances of the flesh For many times the greatest disturbances are brought about by the least beginnings for 't is Sathans policy to carry on his designs by entring them in by the smallest appearances Gal. 5.20 Beware therefore of the works of the Flesh as Hatred Variance Emulation Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies and the like which war against the Soul which actings cause breaches and disorders unto which Officers and Over-seers are to have a fore-sight of preventing and a ready hand of suppressing such things as disturb the peace of the Churches and break orders without regard to Causes or respect to Person by a diligent and severe hand against all Tale-bearers Evill surmisers Back-biters Rule-breakers Devision-makers secret Censurers and private Judges of others who in their Court of Confusion condemn their Brethren and cast them upon their Reputation These and such like are all Disquieters of Churches Wounders and Underminers of Governments and for the better discovering and removing all-such disturbances let all diligence be exercised all Circumstances of Reprehension and Correction be truly observed and all such offenders timely restrained and duly punished 5. By Countenancing and Protecting good orders and giving incouragement to orderly Walkers Psal 15.4 To look with a sowre face upon evill doers and a severe countenance against Evill workers but to honour the Pious and to praise the truly Religious to cherish them in their Duties and incourage them in Gods services Now Gospel-order is not only Beautiful and Honourable but acceptable to God and profitable to men for the Lord himself is Author of it and his Peoples experience prove the great benefit by it Let the Lords Overseers approve themselves prevalent instruments to effect and keep 1 Cor. 14. good Government by good Exhortation and Provocation study to maintain good order For the Lord strictly charges precisely enjoyns Order in all his Services and Sacrifices Typical and Ceremonial more especially then in the Worship and Service of the Gospel where Duties are more rarely blessed and Defaults more sorely punished Let Rulers know their places and do their Offices even cherish good people promote good Causes to assist good Consciences and to endeavour to preserve Christiansin their Liberties and Priviledges suitng and sorting their Counsels and Instructions observing and taking advantages of seasons and the Peoples conditions improving all abilities and the best faculties to defend them from deceivers giving timely admonition to Church-disturbers Succour the Tempted incourage the Faint-hearted to take off yoaks and remove oppressions that may lye upon mens consciences watching diligently over them carefully to govern them gently leading such as be with young to keep them from decaying to support them from fainting to restore them from erring and like good Shepherds to feed and rule them to defend and secure them from all those Poxes and Wolves that seek to scatter them and endeavour to destroy them 6. By sincere and fervent Supplication and Prayer because all things are sanctified by the Word and Prayer a duty never out of date 1 Tim. 4.5 Phi. 4.6 1 Thes 5.17 but in season and more especially upon such weighty Concernments and eminent occasions as the elections of Officers the admission of Members and in the great duties of Direction Correction Protection and Exclusion To acknowledge Gods grace to be the efficient Cause in all such Matters and to beg his Blessing upon all endeavours without which all labour is nothing pray to be directed aright to use the means and then pray that the means may be sanctified may be successeful and effectual praying and waiting upon the great Counsellor the prime Director and God of Order that he would be graciously pleased to give Governing Principles to right gathered Churches and he would please so far to own and honour them as to bestow upon them the precious gifts of Discerning Discretion and Moderation towards all Persons upon all occasions and in all conditions and more particular for the Spirit of Judgement and the spirit of
rather Steward over He is likewise to set in order to discharge his place and Steward ship faithfully that he may have peace when he is called to dye To dispose and divide his wordly goods and earthly possessions timely and equally agreeable to the Righteous rules of Religion and the best principles of Equity and Reason both to Yoke-fellow and Posterity or for any other for whom he may be intrusted or obliged either to widdows or to fatherlerlesse and both towards God men to discharge a good conscience 4. To consider and ponder well to settle all things so straight and just between them that may prevent all future strife discord among them that none may justly say when he is gone he is the man that did or caused this or that wrong this being Religiously observ'd many injuries quarrells would be prevented and so peace and love may be preserved 5. If any one shall be like to depart this present life possest of this Worlds goods and hath no natural Heirs or near Relations let him not forget but remember to communicate to the poor Christians let them make the Deacons of the Churches their Overseers and the poor Saints their Executors Let all remember but such in a speciall manner Or else to bequeath his Wealth and Treasures to some pious and publick services in so doing they will honour their Profession and lay up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come Some may think I am out of the way in leaving the Churches and turning into Families and treating with particular persons Let them know I have been in the Churches service attending and instructing Church-members apart in their own houses and to instruct them in their Family-duties and Church-Orders Inciting them and exhorting them to prepare their Children and Servants for members to people the Churches 6. The true Order and right manner of the Execution of Church Government IUstice and Judgement are the substantial parts of Church government Justice is a great word and the action is a shoulder work Isai 9.7 and being in it's Execution carries a great commendation It advanceth Christs Honour promotes Truths Credit renowns Christs Churches It breaks Sathans designs promotes good Causes prevents and disturbs evill instruments and rejoyces Christs innocent servants In my further prosecution of this matter I would observe this following order 1. What Justice and Discipline is in it self 2. What or who are the offenders upon whom it is to be executed 3. What is to be understood and observed in it's prosecution 4. What priviledges are to be maintained in Christs Congregation 5. What disorders are to be prevented corrected and removed 6. Some branches of Injustice and oppression to be avoided 7 How the Execution it self should be rightly performed First What Justice is it consists of these general parts an Offender an Executioner a Law and a penalty Justice in it's Execution is when a faithfull power shall inflict punishment upon a convicted Offender consonant to the true intent of the Law in that case provided and the Execution performed without delay or partiality 2. What are the Offenders and offences against whom Justice is to be executed First There are private faults and offences that are committed between Brother and Brother in which case the injured or offended brother is to tell his brother offending Mat. 15. of his fault betwixt them alone If he hear not take one or two more If he neglect to hear them tell it to the Church if he neglect to hear them then let the Church do their duty and purge themselves of iniquity For as a man will hasten to purge poyson out of his body corporal much more ought Christians to purge sin out of the body spiritual But if thy brother hears thee and repents of the evill heartily thou oughtest to forgive him freely fully and perpetually But if it shall happen that any two persons shall oppose each other Josh 7.18 in and about a matter and fault committed and have no other witnesse but themselves and there can be neither punctual nor circumstantial proof made to decide the controversie then doubtlesse 't is the Churches duty and liberty to make their humble appeal to the God of Heaven by casting lots Prov. 8.18 Prov. 16.13 Acts 1.26 and making serious supplications tohim that he would be pleased to order and dispose of the lot for their direction to shew which of those two was the guilty person and when the Lord hath discovered him let the Church do their duty that concerns them Concerning RESTITUTION IF an Offender do confesse his fault and promise an amendment let him make Restitution for that wrong he hath done Exod. 22.12 For as it is a great part of Justice so 't is a very necessary part of Repentance for it repayes a just recompence for injuries done and 't is a very great destruction to sin How can a man expect his sin should be pardoned Jud. 1.7 before the wrong he hath done be repaired or that be restored which he hath unjustly took and wrongfully detained Doubtlesse if a man injure his brother in body goods or good name he stands bound in Justice to make him reasonable Restitution and this is congruous with Gods righteous Law of Retaliation For oftimes Justice requits and inflicts punishment in the same Act in which a man hath sinned Mat. 7.2 This also concurs with the Law Christ hath given which saith In effect what measure a man measures to another in sin the same shall be measured to him in punishment back again Concerning Hereticks An Heretick after the first and second admonition reject or cast away because one corrupted person may corrupt the whole body Tit. 3.10 11. being one that is perverted or willingly turned aside from the Truth an Actor of Sexts or maintainer of a false belief and hath subverted or overthrown himself rejecting the true Religion and so becomes an instrument of his own condemnation Concerning dealing with publick Offenders Such as sin openly are to be rebuked publickly and the Church is to withdraw from every one that walks disorderly 1 Tim. 5.20 2 Thes 3.6.14 that he may be ashamed of his Iniquity and that every particular admonition and publick withdrawing may put others in fear and be as a general warning Now touching such sinners mentioned in the Fifth of the Corinthians There is some small distance between some faithfull Christians Whether such offenders there noted may be received into Communion if they be penitent some judging if they repent they may be received others judging although they do confesse their sin yet the Church ought to withdraw from them I confesse they plead reason on both sides One alledging thus That if that end be already accomplisht for which the Ordinance of Excommunication was appointed what need or reason is there the person should be excluded Others reply If the sinner be not speedily sentenced the Church will