THe exercise of Excommunication, and suspension of persons no­tably scandalous from the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper, is a thing so expresly warranted in the holy Scripture; yea, so commanded and commended to the true Church, that the esta­blishing of it, by publike authority, [...]ath no difficulty in it, nor any matter of doubtfulnesse at all. Cain the first unclean and un­holy Sacrificer, was rejected by God himself, who had no re­spect either to his person, or offering. And when he went on in his impenitency, and by his obstinacy became notoriously scandalous, God cast him out from his presence, Gen. 4.16. that is, from all Communion with the godly in his Wor­ship, and in his Church the place of his speciall presence, which then was only in his Fathers House and Family. Also, in the times of the Law,Ge 17.14. Exod. 12.48. and old Testa­ment, all they who remained wilfully uncircumcised, were cut off from Israel; by which was signified, that al persons, who openly profess uncircūcision of heart by are the Word of God, to be cut off from the Church of Christ, & Communion with the Saints. And in the dayes of our Saviour,Ioh. 9.22.34 vers. & 12.42. & 16.2. Act. 8.21. Excommunication out of the Synagogue continued among the Jews; and our Saviour did not abrogate it, for the abuse of it by the Priests, Scribes, and Pharisees: but, his Apostles under the Gospel did exercise it against Simon Magus, when by professed sacriledge he declared himself to be in the gall of bitternesse, and in the bond of imquity. And Paul passed the sentence of Excommunication against the incestuous person in the Church of Corinth, in the name and by the power of the Lord Jesu [...] Christ, 1 Cor. 5.4 And he exercised it against Hymene [...]s and Alexander, 1 Tim. 1.20. And he gives a Warrant to the Churches of Christ to exercise it against Schisma­tiks, Gal. 5.12. and Hereticks, Tit. 3.10. and such as do not love the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 16.22. but preach another Gospel, Gal. 1.8, 9. As for the words o [...] our Saviour, Matt. 18.17. They are in the judgement of the generality of the Orthodox Ministers of the reformed Churches, (whose judgement no modest Christian will reject, without expresse Warrant from Gods Word, or convincing reason) a most clear commandement of Christ, for the exercise of Excommuni­cation in the Christian Church. For they are plain, that he who sinnes against his Brother, though privatly, (whether by wrong done to his person in back-biting and slandering him, or by committing some scandalous sin, which might be to him a stumbling block, or in going about to corrupt and seduce the weak, it is not much to the purpose, the more private it is at the first, the more severe, in the instance of our Saviour, is the course of proceeding to Excommunication for it) [Page 2]yet, if he scorn private admonition, and when it is brought to the Church, he re­fuseth to hear the Church, then he offends publikely, and becomes openly scanda­lous by his obstinacy and impenitency, and is to be esteemed in the state of an Heathen man, and a publican in the judgement of every particular Christian; he is as one now out of the Church, which must be by Excommunication, by which men are ou [...]ed and cast out of the Church. For any man to account any Brother as an Heathen, when the Church doth not cast him out, is a great sin: If one particular man hath Warrant, and is bound by Christs Commandement to esteem another man as an Heathen; all other Christian, even the whole Church, which knoweth his contumacy, are bound so to esteem him also. That these Scriptures do fully prove Excommunication of contumacious sinners out of the Church, I ho [...]e every sober Christian will easily graunt, when he hath well weighed them; though Aridus Aretius should hold the contrary.

And whereas our Saviour bids us forgive a Brother, though he fins against us seventy times seven times if he professeth that it repents him, Luke 17. this doth no whit crosse his Commandement of excommunicating, such as are impenitent and obstinately refuse to hear the Church. Let this suffice for Excommunication, that it is an Ord [...]nance of God, commended by Christ, to be exercised in all Chri­stian Churches.

In the next place, That suspension of scandalous sinners, after admonition and conviction, from the holy Communion, is necessary to every Church; I do de­monstrate clearly from the Scriptures, before named, and Num. 12.14. and Dent. 23.1.23 For, those do prove Excommunication to be an Ordinance of God in the Church; (as is confessed by the Adversaries of suspension) which Excom­munication is an exclusion of corrupt and infectious Members out of the Church, by which they are deprived from Communion in the Sacraments, and all publike Ordinances; (as the Adversarie doth here go about to prove by the Testimonies of Tertullian, the Canonistes Sch [...]le-men, and Aretius) whence I thus argue.

The Scriptures which prove Excommunication, and an exclusion of scandalous impenitent, and contumacious sinners, from Communion with the Church in the Sacraments, and all publike Ordinances and divine Offices, they do necessarily prove all the steps and degrees, which are required in an orderly and Christian proceeding to Excommunication, and casting such sinners out of the Church.

But, the Scriptures before named (as the Adversaries confesse) prove Excom­munication to be the Ordinance of God, and of Christ in his Church. Therefore, they prove the necessary steps and degrees, which are required in orderly proceed­ing to it, as reproof, sharp rebuke, the first and second admonition, suspending for a time from the holy Communion, or Lords Supper.

I hope no sober Adversary will hold it fit to excommunicate any sinners (ex­cept in capitall crimes of Idolatry, cruell murders, blasphemy, and the like) be­fore reproof admonition, and suspension from the Sacrament; which last, espe­cially done with discretion, gravity, and much Christian compassion, may bring scandalous offenders to be ashamed and to repent, and so prevent Excommuni­cation, and cutting off from the Church. It is a very weak, it not perverse kinde [...]arguing, to say, That such and such Scriptures do prove Excommunication, [Page 3]and therefore, are erroncously produced to prove suspension, for this latter is ne­cessarily implyed and included in proceeding to the former, and is as necessary a step and degree to it, as reproof and admonition: Unlesse, men will dream of Popish, and late Prelaticall Excommunications, which were Br [...]ta fulmin [...], sent out against men without any orderly proceeding, before they were convi­cted, or did plead for themselves.

Presbyteries established according to Gods Word, and godly Pastors, Mini­sters, and Elders; if the Church be well reformed, will be far from proceed­ing, as in the Papacy and Prelacy, with indiscret, over severe, ambitious, passio­nate, and revengefull hands: He who nourisheth such most unchristian and un­charitable thoughts and suspicions in his heart, of Ecclesiasticall Rulers and Judi­catures, this yeer; will perhaps argue before the yeer be out.

Upon the same ground, against the high prerogatives and priviledges of Par­liament, and the power of Civill Magistrates, Judges, and Courts of Justice, That it is a matter of great danger to give them legislative power, lest they make Laws as in the times of Popery, for the advancing of Tyranny, Idolatry, supersti­tion, and punishing and persecuting of men, for true piety, Religion, and godli­nesse; and compelling them to submit to Popish traditions, Liturgies, and su­perstitious ceremonies: And to leave the expositions of Laws in the breasts of Judges, lest they pervert Justice and judgement, and to wrest the Law to justifie Tyranny and oppression and to overthrow the Liberty of the Subjects, as we felt by wofull experience in the latter times, of domineering Prelats who made their will and lust Law. For my part, I dare not be so suspicious, nor intertain any such thoughts into my heart; but am confident, that a strict Discipline accord­ing to the Rules of Christ, and the practice of the pure primitive Apostolicall Church, once set up and backt, confirmed, and established by civill authority; there will be no place for Judges and Rulers civill, nor domineering, and ambi­tious, revengefull Governours Ecclesiasticall to tyrannize over the consciences of Christians: If any scandalous persons creep into Pastorall charges, there will be a plain and easy way to cast them out: If a Congregationall Consistory offend grosly through indiscretion, superior Presbyteries will correct them, and there will be appeales to Provinciall Synods from erring & unjust sentences of Presby­teries. The Gospell powerfully preached by godly and faithfull Ministers, set up in all places of the Land, encouraged with double honour of liberall maintenance and due reverence, will work a great Reformation, and increase of knowledge grace, and godlinesse, in the Peers and Commons of the Realme, and in Judges Magistrates, and Lawyers: Judges will be taught, that they judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with them in the Judgement. People will grow more peaceable and free from continuall contentions: Lawyers shall not get the wealth, of be Land into their hands by fishing in troubled waters, encouraging men in unlawfull and quarrellous su [...]es, pleading wicked causes for large fees; prolon­ging suites, and making men spend, in [...]ong [...]uite, unto twice the value of their just right & debt for which they sue, & by taking treble fees, & keeping them, though they faile their client, and be imployed at other [...], when his cause is to be pleaded. Godlinesse and true Religion being increased by faithfull preaching, [Page 4]and godly Discipline [...] In the hearts of men, will make the Common-Wealth free from the necessity of many Lawyers, which the learned Philosopher held to be a pla [...]ue in a State and Kingdom, and an evidence of the miserable condition thereof. And therefore it is no marvell, that the corrupt ones, of that pros [...]ssion, are deadly Enemies to the maintenance, honour, and other incouragements of the Ministers of the Gospell.

But, not to trouble my adversary any longer with this unpleasing Discourse, which his importune and unseemly speeches have occasioned, I proceed in the proof of the main point in hand, and argue from the holy Scriptures; That scandalous impenitent persons are not in any wise to be admitted to the holy Communion, at the Lords Table, untill they confesse their offences and professe godly sorrow and repentance, and promise amendment to the utmost of their power, and endeavour.

And my second Argument is this.

That person from whom every faithfull Member of the Church, and every Professor,2. Arg. whether Pastor, Elder, or private person, is commanded to with­draw himself, and to have no fellowship with him, may not nor can without sin, and offence of God, be admitted by the Ministers, Elders, and whole Con­gregation, to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. To deny, this is to rebell against the light of Common reason.

Every sinner openly scandalous, either in corrupt life, or in falle opinions and doctrine, walking disorderly and causing divisions; which are not according to godlinesse, which he in pride maintains, and delights in perverse disputations for them and the like; is such a person as appears, 2 Thess 3.6.14. 1 Tim. 6.5. Rom. 16.17, 18. 1 Cor. 5.11. 2 Joh. 10.11. Where the Apostle injoynes Chri­stians yea commands them in the Name of the Lord Iesus Christ, to mark such as cause divisions, scandols, offences, and to withdraw themselves from every Brother that is a drunkard, or unclean person, or extortioner, or walketh disor­derly, or obeys not the Word nor consenteth to wholsome words and sound do­ctrine; but is proud, do [...]ing about questions and strife of words, which cause envy strife, railings, and evil surmises, and perverse disputations of men of cor­rupt minds, and destitute of the Truth. And with such (though yet not Excom­municated and cast out, but called a Brother) not to company, nor to eat, nor to bid him, God speed lest they be partakers of his evill deeds.

The conclusion therefore necessarily follows, that such openly noted and con­victed scandalous sinners, are not to be admitted to eat with godly Chri­stians; nor to have Communion with them, nor company with them at the Lords Table.

My third Argument is grounded on our Saviours Commandment, Mat. 7.6. Give not that which is holy to the dogs. 3. Arg. By holy thing is certainly meant that which is consecrated, and set apart for the holy use of them that are Saints. By dogs are meant unclean, impure, and noted scandalous sinners, whom Gods Mi­ [...]isters cannot offer and commend to God, as holy Members of Christ, neither can they offer themselves, souls and bodies, to the Sacrament and to the Lords [...], but as unclean; even as dogs, being unclean beasts, were abomination in [Page 5]the offerings of the Law. By giving to dogs is meant, not a bare propounding, or shewing, or offering that which is holy, to al in general, who can and wil rightly receive it as we do in preaching the Word to every creature & to all even heathen Nations, to see and trye if God will convert them: But, a giving to them holy things, as having already a true right in them, as Children have in the bread, which their Father hath provided for them; as for example, applying to them the pro­mises of eternall life, and the righteousnes and satisfaction of Christ which be­long only to men, who doe repent and professe true faith in Christ, as preachers do to them that are called to belively members of the true Church, and hunger and thirst after more cōmunion with Christ; And giving of the sacraments which are feales of regeneration, remission of sinns, and communion with Christ, to infidells and to scandalous and impenitent sinners; This giveing of holy things to uncleane and vnworthy persons, is that which our Saviour here forbidds, and therfore to such persons as are like dogs in uncleannes by reason of scandalous sinns and impe­nite cie, the holy Sacraments are not to be given; Though ministers may preach and propound the Gospell and the promises therof to all ingenerall for their con­version, yet they may not apply promises of [...]he remission of sin, of Christs satis [...]a­ction and of eternall life to any in perticular, but only to such as professe faith, re­pentance and holynes of life Yea if any be found like swine, who when the pearle of the Gospell is cast before them, doe scorn, contemne, tread it under foote, and persecute and teare the preachers; they must turne a way from them, shake of the dust from their feet and not cast holy pearles before them any more as our Saviour taught his Apostles Math. 10.14. And they put in practise Acts. 13, 51.

Obj. 1 Whereas it is obiected, first that no circumeised person was debarred from the Passover that was desirous to [...]at it. Ans. To this I answere, that legall uncleannesse did debar men & women from eating of the passover & every other holy sacrifice, as doth manifestly appear Levit 7 20. and 22.3. and Num 9.10.11. And therfore much more doth the uncleannes of scandalous sin which is wors, debar men from the holy communion of the Lords supper which farr exceeds legall holy sacrifices.

Obj. 2 Secondly it is objected, that our Saviour admitted Iudas, whome he knew to be a devill and a traytor, to the holy sacrament and therfore such may not be su­spended.

Ans. I answere that Iudas made profession of faith and holynes and was out wardly so unblameable, that none of the Apostles did descern him to be the traytor which our Saviour sal [...] should betray him, but they suspected rather every on himselfe but we speak not in this question what men are indeed in secret, devils, hypocrites and the like: but of them that are openly scandalous and give offence & are infectious.

Secondly it is manifest, John. 13, 30. That Judas immediatly went out when he had received the [...]op, which was given him before the supper was fully ended. But our Saviour ordained the Sacrament after supper, Luk 22 20 and 1 Cor. 11.25. Yea it is manifest that he made that long [...]ermon which is set down, Iob. 13.31. to the end of the 17. Chapter, after Iudas was gone out; and that prayer and thanks­giveing with which he concluded and wherein [...]e prayes for that union and come munion of the faithfull with him, Chap. 7. whereof this Sacrament is a seale; seemes to me to be the blessing of the bread and wine. So this obiection is a mere [Page 6]mistake and vaine imagination.

Obj. 3 The third objection is; A minister is discharged if he give warning of the dan­ger to them that come unworthily as Paul did 1 Cor. 11. For giving of warning frees him. Ezech. 33.4. Acts. 2.26.

Ans. I answer that admonition is a part but not all the duty of the minister, Paul be­ing absent could write of the danger, but not put any back unlesse he had been present, it was enough to make the pastors in Corinth to suspend scandalous sinners in that he told them that the unworthy receiver did eat judgment to himselfe and profained the Lords body, and that every man must first sift and examine himselfe and then, come and eat, which scandalous impenitent sinners, do not, and therefore are not to be admitted.

In this case it is not enough for Ministers, to warne men of sin & danger, unless they haveing power to keepe them back, doe use it, and hinder them at least from open acting of sin. It is not enough for a man to tell one that is desperate that if he runs upon the drawne sword which he holds before him in his hand it will kil him, but he must pull back his sword, and not thrust it into his bowels, when he sees him running upon the point of it, and must put him by with all his might, or else he is guilty of murther. And so it is in this case, the Minister that gives to a scandalous impenitent sinner that which he knowes to be deadly poyson to his soule, is guilty, and pertaker of his sin.

Obj. 4 The Gospell is a Holy thing, and is to many the Savour of Death and yet must be Preached unto all men even to them whom it hardens to distru­ction.

Ans. It is true that out of Charity Ministers propound the Gospell to all in hope to prosit them, and to convert them; but if it appeares to them, that any are past hope and the word is deadly to them; they ought not any longer to preach to them, as I have before proved by our Saviours owne words. In breife this Ob­jection is an Arrow shott against Christ himselfe, For he saith give not holy things to doggs. But this Objector affirmes, that preaching of the Gospell is the holy thing of which Christ there speakes; And that we must preach it to wicked men, who are doggs so called for their uncleanesse; And therefore we must not in this command obey Christ, that is the issue of this Objection; but I have cut this knot asunder before, and so leave the shame to the Objector.

I adde onely one word more, that by extraordinary Revelation and speciall warrant from God, Moses and Aaron did speake Gods word to Phar [...]h, and Isaiah to the Iewes, which the knew would harden them. Ex. 7.3. Isa. 6.10. This is no warrant for us, unlesse we have like Revelation.

Obj. 5 God onely knowes the secrets of mens hearts, and Ministers cannot judge cer­tainely, who are worthy receivers; Therefore they must not usurpe power to de­termine mens unworthinesse to receave the Sacrament, God may change mens hearts in a moment before Ministers can take notice.

Ans. It is true that Hypocrites may deceave Ministers by seeming holinesse and may be admitted not by the fault of the Ministers, who are not bound to search into Gods secrets, nor to judge of the hidden disposition and state of mens soules; But an open scandalous sinner, is knowne to all who beleeve Gods word, to be un­worthy [Page 7]worthy, and judged unworthy of the holy Communion, and kept from it, while he is openly incorrigible. In this case we are not to dispute of Gods power, but what is Gods will, and that is not to give holy thing, to such as are manifestly uncleane like doggs as all scandalous impenitent sinners are for the present; It is hard to be beleeved that God will blesse a gracelesse and presumptuous act of sinne, with an holy change of heart in a moment. If men do murther their soules and drinke their owne damnation, they shall beare their owne burden, But if Minist­ers put this damning cup into their hand, and bid them drinke of it, their bloud shall be required of them, because they imbolden them and act with them in this profanation.

Object. 6 But what, if sinners, being invited and injoyned to receive the Sacrament under paine of contempt, do offer themselves, shall they not be admitted in case they professe sincere repentance, and promise newnesse of life for the time to come?

Answer. No Minister of Christ will in this case judge or deem sinners unworthy; This is, that which they require. Let sinners thus humble themselves, and the Con­troversie is ended.

Obj. 7 That Objection, of not breaking the bruised reed, nor quenching the smoak­ing flaxe is a palpable mistaking and wresting of Gods Word. For, the meaning of the words is: That poor dejected souls, whose hearts are bruised for their sins, and they have but a weak faith, like a little spark which makes only a smoak in flaxe; are not to be broken with threatnings and terror, but, to be comforted, confirmed, and strengthened by the gracious promises of mercy in Christ, and preaching the doctrine of Gods free grace, and Christs meritorious satisfaction and mediation.

This i [...] as contrary to the encouraging of scandalous impenitent sinners in their evil wayes, by admitting them for good and true Christians to Communion with the Saints, (which is the Controversie in hand) as darknesse is to light. The one is that which all Gods faithfull Ministers take delight in, and do in the holy pra­ctice thereof follow Christ. The other, is hatefull to God, if it be done wittingly and willingly, and all Gods Ministers abhor it as a thing most detestable. Now, therefore, let the Objecter see, how he hath wrested Gods Word, commanding an holy duty; to justifie profaine iniquity, and so hath confounded and mingled Heaven and Hell together-

Obj. 8 As the danger and hurt, which comes to many by hearing the Word unprofi­tably, doth not restraine Ministers from preaching to all men; so the hurt which comes to unworthy receivers, even eating damnation to themselves, ought not to deterre and restrain them from giving the Sacrament to all.

This Objection is most profane, for it tends to prove that the Heathen, Infi­dels, and Excommunicated persons, may be admitted to the Lords Supper [...] for the Word is preached to them all. But, my answer to it is this: That in preach­ing the Word to them who are hardened by it, the Ministers of Christ seek and hope to do good, and by accident it turns to hurt: But, in giving the Sacrament to scandalous and impenitent sinners, they know they give that which will cer­tainly bring judgement, because in that case they cannot cat but unworthily; So [...] [Page 8]the comparison holds not. Also in giving the holy Sacrament to such, they do wittingly profane holy things, and do lye desperatly, in saying, This is the Body and Blo [...]d of Christ broken and shed for thee; when they know him to be in such a case, that i [...] he continue in it to death, he shall be certainly damned, and is one who never had interest in Christ.

The Conclusion of the Adversary, is most absurd and irrationall, and contrary to manifest truth, For what seeking of unlimited Ecclesiastical power is this when Christs Ministers desire, that scandalous unworthy receavers may not profainly in­trude and come boldly to the Lords holy Table; And that they may not be com­pelled to do that which famous Calvin professed he would not doe though he were pressed to it with threatning of death, and did fersake his charge and flocke, and did suffer banishment, (untill Gods vengeance o [...] [...]cke his persecutors) for refusing to yeeld in that case against his conscience.

The power of judging who are scandalous is not [...]bitrary, nor in the lust of Ministers and Elders, but is limited to the rule of Gods [...]presse word. It is not a power to put back all whom they please, but such as the whole Consistory do see to be scandalous and unworthy. Their power is not ind [...]ndent but may be con­trolled by a superiour Presbytery. This power also is a sp [...]all part of the exercise of the keyes which Christ gave to the Apostles, Pastors, and Teachers, and which they exercised in the primitive times and Churches, as is before proved & by this means kept Gods holy ordinances from profanation, & made scandalous sinner [...] ­shamed of their evill wayes, and others affraid to walke in [...].

Wherefore I will conclude my answer to these foure Qu [...]ies with this Anti­quaeree, Whether it be not Antichristian pride, and exorbitant, transcendent un­limited power usurped, and dangerous opposition and contradiction of Gods ho­ly word & truth. That this inquisitor should control Christs holy Cōmandements call it tyranny and oppression of mens consciences to restraine them from pro­faining of Christ holy Ordinance, from eating their owne damnation, murthering wilfully their owne soules, troubling the consciences of Christian communicants driving them from the Lords Table, and causing them to separate from our con­gregations; And that he should charge a whole Assembly of godly grave and learned Pastours and Ministers of Christ true Church, with the ambitious seeking of such unlimited Ecclesiasticall power as Lordly Prelate never durst to clame. When they most humbly desire by way of Petition, that they may not against their own consciences guided by the word of God, cast holy things to dogs, nor be ty­rannized over by open scandalous impenitent sinners permitted to intrude them­selves boldly to the Lords table, and to take out of their hands the bread of Gods Children which is proper to such Christians as come Professing true repentance and faith in Christ.