The Gofpel of the ,reprofy. 29,E Ànfw. Some things herein are left to Chriftian Prudence, and muj be ivdged of by the particular Circumftances of :every Cafe. But there be fame general Rules to guide as in each particular. There are there twogeneral Rules wherein all agree, all thegodly learned that have writ- ten upon this Subje& do agree thus far. Rule r. In force Cafes there ought to be a moregradual and delatory way ofproceeding, by certain Steps and Degrees. Thefe Steps and Degrees are two. Firft Sufpenfion, and then Ex- communication. The first Degree is called by force the leffer Exèommu- nication. And the fecond they call the greater Excommunication. Sufpenfion is a temporary debarring of a Perfon from the prefent En. joyment and Participation of Church-Priviledges ;: as the Sacraments and Power of Voting, till fuch time as his Cafe be fully determined. Some call it Sufpenfion , others call it Admonition, others the teller Excommunication. But he is a Member (till. For Excommunication cuts him off; Sufpenfion only debars him of prefent Communion with the Body for a Time : But Excommunication cuts offand diflolves his Union with theBody. The Rule for Sufpenfion is in Lev.. 13. 4, 5. from the Priefl's flit- ting up the Leper (even Days---And Matth. 5. 24. Leave thy Gift be- fore the Altar And Matti). 18. The Church muff be told of his Sin, and of his obttinacy under the former Steps of Proceeding with him, and it mutt appear, that he doth not hear the Church, before he may be made an Heathen and a Publican. Oue . But how long muff they delay the Sentence of Excommunication ? Anf. There cannot be a particular Time limited, becaufe of the infinite variety ofparticular Cafes and Circumftances : Therefore whe- ther an Offender, fhould lie under Sufpenfion a Week, or a Month, or a longer, or !hotter Time, God hath left it to Chriftian Wifdom. It is dangerous to limit andmake particular Rules,when God bathmade none. Thegeneral Rule, which is fufiicient to guide and give Light in all particular Cafes, is this. That till it do- appear that the Offender Sins prefumptuoufly, the Church fhould not proceed to Excommunication. If the Cafe be dubious and uncertain, whether he be a leprous, a prefump- tuous Sinner or no, as Levit.13. then flit him up [even Days more, till it do appear that he is a Leper, and a erefumptuous Sinner. The fame Rule is given concerning lefi'er and private Offences, in Matth. 18. 15, r 6, 17, If thy Brother offend thee, tell him between him and thee : If he will not bear thee, take with thee one or two more : And if hefhatl neglea to hear them, then tell it to the Church. Tell it. What Q q 2 is
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