The Orthodox Creed, 1679 - Baptist Theology

165 AN ORTHODOX CREEDChurch, 342 in a most harmonious way, for the Beauty, Order, Government,and Establishment of the same, and consisteth in the exercise and executionof the Censors, or Rod of Correction, he hath appointed therein, 343 forthe Purgation, or Pruning of the same; in order to prevent Scandals andOffences, both publick and private. And in case of personal and privateTrespasses between Party and Party, that the Member so offended, tell hisOffence to his Brother 344 between them alone; and if he shall not hear him,to take one or two more; if he will not hear him then, to tell it unto theChurch. 345 And the Ministers of Christ ought to rebuke them sharply, thatsin before them in the Church; 346 and in case there be any wicked, publick,and scandalous Sinners, or Obstinate Hereticks, that then the Churchought speedily to convene such her Members, and labour to convict themof their Sin and Heresie, Schism, and Prophaneness, whatsoever it be; andafter such regular Suspension, 347 and due Admonition, if such Sinners repentnot; that then for the Honour of God, and preserving the Credit ofReligion, and in order to save the Sinner’s Soul, and good of the Church,in obedience to God’s Law, to proceed and excommunicate the Sinner, bya judicial Sentence in the Name of Christ and his Church, 348 tenderingan admonition of Repentance to him with Gravity, Love, and Authority,and all this without Hypocrisie, or Partiality; praying for the Sinner, thathis Soul may be saved in the Day of the Lord. And under this second degree,of Withdrawing, or Excommunication, to account him as a Heathen,or Publican, 349 that he may be ashamed. But upon the third and highestAct of Excommunication, it being a most dreadful Thunder-clap of God’sJudgment, it is most difficult, for any Church now to proceed in, 350 it beingdifficult to know when any Man hath sinned the unpardonable Sin, and soto incur a total Cutting-off from the Church.XXXV. Article.Of Communion of Saints, and giving to the Poor.All Christians that have been Baptized into one Faith, and united inone true Visible Way of Worshipping the true God, by Christ Jesus our342Heb. 13.7, 17.3432 Thes. 3.6. I Thes. 5.12, 13, 14. 2 Cor. 2.5, 6, 7.344Lev. 19.17, 18.345Mat. 18. 15, 16, 17.346I Tim. 5.20. 2 Tim. 2.14. Tit. 1.12, 13, 14.347Lev. 13.1. to the 8. Num. 12.14, 15. 2 Thess. 3.6.348I Cor. 5.4, 5, 6, 7. Tit. 3.10. Rev. 2.14, 20, 22, 23.349Mat. 18.17.350I Cor. 16.22.