Solomon Stoddard on ecclesiastical censures for obstinate offenders

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Reformed Covenanter

Cancelled Commissioner
MINISTERS should preserve a People from Corruption by good Government. God has given power of ruling to Ministers. Heb. 13.13. Obey them that rule you and submit to them. He has given a power of binding and losing. Mat. 16.19. What thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. And he appoints that they rule well, 1 Tim 5.17. Ministers have a corrcive [corrective] power to execute censures on them that are obstinate.

Ministers must have a tender and compassionate spirit, but when Men are sturdy and rebellious, severity is compassion; executing Ecclesiastical censures is a terror to evil doers: this is a proper means that their spirits may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, 1 Cor. 5.5. Though private revenge is utterly forbidden, yet they are to revenge disobedience: 2 Cor. 10.6. Having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience. This is the way to purge out the old leaven, to bring Men to repentance, and to put a stop to growing iniquities, that the Land be not defiled.

For the reference, see Solomon Stoddard on ecclesiastical censures for obstinate offenders.
 
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