An Antidote against four dangerous Queries, pretended to be propounded to the Reverend Assembly of Divines, touching suspension from the Sacrament.  
THe exercise of Excommunication, and suspension of persons notably scandalous from the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper, is a thing so expressly warranted in the holy Scripture; yea, so commanded and commended to the true Church, that the establishing of it, by public authority, ●ath no difficulty in it, nor any matter of doubtfulness 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 special presence, which then was only in his Father's 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 all persons, who openly profess uncircumcision of heart by are the Word of God, to be cut off from the Church of Christ, & Communion with the Saints. And in the days of our Saviour, 
joh. 9.22.34 verse. & 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 sacrilege he declared himself to be in the gall of bitterness, 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 Heretics, 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 express Warrant from God's Word, or convincing reason) a most clear commandment of Christ, for the exercise of Excommunication in the Christian Church. For they are plain, that he who sins against his Brother, though privately, (whether by wrong done to his person in backbiting 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) yet, if he scorn private admonition, and when it is brought to the Church, he refuseth to hear the Church, than he offends publicly, 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 outed 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 Christ's Commandment 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 grant, 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 reputes him, Luke 17. this doth no whit cross his Commandment of excommunicating, such as are impenitent and obstinately refuse to hear the Church. Let this suffice for Excommunication, that it is an Ordinance 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 public Ordinances; (as the Adversary 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 public 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 confess) 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 capital crimes of Idolatry, cruel 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 kind ●●arguing, to say, That such and such Scriptures do prove Excommunication, and therefore, are erroncously produced to prove suspension, for this latter is necessarily employed and included in proceeding to the former, and is as necessary a step and degree to it, as reproof and admonition: Unless, men will dream of Popish, and late Prelatical 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 God's Word, and godly Pastors, Ministers, and Elders; if the Church be well reform, will be far from proceeding, as in the Papacy and Prelacy, with indiscreet, over severe, ambitious, passionate, and revengeful hands: He who nourisheth such most unchristian and uncharitable thoughts and suspicions in his heart, of Ecclesiastical Rulers and Judicatures, this year; will perhaps argue before the year be out.  
Upon the same ground, against the high prerogatives and privileges of Parliament, and the power of Civil 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 godliness; 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 justify Tyranny and oppression and to overthrow the Liberty of the Subjects, as we felt by woeful experience in the latter times, of domineering Prelates who made their will and lust Law. For my part, I dare not be so suspicious, nor  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 Apostolical Church, once set up and backed, confirmed, and established by civil authority; there will be no place for Judges and Rulers civil, nor domineering, and ambitious, revengeful Governors Ecclesiastical to tyrannize over the consciences of Christians: If any scandalous persons creep into Pastoral charges, there will be a plain and easy way to cast them out: If a congregational Consistory offend grossly through indiscretion, superior Presbyteries will correct them, and there will be appeals to Provincial Synods from erring & unjust sentences of Presbyteries. The Gospel powerfully preached by godly and faithful Ministers, set up in all places of the Land, encouraged with double honour of liberal maintenance and due reverence, will work a great Reformation, and increase of knowledge grace, and godliness, in the Peers and Commons of the Realm, 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 continual contentions: Lawyers shall not get the wealth, of be Land into their hands by fishing in troubled waters, encouraging men in unlawful and quarrelous su●●es, pleading wicked causes for large fees; prolonging suits, and making men spend, in ●ong ●uite, unto twice the value of their just right & debt for which they sue, & by taking triple fees, & keeping them, though they fail their client, and be employed at other 〈◊〉, when his cause is to be pleaded. Godliness and true Religion being increased by faithful preaching, and godly Discipline● In the hearts of men, will make the Commonwealth 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 marvel, that the corrupt ones, of that procession, are deadly Enemies to the maintenance, honour, and other encouragements of the Ministers of the Gospel.  
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, until they confess their offences and profess 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 faithful 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 rebel against the light of Common reason.  
Every sinner openly scandalous, either in corrupt life, or in fall opinions and doctrine, walking disorderly and causing divisions; which are not according to godliness, 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 enjoins Christians yea commands them in the Name of the Lord jesus 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 wholesome words and sound doctrine; but is proud, do●ing about questions and strife of words, which cause envy strife, rail, 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 evil 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 Saviour's 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 God's 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 the offerings of the Law. By giving to dogs is meant, not a bare propounding, or showing, or offering that which is holy, to all in general, who can and will rightly receive it as we do in preaching the Word to every creature & to all even heathen Nations, to see and try 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 eternal life, and the righteousness and satisfaction of Christ which belong only to men, who do repent and profess 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 communion with Christ; And giving of the sacraments which are feales of regeneration, remission of sins, and communion with Christ, to infidels and to scandalous and impenitent sinners; This giving of holy things to unclean and unworthy persons, is that which our Saviour here forbids, and therefore to such persons as are like dogs in uncleanness by reason of scandalous sins and impenite cie, the holy Sacraments are not to be given; Though ministers may preach and propound the Gospel and the promises thereof to all in general for their conversion, yet they may not apply promises of ●he remission of sin, of Christ's satisfaction and of eternal life to any in particular, but only to such as profess faith, repentance and holiness of life Yea if any be found like swine, who when the pearl of the Gospel is cast before them, do scorn, contemn, tread it under foot, and persecute and tear the preachers; they must turn a way from them, shake of the dust from their feet and not cast holy pearls before them any more as our Saviour taught his Apostles Math. 10.14. And they put in practice Acts. 13, 51.  
Obj. 1 Whereas it is objected, first that no circumeised person was debarred from the Passover that was desirous to ●at it. Ans. To this I answer, that legal uncleanness 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 therefore much more doth the uncleanness of scandalous sin which is worse, debar men from the holy communion of the Lords supper which far exceeds legal holy sacrifices.  
Obj. 2 Secondly it is objected, that our Saviour admitted judas, whom he knew to be a devil and a traitor, to the holy sacrament and therefore such may not be suspended.  
Ans. I answer that judas made profession of faith and holiness and was out wardly so unblameable, that none of the Apostles did discern him to be the traitor which our Saviour sal● should betray him, but they suspected rather every on himself 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 immediately 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, job. 13.31. to the end of the 17. Chapter, after judas was gone out; and that prayer and thanksgiveing with which he concluded and wherein ●e prays for that union and come munion of the faithful with him, Chap. 7. whereof this Sacrament is a seal; seems to me to be the blessing of the bread and wine. So this objection is a mere mistake and vain 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 unless 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 judgement to himself and profaned the Lords body, and that every man must first sift and examine himself 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 warn men of sin & danger, unless they having power to keep them back, do 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 drawn sword which he holds before him in his hand it will kill 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 murder. And so it is in this case, the Minister that gives to a scandalous impenitent sinner that which he knows to be deadly poison to his soul, is guilty, and partaker of his sin.  
Obj. 4 The Gospel 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 destruction.  
Ans. It is true that out of Charity Ministers propound the Gospel to all in hope to prosit them, and to convert them; but if it appears 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 Saviour's own words. In brief this Objection is an Arrow shot against Christ himself, For he saith give not holy things to dogs. But this Objector affirms, that preaching of the Gospel is the holy thing of which Christ there speaks; And that we must preach it to wicked men, who are dogs so called for their uncleanness; 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 add only one word more, that by extraordinary Revelation and special warrant from God, Moses and Aaron did speak God's word to Phar●●h, and Isaiah to the jews, which the knew would harden them. Ex. 7.3. Isa. 6.10. This is no warrant for us, unless we have like Revelation.  
Obj. 5 God only knows the secrets of men's hearts, and Ministers cannot judge certainly, who are worthy receivers; Therefore they must not usurp power to determine men's unworthiness to receive the Sacrament, God may change men's hearts in a moment before Ministers can take notice.  
Ans. It is true that Hypocrites may deceive Ministers by seeming holiness and may be admitted not by the fault of the Ministers, who are not bound to search into God's secrets, nor to judge of the hidden disposition and state of men's souls; But an open scandalous sinner, is known to all who believe God's word, to be unworthy 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 God's power, but what is God's will, and that is not to give holy thing, to such as are manifestly unclean like dogs as all scandalous impenitent sinners are for the present; It is hard to be believed that God will bless a graceless and presumptuous act of sin, with an holy change of heart in a moment. If men do murder their souls and drink their own damnation, they shall bear their own burden, But if Ministers put this damning cup into their hand, and bid them drink of it, their blood shall be required of them, because they embolden them and act with them in this profanation.  
Object. 6 But what, if sinners, being invited and enjoined to receive the Sacrament under pain of contempt, do offer themselves, shall they not be admitted in case they profess sincere repentance, and promise newness 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 Controversy is ended.  
Obj. 7 That Objection, of not breaking the bruised reed, nor quenching the smoking flax is a palpable mistaking and wresting of God's 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 smoke in flax; are not to be broken with threaten and terror, but, to be comforted, confirmed, and strengthened by the gracious promises of mercy in Christ, and preaching the doctrine of God's free grace, and Christ's meritorious satisfaction and mediation.  
This i● as contrary to the encouraging of scandalous impenitent sinners in their evil ways, by admitting them for good and true Christians to Communion with the Saints, (which is the Controversy in hand) as darkness is to light. The one is that which all Gods faithful Ministers take delight in, and do in the holy practice thereof follow Christ. The other, is hateful to God, if it be done wittingly and willingly, and all God's Ministers abhor it as a thing most detestable. Now, therefore, let the Objecter see, how he hath wrested God's Word, commanding an holy duty; to justify 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 restrain Ministers from preaching to all men; so the hurt which comes to unworthy receivers, even eating damnation to themselves, ought not to deter 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 〈…〉 the comparison holds not. Also in giving the holy Sacrament to such, they do wittingly profane holy things, and do lie desperately, 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 irrational, and contrary to manifest truth, For what seeking of unlimited Ecclesiastical power is this when Christ's Ministers desire, that scandalous unworthy receivers 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 do though he were pressed to it with threatening of death, and did fersake his charge and flock, and did suffer banishment, (until God's vengeance o●●●●cke his persecutors) for refusing to yield in that case against his conscience.  
The power of judging who are scandalous is not arbitrary, nor in the lust of Ministers and Elders, but is limited to the rule of God's ●●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 independent but may be controlled by a superior Presbytery. This power also is a sp●●●all part of the exercise of the keys 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 unshamed of their evil ways, and others afraid to walk in 〈◊〉.  
Wherefore I will conclude my answer to these four Queries with this Antiquaeree, Whether it be not Antichristian pride, and exorbitant, transcendent unlimited power usurped, and dangerous opposition and contradiction of God's holy word & truth. That this inquisitor should control Christ's holy Commandements call it tyranny and oppression of men's consciences to restrain them from profaning of Christ holy Ordinance, from eating their own damnation, murdering wilfully their own souls, 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 Pastors and Ministers of Christ true Church, with the ambitious seeking of such unlimited Ecclesiastical power as Lordly Prelate never durst to claim. 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 tyrannised 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 God's Children which is proper to such Christians as come Professing true repentance and faith in Christ.  
FINIS.   

LONDON, Printed according to Order, For Nathaniel Webb. 1645.