A little cabinet richly stored with all sorts of heavenly varieties, and soul-reviving influences.: Wherein there is a remedy for every malady, viz. milk for babes, and meat for strong men, and the ready way for both to obtain and retain assurance of salvation: being an abridgement of the sum and substance of the true Christian religion; wherein the cause of our salvation, the way, the guide, the rule, the evidence, the seals, &c. and the connection of these points together, and dependancy of them one upon another: this I have endeavoured to do orderly, exactly, methodically, with much plainness and clearness. / By Robert Purnell.

Of Excommunication.

THE Church of Christ is in Scripture resembled to a natural body, wherein are many members united to each other, and all to one head by one spi∣rit, growing up in unity: now as in the natural bo∣dy there may be many infirmities, so also it is in this mystical body, sometimes it may be Subject to di∣stempers by the drinking in of untruths, sometimes windy humorus of pride, high-mindedness, &c. and so distemper it, sometimes a Palsie humor of deadness and benummedness seise upon it, sometimes feave∣rish fits of violent headiness may inflame it; but God whose temples it is, hath provided for it against such distempers, whereof this of excommunication is is one. Now if any ask what it is, then I answer.

Answ. It is the casting of a stubborn sinner out of the Church, and a delivering him unto Satan, who be∣ing thus disfranchized of all the liberties, and depriv∣ed of all the benefits and common society of the Church, is separated as it were from that protection it once had.

This ordinance is to be administred to such as are desperately wicked, that have nothing profited by the former censures, but still continuedin their former wickedness of obstinate and malicious resisting all means graciously used to reclaim them.

Now the end of this casting out is twofold, either respecting the good of the person excommunicated, or the rest of the Church, 1 Cor. 5. 5. 1 Tim. 1 20. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are ga∣thered

together, to deliver such an one unto Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

This must be done in wisdom, tenderness, courage and faithfulness, to this end, to gain our offending member a gain, and to obey God in this command also, praying to God for his blessing upon his own ordinance, and that he would keep us from those sins that we deal with others for.