Beloved in the Lord, it is known to you, that some
time ago our fellow member N., was cut off from the Church of Christ;
we cannot now conceal from you, that he, by the above mentioned
remedy, as also by the means of good admonitions and your christian
prayers, is come so far, that he is ashamed of his sins, praying us to
be readmitted into the communion of the Church.
Since we, then, by virtues of the command of God,
are in duty bound to receive such persons with joy, and it being
necessary that good order should be used therein, we therefore give
you to understand hereby, that we purpose to loose again the
aforementioned excommunicated person from the bond of excommunication,
the next time when by the grace of God we celebrate the Supper of the
Lord, and receive him again into the communion of the Church; except
any one of you, in the meantime, shall show just cause why this ought
not to be done, of which you must give notice to us in due time. In
the meantime, let every one thank the Lord, for the mercy shown this
poor sinner, beseeching him to perfect his work in him to his eternal
salvation. Amen.
Afterwards, if no impediment be alleged, the
Minister shall proceed to the readmission of the excommunicated
sinner, in the following manner:
Beloved Christians, we have the last time informed
you of the repentance of our fellow-member N. to the end, that he
might with your foreknowledge be again received into the Church of
Christ: and whereas no one has alleged anything why his readmission
ought not to take place, we therefore at present purpose to proceed to
the same.
Our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 18), having confirmed
the sentence of his Church, in the excommunicating of impenitent
sinners, declares immediately thereupon, "that whatsoever his
ministers shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven";
whereby He gives to understand, that when any person is cut off from
his Church, he is not deprived of all hopes of salvation; but can
again be loosed from the bonds of condemnation. Therefore, since God
declares in his word, that he takes no pleasure in the death of a
sinner, but that he turn from his wickedness and live, so the church
always hopes for the repentance of the
backslidden sinner, and keeps her bosom open to receive the penitent;
accordingly the apostle Paul (I Cor. 5), commanded the Corinthian
(whom he had declared ought to be cut off from the Church) to be again
received and comforted, since being reproved by many, he was come to
the knowledge of his sins: to the end that he should not be swallowed
up with overmuch sorrow (II Cor. 2).
Secondly. Christ teaches us in the
aforementioned text, that the sentence of absolution, which is passed
upon such a penitent sinner according to the Word of God, is counted
sure and firm by the Lord; therefore, no one ought to doubt in the
least, who truly repents, that he is assuredly received by God in
mercy, as Christ says (John 20), "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they
are remitted unto them." But now to proceed to the matter in
hand: I ask thee, N., whether thou do declare here with all thine
heart before God and his Church; that thou are sincerely sorry for the
sin and stubbornness, for which thou has been justly cut off from the
Church? Whether thou do also truly believe, that the Lord has forgiven
thee, and does forgive thy sins for Christ's sake, and that thou
therefore are desirous to be readmitted into the Church of Christ,
promising henceforth to live in all godliness according to the command
of the Lord?
Answer. Yes, verily.
Then the Minister shall further say:
We then, here assembled in the name and authority
of the Lord Jesus Christ, declare thee, N., to be absolved from the
bonds of excommunication; and do receive thee again into the Church of
the Lord, and declare unto thee that thou are in the communion of
Christ and of the holy sacraments, and of all the spiritual blessings
and benefits of God, which he promises to and bestows upon his Church:
may the eternal God preserve thee therein to the end, through his only
begotten Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Be therefore assured in thy heart, my beloved
brother, that the Lord has again received thee in mercy. Be diligent
henceforward to guard thyself against the subtlety of Satan, and the
wickedness of the world, to the end, that thou may not fall again into
sin: love Christ, for many sins are forgiven thee.
And you, beloved Christians, receive this your
brother, with hearty affection; be glad that he was dead and is alive,
he was lost and is found; rejoice with the angels of heaven, over this
sinner who repents: count him no longer as a stranger, but as a
fellow-citizen with the saints, and of the household of God. And
whereas we can have no good of ourselves, let us, praising and
magnifying the Lord Almighty, implore his mercy, saying:
Gracious God and Father, we thank thee through
Jesus Christ, that thou hast been pleased to give this our
fellow-brother repentance unto life, and us cause to rejoice in his
conversion. We beseech thee, show him thy mercy, that he may become
more and more assured in his mind of the remission of his sins, and
that he may receive from thence inexpressible joy and delight, to
serve thee. And whereas he has heretofore by his sins offended many,
grant that he may, by his conversion, edify many. Grant also that he
may steadfastly walk in thy ways to the end: and may we learn from
this example, that with thee is mercy, that thou mayest be feared;
and that we, counting him for our brother and coheir of life
eternal, may jointly serve thee with filial fear and obedience all
the days of our life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in whose name
we thus conclude our prayer:
Our Father which is in heaven. Hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power and
the glory, for ever. Amen.
