Martyrs Mirror 35OF SEPARATION

Separation, or the putting away from the church, is a decree or sentence of the same, by virtue and authority of the Word of God, against a member, or members, of the church, who, through open sin, a scandalous life, heresy, or stubbornness, have separated themselves from God and the fellowship of Jesus Christ, and no longer belong into Christ's kingdom, or to His church; therefore, their brotherhood, or sisterhood, is renounced, by virtue of the Word of God, in the name of the whole church. I Cor. 5:3 ; Matt. 18:18 ; I Cor. 5:1 ; Rom. 16:17 ; Tit. 3 ; Matt. 18:17 ; Isa. 59 ; Tit. 1:16 ; I Cor. 6:9 ; Gal. 5:21 ; I Cor. 5:12 ; II Cor. 2:8 .

The reason for which this is done, and to which the church must have respect in the separation, are principally these: (1) to show that her doctrine does by no means permit such sins, but is wholly opposed to them: that, by so doing, the doctrine may be preserved pure, and the name of God glorified. I Tim. 1:20 ; Tit. 1:13 ; I I Tim. 4:15 , 23 ; ( 2 ) through separation to prove in fact that she is the enemy of sin, and will in no wise tolerate it, in order that all causes for reproach to the church may be averted. I Cor. 5:1 , 2 ; Tit. 2:8 ; ( 3 ) that not, by constant intercourse and fellowship with the evil, the good become leavened or corrupted. I Cor. 5:7 ; II Tim. 2:17 ; ( 4 ) that the sinner, through excommunication and withdrawal may be convicted in his conscience, and moved to shame and reformation, that he may be saved. II Thess. 3 ; I Cor. 5:5 ; and (5) that others, by hearing and seeing this, may be admonished, so that they will fear to follow such evil.

But when the separated sinner shows genuine fruits of repentance, we must at all times be ready to receive him again in peace to the Christian communion of the church, if he earnestly requests it. II Cor. 2 .