Church of Scotland; Knox, John, approximately 1514-1572; Reformation -- Scotland; Theology -- Early works to 1800
We have spokin no thing of those that commit horrible crymis, as
murtheraris, man-slayaris, and adulteraris; for suche (as we have
said) the Civill swearde aught to punische to death: But in case thei
be permitted to leve, than must the Churche, as before is said, draw
the swearde whiche of God scho hath receaved, halding thame as
accursed evin in thair [very] fact. The offendar being first called,
and ordour of the Churche used aganis him, in the same maner as the
personis that for obstinat impenitence ar publictlie excommunicat: So
that the obstinat impenitent efter the sentence of excommunicatioun,
and the murtherar or adulterar stand in one case as concernying the
judgement of [the Churche]; that is, neathir of both may be receaved
in the fellowschip of the Churche to prayeris or sacramentis, (but to
heiring of the word thei may,) till first thei offer thame selfis to
the Ministerie, humblie requiring the Ministeris and Elderis to pray
to God for thame; and alsua to be intercessouris to the Churche, that
thei may be admitted to publict repentence, and so to the fruitioun of
the benefitis of Christ Jesus, distributed to the memberis of his
body.
Yf this requeist be humilie maid, then may not the Ministeris refuise
to signifie the same unto the Churche, the nixt day of publict
preaching,[515] the Minister geving exhortatioun to the Churche to
pray to God to performe the work whiche he appearit to have begun,
wirking in the heart of the offendare unfeyned repentence of his
grevous cryme, and the sence[516] and fealing of his great mercy, by
the operatioun of his Holie Spirit. Thairefter ane day aucht
publictlie to be assignit unto him to gif oppin confessioun of his
offence and contempt, and sa to mak ane publict satisfactioun to the
Churche of God. Whiche day the offenderis must appeare in presence of
the hoill Churche, and with his awin mouthe dampne his awin impietie,
publictlie confessing the same; desiring God of his grace and mercy,
and his congregatioun, that it will please thame to accept him in
thair societie, as before is said. The Minister must examinat him
diligentlie whethir he find a haitrent and displesour of his syn,
alsweill of his cryme as of his contempt:[517] whiche yf he confesse,
he must travell with him, to se what hope he hath of Goddis mercy.
[515] In MS. 1566, "publict praying."
[516] In edit. 1621, "cryme and offence."
[517] In edit. 1621, the words "cryme," and "contempt," are
transposed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account