Account of Excommunication, Part 1

“Be of one mind—let nothing be done through strife or vainglory,” Philippians 2, verse 3.

“For no one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” First Corinthians 3, verse 11.

Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, it is known and evident to all the true children of God who are enlightened by his Holy Spirit that human reason is so depraved in Adam that it has but little light that can lead to godliness. Indeed, it has become so unfit, haughty, ignorant and blind that it would even presume to alter, bend, break, contradict, judge and find fault with the word of the Lord God; it will not yield to any spirit or gift, and insists that it is right and that all it does or says is God’s word; and by this the saving truth, and blessed love and peace, have often had to endure and suffer much injury, infamy and disgrace.

In the second place, it is evident that the enchanting spirit of antichrist has also made the whole world so drunk with the cup of his abominations, and has so rejected the doctrine of Christ and his holy apostles, the sacraments, Spirit, life, ordinances, usages, example and the true worship, that but little of a saving nature is left among men; hence it is difficult to restore what has been destroyed to its true order and proper use, for which the Lord had ordained it.

In the third place, it is evident that the old master, Satan, the archenemy of God and of souls, is always about us like a roaring lion, and seeks whom he may devour, as Peter says. He assails us in various ways: now with the unclean, wicked nature of our depraved flesh, and then with some enchanting false doctrine and fair words; again by persecution, the cross and fears; then with liberty and the worldly life of the flesh; now with riches and abundance, then again with lack, want and poverty. In short, he shoots his fiery darts constantly; they fly by day and by night, in secret and in public. He who does not zealously abide in the fear of God cannot withstand the manifold assaults of his temptations. Indeed, when we think the end is reached, then we are assailed most violently. Some are led to quarreling and wrangling under the appearance of truth; such are called by Paul “men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth.” Their fruits are abominable envy, disgraceful defamation, slanderous words, unclean, perverted minds, a lamentable destruction of the holy peace of God, a grievous denial of pure Christian love, a hindrance of the saving doctrine, the fruitful mother of faction, and an easy road to ruin, as we have abundantly seen in the days of the revealed truth.

O brothers, take warning; again I say, beware and watch. For James says that such wisdom is not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish; for the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Indeed, my brothers, where there is no peaceable, friendly, saving and impartial wisdom, there is nothing but a forced appearance of good; powerless, impure and sinful prayer; an unsteady, wavering mind; a restless and troubled conscience, full of strife and dissension, no matter how much we may boast of the truth. The Lord grant that we may see this.

In the fourth place, it is evident that the community or church cannot continue in the saving doctrine and in a blameless and pious life without the proper use of Excommunication or the Ban. As a city without good civil order, or laws and regulations, or a field without any enclosure, or a house without walls and doors, so also is a church that does not have the true apostolic Exclusion or Ban; for without it there would be an opening for all deceiving spirits, for all abominations and for proud scorners, for all idolatrous and wantonly perverted sinners; indeed, for all lewd debauchees, sodomites, adulterers and knaves, as is the case with all the great sects of the world, which call themselves, though wrongly, the church of Christ. In my opinion it is the distinguishing usage, honor and prosperity of a sincere community if they teach the true apostolic Separation with Christian discretion, and observe it carefully in love according to the ordinance of the holy, divine Scriptures. It is more than evident that if we had not insisted upon it with due zeal, we would be regarded and called by everyone members of the sect of Munster and all other perverted sects. But, thank God, through the proper use of excommunication it is well known among several thousand honorable, sincere persons in different principalities, cities and countries that we are guiltless of and free from all ungodly abominations and perverted sects; and that we also make this known openly to the whole world, not only by our doctrine and walk, but with our possessions and blood.

We observe that the bright light of the holy gospel of Christ now shines again in radiant splendor in these troubled times of all antichristian abominations; God’s own and firstborn Son, Christ Jesus, is gloriously revealed; his good will and pleasure and his holy word concerning faith, regeneration, repentance, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the whole saving doctrine, life and ordinance, have come to light again through much seeking, prayer, reading, teaching and writing; so that now all things (God be praised for his grace) proceed according to the true apostolic rule in the church, by which the kingdom of Christ rises in honor and the kingdom of antichrist is sinking. For this reason the archenemy of our souls violently opposes it and uses his old wiles and arts most subtly against it. He appears under the cloak of a Christian; understand me rightly. He proudly boasts of faith; he upbraids, indeed, rejects all the deeds of Babylon; he is baptized; he seats himself with the saints at the Lord’s Supper; he praises the lives of the pious; he hears exhortations; he gives alms; he takes in the poor; he washes the saints’ feet; he says that Christ is the Son of God. In short, in appearance he is a blameless, regenerated, penitent and true Christian. But in the meantime he watches where he may assail us most easily and injure us most. He pleasingly approaches the depraved and enchanted souls, some of whom, as is evident, as yet know little about the nature and disposition of the Holy Spirit; he presses them closely, for he knows how to defend his cause skillfully with the letter of the Scriptures. He speaks gently; whatever he does, he does as though out of pure fear of God and love for the church, with the word and truth of the Lord. He begins, as though in the anxiety of a distressed conscience, to argue and dispute, chiefly concerning the separation, which he cannot well tolerate and endure. Here and there he raises pernicious questions and answers, by which he so influences and inflames the perverted and enchanted that some of them, when they cannot stand before the power of the truth, out of mere partisan spirit leave the pleasant Jerusalem of peace and return again to unclean, blind Babel, or build up a sect of their own, as I have seen happen two or three times, with much sorrow. See, this is the pearl which the old deceiver seeks with his anger and wrangling. For whether we stay away from the idolatrous church or not, whether we are baptized or not, it makes no difference to him; if he can only inflame our hearts with hatred and envy toward one another, corrupt our minds, mar our love and destroy our peace; if he can but sow discord, defamation, hatred, lies, enmity and backbiting, which generally arise from such disputes; if he can but do this, then he has accomplished what he sought. Ah, dear brothers, beware; for it is more than clear that all those who do not have the meek, friendly, peaceable and affectionate Spirit of Christ, but are contentious, are not of God. Let this be known to you.

Since, then, we know that from the beginning of the expounded gospel until this present moment he has caused us much pain and sorrow of heart with his cunning, unfruitful questions of contention and other pernicious disputes, I most affectionately and sincerely entreat all who desire to walk peaceably and quietly in the fear of God with a good conscience before the Lord and his church, that they would all, before God in Christ Jesus, sincerely lay to heart how faithfully the Holy Spirit of Christ warns us against unprofitable, foolish questions, answers, disputes and quarrels, First Timothy, chapter 6. For the Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of love and peace, and therefore teaches it to all his children, and writes it upon the tablets of our hearts with his gracious finger. Ah, do reflect on what we teach: that his holy kingdom and word are a word and kingdom of peace, and not of strife; that his messengers and servants are messengers and servants of peace; so that you who call yourselves after his holy name, who alone has graciously called you into his kingdom of peace through the word of his peace, may escape the snares of the devil; and that you may conduct yourselves in all your ways toward all men according to the will and pleasure of Christ, and observe and defend his holy word and ordinance; that you may promote the true righteousness that God requires, such as faith, love, repentance, regeneration, piety and peace, with all the other fruits of the Holy Spirit; that you may gladden the hearts of all who are sorrowful of heart, and of the young and tender souls in Christ Jesus, and strengthen, console and encourage them in all their trials, need, temptations, tribulation and fear; so that the most holy city and temple, which lay desolate for so many centuries, may be rebuilt again, and all its usages, ordinances and services restored to their first order. Indeed, that the saving light of the true gospel of Christ may be spread in its full splendor among all nations, kindreds and tongues, and that the accursed, lying and antichristian darkness may be dispelled.

Consider, then, that the powerful word of the Lord is breaking forth more and more wonderfully, and that therefore all true hearts would gladly see and have unanimity in this part, the Ban, by which they are sometimes so greatly troubled and perplexed, as related, so that they might all proceed in good order, observing one rule according to the Scriptures, as becomes Christians. Consider too that I, an unworthy person, the weakest of all the saints, have been severely tried in this part by many different spirits for twenty-two years and have endured many an attack, by which others have not only been taught by me, but I have also been taught by others (the Giver of all good gifts be praised for all of it); and also that through length of time and through many chance circumstances, examination and study, I have gained more knowledge in some things. Therefore I was asked and besought in brotherly fashion by several pious hearts, who would gladly see all things right, that before the close of my life I would examine and revise the Ground and meaning of the true apostolic Ban or Separation, arrange it in proper form, and present it for examination to the elders and ministers of the church and to all who desire peace. For I am now an old, feeble man; and if anyone after my departure should cause any trouble, strife or dissension among the quiet and peaceable, under the pretense that he heard this or that from me at some time, or should draw wrong views from some of my writings which I have not yet explained as fully concerning husband and wife, and concerning open, offensive, carnal sinners, as is done here, then the brothers may refer them to my conclusive ground after I have fallen asleep in God and departed from here. Besides this, the pious, doubting conscience may thereby be relieved, so that they may come to an assured confidence in their minds. I have undertaken to answer this request, though it is Christian and just, with hesitation, because I know well that not all who will read, hear and see it are brothers and sisters in truth and power, but others as well. And where the disposition is not friendly, nor love true, there the understanding is generally partial and the interpretation unjust, as I, alas, have often experienced in my days. Ah, that some of them would obtain grace! Besides, I know that opinions, judgments, affections and minds differ, and that not everyone possesses in its fullness the all-prevailing truth and the fear, Spirit and anointing of the Lord; therefore I fear that not all will receive and follow this doctrine as the True Ground of Truth. O that all of us who think we see had the eyes of understanding! Then, in my opinion, it would soon take strong hold with some.

Yet I confidently expect that those who in the true fear of God sincerely seek union and peace among the pious, and are anxious for the truth, will not despise and upbraid me for this my anxious and brotherly labor for the building up of holy peace and the explanation of eternal truth, which I have accepted in true Christian faith; but that they will accept it and give the praise to God for his grace. For it seems to me, though perhaps I may be in error, almost impossible to hit upon a surer way according to the truth, in which we may stand before God and man, than the one which I have impartially, and according to my limited talents, pointed out and explained as before God in Christ Jesus, and which is according to the sacred Scriptures.

I do not serve the stiff-necked, haughty and perverse scorners, nor immovable bigots and wranglers; but I serve those who are of an impartial, new, Christian mind, who let themselves be instructed and are under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and live in the fear of God and in pure love; who have received the Lord’s holy word and truth with a pure mind, who follow it implicitly through the anointing they have received, and are free from all bitter party spirit, vain honor, hatred and envy. For with such people we find the amiable spirit of peace, a sincere and pious disposition, an unleavened, pure heart and conduct, and therefore also an upright and pure understanding and an uncorrupted, saving ground and interpretation. They no longer live for their selfish flesh, but for Christ and their neighbors; they resist no one; they are humble; they are opposed to all unscriptural contention and strife; they readily acknowledge their shortcomings wherever they have erred; they make peace with the neighbors whom they had grieved, regarding neither honor nor dishonor; they heap coals of fire upon the heads of their adversaries; they walk blamelessly, so that they may awaken them again to the truth with love, lead them from the way of error, bring them to Christ and save them eternally. See, these are they, I say, whom I serve with my writings; for they have Christ in power, with his Spirit, word and love, and so with him and in him they have True Christianity, which will stand before God, and which is a useful, cheering, peaceable and joyful thing. Ah, children, be admonished; learn rightly to know the subtlety of the devil, and beware of discord. May the merciful Father grant us the wise Spirit of his grace. Amen.

1. What is meant by Separation or Excommunication? Sincerely faithful children in the Lord, whom I love in truth: I have undertaken in fatherly faithfulness this very critical task, for the benefit of you and of all the pious generally. I say a critical task, for I am well aware that it has caused much grief among the humble for some time, and I fear that it is not all over yet. I therefore entreat you all in general, both the troubled and the untroubled, by the bloody wounds of Jesus, all of you who with me bow your knees before the Almighty, great God; I exhort you by the righteous judgment which he will hold at his coming in the clouds of heaven, in flaming fire, with his mighty angels, that you would be pleased to judge this my work impartially and with a pure heart of peace. Read article after article, indeed, every word, with sincere Christian discretion, in impartial, true love, according to the rule and foundation of truth; and in the first place observe well what the Excommunication of the church of Christ is in its power, which the Lord’s holy apostles left and taught us in the word, so that you do not despise it in ignorance, nor say with the scorners, Let them excommunicate freely; their excommunication is not dangerous, and similar careless expressions. I tell the truth in Christ and do not lie, that I would sooner let myself be cut to pieces until the day of judgment, if it were possible, than let myself be excommunicated from his church according to the Scriptures by the servants of the Lord. O brothers, beware!

Everything that was cursed in Israel according to the ordinances of the law, whether man or beast, had to die, and the accursed goods had to be burned with fire. This was a dreadful and severe curse. But in the kingdom and government of Christ, if we rightly view it in its true character, it is still more dreadful if repentance does not follow. It is not now a bodily destruction or the death of our flesh, as Moses’ curse or excommunication was, nor is it an exclusion from a temple or synagogue, like the excommunication of the Jews or of the world; but it is a true declaration of the eternal death of the soul, made through the sincere servants of Christ against all offending, carnal sinners and stubborn wranglers; a delivering over to Satan; indeed, a public renouncing, excommunicating or separating from the congregation, church, body and kingdom of Christ, and that in the name of Christ, with the binding power of his Holy Spirit and powerful word.

Since, then, this is such a dreadful and severe anathema, as related, let everyone see well to it that he walks and conducts himself before God and his church in such a way as not to be eternally struck by such a curse, either of Christ or of his church, so that he must be an excommunicant outside the holy congregation, body, city, temple, church, kingdom and house of Christ. For all who are outside the congregation and church of Christ must be in that of antichrist; this cannot be disputed. And what the reward of such people will be, if they will not repent, may be plainly read in Romans 1, verse 32; Romans 6, verse 23; Galatians 5, verse 21; Revelation 21, verse 8. Ah, children, beware; be careful with all your powers; watch diligently; pray fervently and be prepared; for God’s judgments are terrible. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” Hebrews 10, verse 31.

2. Over whom this Apostolic Excommunication is to be used. We find in many places of the holy Scriptures that the truly believing church is the spiritual body, bride, camp, city and temple of Jesus Christ, our only spiritual Head, Bridegroom, King and High Priest, prefigured by the literal Eve, Rebecca, and the camp, city and temple of Israel. In the political dominion of Israel, no leper, no one who had an issue, nor those who were defiled by the dead, were allowed to come into the camp as long as they were not healed and purified according to the law; no one was allowed to relieve himself within the camp; neither an uncircumcised nor an unclean person was allowed to eat of the passover. All those (here observe Israel’s Ban well) who despised the word of the Lord and set aside his commandments, those who were guilty of abomination in Israel and served strange gods, had to die without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. For, says Moses, they were to be a holy people to the Lord. Numbers 5, verse 2; Exodus 12, verse 48; Deuteronomy 17, verse 6; Exodus 19, verse 6.

And so it is in the Christian dispensation; for his church is a congregation of saints, or an assembly of the righteous, as the Nicene fathers confessed with us some centuries ago. And as Adam had but one Eve, who was flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone; Isaac but one Rebecca, who was of his own family; and Christ but one body, which was heavenly and from heaven, and was perfect and holy in all its members; so also, spiritually, he has but one Eve, but one new Rebecca, who is his spiritual body, spouse, church and bride: namely, the believers, the regenerated, meek, merciful, dead to sin, righteous, peaceable, amiable and obedient children in his kingdom and house of peace; pure, chaste virgins in the Spirit, holy souls who are of his divine family, holy flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone.

From this it is evident, according to the doctrine of the holy apostles, that the obstinate disturber or sectary who, contrary to the doctrine of godliness, causes offense and discord, and those who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ, who lead an offensive life, or the overcurious, inquisitive and lazy who live at the expense of others, shall not be tolerated in the holy house, camp, city, temple, church and body of Christ, which is the church; but that we should with one accord exclude and shun them according to Scripture, for our salvation and their reformation. Faithful children, be warned. Terrible is the word which John utters: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God,” Second John 1, verse 9. And in another place, “He who commits sin is of the devil,” First John 3, verse 8.

3. The reason why this Excommunication is commanded in the Scriptures. John teaches and says that God is love. Since, then, God is love, he also shows the nature of what he is, namely, love. That this is the truth may be readily seen from the creation and preservation of all his creatures; the restoration of Adam and Eve; the preservation of Noah and his sons from the flood with an ark; in blessing Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; in ransoming Israel from Egypt; in sending Moses and the prophets; and more especially in the holy incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God; in his gracious, powerful doctrine, miracles, prayers, weeping, cross, blood and death; and also in the outpouring of his Holy Spirit and the sending forth of his holy apostles.

Since, then, it is evident that God is love, and will be forever, who in the beginning showed the glorious fruit of love toward his children, he now likewise does this by his exclusion or separation, although it is terrible and severe, and although it has such a terrible consequence for the stubborn and unconverted sinner, as heard. And since he is the wise and all-knowing God, who with his flaming eyes sees into the inmost recesses of the hearts and reins of men, who judges their ways and knows us best, who are his feeble creatures and workmanship, and knows what weak vessels we are; indeed, who knows that some of us can scarcely withstand a gentle breeze of deception, but let ourselves be led away immediately, or are soon polluted by the pernicious, abominable life of the wicked; for this reason, through his fatherly love and great mercy, he has given us, his poor, weak children, this means of Separation, approved it by the Holy Spirit and word in the beginning, and commanded it to this end: that we should exclude the restless, stubborn wranglers and schismatics, together with the offensive, carnal and lewd, from his holy congregation, church and house of peace, and according to the Scriptures avoid and shun them until they repent; so that they do not move us by fair words from the confident hope we have in the truth of Christ, for their false doctrine eats like a canker, Second Timothy 2, verse 17; and so that the abominable with their impure, carnal life do not pervert us, nor give us a bad name among those outside. This is the first reason why the Spirit of the Lord so earnestly commanded and taught Excommunication in his holy word. Whether this reason is not a special work of the love of Christ, of great usefulness, service, power and fruit to all the pious, I will let all the faithful consider in the fear of God. [Note 1]

The other reason is that all those who forsake the holy word and the true way again and go astray in the world, despise the holy covenant, make void the baptism they received and the promise of righteousness, listen again to the false prophets, love the world, walk the broad way of the flesh, or cause contention, schisms, sects and perverse things among the pious, may be deterred by means of this excommunication and brought to repentance, may seek union and peace, and so be set free before the Lord and his church from the satanic snares of their strife or from their ungodly life. See, this is the other reason why the Spirit of the Lord so earnestly recommended and taught excommunication in his holy word. And whether this is not a special work of his love, of like power, usefulness, service and fruit to the impious, if they will by any means observe it in fear, as the first is to the pious, I will leave the faithful to reflect upon in the fear of God. Indeed, in my opinion, whoever can rightly understand and see the aforementioned reasons according to the Scriptures has already found the true ground of the holy excommunication.

Since we know, then, that this our excommunication or separation is commanded us in the Scriptures for two such highly important reasons, as related, we therefore have reason enough, if we rightly boast of the Christian name, to teach regularly the evident and direct command, doctrine and ordinance of the Lord and his holy apostles as a highly useful and good work of great love, and to follow it obediently. Besides, it is also evident that those sin heinously against the word of the holy apostles and their great love, against the faithfulness and love of the church, and especially against their own souls, who in the perverseness of their sinful flesh call this useful, divine ordinance a contentious work of the devil, and so trample it shamefully into the mire under the unholy feet of their impious slander. Haughty is the man who would rebuke his God, or contradict and censure his word. Reflect on what we have instructed you.

4. The true Apostolic Excommunication has no respect of persons. Undoubtedly it is well known to us all, dear brothers, that it is so strongly and earnestly commanded in the Scriptures, indeed, it is one of the chief commands, that we are to honor father and mother, and that all who cursed and disobeyed them had to die according to the law of Moses. It is also well known that the bond of undefiled, honorable matrimony is so unchangeably bound in the kingdom and government of Christ that neither a man nor a woman can forsake the other and take another (understand rightly what Christ says), except for fornication, Matthew 19, verse 9. And Paul also holds the same doctrine: that they shall be bound to each other and are to live in union; that the man does not have power over his own body, nor the woman over hers, First Corinthians 7, verse 4.

Both these rules, the first concerning parents and the second concerning wedlock, stand fast and unbroken, and can never be altered or infringed by any man, so long as we can observe and keep them in God and with God, with a good conscience, as the aforementioned rules require, without transgressing the holy word. But if this cannot be done, then the spiritual must not yield to the carnal, but the carnal must yield to the spiritual; this is undeniably true.

I therefore entreat all the pious, for the Lord’s sake, who are sanctified with us in Christ Jesus through the Spirit of peace and through faith in his precious blood, that they will examine impartially and spiritually, with God-fearing and understanding hearts, the following grounds or reasons, which so urgently claim our attention; and learn that we should openly proclaim this ground, with Christian discretion, to those of our fellow believers whose lot it may be to be so situated (from which God preserve them), and that we should impress it upon them in faithful love for the salvation of their souls, without giving offense to the young and tender minds. I will let all who fear God judge what we teach.

The first reason is that we truly know through the Spirit and word of God that the heavenly marriage between Christ and our souls is made by faith, through his innocent death and precious blood, and must be kept unbroken voluntarily, in obedience to the only and eternal Bridegroom; and that therefore a man shall not, for the sake of father, mother, son, daughter, husband or wife, in life or death, be disobedient to his word in the smallest matter, or yield in the least. For God the Lord will, shall and must alone be the God of our consciences and the only Lord of our souls, and not our father, mother, husband or wife, as we may plainly see from Deuteronomy 13, verse 6.

The second reason is that the faithful apostles John and Paul teach us plainly that, in the first place, we are to shun the apostates, lest they contaminate us with their impure, deceiving doctrine and their ungodly, carnal lives, and so that we do not share in their unfruitful works, and for the reasons given above. And since we plainly see that no one can sooner contaminate and pollute us than our own fathers, mothers, husbands, wives or children, if they are corrupted, especially because of the daily contact with them and the natural love for them which of necessity exists between them; and moreover, since husband and wife are one flesh, I scarcely know how they will escape the snares of death if they do not especially observe the holy word and counsel of the Lord in this respect. For now they pray and sigh, and then they rage and quarrel; now they slander and defame, then they weep and lament. Ah, children, take warning. Their tears are crocodile’s tears, and their tongues are set on fire of hell, as James says. I will not mention that some of them run after idolatry and false prophets, violently revile the holy word, sacraments and ordinances of Christ, and highly commend the abominations of antichrist; besides, the conduct of some of them is nothing but sheer avarice, pride, wantonness, and eating and drinking to excess; and how scandalously some of them live with their poor wives, especially when they are drunk, I will leave the Lord to judge. And whether anyone could live in the midst of such wanton, carnal, ungodly abominations and not be hurt in his faith, love and anointing, and have dealings with such abominable, unclean vessels of sticky pitch and not be polluted in his conscience, I will leave all who have an understanding of the holy word to reflect upon with the anointing of the Spirit.

The third reason is that Paul teaches us that, in the second place, we are to avoid the apostate so that he may be led to reflect on and repent of his wicked life or sectarian doctrine through the shame of such shunning. Knowing, then, that this is the ground and object of the Holy Spirit in regard to excommunication, as related, it is therefore also proper and according to the Scriptures that in this matter we follow his divine counsel, love, doctrine, good will and earnest commands without reserve, and obediently follow him and observe it in true love toward our most beloved father, mother, husband, wife and children, rather than toward others; because, I say, they are our dearest friends, indeed, our own flesh and bone, and we cannot by any other saving means lead them from evil and lead them again in the way of the saints. Reflect on what we teach you.

The fourth reason is that we know for certain that there is but one excommunication in the Scriptures, which does not extend only to the spiritual communion, such as the Lord’s Supper and the hand and kiss of peace, but extends also to the bodily communion, such as eating, drinking, and daily dealings and conduct, First Corinthians 5, verses 10 and 11. And if the father is to shun the son, or the son the father, the husband his wife, or the wife the husband, only in the spiritual communion and not in the natural communion, then there would be two kinds of excommunication in the Scriptures: the one would extend only to the spiritual communion, and the other to both the spiritual and the natural communion. This is as clear as daylight. Again, reflect on what we teach you.

The fifth reason is that pious parents, together with the church, consent to and approve of the excommunication of apostate children; and pious children consent that apostate parents should be excommunicated; and the husband consents that the apostate wife should be excommunicated, and the pious wife that the apostate husband be excommunicated, and that each be dealt with according to the Scriptures. And if they were afterward to shun them only in the spiritual communion, they would make void their own sentence, which they pronounced together with the church; and so they would not seek the salvation of their dearest friends with the spiritual love and zeal which the word and Spirit of the Lord command of them, and they would still be in great danger of perdition. So that they may escape this unharmed, their excommunication has been commanded, taught and left on record in the word of the Lord to every man, woman and child, without exception. Again, I say, reflect on what we teach you.

The sixth reason is that I have known no fewer than three hundred married persons in my time who did not observe the ordinance, counsel, doctrine, will and command of the Lord and his apostles concerning shunning, and so ran together into perdition. We stand dismayed, O God, at the thought that such an evil may in part be ascribed to our silence. We will therefore endeavor so to act in the future, while the care of the church is entrusted to us, unworthy as we are, as to prevent in some measure all corruption and apostasy according to apostolic doctrine and counsel; and freely, purely and fully to teach and maintain the ordinance of excommunication, between parents and children and husband and wife as well as among others, to all our brothers, if circumstances require it; so that, in the first place, we clear our own souls and so stand acquitted before God and his saints in the great day of Christ; and secondly, so that no one can excuse himself and say, It was never told me.

See, chosen brothers in the Lord, these are the important articles and principal reasons which most urge us to teach this doctrine willingly and put it into practice. Is there now a single person under the canopy of heaven, learned or unlearned, young or old, outside or among us, man or woman, who can truthfully teach us that the spiritual marriage made with Christ through faith should yield to human wedlock? Or that a husband cannot deceive or corrupt his wife, or a woman her husband? Or that a pious man is not bound according to the Scriptures to promote the salvation of his unconverted wife, or the wife that of her unconverted husband? Or that there are two excommunications in the Scriptures, the one extending only to the spiritual church, and the other to both the spiritual and the temporal? Or that the pious husband may not vote with the church to exclude his impenitent wife, or the wife the husband in excluding him? Or that there is an exception in the whole Scriptures for husband or wife, parents or children, in this respect? Or that spiritual love has to yield to conjugal love? If so, then we desire with all our heart to abandon this our doctrine and acknowledge our error, and with great zeal teach the contrary before the whole world, as is Christian and right. For we regard neither slander nor praise, honor nor disgrace; we have regard only for the honor of God and Christ and the eternal salvation of your souls, on account of which we are regarded by many as the offscouring and filth of the world.

But if this cannot be done, as it never can, then, in the first place, my sincere prayer and brotherly admonition to all who might have mistaken views of this matter is that they would not meddle improperly through impure and perverted minds by slandering the chief stone and the builders, nor persuade anyone to disobey the word, or keep them in the dangers of apostasy and perdition, lest they make themselves guilty of other men’s sins; but that they would give the good will and ordinance of the Lord due honor and praise in this respect, pluck out the offending eye of their misunderstanding, and pass a sound judgment according to the truth; avert sin from the church, and so observe, with all the pious, the undeniably clear word, counsel and command of the Lord, and help with all deliberation to maintain it.

Secondly, I entreat all who might be at all troubled by the slanders of the unreasonable to view the matter impartially in a divine light, and to consider that not only excommunication is hated by the world, but also all the doings of Christ, such as the true evangelical baptism, the Lord’s Supper, life and the whole divine service. Indeed, these are regarded as an abomination, scandal and disgrace; and out of mere hatred of the truth they are not ashamed to call all the pious accursed heretics, Anabaptists, ringleaders, whores and knaves, and in many places to deprive them of possessions and life, as may be seen; although the pious are so much honored by God that he acknowledges and adopts them as his chosen children, as his sons and daughters, as the apple of his eye, as his bride and spouse, and endows them with the gift of eternal life. For there is nothing under the canopy of heaven that they love more than their God, as they fully testify and make known by their actions. And so it is in this matter. For how can there be a greater love for God, and how can a more praiseworthy confession be found, than where one is willing and ready not only to give up his temporal goods, ease, honor and happiness, but also to shun his dearest friends upon earth in full health, out of sincere regard for Christ, in obedience to his eternal and holy truth? No abominable slander or disgrace is fitting toward the pure knowledge of God or the unfeigned obedience of his most holy word.