officer_n in_o the_o due_a censure_n of_o offender_n and_o the_o like_a this_o liberty_n and_o the_o act_n thereof_o be_v often_o exemplify_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o apostle_n paul_n call_v it_o express_o by_o the_o name_n of_o liberty_n brethren_n say_v he_o you_o have_v be_v call_v unto_o liberty_n only_o use_v not_o your_o liberty_n as_o a_o occasion_n to_o the_o flesh_n but_o by_o love_n serve_v one_o another_o galath_n 5.13_o that_o the_o apostle_n by_o that_o liberty_n mean_v church_n liberty_n or_o power_n in_o order_v church_n affair_n will_v evident_o appear_v if_o we_o consult_v with_o the_o context_n rather_o than_o with_o commenter_n for_o the_o apostle_n have_v spend_v the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o epistle_n partly_o in_o the_o confirmation_n of_o his_o call_n partly_o in_o disputation_n against_o justification_n by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n to_o the_o end_n of_o v._o 8._o of_o chap._n 5._o in_o the_o nine_o verse_n he_o descend_v not_o to_o exhort_v unto_o bonos_fw-es more_o be_v in_o general_n as_o usual_o commenter_n take_v it_o but_o to_o instruct_v in_o church_n discipline_n in_o which_o he_o give_v three_o or_o four_o direction_n to_o the_o ten_o v._o of_o chap._n 6._o 1_o touch_v the_o censure_n of_o those_o corrupt_a teacher_n who_o have_v pervert_v and_o trouble_v they_o with_o that_o corrupt_a doctrine_n of_o justification_n by_o work_n chap._n 5._o ver_fw-la 9_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n 2._o touch_v the_o gentle_a admonition_n and_o restore_n of_o a_o brother_n fall_v by_o infirmity_n chap._n 6._o ver_fw-la 1._o to_o 5._o 3._o touch_v the_o maintenance_n of_o their_o minister_n ver_fw-la 6_o 7_o 8._o and_o beneficence_n to_o other_o ver_fw-la 9_o 10._o touch_v the_o first_o the_o censure_n of_o their_o corrupt_a teacher_n 1_o he_o lay_v for_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o that_o which_o himself_o give_v for_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o excommunication_n of_o the_o incestuous_a corinth_n 1_o cor._n 5.6_o a_o little_a leaven_n leaven_v the_o whole_a lump_n vers_fw-la 9_o 2_o he_o presume_v the_o church_n will_v be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n with_o he_o and_o concur_v in_o the_o censure_n of_o he_o that_o trouble_v they_o with_o corrupt_a doctrine_n v._o 10._o from_o fellowship_n with_o which_o corrupt_a doctrine_n he_o clear_v himself_o v._o 11._o 3_o he_o proceed_v to_o declare_v what_o censure_n he_o wish_v may_v be_v dispense_v against_o he_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o corrupt_a teacher_n i_o will_v say_v he_o they_o be_v even_o cut_v off_o that_o trouble_n you_o cut_v off_o to_o wit_n by_o excommunication_n ver_fw-la 12._o now_o lest_o it_o shall_v be_v object_v by_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n but_o what_o power_n have_v we_o to_o cut_v they_o off_o the_o apostle_n answer_v they_o have_v a_o power_n and_o liberty_n to_o wit_n to_o join_v with_o the_o sound_a part_n of_o the_o presbytery_n in_o cast_v they_o out_o or_o cut_v they_o off_o for_o brethren_n say_v he_o you_o be_v call_v unto_o liberty_n if_o it_o shall_v be_v further_o object_v yea_o but_o give_v the_o people_n this_o power_n and_o liberty_n in_o some_o case_n either_o to_o cast_v off_o their_o teacher_n or_o to_o cut_v they_o off_o the_o people_n will_v soon_o take_v advantage_n to_o abuse_v this_o liberty_n unto_o much_o carnal_a licentiousness_n the_o apostle_n prevent_v that_o with_o a_o word_n of_o wholesome_a counsel_n brethren_n say_v he_o you_o have_v be_v call_v unto_o liberty_n only_o use_v not_o your_o liberty_n as_o a_o occasion_n to_o the_o flesh_n but_o by_o love_n serve_v one_o another_o v._o 13._o and_o thereupon_o seasonable_o pursue_v this_o counsel_n with_o a_o caveat_n to_o beware_v of_o abuse_v this_o liberty_n to_o carnal_a contention_n a_o usual_a disease_n of_o popular_a liberty_n and_o withal_o dehort_v they_o from_o all_o other_o fruit_n of_o the_o flesh_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n evident_a therefore_o it_o be_v that_o there_o be_v a_o key_n of_o power_n or_o liberty_n give_v to_o the_o church_n to_o the_o brethren_n with_o the_o elder_n as_o to_o open_v a_o door_n of_o entrance_n to_o the_o minister_n call_v so_o to_o shut_v the_o door_n of_o entrance_n against_o they_o in_o some_o case_n as_o when_o through_o corrupt_a and_o pernicious_a doctrine_n they_o turn_v from_o shepherd_n to_o become_v ravenous_a wolf_n have_v speak_v then_o of_o that_o first_o key_n of_o order_n namely_o the_o key_n of_o power_n in_o a_o more_o large_a sense_n or_o liberty_n in_o the_o church_n there_o remain_v the_o other_o key_n of_o order_n which_o be_v the_o key_n of_o authority_n or_o of_o rule_n in_o a_o more_o strict_a sense_n which_o be_v in_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n authority_n be_v a_o moral_a power_n in_o a_o superior_a order_n or_o state_n bind_v or_o release_n a_o inferiors_n in_o point_n of_o subjection_n this_o key_n when_o it_o be_v promise_v to_o peter_n matth._n 16.19_o and_o give_v to_o he_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n joh._n 20.23_o they_o thereby_o have_v power_n to_o bind_v and_o loose_v and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o authority_n which_o be_v give_v to_o their_o successor_n the_o elder_n whereby_o they_o be_v call_v to_o feed_v and_o rule_v the_o church_n of_o god_n as_o the_o apostle_n have_v do_v before_o they_o act._n 20.28_o and_o indeed_o by_o open_v and_o apply_v the_o law_n the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n accompany_v the_o same_o they_o bound_v sinner_n under_o the_o curse_n and_o their_o conscience_n under_o guilt_n of_o sin_n and_o fear_v of_o wrath_n and_o shut_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n against_o they_o and_o by_o open_v and_o apply_v the_o gospel_n the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n accompany_v the_o same_o they_o remit_v sin_n and_o loose_v the_o conscience_n of_o believe_a repent_a soul_n from_o guilt_n of_o sin_n and_o open_a to_o they_o the_o door_n of_o heaven_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o key_n as_o they_o preach_v with_o all_o authority_n not_o only_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o law_n but_o also_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o they_o administer_v the_o seal_n thereof_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n by_o virtue_n also_o of_o this_o key_n they_o with_o the_o church_n do_v bind_v a_o obstinate_a offender_n under_o excommunication_n matth._n 18.17_o 18._o and_o release_v and_o forgive_v he_o upon_o his_o repentance_n 2_o cor._n 2.7_o this_o distribution_n of_o the_o key_n and_o so_o of_o spiritual_a power_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n we_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o scripture_n but_o if_o any_o man_n out_o of_o love_n to_o antiquity_n do_v rather_o affect_v to_o keep_v to_o the_o term_n of_o the_o former_a more_o ancient_a distribution_n as_o there_o be_v who_o be_v as_o loath_a to_o change_v antiquos_fw-la terminos_fw-la verborum_fw-la as_o agrorum_fw-la we_o will_v not_o stick_v upon_o the_o word_n right_o explain_v out_o of_o desire_n both_o to_o judge_v and_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o fellow-brethren_n only_o then_o let_v they_o allow_v some_o spiritual_a power_n to_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n though_o not_o church-power_n and_o in_o church_n power_n let_v they_o put_v in_o as_o well_o a_o key_n of_o liberty_n that_o be_v a_o power_n and_o privilege_n of_o interest_n as_o a_o key_n of_o authority_n and_o by_o their_o key_n of_o order_n as_o they_o do_v understand_v the_o key_n of_o office_n so_o let_v they_o not_o divide_v from_o it_o the_o key_n of_o jurisdiction_n for_o christ_n have_v give_v no_o jurisdiction_n but_o to_o who_o he_o have_v give_v office_n and_o so_o we_o willing_o consent_v with_o they_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o who_o they_o be_v commit_v and_o first_o of_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n and_o order_n as_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v divers_a so_o be_v the_o subject_n to_o who_o they_o be_v commit_v divers_a as_o in_o the_o natural_a body_n diversity_n of_o function_n belong_v to_o diversity_n of_o member_n 1._o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o the_o key_n of_o faith_n belong_v to_o all_o the_o faithful_a whether_o join_v to_o any_o particular_a church_n or_o no._n as_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n man_n of_o grow_v year_n be_v first_o call_v and_o convert_v to_o the_o faith_n before_o they_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n and_o even_o now_o a_o indian_a or_o pagan_n may_v not_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n till_o he_o have_v first_o receive_v the_o faith_n and_o have_v make_v profession_n of_o it_o before_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o church_n which_o argue_v that_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n be_v give_v not_o only_o to_o the_o church_n but_o to_o some_o before_o they_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o to_o christian_n for_o
withdraw_v from_o they_o for_o so_o paul_n instruct_v and_o beseech_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o the_o holy_a ghost_n foresee_v will_v most_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o this_o counsel_n to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o liberty_n i_o beseech_v you_o say_v he_o mark_v such_o as_o cause_v division_n and_o offence_n contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n you_o have_v receive_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d withdraw_v from_o they_o so_o then_o by_o the_o agitation_n of_o this_o objection_n there_o appear_v two_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n more_o to_o be_v add_v to_o the_o former_a one_o be_v this_o which_o be_v the_o five_o liberty_n in_o member_n the_o church_n have_v liberty_n in_o case_n of_o dissension_n among_o themselves_o to_o resort_v to_o a_o synod_n act._n 15.1_o 2._o where_o also_o it_o appear_v the_o brethren_n enjoy_v this_o liberty_n to_o dispute_v their_o doubt_n till_o they_o be_v satisfy_v ver_fw-la 7.12_o to_o join_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o the_o definitive_a sentence_n and_o in_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o same_o ver_fw-la 22_o 23._o the_o sixth_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o withdraw_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o those_o who_o they_o want_v authority_n to_o excommunicate_v for_o as_o they_o set_v up_o the_o presbytery_n by_o profess_v their_o subjection_n to_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n so_o they_o avoid_v they_o by_o profess_a withdraw_v their_o subjection_n from_o they_o according_a to_o god_n a_o seven_o and_o last_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n be_v liberty_n of_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n communion_n we_o say_v for_o it_o be_v a_o great_a liberty_n that_o no_o particular_a church_n stand_v in_o subjection_n to_o another_o particular_a church_n no_o not_o to_o a_o cathedral_n church_n but_o that_o all_o the_o church_n enjoy_v mutual_a brotherly_a communion_n among_o themselves_o which_o communion_n be_v mutual_o exercise_v among_o they_o seven_o way_n which_o for_o brevity_n and_o memory_n sake_n we_o sum_n up_o in_o seven_o word_n 1._o by_o way_n of_o participation_n 2._o of_o recommendation_n 3._o of_o consultation_n 4._o of_o congregation_n into_o a_o synod_n 5._o of_o contribution_n 6._o of_o admonition_n 7._o of_o propagation_n or_o multiplication_n of_o church_n 1._o by_o way_n of_o participation_n the_o member_n of_o one_o church_n occasional_o come_v to_o another_o church_n where_o the_o lord_n supper_n come_v to_o be_v administer_v be_v willing_o admit_v to_o partake_v with_o they_o at_o the_o lord_n supper_n in_o case_n that_o neither_o themselves_o nor_o the_o church_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v do_v lie_n under_o any_o public_a offence_n for_o we_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n not_o only_o as_o a_o seal_n of_o our_o communion_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o with_o his_o member_n in_o our_o own_o church_n but_o also_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n 2._o by_o way_n of_o recommendation_n letter_n be_v send_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o recommend_v to_o their_o watchfulness_n and_o communion_n any_o of_o their_o member_n who_o by_o occasion_n of_o business_n be_v for_o a_o time_n to_o reside_v among_o they_o as_o paul_n send_v letter_n of_o recommendation_n to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o phoebe_n a_o deaconesse_n of_o the_o church_n at_o cenchrea_n rom._n 16.1_o 2._o and_o of_o these_o kind_n of_o letter_n he_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n of_o coriuth_v also_o though_o not_o as_o needful_a to_o himself_o who_o be_v well_o know_v to_o they_o yet_o for_o other_o 2_o cor._n 3.1_o but_o if_o a_o member_n of_o one_o church_n have_v just_a occasion_n to_o remove_v himself_o and_o his_o family_n to_o take_v up_o his_o settle_a habitation_n in_o another_o church_n than_o the_o letter_n write_v by_o the_o church_n in_o his_o behalf_n do_v recommend_v he_o to_o their_o perpetual_a watchfulness_n and_o communion_n and_o if_o the_o other_o church_n have_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o refuse_v he_o they_o of_o his_o own_o church_n do_v by_o those_o letter_n whole_o dismiss_v he_o from_o themselves_o whereupon_o the_o letter_n for_o distinction_n sake_n be_v call_v letter_n of_o dismission_n which_o indeed_o do_v not_o differ_v from_o the_o other_o but_o in_o the_o durance_n of_o the_o recommendation_n the_o one_o recommend_v he_o for_o a_o time_n the_o other_o for_o ever_o 3._o by_o way_n of_o consultation_n one_o church_n have_v liberty_n of_o communicate_v with_o another_o to_o require_v their_o judgement_n and_o counsel_n touch_v any_o person_n or_o cause_n wherewith_o they_o may_v be_v better_o acquaint_v then_o themselves_o thus_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n by_o their_o messenger_n consult_v with_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n touch_v the_o necessity_n of_o circumcision_n act._n 15.3_o although_o the_o consultation_n bring_v forth_o a_o further_a effect_n of_o communion_n with_o church_n to_o wit_n their_o congregation_n into_o a_o synod_n which_o be_v the_o four_o way_n of_o communion_n of_o church_n all_o of_o the_o church_n have_v the_o like_a liberty_n of_o send_v their_o messenger_n to_o debate_n and_o determine_v in_o a_o synod_n such_o matter_n as_o do_v concern_v they_o all_o as_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n send_v messenger_n to_o jerusalem_n for_o resolution_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o a_o doubt_n that_o trouble_v they_o the_o like_a liberty_n by_o proportion_n may_v any_o other_o church_n have_v take_v yea_o many_o church_n together_o yea_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n in_o any_o case_n that_o may_v concern_v they_o all_o what_o authority_n these_o synod_n have_v receive_v and_o may_v put_v forth_o will_v come_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o sequel_n a_o five_o way_n of_o communion_n of_o church_n be_v the_o liberty_n of_o give_v and_o receive_v mutual_a supply_n and_o succour_v one_o from_o another_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n communicate_v to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n their_o spiritual_a treasure_n of_o gift_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n minister_v back_o again_o to_o they_o liberal_a oblation_n of_o outward_a beneficence_n rom._n 15.26_o 27._o act._n 11.29_o 30._o when_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n abound_v with_o more_o variety_n of_o spiritual_a gift_a man_n then_o the_o state_n of_o their_o own_o church_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o they_o fast_v and_o pray_v as_o for_o other_o end_n so_o for_o the_o enlargement_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n in_o the_o improvement_n of_o they_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n open_v they_o a_o door_n for_o the_o succour_n of_o many_o country_n about_o they_o by_o the_o send_n forth_o of_o some_o of_o they_o act._n 13.1_o 2_o 3._o a_o six_o way_n of_o communion_n of_o church_n be_v by_o way_n of_o mutual_a admonition_n when_o a_o public_a offence_n be_v find_v among_o any_o of_o they_o for_o as_o paul_n have_v liberty_n to_o admonish_v peter_n before_o the_o whole_a church_n at_o antioch_n when_o he_o see_v he_o walk_v not_o with_o a_o right_a foot_n and_o yet_o paul_n have_v no_o authority_n over_o peter_n but_o only_o both_o of_o they_o have_v equal_a mutual_a interest_n one_o in_o another_o gal._n 2.11_o to_o 14._o so_o by_o the_o same_o proportion_n one_o church_n have_v liberty_n to_o admonish_v another_o though_o they_o be_v both_o of_o they_o of_o equal_a authority_n see_v one_o church_n have_v as_o much_o interest_n in_o another_o as_o one_o apostle_n in_o another_o and_o if_o by_o the_o royal_a law_n of_o love_n one_o brother_n have_v liberty_n to_o admonish_v his_o brother_n in_o the_o same_o church_n mat._n 18.15_o 16._o then_o by_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o brotherly_a love_n and_o mutual_a watchfulness_n one_o church_n have_v power_n to_o admonish_v another_o in_o faithfulness_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o unto_o they_o the_o church_n in_o the_o canticle_n take_v care_n not_o only_o for_o her_o own_o member_n but_o for_o her_o little_a sister_n which_o she_o think_v have_v no_o breast_n yea_o and_o consult_v with_o other_o church_n what_o to_o do_v for_o she_o cant._n 8.8_o and_o will_v she_o not_o then_o have_v take_v like_o care_n in_o case_n their_o little_a sister_n have_v breast_n her_o breast_n have_v be_v distemper_v and_o give_v corrupt_a matter_n in_o stead_n of_o milk_n a_o seven_o way_n of_o communion_n of_o church_n may_v be_v by_o way_n of_o propagation_n and_o multiplication_n of_o church_n as_o when_o a_o particular_a church_n of_o christ_n shall_v grow_v so_o full_a of_o member_n as_o all_o of_o they_o can_v hear_v the_o voice_n of_o their_o minister_n then_o as_o a_o hive_n full_a of_o bee_n swarm_v forth_o so_o be_v the_o church_n occasion_v to_o send_v forth_o a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o her_o member_n fit_a to_o enter_v into_o a_o church-state_n and_o to_o carry_v along_o churchwork_n among_o themselves_o and_o for_o that_o end_n they_o either_o send_v forth_o some_o one_o or_o other_o of_o their_o
elder_n with_o they_o or_o direct_v they_o where_o to_o procure_v such_o to_o come_v unto_o they_o the_o like_a course_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v take_v when_o sundry_a christian_n come_v over_o from_o one_o country_n to_o another_o such_o as_o be_v come_v over_o first_o and_o be_v themselves_o full_a of_o company_n direct_v those_o that_o come_v after_o they_o and_o assist_v they_o in_o like_a sort_n in_o the_o combination_n of_o themselves_o into_o church_n order_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n though_o the_o apostle_n be_v dead_a who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o plant_v &_o gather_v and_o multiply_v church_n yet_o the_o work_n be_v not_o dead_a but_o the_o same_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v leave_v with_o the_o church_n in_o common_a and_o with_o each_o particular_a church_n for_o her_o part_n according_a to_o their_o measure_n to_o propagate_v and_o enlarge_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n as_o god_n shall_v give_v opportunity_n throughout_o all_o generation_n chap._n v._o of_o the_o subject_n to_o who_o the_o key_n of_o authority_n be_v commit_v the_o key_n of_o authority_n or_o rule_n be_v commit_v to_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o the_o act_n of_o rule_n be_v make_v the_o proper_a act_n of_o their_o office_n the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o etc._n etc._n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o heb._n 13.7.17_o the_o special_a act_n of_o this_o rule_n be_v many_o the_o first_o and_o principal_n be_v that_o which_o the_o elder_n who_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n be_v chief_o to_o attend_v unto_o that_o be_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n with_o all_o authority_n and_o that_o which_o be_v annex_v thereto_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n or_o seal_n speak_v rebuke_n and_o exhort_v say_v paul_n to_o titus_n with_o all_o authority_n tit._n 2.15_o and_o that_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o seal_n be_v annex_v thereto_o be_v plain_a from_o matth._n 28.19_o 20._o go_v say_v christ_n to_o the_o apostle_n make_v disciple_n and_o baptize_v they_o etc._n etc._n if_o it_o be_v object_v private_a member_n may_v all_o of_o they_o prophesy_v public_o 1_o cor._n 14_o 31._o and_o therefore_o also_o baptize_v and_o so_o this_o act_n of_o authority_n be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o preach_v elder_n ans_fw-fr 1._o the_o place_n in_o the_o corinth_n do_v not_o speak_v of_o ordinary_a private_a member_n but_o of_o man_n furnish_v with_o extraordinary_a gift_n king_n at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o first_o coronation_n give_v many_o extraordinary_a large_a gift_n which_o they_o do_v not_o daily_o pour_v out_o in_o like_a sort_n in_o their_o ordinary_a government_n christ_n soon_o after_o his_o ascenfion_n pour_v out_o a_o large_a measure_n of_o his_o spirit_n then_o in_o time_n succeed_v the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n as_o of_o many_o other_o in_o those_o primitive_a time_n be_v enrich_v with_o all_o knowledge_n and_o in_o all_o utterance_n i_o cor._n 1.5_o and_o the_o same_o person_n that_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o pprophecy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n have_v also_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n which_o put_v upon_o the_o apostle_n a_o necessity_n to_o take_v they_o off_o from_o their_o frequent_a speak_n with_o tongue_n by_o prefer_v pprophecy_n before_o it_o 1_o cor._n 14.2_o to_o 24._o so_o that_o though_o all_o they_o may_v prophesy_v as_o have_v extraordinary_a gift_n for_o it_o yet_o the_o like_a liberty_n be_v not_o allow_v to_o they_o that_o want_v the_o like_a gift_n in_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n none_o beside_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n do_v ordinary_o prophesy_v either_o in_o the_o temple_n or_o in_o the_o synagogue_n unless_o they_o be_v either_o furnish_v with_o extraordinatie_a gift_n of_o pprophecy_n as_o the_o prophet_n of_o israel_n or_o be_v set_v apart_o and_o train_v up_o to_o prepare_v for_o such_o a_o calling_n as_o the_o son_n of_o the_o prophet_n when_o amos_n be_v forbid_v by_o the_o high_a priest_n of_o bethel_n to_o prophesy_v at_o bethel_n amos_n do_v not_o allege_v nor_o plead_v the_o liberty_n of_o any_o israelite_n to_o prophesy_v in_o the_o holy_a assembly_n but_o allege_v only_o his_o extraordinary_a call_n amos_n 7.14_o 15._o it_o appear_v also_o that_o the_o son_n of_o the_o prophet_n that_o be_v man_n set_v apart_o and_o train_v up_o to_o prepare_v for_o that_o call_n be_v allow_v the_o like_a liberty_n 1_o sam._n 19.20_o answ_n 2._o but_o neither_o the_o son_n of_o the_o prophet_n nor_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o be_v wont_a to_o offer_v sacrifice_n in_o israel_n except_o samuel_n and_o eliah_n by_o special_a direction_n nor_o do_v the_o extraordinary_a prophet_n in_o corinth_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o administer_v sacrament_n if_o any_o reply_n that_o if_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o church_n at_o corinth_n have_v be_v endue_v with_o extraordinary_a gist_n of_o prophefie_n they_o have_v not_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o prophet_n which_o these_o be_v direct_v to_o be_v 1_o cor._n 14.22_o ans_fw-fr it_o follow_v not_o for_o the_o people_n of_o god_n be_v to_o examine_v all_o prophecy_n by_o the_o law_n and_o testimony_n and_o not_o to_o receive_v they_o but_o according_a to_o that_o rule_n psal_n 8.20_o yea_o and_o paul_n himself_o refer_v all_o his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o law_n and_o prophet_n act._n 26.22_o and_o the_o berean_o be_v commend_v for_o examine_v paul_n doctrine_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n act._n 17.11_o 12._o 2._o a_o second_o act_n of_o authority_n common_a to_o the_o elder_n be_v they_o have_v power_n as_o any_o weighty_a occasion_n shall_v require_v to_o call_v the_o church_n together_o as_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o church_n together_o for_o the_o election_n of_o deacon_n act._n 6.2_o and_o in_o like_a sort_n be_v the_o priest_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n stir_v up_o to_o call_v a_o solemn_a assembly_n to_o gather_v the_o elder_n and_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o land_n to_o sanctify_v a_o fast_a joel_n 1.13_o 14._o 3._o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o their_o power_n to_o examine_v if_o apostle_n than_o any_o other_o whether_o officer_n or_o member_n before_o they_o be_v receive_v of_o the_o church_n rev._n 2.2_o a_o four_o act_n of_o their_o rule_n be_v the_o ordination_n of_o officer_n who_o the_o people_n have_v choose_v whether_o elder_n or_o deacon_n 1_o tim._n 4.14_o act._n 6.6_o 5._o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o key_n of_o authority_n that_o the_o elder_n open_v the_o door_n of_o speech_n and_o silence_n in_o the_o assembly_n they_o be_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n who_o send_v to_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n to_o open_v their_o mouth_n in_o a_o word_n of_o exhortation_n act._n 13.15_o and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o power_n which_o call_v man_n to_o speak_v to_o put_v man_n to_o silence_v when_o they_o speak_v amiss_o and_o yet_o when_o the_o elder_n themselves_o do_v lie_v under_o offence_n or_o under_o suspicion_n of_o it_o the_o brethren_n have_v liberty_n to_o require_v satisfaction_n in_o a_o modest_a manner_n concern_v any_o public_a breach_n of_o rule_n as_o have_v be_v mention_v above_o out_o of_o act._n 11.2_o 3_o etc._n etc._n 6._o it_o belong_v to_o the_o elder_n to_o prepare_v matter_n beforehand_o which_o be_v to_o be_v transact_v by_o themselves_o or_o other_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o congregation_n as_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n be_v meet_v at_o the_o house_n of_o james_n give_v direction_n to_o paul_n how_o to_o carry_v himself_o that_o he_o may_v prevent_v the_o offence_n of_o the_o church_n when_o he_o shall_v appear_v before_o they_o act._n 21.18_o hence_o when_o the_o offence_n of_o a_o brother_n be_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n in_o matth._n 18.17_o to_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o church_n they_o be_v beforehand_o to_o consider_v and_o inquire_v whether_o the_o offence_n be_v real_o give_v or_o no_o whether_o due_o prove_v and_o orderly_o proceed_v in_o by_o the_o brethren_n according_a to_o rule_v and_o not_o due_o satisfy_v by_o the_o offender_n lest_o themselves_o and_o the_o church_n be_v open_o cumber_v with_o unnecessary_a and_o tedious_a agitation_n but_o that_o all_o thing_n transact_v before_o the_o church_n be_v carry_v along_o with_o most_o expedition_n and_o best_a edification_n in_o which_o respect_n they_o have_v power_n to_o reject_v causeless_a and_o disorderly_a complaint_n as_o well_o as_o to_o propound_v and_o handle_v just_a complaint_n before_o the_o congregation_n 7._o in_o the_o handle_n of_o a_o offence_n before_o the_o church_n the_o elder_n have_v authority_n both_o jus_fw-la dicere_fw-la and_o sententiam_fw-la serre_fw-la when_o the_o offence_n appear_v true_o scandalous_a the_o elder_n have_v power_n from_o god_n to_o inform_v the_o church_n what_o the_o law_n or_o rule_n and_o will_n of_o christ_n be_v for_o the_o censure_n of_o such_o a_o offence_n and_o when_o the_o
church_n discern_v the_o same_o and_o have_v no_o just_a exception_n against_o it_o but_o condescend_v thereto_o it_o be_v a_o further_a act_n of_o the_o elder_n power_n to_o give_v sentence_n against_o the_o offender_n both_o these_o act_n of_o power_n in_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v foretell_v by_o ezekiel_n chap._n 44.23_o 24._o they_o shall_v teach_v my_o people_n the_o difference_n between_o holy_a and_o profane_a and_o cause_v they_o to_o discern_v between_o the_o unclean_a and_o the_o clean_a and_o in_o controversy_n they_o shall_v stand_v in_o judgement_n and_o they_o shall_v judge_v it_o according_a to_o my_o judgement_n etc._n etc._n 8._o the_o elder_n have_v power_n to_o dismiss_v the_o church_n with_o a_o blessing_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n num._n 6.23_o to_o 26._o heb._n 7.7_o 9_o the_o elder_n have_v receive_v power_n to_o charge_v any_o of_o the_o people_n in_o private_a that_o none_o of_o they_o live_v either_o inordinate_o without_o a_o calling_n or_o idle_o in_o their_o call_n or_o scandalous_o in_o any_o sort_n 2_o thes_n 3.6_o &_o ver_fw-la 8_o 10_o 11_o 12._o the_o apostle_n command_n argue_v a_o power_n in_o the_o elder_n to_o charge_v these_o duty_n upon_o the_o people_n effectual_o 10._o what_o power_n belong_v to_o the_o elder_n in_o a_o synod_n be_v more_o fit_o to_o be_v speak_v to_o in_o the_o chapter_n of_o synod_n 11._o in_o case_n the_o church_n shall_v fall_v away_o to_o blasphemy_n against_o christ_n and_o obstinate_a rejection_n and_o persecution_n of_o the_o way_n of_o grace_n and_o either_o no_o synod_n to_o be_v hope_v for_o or_o no_o help_n by_o a_o synod_n the_o elder_n have_v power_n to_o withdraw_v or_o separate_z the_o disciple_n from_o they_o and_o to_o carry_v away_o the_o ordinance_n with_o they_o and_o therewithal_o sad_o to_o denounce_v the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n against_o they_o act._n 19.9_o exod._n 33.7_o mark_n 6.11_o luk._n 10_o 11._o act._n 13.46_o obj._n but_o if_o elder_n have_v all_o this_o power_n to_o exercise_v all_o these_o act_n of_o rule_n partly_o over_o the_o private_a member_n partly_o over_o the_o whole_a church_n how_o be_v they_o then_o call_v the_o servant_n of_o the_o church_n 2_o cor._n 4.5_o answ_n the_o elder_n to_o be_v both_o servant_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n may_v both_o of_o they_o stand_v well_o together_o for_o their_o rule_n be_v not_o lordly_a as_o if_o they_o rule_v of_o themselves_o or_o for_o themselves_o but_o steward_o and_o ministerial_a as_o rule_v the_o church_n from_o christ_n and_o also_o from_o their_o call_n and_o withal_o rule_v the_o church_n for_o christ_n and_o for_o the_o church_n even_o for_o their_o spiritual_a everlasting_a good_a a_o queen_n may_v call_v her_o servant_n her_o mariner_n to_o pilot_n and_o conduct_v she_o over_o the_o sea_n to_o such_o a_o haven_n yet_o they_o be_v call_v by_o she_o to_o such_o a_o office_n she_o must_v not_o rule_v they_o in_o steer_v their_o course_n but_o must_v submit_v herself_o to_o be_v rule_v by_o they_o till_o they_o have_v bring_v she_o to_o her_o desire_a haven_n so_o be_v the_o case_n between_o the_o church_n and_o her_o elder_n chap._n vi_o of_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n give_v to_o synod_n synod_n we_o acknowledge_v be_v right_o order_v as_o a_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n of_o their_o assembly_n we_o find_v three_o just_a cause_n in_o scripture_n 1._o when_o a_o church_n want_v light_n or_o peace_n at_o home_n desire_v the_o counsel_n and_o help_v of_o other_o church_n few_o or_o more_o thus_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n be_v annoy_v with_o corrupt_a teacher_n who_o darken_v the_o light_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o breed_v no_o small_a dissension_n among_o they_o in_o the_o church_n they_o send_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n and_o other_o messenger_n unto_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n at_o jerusalem_n for_o the_o establishment_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n in_o join_v the_o elder_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o doubtless_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n it_o argue_v that_o they_o send_v not_o to_o the_o apostle_n as_o extraordinary_a and_o infallible_a and_o authentical_a oracle_n of_o god_n for_o then_o what_o need_v the_o advice_n and_o help_v of_o elder_n but_o as_o wise_a and_o holy_a guide_n of_o the_o church_n who_o may_v not_o only_o relieve_v they_o by_o some_o wise_a counsel_n and_o holy_a order_n but_o also_o set_v a_o precedent_n to_o succeed_a age_n how_o error_n and_o dissension_n in_o church_n may_v be_v remove_v and_o heal_v and_o the_o course_n which_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n take_v for_o clear_v the_o matter_n be_v not_o by_o publish_v the_o counsel_n of_o god_n with_o apostolic_a authority_n from_o immediate_a revelation_n but_o by_o search_v out_o the_o truth_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n of_o free_a disputation_n act._n 15._o v._n 7._o which_o be_v as_o fit_v a_o course_n for_o imitation_n in_o after_o age_n as_o it_o be_v seasonable_a for_o practice_n then_o 2._o just_a consequence_n from_o scripture_n give_v we_o another_o ground_n for_o the_o assembly_n of_o many_o church_n or_o of_o their_o messenger_n into_o a_o synod_n when_o any_o church_n lie_v under_o scandal_n through_o corruption_n in_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n and_o will_v not_o be_v heal_v by_o more_o private_a advertisement_n of_o their_o own_o member_n or_o of_o their_o neighbour_n minister_n or_o brethren_n for_o there_o be_v a_o brotherly_a communion_n as_o between_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o church_n so_o between_o the_o church_n we_o have_v a_o little_a sister_n say_v one_o church_n to_o another_o cant._n 8.8_o therefore_o church_n have_v a_o brotherly_a communion_n among_o themselves_o look_v then_o as_o one_o brother_n be_v offend_v with_o another_o and_o not_o able_a to_o heal_v he_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o two_o or_o three_o brethren_n private_o it_o behoove_v he_o to_o carry_v it_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n so_o by_o proportion_n if_o one_o church_n see_v matter_n of_o offence_n in_o another_o and_o be_v not_o able_a to_o heal_v it_o in_o a_o more_o private_a way_n it_o will_v hehove_v they_o to_o procure_v the_o assembly_n of_o many_o church_n that_o the_o offence_n may_v be_v orderly_o hear_v and_o judge_v and_o remove_v 3._o it_o may_v so_o fall_v out_o that_o the_o state_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o country_n may_v be_v corrupt_v and_o beginning_n to_o discern_v their_o corruption_n may_v desire_v the_o concourse_n and_o counsel_n of_o one_o another_o for_o a_o speedy_a and_o safe_a and_o general_a reformation_n and_o then_o so_o meeting_n and_o confer_v together_o may_v renew_v their_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o conclude_v and_o determine_v upon_o a_o course_n that_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o public_a heal_n and_o salvation_n of_o they_o all_o this_o be_v a_o frequent_a practice_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o time_n of_o asa_n 2_o cron._n 15.10_o to_o 15._o in_o the_o time_n of_o hezekiah_n 2_o chron._n 29.4_o to_o 19_o in_o the_o time_n of_o josiah_n 2_o chron._n 34.29_o to_o 33._o and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n ezra_n 10.1_o to_o 5._o these_o and_o the_o like_a example_n be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o the_o israelite_n as_o one_o entire_a national_a church_n for_o in_o that_o respect_n they_o appeal_v from_o every_o synagogue_n and_o court_n in_o israel_n to_o the_o national_a high_a priest_n and_o court_n at_o jerusalem_n as_o be_v all_o of_o they_o subordinate_a thereunto_o and_o therefore_o that_o precedent_n be_v usual_o wave_v by_o our_o best_a divine_n as_o not_o appliable_a to_o christian_a church_n but_o these_o example_n hold_v forth_o no_o superiority_n in_o one_o church_n or_o court_n over_o another_o but_o all_o of_o they_o in_o a_o equal_a manner_n give_v advice_n in_o common_a and_o take_v one_o common_a course_n for_o redress_n of_o all_o and_o therefore_o such_o example_n be_v fit_a precedent_n for_o church_n of_o equal_a power_n within_o themselves_o to_o assemble_v togegether_o and_o take_v order_n with_o one_o accord_n for_o the_o reformation_n of_o they_o all_o now_o a_o synod_n be_v assemble_v three_o question_n arise_v about_o their_o power_n 1._o what_o be_v that_o power_n they_o have_v receive_v 2._o how_o far_o the_o fraternity_n concur_v with_o the_o presbytery_n in_o it_o the_o brotherhood_n with_o the_o eldership_n 3._o whether_o the_o power_n they_o have_v receive_v reach_v to_o the_o enjoin_v of_o thing_n both_o in_o their_o nature_n and_o in_o their_o use_n indifferent_a for_o the_o first_o we_o dare_v not_o say_v that_o their_o power_n reach_v no_o far_a than_o give_v counsel_n for_o such_o as_o their_o end_n be_v for_o which_o according_a to_o god_n they_o do_v assemble_v such_o be_v the_o power_n give_v they_o of_o god_n as_o may_v attain_v those_o end_n as_o they_o meet_v to_o minister_v light_n
and_o peace_n to_o such_o church_n as_o through_o want_n of_o light_n and_o peace_n lie_v in_o error_n or_o doubt_v at_o least_o and_o variance_n so_o they_o have_v power_n by_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n not_o only_o to_o give_v light_n and_o counsel_n in_o matter_n of_o truth_n and_o practice_n but_o also_o to_o command_v and_o enjoin_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v and_o do_v the_o express_a word_n of_o the_o synodall_n letter_n imply_v no_o less_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o unto_o we_o to_o lay_v upon_o you_o no_o other_o burden_n act._n 15.27_o this_o burden_n therefore_o to_o observe_v those_o necessary_a thing_n which_o they_o speak_v of_o they_o have_v power_n to_o impose_v it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o bind_a power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o bind_v burden_n and_o this_o bind_a power_n arise_v not_o only_o material_o from_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o matter_n impose_v which_o be_v necessary_a necessitate_v praecepti_fw-la from_o the_o word_n but_o also_o formal_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o synod_n which_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n bind_v the_o more_o for_o the_o synod_n sake_n as_o a_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n teach_v by_o a_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o bind_v to_o faith_n a_o obedience_n not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v gospel_n but_o also_o because_o it_o be_v teach_v by_o a_o minister_n for_o his_o calling_n sake_n see_v christ_n have_v say_v who_o so_o receive_v you_o receive_v i_o and_o see_v also_o a_o synod_n sometime_o meet_v to_o convince_v and_o admonish_v a_o offend_a church_n or_o presbytery_n they_o have_v power_n therefore_o if_o they_o can_v heal_v the_o offender_n to_o determine_v to_o withdraw_v communion_n from_o they_o and_o further_o see_v they_o meet_v likewise_o sometime_o for_o general_a reformation_n they_o have_v power_n to_o decree_n and_o publish_v such_o ordinance_n as_o may_v conduce_v according_a to_o god_n unto_o such_o reformation_n example_n whereof_o we_o read_v neh._n 10.32_o to_o 39_o 2_o chron._n 15.12_o 13._o for_o the_o second_o question_n how_o far_o the_o fraternity_n or_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n may_v concur_v with_o the_o elder_n in_o exercise_v the_o power_n of_o the_o synod_n the_o answer_n be_v the_o power_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v be_v a_o power_n of_o liberty_n as_o 1._o they_o have_v liberty_n to_o dispute_v their_o doubt_n modest_o and_o christanly_n among_o the_o elder_n for_o in_o that_o synod_n at_o jerusalem_n as_o there_o be_v much_o disputation_n act._n 15.7_o so_o the_o multitude_n have_v a_o part_n in_o the_o disputation_n v._o 12._o for_o after_o peter_n speech_n it_o be_v say_v the_o whole_a multitude_n keep_v silence_n and_o silence_n from_o what_o to_o wit_n from_o the_o speech_n last_o in_o hand_n among_o they_o and_o that_o be_v from_o disputation_n 2._o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n have_v liberty_n to_o join_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o approve_v of_o the_o sentence_n of_o james_n and_o determine_v the_o same_o as_o the_o common_a sentence_n of_o they_o all_o 3._o they_o have_v liberty_n to_o join_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o choose_v and_o send_v messenger_n and_o in_o writing_n synodall_n letter_n in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o for_o the_o publish_n of_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o synod_n both_o these_o point_n be_v express_v in_o the_o text_n v._o 22.23_o to_o 29._o then_o please_v it_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n with_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o send_v choose_v man_n and_o to_o write_v letter_n by_o they_o see_v the_o whole_a church_n distinguish_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n and_o those_o who_o he_o call_v the_o whole_a church_n v._o 22._o he_o call_v the_o brethren_n v._o 23._o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n and_o brethren_n etc._n etc._n but_o though_o it_o may_v not_o be_v deny_v that_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n present_a in_o the_o synod_n have_v all_o this_o power_n of_o liberty_n to_o join_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o all_o these_o act_n of_o the_o synod_n yet_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o decree_n lay_v chief_o if_o not_o only_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v act._n 16.4_o that_o paul_n and_o silas_n deliver_v to_o the_o church_n for_o to_o keep_v the_o decree_n that_o be_v ordain_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n so_o than_o it_o will_v be_v most_o safe_a to_o preserve_v to_o the_o church_n of_o brethren_n their_o due_a liberty_n and_o to_o reserve_v to_o the_o elder_n their_o due_a authority_n if_o it_o be_v say_v the_o elder_n assemble_v in_o a_o synod_n have_v no_o authority_n to_o determine_v or_o conclude_v any_o act_n that_o shall_v bind_v the_o church_n but_o according_a to_o the_o instruction_n which_o before_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o church_n answ_n we_o do_v not_o so_o apprehend_v it_o for_o what_o need_v church_n send_v to_o a_o synod_n for_o light_n and_o direction_n in_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n if_o they_o be_v resolve_v aforehand_o how_o far_o they_o will_v go_v it_o be_v true_a if_o the_o elder_n of_o church_n shall_v conclude_v in_o a_o synod_n any_o thing_n prejujudiciall_a to_o the_o truth_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o may_v just_o expostulate_v with_o they_o at_o their_o return_n and_o refuse_v such_o sanction_n as_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o sancit_v but_o if_o the_o elder_n be_v gather_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n in_o a_o synod_n and_o proceed_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n the_o word_n or_o christ_n they_o may_v consider_v and_o conclude_v sundry_a point_n expedient_a for_o the_o estate_n of_o their_o church_n which_o the_o church_n be_v either_o ignorant_a or_o doubtful_a of_o before_o as_o for_o the_o three_o question_n whether_o the_o synod_n have_v power_n to_o enjoin_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v both_o in_o their_o nature_n and_o their_o use_n indifferent_a we_o shall_v answer_v it_o negative_o and_o our_o reason_n be_v 1._o from_o the_o pattern_n of_o that_o precedent_n of_o synod_n act._n 15.28_o they_o lay_v upon_o the_o church_n no_o other_o burden_n but_o those_o necessary_a thing_n necessary_a though_o not_o all_o of_o they_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n yet_o for_o present_a use_n to_o avoid_v the_o offence_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o eat_v thing_n strangle_v and_o blood_n of_o the_o gentile_a and_o jew_n both_o by_o eat_v thing_n sacrifice_v to_o idol_n as_o paul_n expound_v that_o article_n of_o the_o synod_n 1_o cor._n 8.10_o 11_o 12._o and_o chap._n 10.28_o this_o ea_fw-la ing_z with_o offence_n be_v a_o murder_n of_o a_o weak_a brother_n soul_n and_o a_o sin_n against_o christ_n 1_o cor._n 8.11_o 12._o and_o therefore_o necessary_a to_o be_v forbear_v necessitate_n praecepti_fw-la by_o the_o necessity_n of_o god_n commandment_n 2._o a_o second_o reason_n may_v be_v from_o the_o latitude_n of_o the_o apostolical_a commission_n which_o be_v give_v to_o they_o mat._n 28.19_o 20._o where_o the_o apostle_n be_v command_v to_o teach_v the_o people_n to_o observe_v all_o thing_n which_o christ_n have_v command_v if_o then_o the_o apostle_n teach_v the_o people_n to_o observe_v more_o than_o christ_n have_v command_v they_o go_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o commission_n and_o a_o large_a commission_n than_o that_o give_v to_o the_o apostle_n nor_o elder_n nor_o synod_n nor_o church_n can_v challenge_v if_o it_o be_v say_v christ_n speak_v only_o of_o teach_v such_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v command_v as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n answ_n if_o the_o apostle_n or_o their_o successor_n shall_v hereupon_o usurp_v a_o authority_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n thing_n indifferent_a they_o must_v plead_v this_o their_o authority_n from_o some_o other_o commission_n give_v they_o elsewhere_o for_o in_o this_o place_n there_o be_v no_o foot_n step_n for_o any_o such_o power_n that_o much_o urge_v and_o much_o abuse_v place_n in_o 1_o cor._n 14.40_o will_v not_o reach_v it_o for_o though_o paul_n require_v in_o that_o place_n all_o the_o duty_n of_o god_n worship_n whether_o prayer_n or_o prophesy_v or_o psalm_n or_o tongue_n etc._n etc._n that_o they_o shall_v be_v perform_v decent_o and_o orderly_o he_o thereby_o forbid_v any_o performance_n thereof_o undecent_o as_o for_o man_n with_o long_a hair_n and_o woman_n to_o speak_v in_o open_a assembly_n especial_o to_o pray_v with_o their_o hair_n loose_v about_o they_o and_o though_o he_o forbid_v also_o man_n speak_v two_o or_o three_o at_o once_o which_o to_o do_v be_v not_o order_n but_o confusion_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o at_o all_o neither_o himself_o enjoin_v nor_o allow_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o enjoin_v such_o thing_n as_o decent_a who_o want_n or_o who_o contrary_a be_v not_o undecent_a nor_o such_o order_n who_o want_n or_o
elder_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o congregation_n answ_n let_v all_o the_o place_n allege_v be_v examine_v and_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o in_o matter_n of_o judgement_n where_o the_o congregation_n be_v put_v for_o the_o elder_n and_o ruler_n it_o be_v never_o mean_v for_o aught_o we_o can_v find_v of_o the_o elder_n and_o ruler_n alone_o sit_v apart_o and_o retire_v from_o the_o congregation_n but_o sit_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o hear_v and_o judge_v cause_n before_o they_o in_o which_o case_n if_o a_o sentence_n have_v pass_v from_o a_o ruler_n with_o the_o dislike_n of_o the_o congregation_n they_o have_v not_o stick_v to_o show_v their_o dislike_n sometime_o by_o protest_v open_o against_o it_o as_o 1_o sam._n 14.44_o 45._o sometime_o by_o refuse_v to_o execute_v it_o 1_o sam._n 22.16_o 17._o and_o what_o the_o people_n of_o the_o congregation_n lawful_o do_v in_o some_o case_n at_o some_o time_n in_o wave_v and_o counterpoize_v the_o sentence_n of_o their_o ruler_n the_o same_o they_o may_v and_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v in_o the_o like_a case_n at_o any_o time_n the_o whole_a host_n or_o congregation_n of_o israel_n may_v protest_v against_o a_o unrighteous_a illegal_a sentence_n and_o a_o part_n of_o the_o congregation_n who_o discern_v the_o iniquity_n of_o a_o sentence_n may_v just_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o the_o execution_n of_o it_o object_n 4._o when_o christ_n say_v tell_v the_o church_n he_o mean_v a_o synodical_a or_o classical_a assembly_n of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o many_o church_n for_o it_o be_v his_o meaning_n and_o purpose_n in_o this_o place_n to_o prescribe_v a_o rule_n for_o the_o remove_n of_o all_o scandal_n out_o of_o the_o church_n which_o can_v be_v do_v by_o tell_v the_o church_n of_o one_o congregation_n for_o what_o if_o a_o elder_a offend_v yea_o what_o if_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n offend_v the_o people_n or_o brethren_n have_v not_o power_n to_o judge_v their_o judge_n to_o rule_v their_o ruler_n yea_o what_o if_o the_o whole_a congregation_n fall_v under_o a_o offence_n as_o they_o may_v do_v leu._n 4.13_o a_o synod_n of_o many_o presbyter_n may_v reform_v they_o but_o so_o can_v any_o one_o congregation_n alone_o if_o the_o congregation_n that_o give_v the_o offence_n stand_v out_o in_o it_o answ_n 1._o reserve_v due_a honour_n to_o synod_n right_o order_v or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o a_o classis_fw-la or_o convention_n of_o presbyter_n of_o particular_a church_n we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o a_o church_n be_v any_o where_o put_v for_o a_o synod_n of_o presbytery_n and_o it_o be_v very_o incongruous_a in_o this_o place_n for_o though_o it_o be_v faid_fw-we a_o particular_a congregation_n can_v reach_v the_o removal_n of_o all_o offence_n so_o it_o may_v be_v as_o true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v unmeet_a to_o trouble_v synod_n with_o every_o offence_n that_o fall_v out_o in_o a_o congregation_n offence_n fall_v out_o often_o synod_n meet_v but_o seldom_o and_o when_o they_o do_v meet_v they_o find_v many_o more_o weighty_a employment_n then_o to_o attend_v to_o every_o offence_n of_o every_o private_a brother_n beside_o as_o a_o whole_a particular_a congregation_n may_v offend_v so_o may_v a_o general_a assembly_n of_o all_o the_o presbyter_n in_o a_o nation_n offend_v also_o for_o general_a counsel_n have_v err_v and_o what_o remedy_n shall_v be_v find_v to_o remove_v such_o error_n and_o offence_n out_o of_o this_o text_n moreover_o if_o a_o offence_n be_v find_v in_o a_o brother_n of_o a_o congregation_n and_o the_o congregation_n be_v find_v faithful_a and_o willing_a to_o remove_v it_o by_o due_a censure_n why_o shall_v the_o offence_n be_v call_v up_o to_o more_o public_a judicature_n and_o the_o plaster_n make_v broad_a than_o the_o sore_n again_o if_o a_o elder_a offend_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o presbytery_n with_o the_o congregation_n join_v together_o may_v proceed_v against_o he_o if_o they_o can_v otherwise_o heal_v he_o and_o so_o remove_v the_o offence_n from_o among_o they_o if_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n offend_v or_o such_o a_o part_n as_o will_v draw_v a_o party_n and_o a_o faction_n in_o the_o church_n with_o they_o their_o ready_a course_n be_v to_o bring_v the_o matter_n then_o to_o a_o synod_n for_o though_o this_o place_n in_o matthew_n direct_v not_o to_o that_o yet_o the_o holy_a ghost_n leave_v we_o not_o without_o direction_n in_o such_o a_o case_n but_o give_v we_o a_o pattern_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n to_o repair_v to_o a_o synod_n and_o the_o like_a course_n be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o the_o offence_n of_o a_o whole_a congregation_n if_o it_o be_v persist_v in_o with_o obstinacy_n neither_o be_v it_o true_a which_o be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o purpose_n of_o christ_n in_o mat._n 18.17_o to_o prescribe_v a_o rule_n for_o the_o removal_n of_o all_o offence_n out_o of_o the_o church_n but_o only_o of_o such_o private_a and_o less_o heinous_a offence_n as_o grow_v public_a and_o notorious_a only_o by_o obstinacy_n of_o the_o offender_n for_o if_o offence_n be_v heinous_a and_o public_a at_o first_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v not_o direct_v we_o to_o proceed_v in_o such_o a_o general_a course_n from_o a_o private_a admonition_n by_o one_o brother_n alone_o and_o then_o to_o a_o second_o by_o one_o or_o two_o more_o and_o at_o last_o to_o tell_v it_o to_o the_o church_n but_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o apostle_n give_v another_o rule_n 1_o cor._n 5.11_o to_o cast_v a_o heinous_a notorious_a offender_n both_o out_o of_o church-communion_n and_o private_a familiar_a communion_n also_o object_n 5._o the_o church_n here_o speak_v of_o mat._n 18.17_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o whereto_o a_o complaint_n may_v orderly_o be_v make_v but_o a_o complaint_n can_v be_v orderly_o make_v to_o a_o multitude_n such_o as_o a_o whole_a congregation_n be_v answ_n and_o why_o may_v not_o a_o complaint_n be_v orderly_o make_v to_o a_o whole_a multitude_n the_o levite_n make_v a_o orderly_a conplaint_n to_o a_o great_a multitude_n than_o 400._o particular_a congregation_n be_v wont_a to_o amount_v to_o jud._n 20.1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o etc._n etc._n object_n 6._o the_o church_n here_o to_o be_v complain_v of_o meet_v with_o authority_n for_o censure_n be_v administer_v with_o authority_n but_o the_o church_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n meet_v with_o humility_n to_o seek_v the_o face_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n answ_n humility_n to_o god_n may_v well_o stand_v with_o authority_n to_o man_n the_o 24._o elder_n who_o represent_v the_o grow_v heir_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n they_o be_v say_v in_o church-assembly_n to_o sit_v upon_o throne_n with_o crown_n on_o their_o head_n rev._n 4.4_o yet_o when_o they_o fall_v down_o to_o worship_n god_n and_o the_o lamb_n they_o cast_v down_o their_o crown_n at_o his_o foot_n v._o 10._o object_n 7._o in_o the_o church_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n a_o woman_n may_v not_o speak_v but_o in_o this_o church_n here_o speak_v of_o they_o may_v speak_v for_o they_o may_v be_v offender_n and_o offender_n must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o offence_n answ_n when_o the_o apostle_n forbid_v woman_n to_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n he_o mean_v speak_v partly_o by_o way_n of_o authority_n as_o in_o public_a pray_v or_o prophesy_v in_o the_o church_n 1_o tim._n 2.12_o partly_o by_o way_n of_o bold_a inquiry_n in_o ask_v question_n public_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14.34_o but_o to_o answer_v it_o if_o the_o whole_a congregation_n have_v take_v just_a offence_n at_o the_o open_a sin_n of_o a_o woman_n she_o be_v bind_v as_o much_o to_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o the_o whole_a congregation_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o presbytery_n object_n 8._o when_o schism_n grow_v to_o be_v scandalous_a in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n the_o household_n of_o chloe_n tell_v not_o the_o whole_a congregation_n of_o it_o but_o paul_n 1_o cor._n 1.11_o answ_n the_o contention_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v not_o the_o offence_n of_o a_o private_a brother_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o who_o can_v tell_v whether_o they_o have_v not_o speak_v of_o it_o to_o the_o church_n before_o but_o whether_o they_o have_v or_o no_o the_o example_n only_o argue_v that_o brethren_n offend_v with_o the_o sin_n of_o their_o brethren_n may_v tell_v a_o elder_a of_o the_o church_n of_o it_o that_o he_o may_v tell_v it_o to_o the_o church_n which_o no_o man_n deny_v paul_n be_v a_o elder_a of_o every_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o other_o apostle_n be_v as_o have_v the_o government_n of_o all_o the_o church_n commit_v to_o they_o all_o have_v thus_o by_o the_o help_n of_o christ_n clear_v this_o text_n in_o mat._n 18.17_o from_o variety_n of_o
misconstruction_n which_o not_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o word_n but_o the_o eminency_n of_o the_o gift_n and_o worth_a of_o expositor_n have_v make_v difficult_a let_v we_o add_v a_o argument_n or_o two_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n full_o furnish_v with_o officer_n and_o right_o walk_v in_o judgement_n and_o peace_n be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o all_o church-authority_n needful_a to_o be_v exercise_v within_o their_o own_o body_n 3._o a_o three_o argument_n to_o prove_v this_o be_v usual_o and_o just_o take_v from_o the_o practice_n and_o example_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o excommunication_n of_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a 1_o cor._n 5.1_o to_o 5._o obj._n 1_o the_o excommunication_n of_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o judicial_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n whether_o elder_n or_o brethren_n but_o rather_o a_o act_n of_o subjection_n to_o the_o apostle_n publish_v the_o sentence_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v before_o decree_v and_o judge_v for_o say_v the_o apostle_n i_o though_o absent_a in_o body_n yet_o present_a in_o spirit_n have_v judge_v already_o concern_v he_o that_o have_v do_v this_o deed_n etc._n etc._n answ_n 1._o though_o paul_n as_o a_o chief_a officer_n of_o every_o church_n judge_v beforehand_o the_o excommunication_n of_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a yet_o his_o judgement_n be_v not_o a_o judicial_a sentence_n deliver_v he_o to_o satan_n but_o a_o judicious_a doctrine_n and_o instruction_n teach_v the_o church_n what_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o that_o case_n 2._o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n in_o corinth_n in_o censure_v the_o incestuous_a person_n be_v indeed_o a_o act_n of_o subjection_n to_o the_o apostle_n divine_a doctrine_n and_o direction_n as_o all_o church-censure_n by_o whosoever_o administer_v aught_o to_o be_v act_n of_o subjection_n to_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n but_o yet_o their_o act_n be_v a_o complete_a act_n of_o just_a power_n even_o a_o act_n of_o all_o that_o liberty_n and_o authority_n which_o be_v to_o be_v put_v forth_o in_o any_o censure_n for_o first_o they_o deliver_v he_o to_o satan_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o with_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n v._o 4._o and_o that_o be_v the_o high_a power_n in_o the_o church_n second_o the_o spirit_n of_o paul_n that_o be_v his_o apostolic_a spirit_n be_v gather_v together_o with_o they_o in_o deliver_v and_o publish_v the_o sentence_n which_o argue_v both_o his_o power_n and_o they_o be_v co-incident_a and_o concurrent_a in_o this_o sentence_n three_o the_o holy_a end_n and_o use_v of_o this_o sentence_n argue_v the_o heavenly_a power_n from_o whence_o it_o proceed_v they_o deliver_v he_o to_o satan_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n that_o be_v for_o the_o mortify_n of_o his_o corruption_n that_o his_o soul_n may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n four_o when_o his_o soul_n come_v to_o be_v humble_a and_o penitent_a by_o the_o mean_n of_o this_o sentence_n paul_n intreat_v the_o church_n to_o release_v and_o forgive_v he_o 2_o cor._n 2.6_o to_o 10._o now_o ejusdem_fw-la potestatis_fw-la est_fw-la ligare_fw-la &_o solvere_fw-la claudere_fw-la &_o aperire_fw-la object_n 2._o all_o this_o argue_v no_o more_o but_o that_o some_o in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n have_v this_o power_n to_o wit_n the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o church_n but_o not_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n to_o excommunicate_v the_o offender_n answ_n 1._o if_o the_o presbytery_n alone_o have_v put_v forth_o this_o power_n yet_o that_o suffice_v to_o make_v good_a the_o proposition_n that_o every_o church_n furnish_v with_o a_o presbytery_n and_o proceed_v righteous_o and_o peaceable_o they_o have_v within_o themselves_o so_o much_o power_n as_o be_v requisite_a to_o be_v exercise_v within_o their_o own_o body_n answ_n 2._o it_o be_v apparent_a by_o the_o text_n that_o the_o brethren_n concur_v also_o in_o this_o sentence_n and_o that_o with_o some_o act_n of_o power_n to_o wit_n such_o power_n as_o the_o want_n of_o put_v it_o forth_o retard_v the_o sentence_n and_o the_o put_n of_o it_o forth_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o sentence_n for_o first_o the_o reproof_n for_o not_o proceed_v to_o sentence_n soon_o be_v direct_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o presbytery_n they_o be_v all_o blame_v for_o not_o mourn_v for_o not_o put_v he_o away_o for_o be_v puff_v up_o rather_o 1_o cor._n 5.2_o 2._o the_o commandment_n be_v direct_v to_o they_o all_o when_o they_o be_v gather_v together_o and_o what_o be_v that_o but_o to_o a_o church_n meeting_n to_o proceed_v against_o he_o 1_o cor._n 5.4_o in_o like_a sort_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n he_o command_v they_o all_o put_v away_o therefore_o from_o among_o you_o that_o wiek_v person_n v._o 13._o 3._o he_o declare_v this_o act_n of_o they_o in_o put_v he_o out_o to_o be_v a_o judicial_a act_n v._o 12._o do_v you_o not_o judge_v they_o that_o be_v within_o say_v that_o the_o judgement_n of_o authority_n be_v proper_a only_o to_o the_o presbytery_n yet_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n which_o as_o concur_v in_o this_o act_n with_o the_o presbytery_n have_v a_o power_n in_o it_o as_o be_v say_v may_v not_o be_v deny_v to_o the_o brethren_n for_o here_o be_v a_o act_n of_o judgement_n ascribe_v to_o they_o all_o which_o judgement_n in_o the_o brethren_n he_o esteem_v of_o it_o so_o high_o that_o from_o thence_o he_o take_v occasion_n to_o advise_v the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n to_o refer_v their_o difference_n even_o in_o civil_a matter_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o saint_n or_o brethren_n know_v you_o not_o say_v he_o that_o the_o saint_n shall_v judge_v the_o world_n yea_o the_o angel_n 1_o cor._n 6.1_o 2_o 3._o how_o much_o more_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o life_n yea_o rather_o than_o they_o shall_v go_v to_o law_n and_o that_o before_o infidel_n in_o any_o case_n depend_v between_o brethren_n he_o advise_v they_o rather_o to_o set_v up_o the_o mean_a in_o the_o church_n to_o hear_v and_o judge_v between_o they_o 1_o cor._n 6.4_o 4._o when_o the_o apostle_n direct_v they_o upon_o the_o repentance_n of_o a_o offender_n to_o forgive_v he_o 2_o cor._n 2.4_o to_o 10._o he_o speak_v to_o the_o brethren_n as_o well_o as_o to_o their_o elder_n to_o forgive_v he_o as_o they_o be_v all_o the_o brethren_n as_o well_o as_o the_o elder_n offend_v with_o his_o sin_n so_o it_o be_v meet_v they_o shall_v all_o a_o like_o be_v satisfy_v and_o be_v satisfy_v shall_v forgive_v he_o the_o brethren_n in_o a_o way_n of_o brotherly_a love_n and_o church-consent_n as_o well_o as_o the_o elder_n by_o sentence_v his_o absolution_n and_o restitution_n to_o the_o church_n 3._o obj._n but_o be_v not_o this_o church_n of_o corinth_n who_o have_v all_o this_o power_n a_o metropolis_n a_o mother_n church_n of_o achaia_n in_o which_o many_o presbytery_n from_o many_o church_n in_o the_o village_n be_v assemble_v to_o administer_v this_o censure_n ans_fw-fr no_o such_o thing_n appear_v from_o the_o story_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n neither_o in_o the_o act_n act._n 18._o nor_o from_o either_o of_o the_o epistle_n 〈…〉_o corinthian_n true_a it_o be_v corinth_n be_v a_o mother-city_n but_o not_o a_o mother-church_n to_o all_o achaia_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o other_o church_n in_o that_o region_n may_v borrow_v much_o light_n from_o their_o gift_n for_o they_o abound_v and_o be_v enrich_v with_o variety_n of_o all_o gift_n 1_o cor._n â—_o 〈◊〉_d but_o yet_o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 〈◊〉_d the_o whole_a church_n be_v no_o large_a than_o be_v wont_a to_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n one_o congregation_n 1_o conrinth_n 14.23_o a_o four_o and_o last_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o proposition_n that_o every_o church_n so_o furnish_v with_o officer_n as_o have_v be_v say_v and_o so_o carry_v on_o in_o truth_n and_o peace_n have_v all_o church_n power_n needful_a to_o be_v exercise_v within_o themselves_o be_v take_v from_o the_o guilt_n of_o offence_n which_o lie_v upon_o every_o church_n when_o any_o offence_n commit_v by_o their_o member_n lie_v uncensured_a and_o unremoved_a christ_n have_v something_o against_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n for_o suffer_v balaam_n and_o the_o nicolaitan_n revel_v 2.14_o 15._o and_o something_o against_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n for_o suffer_v jezabel_n now_o if_o these_o church_n have_v not_o either_o of_o they_o sufficient_a power_n to_o purge_v out_o their_o own_o offender_n why_o be_v they_o blame_v for_o toleration_n of_o they_o yea_o why_o be_v not_o the_o neighbour_n church_n blame_v for_o
the_o sin_n of_o these_o church_n but_o we_o see_v neither_o be_v pergamus_n blame_v for_o tolerate_v jezabel_n nor_o thyatira_n for_o tolerate_v balaam_n nor_o smyrna_n for_o tolerate_v either_o indeed_o what_o christ_n write_v to_o any_o one_o church_n his_o spirit_n call_v all_o the_o church_n to_o hearken_v unto_o and_o so_o he_o do_v our_o church_n also_o at_o this_o day_n not_o because_o he_o blame_v they_o for_o the_o toleration_n of_o sin_n in_o other_o church_n but_o because_o he_o will_v have_v they_o beware_v of_o the_o like_a remissness_n in_o tolerate_v the_o like_a offence_n among_o themselves_o and_o also_o will_v provoke_v they_o to_o observe_v notorious_a offence_n among_o their_o sister-churche_n and_o with_o brotherly_a love_n and_o faithfulness_n to_o admonish_v they_o thereof_o it_o be_v a_o unsound_a body_n that_o want_v strength_n to_o purge_v out_o his_o own_o vicious_a and_o malignant_a humour_n and_o every_o church_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n be_v a_o body_n even_o a_o body_n of_o christ_n in_o itself_o it_o be_v not_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n nor_o of_o his_o body_n if_o when_o it_o be_v in_o a_o sound_n and_o athletic_a constitution_n it_o shall_v not_o have_v power_n to_o purge_v itself_o of_o its_o own_o superfluous_a and_o noisome_a humour_n iv_o proposition_n in_o case_n a_o particular_a church_n be_v disturb_v with_o error_n or_o scandal_n and_o the_o same_o maintain_v by_o a_o faction_n among_o they_o now_o a_o synod_n of_o church_n or_o of_o their_o messenger_n be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o that_o power_n and_o authority_n whereby_o error_n be_v judicial_o convince_v and_o condemn_v the_o truth_n search_v out_o and_o determine_v and_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n declare_v and_o impose_v upon_o the_o church_n the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n may_v appear_v by_o two_o argument_n 1._o argum._n from_o the_o want_n of_o power_n in_o such_o a_o particular_a church_n to_o pass_v a_o bind_a sentence_n where_o error_n or_o scandal_n be_v maintain_v by_o a_o faction_n for_o the_o promise_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v which_o be_v make_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n mat._n 18.18_o be_v not_o give_v to_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v leaven_v with_o error_n and_o variance_n it_o be_v a_o receive_a maxim_n clavis_fw-la errans_fw-la non_fw-la ligat_fw-la and_o it_o be_v as_o true_a ecclesia_fw-la litigans_fw-la not_z ligat_fw-la and_o the_o ground_n of_o both_o arise_v from_o the_o estate_n of_o the_o church_n to_o which_o the_o promise_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v be_v make_v mat._n 18.17_o 18._o which_o though_o it_o be_v a_o particular_a church_n as_o have_v be_v show_v yet_o it_o be_v a_o church_n agree_v together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n mat._n 18.19_o 20._o if_o there_o want_v agreement_n among_o they_o the_o promise_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v be_v not_o give_v to_o they_o or_o if_o they_o shall_v agree_v and_o yet_o agree_v in_o a_o error_n or_o in_o a_o scandal_n they_o do_v not_o then_o agree_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n for_o to_o meet_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n impli_v they_o meet_v not_o only_o by_o his_o command_n and_o authority_n but_o also_o that_o they_o proceed_v according_a to_o his_o law_n and_o will_n and_o that_o to_o his_o service_n and_o glory_n if_o then_o the_o church_n or_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o it_o fall_v into_o error_n through_o ignorance_n or_o into_o faction_n by_o variance_n they_o can_v expect_v the_o presence_n of_o christ_n with_o they_o according_a to_o his_o promise_n to_o pass_v a_o bind_a sentence_n and_o then_o as_o they_o fall_v under_o the_o conviction_n and_o admonition_n of_o any_o other_o sister_n church_n in_o a_o way_n of_o brotherly_a love_n by_o virtue_n of_o communion_n of_o church_n so_o their_o error_n and_o variance_n and_o whatsoever_o scandal_v else_o do_v accompany_v the_o same_o they_o be_v just_o subject_a to_o the_o condemnation_n of_o a_o synod_n of_o church_n 2._o a_o second_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o a_o synod_n be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o power_n to_o determine_v and_o judge_v error_n and_o variance_n in_o particular_a church_n be_v take_v from_o the_o pattern_n set_v before_o we_o in_o that_o case_n act._n 15.1_o to_o 28._o when_o certain_a false_a teacher_n have_v teach_v in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n a_o necessity_n of_o circumcision_n to_o salvation_n and_o have_v get_v a_o faction_n to_o take_v part_n with_o they_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n against_o they_o the_o church_n do_v not_o determine_v the_o case_n themselves_o but_o refer_v the_o whole_a matter_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n at_o jerusalem_n act._n 15.1_o 2._o not_o to_o the_o apostle_n alone_o but_o to_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n the_o apostle_n be_v as_o the_o elder_n and_o ruler_n of_o all_o church_n and_o the_o elder_n there_o be_v not_o a_o few_o the_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n be_v many_o thousand_o neither_o do_v the_o apostle_n determine_v the_o matter_n as_o have_v be_v say_v by_o apostolical_a authority_n from_o immediate_a revelation_n but_o they_o assemble_v together_o with_o the_o elder_n to_o consider_v of_o the_o matter_n v._o 6._o and_o a_o multitude_n of_o brethren_n together_o with_o they_o v._n 12.22_o 23._o and_o after_o search_v out_o the_o cause_n by_o a_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o disputation_n v._o 7._o peter_n clear_v it_o by_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o his_o ministry_n in_o cornelius_n his_o family_n paul_n and_o barnabas_n by_o the_o like_a effect_n of_o their_o ministry_n among_o the_o gentile_n â—_o james_n confirm_v the_o same_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o prophet_n wherewith_o the_o whole_a synod_n be_v satisfy_v they_o determine_v of_o a_o judicial_a sentence_n and_o of_o a_o way_n to_o publish_v it_o by_o letter_n and_o messenger_n in_o which_o they_o censure_v the_o false_a teacher_n as_o troubler_n of_o their_o church_n and_o subverter_n of_o their_o soul_n they_o reject_v the_o imposition_n of_o circumcision_n as_o a_o yoke_n which_o neither_o they_o nor_o their_o father_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v they_o impose_v upon_o the_o church_n none_o but_o some_o necessary_a observation_n and_o they_o by_o way_n of_o that_o authority_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v they_o v._o 28._o which_o pattern_n clear_o show_v we_o to_o who_o the_o key_n of_o authority_n be_v commit_v when_o there_o grow_v offence_n and_o difference_n in_o a_o church_n look_v as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o offence_n of_o a_o faithful_a brother_n persist_v in_o the_o matter_n be_v at_o last_o judge_v and_o determine_v in_o a_o church_n which_o be_v a_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a so_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o offence_n of_o the_o church_n or_o congregation_n the_o matter_n be_v at_o last_o judge_v in_o a_o congregation_n of_o church_n a_o church_n of_o church_n for_o what_o be_v a_o synod_n else_o but_o a_o church_n of_o church_n now_o from_o all_o these_o former_a proposition_n which_o tend_v to_o clear_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n it_o may_v be_v easy_a to_o deduce_v certain_a corollary_n from_o thence_o tend_v to_o clear_v a_o parallel_n question_n to_o this_o to_o wit_n in_o what_o sense_n it_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v admit_v that_o a_o church_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n be_v independent_a in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o in_o what_o sense_n not_o for_o in_o what_o sense_n the_o church_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n it_o be_v independent_a and_o in_o none_o other_o we_o take_v the_o first_o subject_n and_o the_o independent_a subject_n to_o be_v all_o one_o 1._o corollary_n the_o church_n be_v not_o independent_a on_o christ_n but_o dependent_a on_o he_o for_o all_o church-power_n the_o reason_n be_v plain_a because_o he_o be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o all_o church-power_n by_o way_n of_o sovereign_a eminency_n as_o have_v be_v say_v and_o therefore_o the_o church_n and_o all_o the_o officer_n thereof_o yea_o and_o a_o synod_n of_o church_n be_v dependent_a upon_o he_o for_o all_o ministerial_a church-power_n ministry_n be_v dependent_a upon_o sovereignty_n yea_o the_o more_o dependent_a they_o be_v upon_o christ_n in_o all_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o church-power_n the_o more_o powerful_a be_v all_o their_o power_n in_o all_o their_o adminstration_n 2._o corollary_n the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o ministerial_a power_n of_o the_o key_n though_o it_o be_v independent_a in_o respect_n of_o derivation_n of_o power_n from_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o any_o spiritual_a administration_n yet_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o