declare_v his_o wrath_n against_o it_o by_o dreadful_a judgement_n in_o this_o kind_n we_o have_v a_o notable_a example_n in_o eusebius_n his_o ecclesiastic_a hist_n 6._o book_n and_o 8._o chapter_n there_o he_o report_v that_o three_o wicked_a man_n have_v conspire_v against_o narcissus_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o emperor_n severus_n who_o be_v a_o man_n of_o singular_a holiness_n but_o somewhat_o severe_a these_o wicked_a person_n fear_v to_o be_v censure_v by_o he_o accuse_v he_o of_o uncleanness_n &_o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o believe_v they_o do_v use_v fearful_a curse_n and_o impreeaâ—ions_n against_o themselves_o if_o they_o speak_v not_o the_o truth_n the_o first_o of_o they_o wish_v that_o he_o may_v be_v burn_v the_o second_o wish_v that_o his_o body_n may_v rot_v &_o be_v consume_v the_o three_o wish_v that_o he_o may_v be_v blind_a if_o it_o be_v not_o true_a which_o they_o speak_v notwithstanding_o of_o all_o this_o the_o people_n be_v so_o persuade_v of_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o pastor_n that_o they_o believe_v they_o not_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n ere_o it_o be_v long_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n come_v upon_o these_o three_o the_o house_n of_o the_o first_o take_v fire_n and_o in_o it_o he_o and_o his_o family_n be_v burn_v the_o second_o fall_v into_o a_o grievous_a disease_n which_o consume_v his_o body_n away_o the_o three_o consider_v the_o vengeance_n of_o god_n that_o have_v come_v upon_o his_o fellow_n be_v bring_v to_o repentance_n confess_v public_o the_o whole_a matter_n &_o shed_v tear_n so_o abundant_o then_o and_o afterward_o that_o he_o loss_v the_o sight_n of_o his_o eye_n so_o the_o curse_n of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o fall_v upon_o themselves_o thus_o we_o may_v perceive_v that_o the_o apostle_n his_o curse_v do_v much_o aggravate_v his_o sin_n second_o matter_n the_o matter_n which_o he_o deny_v with_o oath_n &_o execration_n be_v most_o great_a and_o important_a it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o his_o lord_n and_o saviour_n even_o he_o to_o who_o before_o he_o have_v say_v lord_n whether_o shall_v we_o go_v from_o thou_o for_o thou_o have_v the_o word_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o we_o know_v and_o be_v sure_a that_o thou_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n person_n three_o he_o who_o deny_v this_o be_v no_o mean_a person_n but_o a_o great_a and_o prime_a apostle_n which_o aggravate_v the_o offence_n it_o be_v peter_n who_o name_n christ_n have_v change_v and_o who_o he_o have_v call_v peter_n to_o signify_v that_o the_o strength_n and_o firmness_n of_o a_o rock_n shall_v be_v in_o he_o it_o be_v peter_n who_o have_v be_v so_o familiar_a with_o his_o lord_n have_v see_v he_o work_v so_o many_o miracle_n and_o have_v wrought_v miracle_n himself_n in_o his_o name_n peter_n who_o have_v be_v with_o he_o in_o mount_n tabor_n have_v taste_v there_o the_o heavenly_a joy_n &_o have_v hear_v this_o voice_n from_o heaven_n thou_o be_v my_o well_o belove_a son_n etc._n etc._n peter_n to_o who_o the_o father_n have_v reveal_v this_o that_o jesus_n be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n math._n 16._o and_o to_o who_o our_o saviour_n say_v to_o thou_o will_v i_o give_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v bind_v upon_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v loose_v upon_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n pusillanimity_n four_o in_o this_o his_o denial_n appear_v great_a pusillanimity_n weakness_n and_o distrust_n of_o god_n for_o at_o the_o first_o assault_n of_o a_o handmaid_n and_o doorkeeper_n he_o deny_v that_o he_o know_v christ_n behold_v say_v holy_a augustine_n the_o most_o firm_a pillartrembl_v whole_o at_o one_o small_a blast_n of_o the_o air_n where_o now_o say_v he_o be_v thy_o former_a confidence_n and_o bold_a promise_n where_o now_o be_v these_o word_n i_o be_o ready_a to_o follow_v thou_o both_o to_o prison_n and_o to_o death_n be_v this_o to_o follow_v thy_o lord_n to_o deny_v that_o thou_o know_v he_o be_v this_o to_o lay_v down_o thy_o life_n for_o he_o to_o deny_v he_o at_o the_o voice_n of_o a_o damsel_n for_o preserve_v thy_o life_n how_o strange_o be_v thy_o voice_n change_v now_o and_o yet_o thou_o be_v not_o bring_v unto_o public_a thou_o be_v not_o present_v yet_o before_o king_n or_o governor_n thou_o be_v not_o yet_o put_v to_o the_o rock_n or_o torture_v it_o be_v not_o a_o scribe_n or_o pharisee_fw-mi or_o priest_n or_o soldier_n or_o executioner_n that_o demand_v of_o thou_o but_o a_o woman_n a_o servant_n and_o a_o doorkeeper_n thus_o we_o see_v there_o be_v in_o he_o exceed_o great_a weakness_n and_o fear_n last_o obstinacy_n there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o obstinacy_n in_o his_o sin_n for_o he_o deny_v and_o swear_v again_o and_o again_o and_o the_o three_o time_n there_o be_v betwixt_o his_o second_o and_o three_o denial_n about_o the_o space_n of_o a_o hour_n wherein_o the_o have_v time_n to_o recollect_v his_o confound_a thought_n and_o to_o call_v to_o mind_n what_o he_o have_v do_v that_o he_o may_v have_v repent_v or_o at_o least_o may_v have_v eschew_v a_o new_a sin_n but_o notwithstanding_o of_o this_o he_o continue_v still_o unmindful_a of_o christ_n and_o what_o he_o have_v do_v thus_o we_o see_v his_o sin_n in_o many_o respect_n be_v grievous_a which_o we_o have_v discover_v not_o for_o the_o reproach_n of_o that_o great_a and_o holy_a apostle_n god_n forbid_v but_o that_o we_o may_v learn_v these_o use_n from_o it_o which_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n will_v have_v we_o to_o learn_v which_o be_v the_o three_o point_n propound_v by_o we_o the_o first_o use_n that_o we_o shall_v make_v of_o this_o fall_n of_o the_o great_a apostle_n be_v weakness_n we_o may_v perceive_v clear_o in_o it_o humane_a weakness_n &_o infirmity_n how_o great_a it_o be_v and_o how_o little_a it_o shall_v be_v trust_v unto_o this_o great_a apostle_n be_v by_o nature_n fervent_a and_o veâ—ement_n and_o have_v receive_v many_o excellent_a grace_n and_o privilege_n from_o christ_n as_o we_o say_v before_o yet_o when_o he_o trust_v to_o much_o in_o himself_o and_o be_v for_o trial_n and_o humiliation_n leave_v to_o himself_o he_o fall_v and_o that_o most_o foullie_o he_o that_o assure_v himself_o of_o victory_n before_o the_o fight_n tremble_v now_o before_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o trumpet_n he_o that_o shall_v not_o have_v deny_v christ_n although_o the_o sword_n have_v be_v at_o his_o throat_n deny_v he_o now_o at_o the_o voice_n of_o a_o damsel_n the_o like_a we_o may_v see_v in_o david_n who_o be_v a_o man_n according_a to_o the_o heart_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o fall_v both_o in_o adultery_n &_o murder_n this_o shall_v teach_v we_o all_o humility_n fear_n and_o watch_v fullness_n and_o to_o trust_v in_o nothing_o but_o in_o god_n and_o his_o graceâ—_n s._n peter_n himself_o learn_v these_o thing_n by_o his_o fall_n when_o our_o lord_n after_o his_o resurrection_n ask_v he_o whether_o he_o do_v love_v he_o more_o than_o other_o do_v he_o do_v not_o prefer_v himself_o to_o any_o but_o be_v content_a to_o express_v his_o own_o sincerity_n say_v lord_n thou_o know_v that_o i_o love_v thou_o so_o in_o his_o 1._o epist_n 1._o chap._n he_o say_v that_o we_o be_v keep_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n through_o faith_n unto_o salvation_n and_o in_o the_o 5._o chap._n of_o that_o epist_n he_o give_v this_o exhortarion_n to_o all_o be_v sober_a be_v vigilant_a for_o your_o enemy_n the_o devil_n go_v about_o as_o a_o roar_a lion_n seek_v who_o he_o may_v devour_v let_v we_o in_o like_a manner_n learn_v to_o be_v humble_a and_o to_o fear_v and_o watch_v if_o the_o strong_a pillar_n and_o mighty_a cedare_n be_v so_o shake_v and_o so_o soon_o what_o may_v become_v of_o we_o who_o have_v scarce_o grace_v root_v in_o our_o heart_n in_o the_o day_n of_o our_o temptation_n what_o be_v man_n without_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n say_v holy_a augustine_n in_o his_o 124._o sermon_n of_o time_n but_o that_o which_o peter_n be_v when_o he_o deny_v his_o lord_n yea_o suppose_v thou_o have_v never_o so_o much_o grace_n yet_o thou_o have_v this_o treasure_n in_o a_o earthen_a vessel_n thou_o be_v like_a to_o a_o rich_a ship_n full_a of_o precious_a ware_n that_o be_v toss_v in_o the_o sea_n and_o in_o danger_n to_o be_v swallow_v with_o the_o wave_n or_o to_o dash_v upon_o the_o rock_n be_v not_o therefore_o high_o mind_v but_o fear_v let_v he_o that_o stand_v take_v heed_n lest_o he_o fall_v remember_v that_o s._n paul_n have_v say_v work_v out_o your_o salvation_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a and_o that_o he_o himself_o do_v beat_v his_o body_n down_o and_o keep_v it_o in_o
how_o can_v he_o have_v express_v it_o more_o full_o then_o in_o the_o term_n which_o he_o have_v use_v to_o the_o will_v i_o give_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n whatsoever_o you_o bind_v on_o earth_n it_o shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n who_o sin_n soever_o you_o retain_v they_o shall_v be_v retain_v etc._n etc._n three_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o saviour_n speech_n when_o he_o promise_v this_o power_n which_o be_v with_o a_o serious_a and_o vehement_a attestation_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o and_o the_o ceremony_n use_v at_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o which_o be_v by_o breathe_v on_o they_o with_o these_o word_n receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n these_o circumstance_n i_o say_v do_v show_v that_o our_o saviour_n intend_v to_o give_v and_o do_v actual_o give_v a_o great_a power_n then_o be_v that_o of_o declare_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v which_o already_o be_v beside_o the_o repentance_n of_o man_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o pastor_n can_v perfect_o know_v and_o therefore_o they_o can_v certain_o declare_v a_o man_n to_o be_v loose_v from_o sin_n for_o these_o and_o other_o reason_n i_o make_v no_o doubt_n that_o the_o power_n promise_v here_o by_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o bare_o a_o declarative_a but_o also_o a_o effectual_a power_n which_o work_v some_o effect_n upon_o man_n so_o the_o holy_a father_n have_v understand_v this_o chrisost_n in_o his_o 3._o book_n of_o the_o priesthood_n say_v that_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o man_n that_o be_v upon_o earth_n a_o power_n to_o dispose_v of_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n this_o power_n say_v he_o he_o have_v not_o give_v to_o the_o angel_n or_o archangel_n for_o to_o who_o of_o they_o have_v he_o say_v to_o the_o will_v i_o give_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n etc._n etc._n earthly_a king_n say_v he_o have_v power_n to_o bind_v &_o loose_v also_o but_o their_o power_n extend_v to_o the_o body_n of_o man_n only_o whereas_o this_o power_n reach_v unto_o the_o soul_n and_o unto_o heaven_n that_o which_o the_o servant_n do_v here_o beneath_o the_o lord_n confirm_v above_o and_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o manner_n denize_v to_o follow_v the_o servant_n the_o bind_n on_o earth_n be_v prior_n at_o least_o in_o order_n of_o nature_n to_o the_o bind_n in_o heaven_n and_o the_o lose_n on_o earth_n be_v before_o the_o lose_n in_o heaven_n so_o write_v upon_o the_o 20_o of_o s._n john_n on_o these_o word_n who_o sin_n soever_o you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v he_o say_v that_o our_o saviour_n endue_v his_o apostle_n with_o such_o a_o power_n as_o a_o king_n give_v to_o governor_n under_o he_o when_o he_o give_v they_o power_n to_o cast_v into_o prison_n and_o to_o take_v out_o of_o it_o and_o write_v upon_o these_o word_n to_o thou_o will_v i_o give_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n matth._n 16._o he_o say_v that_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o a_o mortal_a man_n the_o power_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n for_o this_o cause_n our_o saviour_n add_v here_o these_o word_n on_o earth_n whatsoever_o you_o bind_v on_o earth_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v this_o ad_v but_o to_o signify_v the_o amplitude_n and_o greatness_n of_o his_o power_n and_o that_o how_o soever_o it_o be_v do_v by_o earthly_a man_n yet_o it_o shall_v have_v a_o authority_n &_o force_n of_o a_o sentence_n and_o law_n in_o heaven_n as_o if_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n will_v say_v to_o one_o who_o he_o much_o trust_v and_o to_o who_o he_o have_v give_v a_o most_o ample_a commission_n whatsoever_o thou_o will_v do_v in_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o my_o dominion_n i_o shall_v allow_v and_o ratify_v it_o the_o far_a that_o servant_n be_v from_o their_o master_n they_o use_v to_o take_v to_o themselves_o the_o great_a liberty_n and_o it_o be_v a_o token_n of_o great_a trust_n in_o the_o master_n when_o he_o commit_v power_n to_o they_o in_o such_o a_o case_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o pastor_n have_v proper_o a_o power_n to_o bind_v and_o loose_v sinner_n let_v we_o now_o consider_v more_o particular_o in_o what_o manner_n they_o do_v bind_v and_o loose_v and_o how_o their_o bind_a and_o lose_v be_v accompany_v with_o bind_v and_o lose_v in_o heaven_n the_o bond_n wherewith_o pastor_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o key_n do_v bind_v sinner_n be_v direct_o and_o immediate_o a_o ecclesiastical_a bond_n exercise_v about_o sinew_n as_o it_o as_o a_o offence_n of_o the_o church_n church_n so_o their_o lose_n be_v direct_o and_o immediate_o a_o untie_n and_o lose_v of_o that_o ecclesiastical_a bond_n wherewith_o they_o have_v bind_v a_o sinner_n whence_o of_o necessity_n their_o bind_n most_o go_v before_o their_o lose_n in_o this_o kind_n they_o can_v loose_v nothing_o this_o way_n but_o that_o which_o before_o they_o have_v bind_v but_o how_o then_o you_o will_v say_v do_v their_o bind_n or_o lose_v reach_n to_o a_o man_n sin_n as_o it_o be_v a_o offence_n of_o god_n i_o ans_fw-fr this_o be_v not_o but_o mediate_o and_o indirect_o in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o do_v such_o a_o thing_n upon_o the_o do_v whereof_o christ_n have_v promise_v to_o bind_v or_o loose_v the_o sin_n of_o a_o man_n the_o like_a we_o have_v in_o haptisme_n wherein_o sin_n be_v take_v away_o if_o he_o that_o be_v baptize_v put_v no_o impediment_n all_o that_o the_o minister_n do_v be_v but_o a_o wash_n of_o the_o body_n and_o a_o incal_v of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n yet_o this_o action_n as_o a_o instrument_n or_o condition_n carry_v with_o it_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o purge_v of_o the_o soul_n so_o in_o the_o matter_n that_o we_o have_v in_o hand_n the_o pastor_n bind_v the_o person_n guilty_a with_o a_o ecclesiastical_a bond_n direct_o and_o again_o lose_v that_o same_o bond_n by_o ecclesiastical_a absolution_n or_o reconciliation_n yet_o by_o virtue_n of_o christ_n promise_n set_v down_o in_o these_o word_n upon_o the_o do_n of_o this_o god_n in_o heaven_n do_v bind_v or_o loose_v the_o sin_n of_o such_o a_o man_n thus_o we_o see_v how_o god_n not_o only_o principal_o but_o also_o alone_o immediate_o take_v away_o sin_n for_o the_o minister_n only_o perform_v a_o ecclesiastical_a action_n upon_o the_o do_v whereof_o god_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o own_o promise_n take_v away_o the_o sin_n of_o such_o a_o man_n second_o nication_n you_o may_v ask_v wherein_o this_o ecclesiastical_a bond_n consist_v i_o answer_v it_o stand_v in_o a_o certain_a excommunication_n whereby_o a_o grievous_a offender_n be_v separate_v in_o whole_a or_o in_o part_n from_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o from_o the_o society_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o according_a the_o lose_v oppose_v hereunto_o consist_v in_o the_o reconciliation_n of_o such_o a_o one_o to_o the_o church_n or_o in_o give_v he_o the_o peace_n thereof_o whence_o our_o saviour_n say_v in_o the_o precede_a word_n if_o he_o neglect_v to_o hear_v the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v to_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a or_o aâ—_n a_o publican_n excommunication_n this_o excommunication_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n the_o one_o be_v call_v the_o lesser_a excommunication_n the_o other_o be_v call_v the_o great_a in_o that_o a_o man_n be_v bind_v for_o some_o grievous_a offence_n by_o debar_v he_o from_o the_o society_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o some_o thing_n especial_o in_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o bless_a mystery_n of_o the_o body_n &_o blood_n of_o out_z lord_n and_o by_o impose_v of_o the_o work_n of_o penance_n and_o humiliation_n this_o be_v call_v a_o ponetentiall_a and_o medeoinall_a excommunication_n because_o the_o chief_a end_n of_o it_o be_v to_o cure_v he_o that_o have_v sin_v from_o that_o disease_n wherein_o he_o have_v fall_v this_o kind_n of_o bind_v we_o use_v towards_o grievous_a sinner_n who_o submite_v themselves_o to_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n it_o be_v use_v with_o great_a vigour_n and_o severity_n in_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n when_o the_o devotion_n of_o christian_n be_v fervent_a and_o their_o purity_n great_a man_n be_v not_o ordinary_o admit_v to_o this_o outward_a repentance_n till_o for_o a_o long_a time_n with_o many_o tear_n and_o with_o great_a token_n of_o unfeigned_a forrow_n they_o have_v earnest_o entreat_v to_o be_v admit_v in_o the_o number_n of_o public_a penitent_n when_o that_o be_v grant_v than_o they_o be_v not_o immediate_o receive_v to_o their_o public_a repentance_n but_o be_v thrust_v down_o as_o it_o be_v first_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o the_o catechumeny_n or_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o unbaptise_v and_o do_v but_o learn_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_n religion_n and_o in_o this_o degree_n they_o be_v call_v
and_o therefore_o they_o against_o who_o this_o sentence_n of_o the_o church_n be_v pronounce_v be_v not_o only_o liable_a to_o the_o contempt_n and_o disesteem_v of_o man_n but_o also_o to_o the_o judgement_n and_o condemnation_n of_o god_n for_o say_v our_o saviour_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n the_o word_n you_o see_v apostle_n contain_v a_o promise_n therefore_o we_o shall_v short_o first_o consider_v to_o who_o this_o promise_n be_v make_v second_o we_o shall_v consider_v the_o promise_n itself_o for_o the_o first_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v not_o to_o one_o of_o the_o apostle_n but_o to_o all_o for_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o plural_a number_n whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v &c._n &c._n in_o the_o 16._o of_o s._n matth._n our_o saviour_n say_v particular_o to_o s._n peter_n to_o thou_o will_v i_o give_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n but_o here_o that_o same_o power_n be_v express_o promise_v to_o all_o the_o apostle_n &_o be_v according_o perform_v in_o the_o 20_o of_o s._n joh._n when_o our_o saviour_n say_v to_o all_o the_o apostle_n &_o not_o only_o to_o s._n peter_n aâ—_n my_o father_n send_v i_o so_o send_v i_o you_o receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v and_o who_o sin_n you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v it_o be_v manifest_a therefore_o that_o nothing_o more_o be_v promise_v or_o give_v to_o s._n peter_n then_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostlei_v it_o be_v true_a that_o some_o do_v affirm_v that_o the_o key_n promise_v to_o s._n peter_n import_v a_o great_a power_n then_o be_v this_o of_o bind_v and_o lose_v but_o cardinal_n bellar_n in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o 12._o chap._n reject_v this_o conceit_n as_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o and_o affirm_v that_o the_o full_a and_o perfect_a effect_n of_o the_o key_n be_v to_o bind_v and_o loose_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n promise_v say_v he_o be_v express_v by_o the_o key_n &_o the_o use_n thereof_o by_o bind_v &_o lose_v which_o our_o saviour_n set_v forth_o in_o these_o term_n to_o show_v that_o the_o power_n express_v by_o the_o key_n rather_o than_o by_o open_v and_o shut_v be_v in_o borrow_a term_n &_o that_o heaven_n be_v open_v or_o shute_z when_o man_n be_v loose_v from_o their_o sin_n or_o bind_v therein_o so_o the_o jesuet_n maldonat_n write_v upon_o the_o 16._o of_o s._n matthew_n say_v that_o the_o power_n of_o open_v and_o shut_v heaven_n be_v mataphorical_o express_v by_o the_o key_n and_o the_o same_o power_n say_v he_o be_v thereafter_o declare_v by_o another_o metaphor_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v thus_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o as_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v equal_a unto_o s._n peter_n in_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v so_o be_v they_o equal_v to_o he_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o therefore_o s._n hilary_n in_o the_o 6._o book_n of_o the_o trinity_n say_v of_o all_o o_o holy_a and_o bless_a man_n who_o do_v obtain_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o power_n to_o bind_v both_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n successor_n second_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v be_v promise_v to_o the_o apostle_n not_o as_o a_o personal_a privilege_n which_o be_v to_o die_v with_o they_o it_o be_v appoint_v &_o give_v by_o our_o saviour_n for_o the_o benefice_n of_o his_o church_n unto_o the_o world_n end_n and_o without_o it_o his_o church_n have_v not_o be_v sufficient_o provide_v of_o help_n necessary_a for_o the_o preservation_n of_o it_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v hereafter_o this_o power_n therefore_o be_v promise_v to_o the_o apostle_n as_o they_o be_v pastor_n of_o the_o church_n &_o to_o their_o successor_n in_o that_o office_n even_o to_o they_o to_o who_o the_o ministry_n of_o reconsiliation_n ordinary_o belong_v whence_o this_o power_n have_v ever_o be_v exercise_v by_o they_o in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o innumerable_a example_n and_o canon_n of_o the_o christian_n church_n but_o we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o promise_n itself_o bind_v whatsoever_o say_v our_o saviour_n you_o bind_v etc._n etc._n first_o when_o he_o say_v that_o whatsoever_o they_o bind_v shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n he_o mean_v not_o that_o he_o be_v to_o give_v the_o apostle_n or_o their_o successor_n a_o absolute_a power_n to_o do_v in_o this_o whatsoever_o please_v they_o no_o he_o send_v they_o as_o he_o be_v send_v in_o his_o own_o vice_n and_o stead_n to_o bind_v such_o as_o he_o will_v have_v to_o be_v bind_v and_o to_o loose_v such_o as_o he_o will_v have_v to_o be_v loose_v in_o this_o he_o have_v not_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o own_o judgement_n but_o will_v have_v they_o to_o follow_v his_o direction_n set_v down_o in_o his_o word_n he_o will_v have_v they_o right_o to_o use_v and_o govern_v the_o key_n and_o if_o they_o do_v that_o his_o promise_n be_v that_o whatsoever_o they_o bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n second_o sin_n the_o thing_n whereto_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v be_v their_o bind_n and_o lose_v upon_o earth_n whatsoever_o you_o bind_v etc._n etc._n for_o clear_v of_o this_o consider_v that_o a_o sinner_n be_v bind_v by_o his_o own_o sin_n before_o any_o sentence_n of_o the_o church_n be_v pronounce_v against_o he_o he_o be_v bind_v first_o by_o it_o in_o so_o far_o as_o be_v overcome_v by_o his_o own_o corruption_n he_o be_v make_v the_o servant_n thereof_o unable_a to_o do_v good_a or_o eschew_v evil_a second_o he_o be_v bind_v by_o his_o sin_n with_o the_o guiltiness_n of_o eternal_a death_n and_o condemnation_n hence_o sinner_n in_o scripture_n be_v so_o often_o compare_v to_o prisoner_n and_o captive_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o christ_n his_o grace_n be_v call_v a_o deleverance_n from_o this_o captivity_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o bond_n that_o be_v mean_v here_o for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o church_n but_o the_o sinner_n himself_o that_o bind_v himself_o in_o this_o kind_n there_o be_v some_o who_o think_v that_o this_o lose_n of_o the_o church_n preach_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o the_o power_n to_o loose_v be_v only_o a_o power_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n this_o exposition_n can_v stand_v for_o first_o the_o seaventie_n disciple_n receive_v a_o power_n to_o teach_v the_o gospel_n luke_n 10._o but_o they_o have_v not_o the_o power_n to_o bind_v and_o loose_v which_o be_v give_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o not_o to_o they_o second_o the_o apostle_n have_v the_o power_n of_o preach_v give_v to_o they_o long_o before_o this_o time_n as_o we_o may_v see_v matth._n 10._o three_o a_o man_n may_v be_v well_o teach_v and_o yet_o not_o loose_v from_o his_o sin_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a many_o be_v not_o bind_v in_o this_o manner_n that_o our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o who_o be_v not_o teach_v as_o all_o these_o who_o be_v without_o the_o church_n to_o who_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n extend_v not_o declaratiâ—â—_n there_o be_v other_o who_o think_v that_o to_o bind_v and_o loose_v here_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o declare_v that_o a_o man_n sin_n be_v bind_v or_o loose_v by_o god_n but_o first_o this_o agree_v not_o with_o the_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o say_v not_o who_o sin_n you_o declare_v to_o be_v bind_v shall_v be_v bind_v but_o whatsoever_o you_o bind_v shall_v be_v bind_v so_o john_n 20._o he_o say_v who_o sin_n you_o retain_v be_v retain_v and_o who_o sin_n you_o forgive_v they_o be_v forgive_v and_o in_o the_o 16_o of_o s._n matth_n he_o promise_v this_o power_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o key_n as_o we_o say_v now_o if_o a_o man_n have_v only_o power_n to_o declare_v a_o door_n to_o be_v open_v that_o be_v open_a before_o or_o a_o man_n to_o be_v loose_v that_o be_v loose_v before_o how_o can_v he_o be_v say_v true_o to_o have_v the_o key_n of_o the_o house_n or_o to_o have_v the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v such_o a_o man_n certain_o if_o it_o be_v thus_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o much_o pastor_n as_o sinner_n themselves_o who_o shall_v have_v the_o key_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o power_n to_o bind_v and_o loose_v second_o suppose_v it_o have_v be_v the_o mind_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o give_v a_o true_a and_o proper_a power_n of_o open_v and_o shut_v heaven_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v sinner_n of_o retain_v and_o forgive_a sin_n