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
be_v not_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o the_o key_n of_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n rev._n 9.1_o but_o this_o word_n whatsoever_o be_v here_o put_v in_o the_o neuter_n gender_n not_o in_o the_o masculine_a whosoever_o to_o imply_v both_o thing_n and_o person_n thing_n as_o sin_n person_n as_o those_o that_o commit_v they_o for_o so_o when_o our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o the_o same_o act_n of_o the_o same_o key_n joh._n 20.21_o he_o explain_v himself_o thus_o who_o sin_n soever_o you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v and_o who_o sin_n soever_o you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v whatsoever_o you_o bind_v on_o earth_n be_v as_o much_o therefore_o as_o who_o sin_n soever_o you_o retain_v on_o earth_n and_o whatsoever_o you_o lose_v on_o earth_n be_v as_o much_o as_o who_o sin_n soever_o you_o lose_v on_o earth_n now_o this_o bind_n and_o lose_v of_o whatsoever_o sin_n in_o whosever_v commit_v they_o be_v partly_o in_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o sinner_n and_o partly_o in_o his_o outward_a estate_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v express_v in_o other_o term_n either_o in_o foro_fw-la interiori_fw-la or_o in_o foro_fw-la exteriori_fw-la as_o when_o in_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n a_o sinner_n be_v convince_v to_o lie_v under_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n than_o his_o sin_n be_v retain_v his_o conscience_n be_v bind_v under_o the_o guilt_n of_o it_o and_o himself_o bind_v under_o some_o church-censure_n according_a to_o the_o quality_n and_o desert_n of_o his_o offence_n and_o if_o his_o sin_n be_v the_o more_o heinous_a himself_o be_v shut_v out_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o when_o a_o sinner_n repent_v of_o his_o sin_n and_o confess_v it_o before_o the_o lord_n and_o if_o it_o be_v know_v before_o his_o people_n also_o and_o then_o in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o gospel_n his_o sin_n be_v remit_v and_o his_o conscience_n loose_v from_o the_o guilt_n of_o it_o and_o himself_o have_v open_a and_o free_a entrance_n both_o unto_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o into_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o holy_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n 5._o the_o five_o point_n to_o be_v explain_v be_v to_o who_o be_v this_o power_n of_o the_o key_n give_v the_o text_n say_v to_o thou_o simon_n peter_n the_o son_n of_o jona_n who_o christ_n bless_v and_o pronounce_v bless_v upon_o his_o holy_a confession_n of_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n and_o upon_o the_o same_o occasion_n promise_v both_o to_o use_v he_o and_o his_o confession_n as_o a_o instrument_n to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o his_o church_n and_o also_o to_o give_v he_o the_o key_n of_o his_o church_n for_o the_o well_o order_v and_o govern_v of_o it_o but_o it_o have_v prove_v abusie_a question_n how_o peter_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o receive_v this_o power_n of_o the_o key_n whether_o as_o a_o apostle_n or_o as_o a_o elder_a for_o a_o elder_a also_o he_o be_v 1_o pet._n 5.1_o or_o as_o a_o believer_n profess_v his_o faith_n before_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o his_o fellow_n brethren_n now_o because_o we_o be_v as_o well_o studious_a of_o peace_n as_o of_o truth_n we_o will_v not_o lean_v to_o one_o of_o these_o interpretation_n more_o than_o to_o another_o take_v any_o of_o they_o it_o will_v not_o hinder_v our_o purpose_n in_o this_o ensue_a discourse_n though_o to_o speak_v ingenuous_o and_o without_o offence_n what_o we_o conceive_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n will_v be_v most_o full_a if_o all_o the_o several_a consideration_n be_v take_v joint_o together_o take_v peter_n consider_v not_o only_o as_o a_o apostle_n but_o a_o elder_a also_o yea_o and_o a_o believer_n too_o profess_v his_o faith_n all_o may_v well_o stand_v together_o for_o there_o be_v a_o different_a power_n give_v to_o all_o these_o to_o a_o apostle_n to_o a_o elder_a to_o a_o believer_n and_o peter_n be_v all_o these_o and_o receive_v all_o the_o power_n which_o be_v give_v by_o christ_n to_o any_o of_o these_o or_o to_o all_o of_o these_o together_o for_o as_o the_o father_n send_v christ_n so_o christ_n send_v peter_n as_o well_o as_o any_o apostle_n cum_fw-la amplitudine_fw-la &_o plenitudine_fw-la potestatis_fw-la so_o far_o as_o either_o any_o church-officer_n or_o the_o whole_a church_n itself_o be_v capable_a of_o it_o john_n 20.21_o so_o that_o austin_n do_v not_o mistake_v when_o he_o say_v peter_n receive_v the_o key_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n nevertheless_o we_o from_o this_o place_n in_o mat._n 16.19_o will_v challenge_v no_o further_o power_n either_o to_o the_o presbytery_n or_o to_o the_o fraternity_n of_o the_o church_n then_o be_v more_o express_o grant_v to_o they_o in_o other_o scripture_n now_o in_o other_o scripture_n it_o appear_v first_o that_o christ_n give_v the_o power_n of_o retain_v or_o remit_v of_o sin_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o all_o the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o to_o peter_n joh._n 20.21.23_o second_o it_o appear_v also_o that_o the_o apostle_n commend_v the_o rule_n and_o government_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n to_o the_o elder_n the_o presbytery_n of_o that_o church_n heb._n 13.17_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o and_o therefore_o christ_n give_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o they_o also_o three_o it_o appear_v far_a that_o christ_n give_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o the_o body_n likewise_o of_o the_o church_n even_o to_o the_o fraternity_n with_o the_o presbytery_n for_o the_o lord_n jesus_n communicate_v the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v to_o the_o apostle_n or_o elder_n together_o with_o the_o whole_a church_n when_o they_o be_v meet_v in_o his_o name_n and_o agree_v together_o in_o the_o censure_n of_o a_o offender_n mat._n 18.17_o 18._o if_o a_o offender_n say_v 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 a_o publican_n that_o be_v let_v he_o be_v excommunicate_v which_o censure_n administer_v by_o they_o with_o the_o whole_a church_n he_o ratifi_v with_o this_o promise_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_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 and_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v loose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n in_o which_o place_n howsoever_o there_o be_v some_o difference_n between_o classical_a and_o congregationall_a divine_n what_o shall_v be_v mean_v by_o the_o church_n tell_v the_o church_n whether_o the_o presbytery_n or_o the_o congregation_n yet_o all_o agree_v in_o this_o and_o it_o be_v agreement_n in_o the_o truth_n which_o we_o seek_v for_o that_o no_o offender_n be_v to_o be_v excommunicate_v but_o with_o some_o concourse_n of_o the_o congregation_n at_o least_o by_o way_n 1._o of_o consent_n to_o the_o sentence_n 2._o of_o actual_a execution_n of_o it_o by_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o the_o offender_n so_o convict_v and_o censure_v now_o this_o consent_n and_o concourse_n of_o the_o congregation_n which_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o power_n and_o validity_n of_o the_o censure_n we_o conceive_v be_v some_o part_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n so_o that_o when_o christ_n say_v to_o 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 if_o peter_n then_o receive_v the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o key_n than_o he_o stand_v in_o the_o room_n and_o name_n of_o all_o such_o as_o have_v receive_v any_o part_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n whether_o apostle_n or_o elder_n or_o church_n or_o if_o he_o stand_v in_o the_o room_n of_o a_o apostle_n only_o yet_o that_o hinder_v not_o but_o that_o as_o he_o there_o receive_v the_o power_n of_o a_o apostle_n so_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n receive_v the_o same_o power_n either_o there_o or_o elsewhere_o and_o the_o presbytery_n of_o each_o church_n receive_v if_o not_o there_o yet_o elsewhere_o the_o power_n belong_v to_o their_o office_n and_o in_o like_a sort_n each_o church_n or_o congregation_n of_o profess_a believer_n receive_v that_o portion_n also_o of_o church-power_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o distribution_n of_o the_o key_n and_o their_o power_n or_o of_o the_o several_a sort_n thereof_o the_o ordinary_a distribution_n of_o the_o key_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v thus_o deliver_v there_o be_v clavis_fw-la 1._o scientiae_fw-la a_o key_n of_o knowledge_n and_o a_o clavis_fw-la 2._o potestatis_fw-la key_n of_o power_n and_o the_o key_n of_o power_n be_v 1._o ordinis_fw-la either_o a_o key_n of_o order_n or_o a_o key_n of_o 2._o jurisdictionis_fw-la jurisdiction_n this_o distribution_n though_o it_o go_v for_o current_n both_o among_o
the_o church_n sake_n that_o they_o who_o receive_v this_o grace_n of_o faith_n by_o it_o may_v receive_v christ_n and_o his_o benefit_n and_o therewith_o may_v receive_v also_o this_o privilege_n to_o find_v a_o open_a door_n set_v before_o they_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n 2._o the_o key_n of_o order_n speak_v as_o we_o do_v of_o church_n order_n as_o paul_n do_v col._n 2.5_o belong_v to_o all_o such_o who_o be_v in_o church_n order_n whether_o elder_n or_o brethren_n for_o though_o elder_n be_v in_o a_o superior_a order_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o office_n yet_o the_o brethren_n over_o who_o the_o elder_n be_v make_v overseer_n and_o ruler_n they_o stand_v also_o in_o a_o order_n even_o in_o orderly_a subjection_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v true_a every_o faithful_a soul_n that_o have_v receive_v a_o key_n of_o knowledge_n be_v bind_v to_o watch_v over_o his_o neighbour_n soul_n as_o his_o own_o and_o to_o admonish_v he_o of_o his_o sin_n unless_o he_o be_v a_o scorner_n but_o this_o he_o do_v non_fw-la ratione_fw-la ordinis_fw-la sed_fw-la intuitu_fw-la charitatis_fw-la not_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o state_n of_o order_n which_o he_o be_v in_o till_o in_o church_n fellowship_n but_o as_o of_o common_a christian_a love_n and_o charity_n but_o every_o faithful_a christian_a who_o stand_v in_o church_n order_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v the_o same_o as_o well_o respectu_fw-la ordinis_fw-la as_o intuitu_fw-la charitatis_fw-la by_o virtue_n of_o that_o royal_a law_n not_o only_o of_o love_n but_o of_o church_n order_n matth._n 18.15_o 16_o 17._o whereby_o if_o his_o brother_n who_o offend_v he_o do_v not_o hearken_v to_o his_o conviction_n and_o admonition_n he_o be_v then_o according_a to_o order_n to_o proceed_v further_o take_v one_o or_o two_o with_o he_o and_o if_o the_o offender_n refuse_v to_o hear_v they_o also_o than_o he_o be_v by_o order_n to_o tell_v the_o church_n and_o afterward_o walk_v towards_o he_o as_o god_n shall_v direct_v the_o church_n to_o order_v it_o chap._n four_o of_o the_o subject_n to_o who_o the_o key_n of_o church_n privilege_n power_n or_o liberty_n be_v give_v this_o key_n be_v give_v to_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n for_o so_o say_v the_o apostle_n in_o gal._n 5.13_o in_o the_o place_n quote_v and_o open_v before_o brethren_n you_o have_v be_v call_v to_o liberty_n and_o indeed_o as_o it_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o a_o commonwealth_n the_o right_a and_o due_a establishment_n and_o balance_v of_o the_o liberty_n or_o privilege_n of_o the_o people_n which_o be_v in_o a_o true_a sense_n may_v be_v call_v a_o power_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n so_o it_o be_v the_o safety_n of_o church_n estate_n the_o right_a and_o due_a settle_v and_o order_v of_o the_o holy_a power_n of_o the_o privilege_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o brethren_n and_o the_o ministerial_a authority_n of_o the_o elder_n the_o gospel_n allow_v no_o church_n authority_n or_o rule_v proper_o so_o call_v to_o the_o brethren_n but_o reserve_v that_o whole_o to_o the_o elder_n and_o yet_o prevent_v the_o tyranny_n and_o oligarchy_n and_o exorbitancy_n of_o the_o elder_n by_o the_o large_a and_o firm_a establishment_n of_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o brethren_n which_o arise_v to_o a_o power_n in_o they_o bucers_n axiom_n be_v here_o notable_a potestaspenes_n omnem_fw-la ecclesiame_v authoritas_fw-la ministerii_fw-la penes_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la &_o episcopos_fw-la in_o mat._n 16.19_o where_o potestas_fw-la or_o power_n be_v contradistinguish_v from_o authoritas_fw-la authority_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o liberty_n or_o privilege_n the_o liberty_n of_o the_o brethren_n or_o of_o the_o church_n consist_v of_o they_o be_v many_o and_o great_a 1._o the_o church_n of_o brethren_n have_v the_o power_n privilege_n and_o liberty_n to_o choose_v their_o officer_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o apostle_n in_o to_o the_o place_n of_o judas_n the_o people_n go_v as_o far_o as_o humane_a vote_n and_o suffrage_n can_v go_v out_o of_o 120._o person_n v._n 15._o they_o choose_v out_o and_o present_v two_o out_o of_o which_o two_o because_o a_o apostle_n be_v to_o be_v design_v immediate_o by_o god_n god_n by_o lot_n choose_v one_o and_o yet_o this_o one_o so_o choose_v of_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d communibus_fw-la omnium_fw-la fuffragiis_fw-la inter_fw-la duodecim_fw-la apostolos_fw-la allectus_fw-la est_fw-la v._o 26._o be_v count_v among_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o common_a suffrage_n of_o they_o all_o and_o this_o place_n cyprian_n press_v among_o other_o to_o confirm_v the_o power_n that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o privilege_n or_o liberty_n of_o the_o people_n in_o choose_v or_o refuse_v their_o minister_n plebs_fw-la christiana_n say_v he_o vel_fw-la maxim_n potestatem_fw-la habet_fw-la vel_fw-la dignos_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la eligendi_fw-la ve_z indignos_fw-la recusandi_fw-la epistol_n 4._o lib._n 1._o the_o like_a or_o great_a liberty_n be_v general_o approve_v by_o the_o best_a of_o our_o divine_n studious_a of_o reformation_n from_o act._n 14.23_o they_o ordain_v they_o elder_n choose_v by_o lift_v up_o of_o hand_n the_o same_o power_n be_v clear_o express_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o deacon_n act._n 6.3.5_o 6._o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o choose_v the_o deacon_n but_o call_v the_o multitude_n together_o and_o say_v unto_o they_o brethren_n look_v you_o out_o seven_o man_n among_o you_o who_o we_o may_v appoint_v over_o this_o business_n and_o the_o say_v please_v the_o whole_a multitude_n and_o they_o choose_v stephen_n etc._n etc._n 2._o it_o be_v a_o privilege_n or_o a_o liberty_n the_o church_n have_v receive_v to_o send_v forth_o one_o or_o more_o of_o their_o elder_n as_o the_o public_a service_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o the_o church_n may_v require_v thus_o epaphroditus_n be_v a_o messenger_n or_o apostle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n unto_o paul_n phil._n 2.25_o 3._o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n have_v power_n and_o liberty_n of_o propound_v any_o just_a exception_n against_o such_o as_o offer_v themselves_o to_o be_v admit_v unto_o their_o communion_n or_o unto_o the_o seal_n of_o it_o hence_o saul_n when_o he_o offer_v himself_o to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v not_o at_o first_o admit_v thereto_o upon_o a_o exception_n take_v against_o he_o by_o the_o disciple_n till_o that_o exception_n be_v remove_v act._n 9.26_o 27._o and_o peter_n do_v not_o admit_v the_o family_n of_o cornelius_n to_o baptism_n till_o he_o have_v inquire_v of_o the_o brethren_n if_o any_o of_o they_o have_v any_o exception_n against_o it_o act._n 10.47_o 4._o as_o the_o brethren_n have_v a_o power_n of_o order_n and_o the_o privilege_n to_o expostulate_v with_o their_o brethren_n in_o case_n of_o private_a scandal_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n mat._n 18.15_o 16._o so_o in_o case_n of_o public_a scandal_n the_o whole_a church_n of_o brethren_n have_v power_n and_o privilege_n to_o join_v with_o the_o elder_n in_o inquire_v hear_v judge_v of_o public_a scandal_n so_o as_o to_o bind_v notorious_a offender_n and_o impenitent_n under_o censure_n and_o to_o forgive_v the_o repentant_a for_o when_o christ_n command_v a_o brother_n in_o case_n that_o offence_n can_v be_v heal_v private_o then_o to_o tell_v the_o church_n mat._n 18.17_o it_o necessary_o impli_v that_o the_o church_n must_v hear_v he_o and_o inquire_v into_o the_o offence_n complain_v of_o and_o judge_v of_o the_o offence_n as_o they_o find_v it_o upon_o inquiry_n when_o the_o brethren_n that_o be_v of_o the_o circumcision_n expostulate_v with_o peter_n about_o his_o communion_n with_o cornelius_n and_o his_o uncircumcised_a family_n peter_n do_v not_o reject_v they_o and_o their_o complaint_n against_o he_o as_o transgress_v the_o bound_n of_o their_o just_a power_n and_o privilege_n but_o ready_o address_v himself_o to_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o they_o all_o act._n 1_o 1_o 2_o to_o 18._o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v gather_v together_o with_o their_o elder_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o with_o his_o power_n do_v deliver_v the_o incestuous_a person_n to_o satan_n 1_o cor._n 5.4_o 5._o and_o paul_n reprove_v they_o all_o brethren_n as_o well_o as_o elder_n that_o they_o have_v no_o soon_o put_v he_o away_o from_o among_o they_o v._o 2._o and_o express_o he_o allow_v to_o they_o all_o power_n to_o judge_v they_o that_o be_v within_o v._o 22._o yea_o and_o from_o thence_o argue_v in_o all_o the_o saint_n even_o in_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o saint_n and_o ability_n to_o judge_v between_o brethren_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o life_n as_o those_o that_o have_v receive_v such_o a_o spirit_n of_o discern_v from_o christ_n by_o which_o they_o shall_v one_o day_n