A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded upon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded vpon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…

4. ^tThe Apostle writing to the whole Church of Corinth, will have them (being gathered together) to deliver that incestuous person to Satan. Therefore every particular Church or Congregation, hath power to Excommunicate such a contumacious sinner, as that incestuous person was. It is the common answer of Papists, that albeit the Apostle commanded the act should be done in face of the Church, yet the judgement and authority of giving sentence, was in himself alone, land not in the Church of Corinth; whereupon they would make it to follow, that the power of Excommunication pertaineth to the Bishop alone, and not the Church. And the same answer doth ^uSaravia return to Beza. But howsoever ^xthe Apostle saith, that he had already judged concerning the incestuous person, yet he did not hereby seclude the Church of Corinth, from the authority of excommunicating him. It is to be observed saith ^yCalvin, that Paul, albeit he was an Apostle, doth not for his own will excommunicate alone: but communicateth his counsel with the Church, that the thing may be done by common authority. Himself indeed goeth before and showeth the way: but whiles he adjoineth to himself other partakers, he signifieth sufficiently, that it is not the private power of one man. Nay, let us further observe with ^zJunius, that the Apostles hath a two fold power: one, common to them with other Presbyters, 1. Pet. 5. 1. another, singular proper, and extraordinary, which they had as Apostles. By this singular power. Paul saith: ^aWhat will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod? but by the common power it was that he said: ^bWhen ye are gathered together, and my Spirit, &c. By no other power, then that which was common to him with the rest of the Presbyters or Bishops in