A friendly trial of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest…A friendly triall of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest…

Not that the guides are substitutes of the multitude in that respect; for the eye is not the deputy of the hand or foot: but that the power which they have received, they have received it from Christ for the whole body, and must execute it to the good and profit of the whole. They are the stewards, deputies, ministers of Christ, but for the whole body and every member thereof. From all this it is apparent, that the word church in this text of scripture cannot be taken as it is commonly in other passages of the new Testament. For in other texts it noteth the multitude of believers, without distinction of sex, age, or condition: but here women and children are excluded, as regularly uncapable of that power here spoken of. In other places the church signifieth a multitude of believers,¹ saints, faithful, or disciples, as they are distinguished from their officers and guides,² which are set as stewards in the Lords family and ⟨p. 270⟩officers in his corporation: but here the officers of the church are necessarily included. If the word must be interpreted according to the circumstances of the text and the matter entreated of, the matter here insisted upon is no where else touched in all the new Testament (for here and no where else is a rule left by Christ how offenders are to be dealt withal, and by whom the sentence is to be determined) and if the matter be peculiar, it is no marvel if the words be taken in a sense restrained. The Syriac interpreter useth three words to express the greek [Greek or Hebrew]. First, [Greek or Hebrew],³ Synagogue or Assembly, which is used for the Hebrew, [Greek or Hebrew], & [Greek or Hebrew], in the old Testament; and for [Greek or Hebrew] & [Greek or Hebrew] in the new.⁴ But Matth. 10. 17. he translateth [Greek or Hebrew] which Tremellius rendereth,⁵ in Concilia; Boderian, in domum judiciorum;