The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…

Obj. 1 Cor. 5. Paul biddeth all the Church to put from among them that wicked person.

Answ. Note; that Paul passeth the sentence first himself [I have judged as if I were present (not that you deliver, but) to deliver such an one to Satan: And therefore he doth this in himself [in the name of the Lord Jesus] and supposeth himself among them in spirit and power when they do it [and my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.] 2. And I have said, He speaketh to an organized Church, which had two parts, and accordingly two works to do: The Ruling part was to put away the Offender by Judgement, or Sentence; And the people were all to put him away, by actual shunning his ⟨p. 96⟩Communion, which is but the obeying of that sentence. If the King send to a Corporation to execute any Law, he meaneth not that all persons must do it in the like manner; but the Magistrates by Command, and the people by obeying them, and executing their Commands. If I desire a man to transcribe me a Book and bring it me; I mean not that every part of him shall herein have the same office; But that he read it only with his eyes, and understand it with his reason, and transcribe it with his hand, and travel with his feet. The Pastors only excommunicate by Judgement or Sentence; and the people by obedient execution of it.

Answ. Note; that Paul passeth the sentence first himself [I have judged as if I were present (not that you deliver, but) to deliver such an one to Satan: And therefore he doth this in himself [in the name of the Lord Iesus] and supposeth himself among them in spirit and power when they do it [and my spirit with the power of our Lord Iesus Christ.] 2. And I have said, He speaketh to an organized Church, which had two parts, and accordingly two works to do: The Ruling part was to put away the Offender by Iudgement, or Sentence; And the people were all to put him away, by actual shunning his ⟨p. 96⟩