Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

The great Objection that seemeth to hinder some from this work, is because we are not agreed yet, who it is that must do it? Whether only a Prelate? or whether a Presbytery? or a single Pastor? or the People? Answ. Let so much be exercised as is out of doubt. 1. Its granted that a single Pastor may expound and apply the word of God: He may rebuke a notorious sinner by name. He may make known to the Church that God hath commanded them, with such a one no not to eat? and require them to obey this command, &c. I shall say no more of this now, then to cite the words of two learned, godly, moderate Divines, impartial in this cause. The one is Mr. Lyford a maintainer of Episcopacy, in his Legacy of Admission to the Lords Supper: who pag. 55. saith, [Q. In which of the Ministers is this power placed?] Answ. Every Minister hath the power of all Christs Ordinances to dispense the same in that Congregation or Flock, over which the Holy-Ghost hath made him Overseer; yet with this difference: he may preach the word, baptize, and administer the holy Supper alone of himself without the assistance or consent of the People: But not excommunicate alone (he means not without the people, though of that more must be said:) because excommunication doth presuppose an offence to the Congregation, a conviction and proof of that offence, and witnesses of the parties obstinacy: and therefore hereunto is required the action of more then one, &c. Excommunication compriseth several acts: Admonition, private, public: the last act is, the casting out of a wicked obstinate person from the society of the faithful. 1. By the authority of Christ. 2. Dispensed and executed by the Ministers of the Gospel. 3. With the ⟨image 23⟩assistance and consent of the Congregation, &c. 2. If you ask by whose office and Ministry this sentence is denounced? I answer, by the Ministers of the Gospel: we bind and loose doctrinally, in our preaching peace to the godly and curses to the wicked: But in excommunication we denounce the wrath of God against this or that particular person (Thou art the man! thou hast no part with us:) and that not only declaratively, but judicially: It is like the sentence of a Judge on the bench, &c. 3. If you ask, Whether this be done by the Minister alone? I answ. No; it must be done by the assistance and consent of the Congregation, 1 Cor. 5. 4.

The great Objection that seemeth to hinder some from this work, is because we are not agreed yet, who it is that must do it? Whether only a Prelate? or whether a Presbyterie? or a single Pastor? or the People? Answ. Let so much be exercised as is out of doubt. 1. Its granted that a single Pastor may expound and apply the word of God: He may rebuke a notorious sinner by name. He may make known to the Church that God hath commanded them, with such a one no not to eat? and require them to obey this command, &c. I shall say no more of this now, then to cite the words of two learned, godly, moderate Divines, impartial in this cause. The one is Mr. Lyford a maintainer of Episcopacy, in his Legacy of Admission to the Lords Supper: who pag. 55. saith, [Q. In which of the Ministers is this power placed?] Answ. Every Minister hath the power of all Christs Ordinances to dispense the same in that Congregation or Flock, over which the Holy-Ghost hath made him Overseer; yet with this difference: he may preach the word, baptize, and administer the holy Supper alone of himself without the assistance or consent of the People: But not excommunicate alone (he means not without the people, though of that more must be said:) because excommunication doth presuppose an offence to the Congregation, a conviction and proof of that offence, and witnesses of the parties obstinacy: and therefore hereunto is required the action of more then one, &c. Excommunication comprizeth several acts: Admonition, private, publike: the last act is, the casting out of a wicked obstinate person from the society of the faithful. 1. By the authority of Christ. 2. Dispensed and executed by the Ministers of the Gospel. 3. With the