The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Fifthy, Because of this relative Holiness, it was a Capital crime to defile this Temple. There were Porters set at the Gate, to keep out all unclean things, 2 Chron. 23.19 No unclean thing might be brought therein, and so it is here; because the people of God are a company joined in such an holy manner, for such holy ends. Therefore they are commanded to cast out all unclean persons, 1 Cor. 5. ult. Here comes in the Necessity of godly Discipline and Excommunication, which is merely medicinal, not vindicative; for edification, not destruction. Thus the incestuous person, an unclean vessel in this Temple, he was to be cast out: Cast out from among you that wicked person, 1 Corinth 5. The Church should be like an excellent disciplined Army. Therefore if any man walk [Greek or Hebrew], disorderly, note such a man, and withdraw from him, that he may ⟨p. 200⟩be ashamed, 2 Thessalonians 3.11, 14. 1 Corinth. 5.7. the Apostle commands them to purge out the old leaven, the wicked person, that they might be a new lump, a choice and holy company, worshipping God in Spirit and Truth. This spiritual Sword is in the Church, as the temporal one in the Common-wealth. Neither is this power given in vain, but that men who do ill, might be afraid. In the Primitive times, this godly Discipline was admirably executed, as appears by Tertullian and Cyprian, but when this weeding-hook was laid aside, or abused, Gods Garden was run over with weeds.

Fifthy, Because of this relative Holinesse, it was a Capitall crime to defile this Temple. There were Porters set at the Gate, to keep out all unclean things, 2 Chron. 23.19 No unclean thing might be brought therein, and so it is here; because the people of God are a company joyned in such an holy manner, for such holy ends. Therefore they are commanded to cast out all unclean persons,