An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of…

They who are of another judgement object to us: First, our Saviours precept, Matth. 18.17. Where he biddeth us not •ell the Eldership, but tell the Church. Ans. By the Church he meaneth the representative ⟨p. 115⟩body of the Church, even as that which was spoken to the Elders of Israel, Exod. 12.21. was said to be spoken by all the Congregation of Israel, ¹Ib. verse 3. and he who was judged by the Elders, was said to be judged by the Congregation, Jos. 20.6. More of this place we say elsewhere. Next they object the example of excommunication by the whole Congregation of Corinth, for the Apostle showeth that it was the duty of the whole Congregation, to cast out that incestuous man. 1 Cor. 5.13.4.9.13. In like manner he writeth to them all, to receive him again, when he had repented, 2 Cor. 2.6.8, 9. Answer. Whether the power of excommunication in actu primo seu quo ad esse, did belong to the collective body of the Church of Corinth or not, is a question controverted, and to this day sub judice lis est, yet even those who hold the affirmative part of the question, do notwithstanding say, that i• […] secundo seu quo ad operari, the power pertained only to the […] body of that Church which […] Presbytery: which is also confirmed by 2. Cor. 2.6. where the Apostle speaking of the censure of that incestuous man, saith not, that it was ⟨p. 116⟩inflicted, [Greek or Hebrew], but [Greek or Hebrew] not by all, but by many. He was judged and sentenced by those [Greek or Hebrew], that is by the Pastors and Elders of Corinth, howbeit the execution & final act of that high censure, was to be with the consent and in the presence of the Congregation.