The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

1. THE Church is such a Society as no Men have Right or Power either to enter into themselves, or to exclude others from, but by virtue of the Authority of Christ. No warranty from the Light of nature, or from the Laws of Men, or their own voluntary confederation, can enable any to constitute a Church-Society, unless they do all things expressly in obedience unto the Authority of Christ. For his Church is his Kingdom, his House; which none can constitute or build but himself. Wherefore it is necessary, that the power of Admission into, and Exclusion from the Church, do arise from his Grant and Institution. Nor is it in the power of any Men in the World, to admit into, or exclude from this Society but by virtue thereof.

1. THE Church is such a Society as no Men have Right or Power either to enter into themselves, or to exclude others from, but by virtue of the Authority of Christ. No warranty from the Light of nature, or from the Laws of Men, or their own voluntary confederation, can enable any to constitute a Church-Society, unless they do all things expresly in obedience unto the Authority of Christ. For his Church is his Kingdom, his House; which none can constitute or build but himself. Wherefore it is necessary, that the power of Admission into, and Exclusion from the Church, do arise from his Grant and Institution. Nor is it in the power of any Men in the World, to admit into, or exclude from this Society but by virtue thereof.

2. EXCOMMUNICATION is an act of Authority, as we shall see afterwards. But no Authority can be exercised in ⟨p. 200⟩the Church, towards any person whatever, but by virtue of the Institution of Christ. For the Authority it self however ministerially exercised by others, is his alone; and he exerts it not, but in the ways of his own appointment. So in particular the Apostle directs, that Excommunication be exerted in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; that is, in and by his Authority, 1 Cor. 5.4