The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

HOWBEIT, it cannot be denied, but that the Interest, yea, the power of the whole Church in the Fraternity of it, is greatly to be considered herein. For indeed, where-ever the Apostle Treats of it, he doth not any where recommend it unto the Officers of the Church in a peculiar manner, but unto the whole Church and the Brethren therein. This is evident in the places before quoted. Wherefore the whole Church is concerned herein, both in point of Duty, Interest, and Power. (1.) In point of Duty; for by virtue of the mutual watch of all the ⟨p. 210⟩Members of the Church over each other, and of the care incumbent on every one of them, for the Good, the Honour, the Reputation and Edification of the whole, it is their Duty jointly and severally to endeavour the purging out from among them of every thing that is contrary unto those ends. And they who are not concerned in these things, are dead and useless Members of the Church. (2.) In Interest, they have also a concernment therein. They are to look that no root of bitterness spring up amongst them, lest themselves are at length defiled thereby. It is usually said, that the good are not defiled by holding Communion with them that are wicked in a participation of holy Ordinances. And there is some Truth in what is said, with reference unto wicked undiscovered Hypocrites; or such as are not scandalously flagitious: But to promote this Persuasion, so as to beget an opinion in Church-Members, that they are no way concerned in the scandalous Sins and Lives of those with whom they walk in all Duties of Spiritual Communion, openly avowing themselves Members of the same Body with them, is a Diabolical Engine invented to countenance Churches in horrible security unto their ruin. But yet besides that defilement, which may be contracted in a joint participation of the same Ordinances with such Persons; there are other ways almost innumerable, whereby their Example, if passed by without Animadversion, may be pernicious unto their Faith, Love and Obedience. Wherefore they are obliged in point of Spiritual Interest, as they take care of their own Souls, to concur in the ejection out of the Church, of obstinate Offenders. (3.) In point of Power. For the Execution of this Sentence is committed unto and rests in the Body of the Church. According as they concur and practise, so it is put in Execution or Suspended;

HOWBEIT, it cannot be denied, but that the Interest, yea, the power of the whole Church in the Fraternity of it, is greatly to be considered herein. For indeed, where-ever the Apostle Treats of it, he doth not any where recommend it unto the Officers of the Church in a peculiar manner, but unto the whole Church and the Brethren therein. This is evident in the places before quoted. Wherefore the whole Church is concerned herein, both in point of Duty, Interest, and Power. (1.) In point of Duty; for by virtue of the mutual watch of all the