The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

I HAVE made some enquiry before, whether Excommunication be an act of Authority and Jurisdiction in the Officers of the Church, or an act of Power in the Fraternity of the Church. But for the sake of some by whom it is desired, I shall a little more distinctly enquire after the Truth herein; though I shall alter nothing of what was before laid down. And,

1. IT is certain, it hath been proved, and I now take it for granted, That the Lord Christ hath given this Power unto the Church. Wherefore in the exercise of this Power, both the Officers and Members of the Church are to act according unto ⟨p. 217⟩their respective Interests. For that Exercise of Power in the Church towards any, which is not an act of Obedience unto Christ, in them that exercise it, it is in it self null. There is therefore no Distinction or Distribution of Power in the Church, but by the interposition of especial Duty.

2. THE Institution of Christ, with respect unto a Church as it is a peculiar Society for its especial Ends, do not deprive it of its natural Right, as it is a Society. There is in every Community, by voluntary Confederation, a natural Right and Power to expel those from its Society, who will not be ruled by the Laws of its Constitution. And if the Church should, by the Institution of a Power, new as unto the way, manner and ends of its Exercise, be deprived of its Original, radical Power, with respect unto the general End of its own Preservation, it would not be a gainer by that Institution. It may be easily understood, that the Lord Christ should in particular appoint the Way and Manner of the Exercise of this Power or Administration of this Sentence, committing the care thereof unto the Officers of the Church. But it cannot be well understood, that thereby he should deprive the Church of its Right, and forbid them their Duty in preserving their Society entire and pure. Neither can it be so in an especial manner committed unto any, as that upon their neglect, whereby those who by the Law and Rule of Christ, ought to be cast out of the Churches Communion, are continued in it unto its Sin and Defilement, the Church it self should be free from guilt. Wherefore the Apostle expressly chargeth the whole Church of Corinth with Sin and neglect of Duty, in that the incestuous person was not put away from among them: This could not be, if so be the Power of it were so in the Hands of a few of the Officers, that the Church had no Right to act in it. For none can incur a Guilt merely by the defect of others in the Discharge of their Duty.