Answer. 1All this dependeth upon this Argument. If the whole scope and intent aim at Disciples and Brethren,2 then power of binding and loosing is given to brethren, which connection is most false, and loose: Christ speaketh to believers of the power of the ministerial Church, or Preaching, Baptizing, Ergo, He giveth to these he speaketh unto, and to all brethren, power to bind, and loose, and preach, and baptize: This doth not follow, for so a power to preach and baptize is given to believing women. Christ speaketh to his Disciples as Disciples, of the dominion of the Kings and Princes of the Gentiles, of false Prophets, Wolves in Sheep-skins, ergo, he giveth to his Disciples a power to be Kings, and a warrant to be false Teachers, it followeth no ways. 2. By a brother, v. 15. is not meant a true believer, but a brother in profession, else we are not to labour to gain, by this text, unbelieving brethren, and to complain to the Church of their obstinacy, or to forgive them private offences done against us to seventy times seven times, which is against the course of the Text. 3. By this gloss, little Bairns, which are not to be offended, are brethren, which have power to bind and loose, and preach and baptize, which is absurd. 4. It is clear, by the Church here is meant a Society different from the faithful and brethren, that he speaketh of: for he will have the offended brother to rebuke before two or three brethren in private, and if the offender ⟨p. 27⟩hear not (tell the Church) Now three believers, to whom the matter is already told,3 is a Church to Master Smith; for so he saith in that same place, Then Christ biddeth tell the matter to the Church, before the Church hear of it. 5. Neither doth the hearing of prayers prove a ministerial Church, seeing God heareth the prayers of one believer in the Prison, or the Whales belly: but it is the doctrine of these, with whom we now reason, that six, professing Christ, being visible Saints (who may be unseen Devils in heart▪ and so neither Brethren, Disciples, nor little ones) are an independent visible Church, having power to bind and loose: and therefore suppose Christ spake here, to his Disciples and believers, of the Churches power in excommunication, it is a weak collection, that therefore all Disciples have power to bind and loose: And these words, verse 18. Whatsoever ye bind on earth, &c.
Answer. 1All this dependeth upon this Argument. If the whole scope and intent aime at Disciples and Brethren,2 then power of binding and loosing is given to brethren, which connexion is most false, and loose: Christ speaketh to believers of the power of the ministeriall Church, or Preaching, Baptizing, Ergo, Hee giveth to these hee speaketh unto, and to all brethren, power to binde, and loose, and preach, and baptize: This doth not follow, for so a power to preach and baptize is given to believing women. Christ speaketh to his Disciples as Disciples, of the dominion of the Kings and Princes of the Gentiles, of false Prophets, Wolves in Sheep-skins, ergo, he giveth to his Disciples a power to be Kings, and a warrant to be false Teachers, it followeth no wayes. 2. By a brother, v. 15. is not meant a true believer, but a brother in profession, else we are not to labour to gain, by this text, unbelieving brethren, and to complaine to the Church of their obstinacie, or to forgive them private offences done against us to seventie times seven times, which is against the course of the Text. 3. By this glosse, little Bairnes, which are not to be offended, are brethren, which have power to binde and loose, and preach and baptize, which is absurd. 4. It is cleare, by the Church here is meant a Societie different from the faithfull and brethren, that hee speaketh of: for he will have the offended brother to rebuke before two or three brethren in private, and if the offender ⟨p. 27⟩heare not (tell the Church) Now three believers, to whom the matter is already told,3 is a Church to Master Smith; for so he saith in that same place, Then Christ biddeth tell the matter to the Church, before the Church heare of it. 5. Neither doth the hearing of prayers prove a ministeriall Church, seeing God heareth the prayers of one believer in the Prison, or the Whales belly: but it is the doctrine of these, with whom we now reason, that six, professing Christ, being visible Saints (who may be unseene Divels in heart▪ and so neither Brethren, Disciples, nor little ones) are an independent visible Church, having power to binde and loose: and therefore suppose Christ spake here, to his Disciples and believers, of the Churches power in excommunication, it is a weake collection, that therefore all Disciples have power to binde and loose: And these words, verse 18. Whatsoever ye bind on earth, &c.
- 1Luk. 22.
- 2Mat. 7. 15.
- 3Smith ib.
