Ans. The corruptions that are found in any Church, do either infect part of the Church, or the whole body; if part only, then the part remaining sound may either convince and reform their Brethren themselves if they be able, or if they be not able they may at least prevail so far with them, as to send for light to some other Church, as they of Antioch did to the Church at Jerusalem. But if the Corruptions found in a Church do infect the whole Body, yet still there is hope in Israel concerning this, for though one Church have not power of Government over another, subordinate to them, yet every Church hath equal power one with another, as coordinate with them: And therefore look what power one Brother hath over another in the same Church, the same power hath one Church over another in Brotherly communion; as if one Church shall hear of any ⟨p. 13⟩offence in another, they may enquire the certainty of it, and thereupon send Letters and Messengers to convince and admonish them of it. If the Church offending do hear the Church admonishing, they have gained their Brethren, and their own desire: If the Church hear them not, then the Church may take one or two Churches more to assist them, in the conviction of that sin: if yet the Church hear them not, then (upon due notice given) all the Churches thereabouts may meet together, and after judicious inquiry into the Cause, may by the Word of God confute and condemn such Errors, in Doctrine or practice, as are found offensive: to prevent the spreading, either of the Gangrene of Heresy, or of the Leprosy of sin, and if the Church offending shall not yet hearken to their Brethren, though the rest of the Churches have no power to deliver them to Satan, yet they have power to withdraw from them, the right hand of Fellowship, and no longer to hold them in the Communion of Saints, till they approve their Repentance.(2)
Ans. The corruptions that are found in any Church, doe either infect part of the Church, or the whole body; if part onely, then the part remaining sound may either convince and reforme their Brethren themselves if they be able, or if they be not able they may at least prevaile so farre with them, as to send for light to some other Church, as they of Antioch did to the Church at Jerusalem. But if the Corruptions found in a Church doe infect the whole Body, yet still there is hope in Israel concerning this, for though one Church have not power of Government over another, subordinate to them, yet every Church hath equall power one with another, as coordinate with them: And therefore looke what power one Brother hath over another in the same Church, the same power hath one Church over another in Brotherly communion; as if one Church shall heare of any ⟨p. 13⟩offence in another, they may enquire the certainty of it, and thereupon send Letters and Messengers to convince and admonish them of it. If the Church offending doe heare the Church admonishing, they have gained their Brethren, and their owne desire: If the Church heare them not, then the Church may take one or two Churches more to assist them, in the conviction of that sin: if yet the Church heare them not, then (upon due notice given) all the Churches thereabouts may meete together, and after judicious inquiry into the Cause, may by the Word of God confute and condemne such Errours, in Doctrine or practice, as are found oftensive: to prevent the spreading, either of the Gangreene of Heresie, or of the Leprosie of sin, and if the Church offending shall not yet hearken to their Brethren, though the rest of the Churches have no power to deliver them to Sathan, yet they have power to withdraw from them, the right hand of Fellowship, and no longer to hold them in the Communion of Saints, till they approve their Repentance.(2)
- (2)By proportion, from Mat. 18, 15.16, 17. 2 Thes. 3.6.
