because they cried not to God, for Pauls bloody sword of vengeance, that these wicked men might be cut off by Satan, nor doth the Apostle to the Hebrews draw this Sword against those who sinned against the Holy Ghost, c. 10. c. 6. Nor James against bloody warriors, Murderers, Adulterers, Oppressors, c. 4. c. 5. Nor doth Peter and Jude use this sword, or command the Churches to use such carnal weapons against the wickedest of men, but recommended long-suffering, rebuking, the rod of Church-discipline, to reject Heretics after admonitions. Hence I argue negatively; in all the Scripture, never did the Lord command that they should pray to God and mourn, that he would inflict bodily vengeance and death, or yet sickness on any scandalous professor, nor is there promise, precept, or practise in any Scripture of this Church censure. 5. Erastus doth think a court of the Church, that hath power to lead Witnesses, judge and censure offenders an extreme wronging of the Magistrate, and an encroaching on his Liberties, but here is a more bloody Court, for if the whole faithful are to pray for bodily death by the Ministry of the Devil, upon one of their own brethren, because he hath lien with his fathers wife, or fallen in Adultery, or Murder, as David did: Surely they must pray in faith, and upon certain knowledge that he is guilty; the Law of God and Nature must ⟨p. 322⟩then have warranted the whole Saints, Women and Children, to meet in a grand Jury and Inquest, either to have the fact proved by Witnesses, or to hear his own confession; else how could they pray in faith, if it was not sure to their conscience that the man had done this deed? Here is a Jury of men and women, I am sure unknown to the Apostolic Church. 2. A greater abridging of the Magistrates power then we teach: The Church shall take away the life of a Subject & never ask the Magistrates leave. 6. It is against Christs mind, Mat. 18. •s Erastus expoundeth it, that Christians should go any further against an offending brother, then implead him before an Heathen, though he add injury to injury: But this wa• maketh the Holy Ghost sharply to rebuke all the Saints when they are offended, before the bar of Heaven, by crying miraculous blood•e vengeance upon the Offender. 7. It is evident this man repented, and that the Corinthians confirmed their love to him, and did forgive him, 2 Cor. 2.
because they cryed not to God, for Pauls bloodie sword of vengeance, that these wicked men might be cut off by Satan, nor doth the Apostle to the Hebrewes draw this Sword against those who sinned against the Holy Ghost, c. 10. c. 6. Nor Iames against bloody warriours, Murtherers, Adulterers, Oppressors, c. 4. c. 5. Nor doth Peter and Iude use this sword, or command the Churches to use such carnall weapons against the wickedest of men, but recommended long-suffering, rebuking, the rod of Church-discipline, to reject Hereticks after admonitions. Hence I argue negatively; in all the Scripture, never did the Lord command that they should pray to God and mourne, that he would inflict bodily vengeance and death, or yet sicknesse on any scandalous professor, nor is there promise, precept, or practise in any Scripture of this Church censure. 5. Erastus doth thinke a court of the Church, that hath power to lead Witnesses, judge and censure offenders an extream wronging of the Magistrate, and an incroaching on his Liberties, but here is a more bloody Court, for if the whole faithfull are to pray for bodily death by the Ministery of the Devill, upon one of their own brethren, because he hath lyen with his fathers wife, or fallen in Adultery, or Murther, as David did: Surely they must pray in faith, and upon certaine knowledge that he is guilty; the Law of God and Nature must ⟨p. 322⟩then have warranted the whole Saints, Women and Children, to meet in a grand Jurie and Inquest, either to have the fact proved by Witnesses, or to heare his owne confession; else how could they pray in faith, if it was not sure to their conscience that the man had done this deed? Here is a Jury of men and women, I am sure unknowne to the Apostolique Church. 2. A greater abridging of the Magistrates power then we teach: The Church shall take away the life of a Subject & never aske the Magistrates leave. 6. It is against Christs minde, Mat. 18. •s Erastus expoundeth it, that Christians should go any further against an offending brother, then implead him before an Heathen, though he adde injurie to injurie: But this wa• maketh the Holy Ghost sharply to rebuke all the Saints when they are off••ded, before the barre of Heaven, by crying miraculous blood•e vengeance upon the Offender. 7. It is evident this man repen•ed, and that the Corinthians confirmed their love to him, and did forgive him, 2 Cor. 2.
