The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…

Object. In the old Testament, the Congregation is often put for the Elders and Rulers of the Congregation.

Answ. Let all the places alleged be examined, and it will appear, that in matters of judgement, where the Congregation is put for the Elders and Rulers, it is never meant (for ought we can find) of the Elders and Rulers alone, sitting apart, and retired from the Congregation; but sitting in the presence of the Congregation, and hearing and judging causes before them: In which case, if a sentence have passed from a Ruler, with the dislike of the Congregation, they have not stuck to show their dislike, sometime by protesting openly against it (as 1 Sam. 14.44, 45.) sometime by refusing ⟨p. 42⟩to execute it. (1 Sam. 22.16, 17.) And what the people of the Congregation lawfully did in some cases, at some times, in waving and counterpoising the sentence of their Rulers, the same they might and ought to have done in the like cases at any time. The whole Host or Congregation of Israel might protest against an unrighteous illegal sentence; and a part of the Congregation, who discerned the iniquity of a sentence, might justly withdraw themselves from the execution of it.

Answ. Let all the places alledged be examined, and it will appeare, that in matters of judgement, where the Congregation is put for the Elders and Rulers, it is never meant (for ought we can finde) of the Elders and Rulers alone, sitting apart, and retired from the Congregation; but sitting in the presence of the Congregation, and hearing and judging causes before them: In which case, if a sentence have passed from a Ruler, with the dislike of the Congregation, they have not stuck to shew their dislike, sometime by protesting openly against it (as 1 Sam. 14.44, 45.) sometime by refusing ⟨p. 42⟩