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…

Answ. 1. Though Paul (as a chief Officer of every church) judged before-hand the excommunication of the incestuous Corinthian: ⟨p. 45⟩yet his judgement was not a judicial sentence, delivering him to Satan, but a judicious doctrine and instruction, teaching the Church what they ought to do in that case.

Answ. 1. Though Paul (as a chiefe Officer of every church) judged before-hand the excommunication of the incestuous Corinthian: ⟨p. 45⟩yet his judgement was not a judiciall sentence, delivering him to Satan, but a judicious doctrine and instruction, teaching the Church what they ought to do in that case.

2. The act of the church in Corinth in censuring the incestuous person, was indeed an act of subjection to the Apostles divine doctrine and direction (as all church-censures, by whomsoever administered, ought to be acts of subjection to the word of Christ) but yet their act was a complete act of just power, (even an act of all that liberty and authority which is to be put forth in any censure.) For, first they delivered him to Satan, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and with the power of the Lord Jesus, v. 4. and that is the highest power in the Church. Secondly, the spirit of Paul, that is, his Apostolic spirit was gathered together with them, in delivering and publishing the sentence; which argueth, both his power and theirs was co-incident and concurrent in this sentence. Thirdly, the holy end and use of this sentence argueth the heavenly power from whence it proceeded. They delivered him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh (that is, for the mortifying of his corruption) that his soul might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Fourthly, when his soul came to be humble and penitent by the means of this sentence, Paul entreateth the church to release and forgive him, 2 Cor. 2.6. to 10. Now ejusdem potestatis est ligare & solvere, claudere & aperire.