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…

IV. Proposition. In case a particular Church be disturbed with error or scandal, and the same maintained by a faction amongst them. Now a Synod of Churches, or of their messengers, is the first subject of that power and authority, whereby error is judicially convinced and condemned, the truth searched out, and determined, and the way of truth and peace declared and imposed upon the Churches.

IV. Proposition. In case a particular Church be disturbed with error or scandall, and the same maintained by a faction amongst them. Now a Synod of Churches, or of their messengers, is the first subject of that power and authoritie, whereby error is judicially convinced and condemned, the truth searched out, and determined, and the way of truth and peace declared and imposed upon the Churches.

The truth of this Proposition may appear by two Arguments.

1. Argum. From the want of power in such a particular church to pass a binding sentence, where error or scandal is maintained by a faction; For the promise of binding and loosing which is made to ⟨p. 48⟩a particular church, Mat. 18.18. is not given to the church, when it is leavened with error and variance. It is a received maxim, Clavis errans non ligat; and it is as true, Ecclesia litigans not ligat: And the ground of both ariseth from the estate of the Church, to which the promise of binding and loosing is made, Mat. 18.17, 18. which, though it be a particular church (as hath been showed) yet it is a Church AGREEING together in the name of Christ,