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…

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, Mat. 18.19, 20. If there want agreement amongst them, the promise of binding and loosing is not given to them: or if they should agree, and yet agree in an error, or in a scandal, they do not then agree in the name of Christ; For to meet in the name of Christ, implieth, they meet not only by his command and authority, but also that they proceed according to his Laws and Will, and that to his service and glory. If then the church, or a considerable part of it fall into error through ignorance, or into faction by variance, they cannot expect the presence of Christ with them, according to his promise to pass a binding sentence. And then as they fall under the conviction and admonition of any other sister church, in a way of brotherly love, by virtue of communion of churches; so their errors and variance, and whatsoever scandals else do accompany the same, they are justly subject to the condemnation of a Synod of churches.

1. Argum. From the want of power in such a particular church to passe a binding sentence, where error or scandall is maintained by a faction; For the promise of binding and loosing which is made to