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…

This power or privilege of the Church in dealing in this sort with a scandalous offender, may not be limited only to a private brother offending, but may reach also to an offensive Elder. For (as hath been touched already) it is plain that the Brethren of the Circumcision, supposing Peter to have given an offence in eating with men uncircumcised, they openly expostulated with him about his offence: and he stood not with them upon terms of his Apostleship, much less of his Eldership, but willingly submitted himself to give satisfaction to them all, Act. 11.2. to 18. And Paul writeth to the Church of Coloss, to deal with Archippus, warning him to see to the fulfilling of his Ministry, Col. 4.17. And very pregnant is his direction to the Galatians, for their proceeding to the utmost with their corrupt and scandalous false Teachers. I would (saith he) they were even cut off that trouble you; And that upon this very ground of their liberty, Gal. 5.12, 13. as hath been opened above in Chap. 2.

This power or priviledge of the Church in dealing in this sort with a scandalous offender, may not be limited only to a private brother offending, but may reach also to an offensive Elder. For (as hath been touched already) it is plaine that the Brethren of the Circumcision, supposing Peter to have given an offence in eating with men uncircumcised, they openly expostulated with him about his offence: and he stood not with them upon termes of his Apostleship, much lesse of his Eldership, but willingly submitted himselfe to give satisfaction to them all, Act. 11.2. to 18. And Paul writeth to the Church of Colosse, to deale with Archippus, warning him to see to the fulfilling of his Ministery, Col. 4.17. And very pregnant is his direction to the Galatians, for their proceeding to the utmost with their corrupt and scandalous false Teachers. I would (saith he) they were even cut off that trouble you; And that upon this very ground of their libertie, Gal. 5.12, 13. as hath been opened above in Chap. 2.