3Ó2 The Gofpél of the Leprofy. Match. 27. 31°4,: 5. Or elfe their Confeflïon is extorted by the untie, niable Evidence of the Fai, and mingled with manifeft diîc.overies of Pride, even when they feem to be taking flume to themfelves ; as Saul, t Sam. 15. Or, ( which is worft of all, ) their Confeflions are mingled fometimes with InveEives againft thofe which reprove them. As Math. 7. 6. They turn again and rent you. Inftead of an humble broken-hearted Confeffion, you Ihail fome- times have a venomousvirulent Gonfeflion from them, wherein their Confeflions againft themfelves are mingled with flanderous Refleaions and Inve&ives againft their Reprovers. Yet when Excpmmunication molt fpeedy, it fhould not be without Admonition, both before, and in the Ordinance, and after. But ¡hut out they mutt be. Hence continual Sufpen/ion is an Abufe ; for fcandalous Sinners to ftand fufpended from Year to Year, but never fully caft out. Oueft. 5. To whom dotb the Power ofExcommunication belong? Anfrv. This hath been matter of much Controverfy; there have been feveral Claims fet on foot, and many Pretenders to this Power. The Pope and Prelates have been Efficiently detehed to be meer Thieves and Robbers, and üfurpers upon the Inheritance of the Lord. All the Queftion that remains, is about the Power of the Elders and the People. But I ¡hall wave that which is Controverfal among the godlylearned. I would endeavour fo to (late the Cafe as to prevent and cut off Difputesand Janglings. Therefore note only thus much : That it is a general Rule in all Church-Adminiftrations, That the Officers are to guide, and go before the Flock, and the People are to obey them in the Lord. Hence they are called Guides and Rulers. Obey them that have the Rule everyou, Heb. 13. See Rev. g. When the four living Wights, that is, the Elders of the Church, give Glory to God, then the four and twenty El- ticrs, that is, the Members of the vifible Church fall down before him and worfbip him. So in this Bufinefs of Excommunication, both the Elders and People have fomething to do in it. To fpeak to them fe. verally. i. The Duty of the Elders or Minifters : This lies in two things. r. It is the Minifter's Part to enquire of the Lord for _his People., and to declare the Mind of God unto them, what the Lord would_ have them to do. It is the Minifter's Duty to enquire of the Lord for them. They muff Deut. t7. 9, to II. come to the Prieft for yudg- ment. So Abiatbar enquires of the Lord for David. It is their part alto to declare the Anfwer of God to his People. To hold forth the Mind ofGod, and their Duty to them. Deut. 17.9. Tbey
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