of the church of Corinth in the excommunication of the incestuous
Corinthian, 1 Cor. v. 1-5; wherein it appears that the presbytery alone
did not put forth this power, but the brethren also concurred in this
sentence with some act of power, (viz. a negative power:) for, 1. The
reproof, for not proceeding to sentence sooner, is directed to the whole
Church, as well as to the presbytery. They are all blamed for not
mourning, &c., 1 Cor. v. 2. 2. The command is directed to them all, when
they are gathered together, (_and what is that but to a church
meeting?_) to proceed against him, 1 Cor. v. 4, 13. 3. He declareth this
act of theirs, in putting him out, to be a judicial act, ver. 12. 4.
Upon his repentance the apostle speaketh to the brethren, as well as to
their elders, to forgive him, 2 Cor. ii. 4-10. Consequently, Christ's
church officers are not the peculiar, immediate, or only subject of the
power of the keys, as hath been asserted.

_Ans_. I. As for the main proposition asserted in this objection,
something hath been formerly laid down to show the unsoundness of it.
(See chap. X. near the end.) Whereunto thus much may be superadded. 1.
What necessity is there that a particular congregation should be fully
furnished with officers, to make it the subject of all church authority?
For deacons are one sort of officers, yet what authority is added to the
Church by the addition of deacons, whose office it is only to serve
tables, Acts vi., not to rule the Church? or if the Church have no
deacons, as once it had not, Acts i. 2, and before that, all the time
from Christ, wherein is she maimed or defective in her authority? 2. If
the Church, fully furnished with officers, yet walk not in judgment and
peace, then in such case it is granted, that a particular congregation
is not the first subject of all church authority. Then a congregation
that walks in error or heresy, or passion, or profaneness, all which are
contrary to judgment; and that walks in divisions, schisms, contentions,