to the saints in church censures, as shall be allowed to them when the
saints shall judge the world, yea angels, 1 Cor. vi. 1-3, viz. in both a
judgment of acclamation, approbation, &c., as assessors, as people judge
at the assizes; not in either a judgment of authority, which the judge
and jury only do pronounce.

4. Nor, finally, doth the apostle's direction to forgive the incestuous,
being penitent, 2 Cor. ii. 4-10, which seems to be given to all, prove
the people's concurrence with the elders in any act of power. For the
authoritative forgiving and receiving him again, belonged only to the
elders; the charitable forgiving, receiving, and comforting of him,
belonged also to the people. As the judge and jury at an assizes, acquit
by judgment of authority, the people only by judgment of discretion and
acclamation.

Thus it appears how little strength is in this instance of the church of
Corinth, (though supposed to be the strongest ground the Independents
have,) for the propping up of their popular government, and
authoritative suffrage of the people.


SECTION III.

III. Having thus considered the subject of authority and power for
church government: 1. Negatively, what it is not, viz. neither the
political magistrate, nor yet the community of the faithful, or whole
body of the people, Chap. IX. and X. 2. Positively, what it is, viz.
Christ's own officers in his church, as hath been explained and
evidenced, Sect. 2, of this Chap. 3. Now, in the third and last place,
we are to insist a little further upon this subject of the power, by way