. casting out and receiving
again of the incestuous person: suppose the community had joined the
presbytery in these two acts, (which yet is not proved,) will it follow
therefore they are the first subject of all church authority? Are not
ordination of presbyters, determination in case of appeals, of schism,
of heresy, &c., acts of authority above the sphere of a single
congregation? What one congregation can be instanced in the New
Testament that did ever execute any of these acts of authority?

The reasons brought, prove not that the brethren did concur with the
presbytery in this sentence with some act of power, as will appear
plainly, if they be considered severally.

1. Not the reproof, 1 Cor. v. 2, "And ye are puffed up, and have not
rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away
from among you." Here they are blamed, that they no more laid to heart
so vile a scandal, which should have been matter of mourning to the
whole congregation; that they instead of mourning were puffed up,
gloried in their shame; and that they sluggishly neglected to endeavor,
in their sphere, his casting out. And all this blame might justly be
charged upon the whole church, the fraternity as well as the presbytery:
the scandal of one member should be the grief of the whole body of the
church. What then? Hath therefore the fraternity, as well as the
presbytery, power to cast him out? That were a miserable consequence
indeed: the people should not only have mourned for the sin, but have
urged the presbytery to have proceeded to sentence, and after sentence
have withdrawn from him, in obedience to the sentence; but none of all
these can amount to a proper act of church authority in them.

2. Nor doth the apostle's command prove the people's concurrence in any
act of power with the presbytery, 1 Cor. v. 4, 5, "In the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, to deliver such an one
unto Satan," &c.: ver. 7, "Purge out therefore the old leaven," &c.: and
ver. 13, "Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
In which passages it is supposed the apostle directs his injunction to
them all (as well as to their presbytery) when they come together in
their church meeting to proceed to sentence.

But against this reason, well ponder upon these considerations, viz: 1.
It is certain beyond all controversy, that the apostle did not direct
these commands to the whole church of Corinth absolute