A iustification of separation from the Church of England Against Mr Richard Bernard his invective, intituled; The separatists schisme. By Iohn Robinson.

Your 6. Argument to prove that the word Church must be taken* 1.1 figuratively is first, that els the Corinthians had offended, who being all com∣maunded did but some of them proceed against the incestuous person. 1 Cor. •• 13. 2 Cor. 2. 6. 2. that els Paul had offended, who vpon the com∣plaint of Cloes house did himself, without wayting for the Churches consent, being absent, iudge and determine the matter, and s••nt to them to execute •••• sentence.

These two Arguments Mr B. are in your hands like the two wit∣nesses* 1.2 that came against Christ, they neyther agree one with an o∣ther, nor eyther of them with the truth. In the former you plead

for the Presbytery in saying that some of them did proceed against him, in the latter you vtterly overthrow that, and step in for the Bishops sole power where you make Paul alone iudge and determiner of the busines. I am verily perswaded Mr Smyth hath felt your pulse in* 1.3 this place, and found directly what blood runs in your ••eynes; to him therefore do I leave you for iudgement in the case.

And for answer to the particulars.

In the first argument you do most sinfully corrupt the scriptures, knowing that if they be soundly alleadged, they will give no coun∣tenaunce to your errour. For where Paul sayth, it is sufficient for* 1.4 the same man that he was rebuked of many, you for the word many put s••me: where some doth import a part, and but a part: (for where some are sayd to do a thing, it followes, that other some do it not) where the word many is oft times put for all, as being opposed to one, or a few: as in this place, many rebuking to one rebuked. Take for this phrase of speach, these scriptures. Dan. 12. 2. Mat. 13. 17. Luke 12. 7. Rom. 5. 19. and 8. 29. & 12. 4. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 17. & 12. 12. 14.

But mark I pray thee (wise reader) when this man expounds Math. 18. 19. 20. where mention is made of a few two or three ha∣ving the power of Christ, there by two, or three are meant the officers, and Christ hath established the authority of a few for the good of all, and a∣gain two or three officers, and a few, have this authority: and yet not∣withstanding, when he comes to expound 2 Cor. 2. 6. where men∣tion* 1.5 is made of many rebuking the offender, there by many must be meant the officers also.

What Mr B: are two or three Officers in respect of the whole body many? Doth the holy Ghost speaking of a few in the Church, mean the officers, and speaking of many, mean the officers also? It were good you awoke out of your dream, that you might spy your contradictions, and how one peice reproves an other.

To the obiection I do answer, that first it doth not appear that the party was excommunicated, it may be vpon admonition he re∣pented, and so the extremity spoken of, 1 Cor. 5. 5. was preven∣ted: and 2. if he were, eyther by many may be meant all, as I have formerly shewed, or otherwise it is sufficient if some reprove, the

Elders or some of them, specially, by their office, and so of the bre∣thren in the second place, if they see necessary cause; wherevpon with the silent consent of the rest, iudgement may be given, or the party delivered to Sathan.* 1.6

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mr B.
• * 1.2

  Ans.
• * 1.3

  Mr Smyth pag. ••4.
• * 1.4

  2 Cor. 2. 6.
• * 1.5

  pag. 95. 98.
• * 1.6

  Mr B.