The nullity of church-censures: or A dispute written by that illustrious philosopher, expert physician, and pious divine Dr Thomas Erastus, publick professor in the University of Heidelbertge, and Basil. Wherein is proved by the holy Scriptures, and sound reason; that excommunication, and church-senates or members, exercising the same, are not of divine institution; but a meere humane invention.

XXXIV.

Next, in the tenth Chapter, Paul reasoneth thus: As in old times the Lord did not spare those that coveted evill things, nor Idolaters, nor whore∣mongers, nor tempters, and murmurers against Christ, although they were Baptis'd with the same Baptisme with all the rest; and did eat the same spirituall food, and drinke the same spirituall drink: So neither will he spare any of you what∣somever, which are defiled with the same sins, although you eat all of the same Bread, and drinke all of the same Cup with all the Saints. By these it is perceived. First, That our Sacra∣ments and those of the Antients were the same, in respect of the thing internall and Heavenly, o∣therwise the Argument of the Apostle would be

of no effect. Next it is clear, That many cor∣rupt persons, and that publickly known to be such, were admitted. Thirdly, This is likewise cer∣tain, That not any was commanded to forbeare, as Excommunicate persons are commanded. The Apostle doth not say that such are to be kept back: But he foretelleth that they would be punish'd by God so, as the Antients were punish'd. For Mo∣ses together with the Levites did kill a part of them 32. and the Lord did consume another part with fire, Serpents, with the Sword, and with the o∣pening up of the earth: which also happened unto the Corinthians; for he affirmeth that many of them then were sick, and many of them dead.