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 absolutely, and universally, without all exception and limitation to any members at all: for by his own rule, "Women must be silent in their churches, it being a shame for a woman to speak in the church," 1 Cor. xiv. 34, 35, and children or fools were not able to judge. Hence it is evident that a church absolutely and universally taken, cannot possibly be the ministerial ruling church which hath the authority. 2. It is evident to any man that is but moderately acquainted with the Scriptures, that God useth to direct his commands, reproofs, and other speeches to a people indifferently, and as it were collectively and generally, which yet he intends should be particularly applied and appropriated; not to all, but to this or that person or persons, only among such a people distributively and respectively; according to their respective callings, interests, relations, &c., as in the Old Testament God directs a command to the people of Israel indefinitely, and as it were collectively, to kill enticers to idolatry, false prophets, Deut. xiii. 9; but intended that the judge should sentence him, finding him guilty by witnesses. The Lord also directs his command to all the people, as it were collectively, to put out of the camp "every one that was a leper, and had an issue, or was defiled by the dead," Numb. v. 2; but intended that the priest should peculiarly take and apply this command to himself, who was to judge in these cases. See Lev. xiii. and elsewhere. So in the New Testament the apostle praised the Corinthians indefinitely, and as it were collectively, for "remembering him in all things, and keeping the ordinances as he delivered them to them," 1 Cor. xi. 2; wherein he intended only to commend the virtuous; and after he discommends them indefinitely for "coming together not for better, but for worse," 1 Cor. xi. 17; intending only their dispraise that were herein particularly delinquent among them. Again, he speaks indefinitely, and as it were collectively and generally, "Ye may all prophesy one by one," 1 Cor. xiv. 31; but he intended it only to the prophets respectively, not to all the members; for he saith elsewhere, "Are all prophets?" 1 Cor. xii. 29. And writing to the churches of Galatia, Gal. i. 2, against false