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fane, between the unclean and the clean.

ISA. 28: 7. The priest and the prophet have erred through wine, and through strong drink, they are out of the way.

EZEK. 13: 19. Will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley, and pieces of bread?

Mic. 3: 11. The priests teach for hire, and the prophets divine for money... Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field.

TI. 1: 10. There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped; who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

MAL. 27. The priests' lips should keep knowledge; and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way. Ye have caused many to stumble at the law: ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

not, that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore, the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleaven ed bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote unto you in an epistle, not to company with fornicators. Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters: for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such a one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? but them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked per

son.

2 COR. 2: 5. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part that I may not over

§ 6. DISCIPLINE, OR GOVERNMENT charge you all. Sufficient to such a

OF THE CHURCH.

man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrari

I. Authority, where vested, and of wise, ye ought rather to forgive him,

what Nature.

2 Cor. 10: 8. Our authority the LORD hath given us for edification, and not for destruction.

1 COR. 5: 1. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I'verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my Spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye

and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him: for to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ: lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

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And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed; yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

ACTS 15 1. And certain men which came down from Judea, taught the brethren, Except ye be circumcised, after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. - 6. And the Apostles and elders came together to consider of this matter. 22. Then pleased it the Apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief among the brethren: and they wrote letters by them after this manner.

men

"The Apostles, and elders, and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of he Gentiles, in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain, which went out from us, have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commandment: it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the Apostles. Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul

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Includes the adjustment of business.

MAT. 5: 40. If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

ROM. 12: 17. Recompense to no man evil for evil. ... Avenge not yourselves; but rather give place unto wrath.

1 COR. 6: 1. Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame! Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you! no not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren! But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers! Now therefore, there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren!

II. Rule or Process of Discipline.

MAT. 18 15. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church,

let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

JOHN 8 3. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst

¶ MAT. 7: 1. Judge not that ye be not judged for with what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote, out of thine eye; and behold a beam is in thine own eye. Thou hypocrite! First cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

LUKE 6: 39. Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

ROM. 2 1. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O whosoever thou man, art that judgest, for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest also thyself: for thou that judgest dost the same things.

GAL. 6 1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault; ye that are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted.

III. Discipline does not extend to Conscience or Faith.

2 COR. 1 24. Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand.

1 PETER 5 3. Neither as being Lords over God's heritage; but being ensamples to the flock.

ROM. 14: 1. Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things; another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth : for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth: yea, he shall be holden up for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow

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So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. -17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

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15 7. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

JAMES 4 11. If thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy. Who art thou that judgest another? MARK 9: 38. Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us; and we forbade him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not... for he that is not against us is on our part... Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones, that believe in me, it were better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the

sea.

ROM. 16 17. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

IV. Restoration of an Offender.

MAT. 18: 21. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times; but until

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seventy times seven. the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not : but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant! I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye, from your hearts, forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

LUKE 17: 3. If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

2 COR. 2: 6. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise, ye ought rather to forgive him and comfort him, lest such an one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech

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eth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

21: 4. An high look and a proud heart... is sin.

28 25. He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife.

29 23. A man's pride shall bring

Ps. 9:12. [God] forgetteth not the him low; but honor upholdeth the cry of the humble.

10: 17. Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble; thou wilt prepare their heart; thou wilt cause thine ear to hear.

10:2. The wicked, in his pride, doth persecute the poor. -4. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God.

PROV. 16 19. Better it is, to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

8:13. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate.

11: 2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.

13 10. Only by pride cometh contention.

15 25. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud; but he will establish the border of the widow.

16: 5. Every one that is proud in heart, is an abomination to the Lord; though hand join in hand he shall not be unpunished. — 18. Pride go

humble in spirit.

ISA. 57: 15. Thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity; whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, and to revive the spirit of the humble, to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

2 11. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of man shall be bowed down.

66 2. To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.

2 CHRON. 33: 12. When he [Manasseh] was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.

ISA. 28 9. The Lord of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.

JER. 13: 17. If ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride.

50 82. The most proud shall

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