QUES. 36.-Would yon kindly give a word as to "binding" in Matt. 18:15-18?

ANS.-"Binding"is fastening upon a brother a guilt which none can deny, which is plain to all, and of which he does not repent. Such guilt fastened upon him by the people of God upon earth is recognized in heaven, and fastened upon him there also. God, in His holy government, will not let him go until he has repented and confessed his sin. When he does this, his brethren forgive him-they loose him ; and so does God in heaven.

But we are aware that there are things in your mind which this may not fully satisfy, and so we go further. If the person be not really guilty, and yet be so declared by the assembly, is its action then bound in heaven? In answer to this we reply, How can it be "bound in heaven " when, instead of being "bound on earth," an injustice (a thing most obnoxious in heaven) has been done? "Binding" can only be when no question of being guilty can exist, and heaven therefore can bind it too. "Binding" is not an authority put into the hands of the assembly. It is a necessity the assembly is in to maintain holiness within herself. She is no court of law endowed with delegated powers, which must be obeyed whether they be rightly or wrongly used. To illustrate her powers by those of a court is false and mischievous. The moment she claims such powers, she has left her place of obedience and dependence on the Lord-she is fallen. She is responsible to keep herself clean in doctrine and in practice,"and God in heaven puts His seal upon her righteous acts in the maintenance of that responsibility. Authority apart from this she has absolutely none. To seek to enforce an unrighteous act under the plea of authority to bind is but the work of pride-the root of popery. On the other hand, to refuse to be subject to righteous discipline is of the same pride ; it is the root of anarchy. The Scotch Covenanters prayed that God would preserve them from clerisy and from prelacy. We need to pray to be preserved from popery and from anarchy. They spring from the same source, and seek the same ends. God hates both.