The Plea affirms, that private confession may be useful as a means of bringing the, members of the church into personal interview with their pastor.

The advantage of such interviews we freely admit; but they can be and are secured in our churches without this rite; and as it is confessedly destitute of Scripture authority, we have no right to invent a _new ordinance_ in Christ's church for any purpose.
3.

The Plea maintains that explanation of "the power of the Keys," which authorizes a minister to pronounces absolution of sins, and appeals to Matth.xviii.18, "Whatsoever ye shall bind one arth," [sic] &c.

But the previous context "tell it to the _church_" &c., clearly shows that it refers to church discipline, and signifies "whatever acts of discipline ye enact in regard to such an individual, I will ratify in heaven." But this has no bearing on private confession and absolution.
The other passage from John, xx.

23, "Whosoever's sins ye remit," &c., was uttered on a different occasion, after the Saviour's resurrection; and either refers to a miraculous power bestowed on the apostles, to discern the condition of the heart, and to announce pardon to those whom they knew to be truly penitent and believing; or it confers on the ministry, in all ages, the power to announce _in general_ the conditions on which God will pardon sinners.