The Covenant of Grace

2 It may seem too great a bondage and slavery, both for any Church (whether Presbyter: or Congregational) to be forced to receive all into fellowship in all the Ordinances, who have their habitation or residence in the same Parish bounds with them: and also for particular persons to be necessitated to be of this or that particular Congregation, in fellowship with such Members, and under the Ministry of such a man, which they cannot find so suitable to their spirits, and so profitable for their spiritual edification, as some others, which may not be far off from them. And whereas it may fall out (which possibly may come in here ⟨p. 19⟩as an Objection) that the Minister, under whom a man liveth, is taken away by death, and another one called into his place and Office by the generality of the Church, who may be as unsuitable unto the Spirit of this or that Brother, as the Minister of the Parish where he dwells, or as any other, shall not be bound to submit to the choice of the Church, or must the Church suspend their choice upon the Negative vote of any one Brother? In such a case 'tis lawful for that dissenting Brother, who cannot call such a man to be his Minister, nor own him as his Pastor or Teacher, to desire a Letter of dismission to some other Church and Officer, whom he can more freely and comfortably close in his spirit withal, and I suppose that Church, with whom he hath fellowship at the present, is bound to yield unto his equal and just desire, that so they may part in a loving and brotherly manner. We do generally allow every servant so much liberty for his outward comfort and advantage, as to choose his own Master, in whose Family, and under whose Government and inspection he is to live, ⟨p. 20⟩and why should not Christians also (being made free-men by Christ) have as much liberty for their spiritual comfort and edification, to chose the particular Church under whose teaching and inspection they are to abide: And why else hath the Lord (out of his infinite goodness and wisdom) given out diversity of gifts to divers of his Servants in the Ministry, but to suite the variety of spirits and dispositions in his people? Every lock not agreeing with every key; as our Reverend Author was wont to express himself, speaking of this very thing.

2 It may seem too great a bondage and slavery, both for any Church (whether Presbyter: or Congregationall) to be forced to receive all into fellowship in all the Ordinances, who have their habitation or residence in the same Parish bounds with them: and also for particular persons to be necessitated to be of this or that particular Congregation, in fellowship with such Members, and under the Ministry of such a man, which they cannot find so suitable to their spirits, and so profitable for their spirituall edification, as some others, which may not be far off from them. And whereas it may fall out (which possibly may come in here