The power of Congregational churches asserted and vindicated in answer to a treatise of…

44.23, 24. Lastly, who shall dismiss the Church Authoritatively, with a Blessing, in the name of the Lord? Numb. 6.23-26. and Heb. 7.7. And who shall take care of the humane affairs of the Church, if Deacons be not chosen and ordained? This Office-Power the Church indeed hath not formally in it self; yet it hath it virtually, and originally. As the stock of a Tree hath not immediate power to bring forth fruit, yet it hath power to produce branches which do bring forth fruit; so the Church of Believers, though it hath not immediate power to act an Office, in the things proper thereunto, yet it hath power to make such Officers as may perform the same in Christ's order.

5. Why this Power is said to be given to a visible Congregation of confederate Believers, as the first and proper subject ⟨p. 97⟩of it?] This expression serveth to show three particulars. 1. That I speak of a Congregational-Church, indefinitely, or the Church in its general nature, as it exists in particular Congregations, to each of which it communicates its whole nature, and with it all its privileges and power to them all, being species of it, firstly and equally; so that each particular Church hath all Church-Power, that is seated in the general nature of the Church, as completely conveyed to it, as any other: as this particular man, John, or Peter, or James hath all the nature of man equally communicated to them, and can put forth the operations of that nature, fully of themselves, and without the help of any other. 2. That this Power is given to the Church to be acted, in Admissions, Elections, and Censures, only by such in whose name Peter made this confession, viz. a Community of Disciples walking in the profession of the Faith, with consent; that is, to a Society of believing men: for Women, though Believers, are excepted by the Rule,