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

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, 1 Tim. 2.12-14. 2. Professing Believers; therefore Children and distracted persons are not capable of this power, being unfit to judge, 1 Cor. 5.12. and so are they that are Deaf and ⟨p. 98⟩Dumb. 3. Such as walk in the profession of the Faith, with consent. Therefore such as are under public censure for scandals in Life or Doctrine, are disabled, as having, for the time, lost their privilege and power. Lastly, if the Church it self be generally corrupted or divided among themselves, as it were into two equal parts, it cannot act this power, nor claim an interest in this promise, which is given to a Church assembly in Christs Name, with competent agreement among themselves. Mat. 18.17, 18, 19, 20. 3. That this Power is given to such a Church, not only objectively for their good, but subjectively and firstly, so that the Church is the first recipient subject of it. For Officers are given to the Church,