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

Reas. 1 From the guilt which lieth upon every such Church, when any scandal given by their Members remaineth uncensured and unremoved. Therefore Paul applied this Reproof to the whole Church, Brethren as well as Officers, for their slowness to excommunicate that man, 1 Cor. 5.2. And in like manner, Christ reproveth the Angel, and Church, both of Pergamus, Rev. 2.14, 15. and of Thyatira, ver. 20. If these Churches had not sufficient power within themselves to purge out such Leaven, why are they blamed for tolerating the same? And why are not other Churches, or the Classes, blamed for neglect of exercising their power of Ecclesiastical Judicature over them, if they stood under any such? And what the Spirit speaketh to ⟨p. 123⟩them, he saith to other Churches also, to beware of the like Remissness. Which Admonition all particular Churches are bound to attend; lest else the gates of Hell prevail against them, through their neglect of exercising that power which Christ hath given them, severally, and respectively, to preserve their Members and whole fellowship in Spiritual purity and safety, Heb. 12.15.

Reas. 1 From the guilt which lyeth upon every such Church, when any scandal given by their Members remaineth uncensured and unremoved. Therefore Paul applyed this Reproof to the whole Church, Brethren as well as Officers, for their slowness to excommunicate that man, 1 Cor. 5.2. And in like manner, Christ reproveth the Angel, and Church, both of Pergamus, Rev. 2.14, 15. and of Thyatira, ver. 20. If these Churches had not sufficient power within themselves to purge out such Leaven, why are they blamed for tolerating the same? And why are not other Churches, or the Classes, blamed for neglect of exercising their power of Ecclesiastical Judicature over them, if they stood under any such? And what the Spirit speaketh to ⟨p. 123⟩