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

Then entireness of Church-Government, in a particular Church completed with its Officers, in re propriâ, will well consist with that communion of Churches which the Scripture establisheth. The reason is, because both are the Ordinances of Christ, and Christs Ordinances do not interfere. As the Communion of Neighbour-Families doth not cross the complete Government of several Families within themselves, respectively, in things properly Domestical. And as communion among Kingdoms and Commonwealths, hindereth not the entireness of Jurisdiction in each Kingdom and Commonwealth within it self, in its proper concernments; So it is in the communion of Churches. Therefore Church-communion must be only, in a way of Brotherly association, for mutual helpfulness, in matters of this nature, but not in way of subordination, or subjection of one Church to the Ecclesiastical Government, whether of another Church, or of the Elders of several Churches assembled in Classes or Synods. The Communion of Churches, in the former way, is exercised according to Rule, in sundry cases, as ⟨p. 141⟩1. In mutual care. 2. In recommendation of Members. 3. In participation of such Ordinances as are for comfort and strengthening the Members of other Churches occasionally. 4. In relieving and succouring one another. 5. In countenancing, by giving the right hand of fellowship unto a Church in its first gathering, and unto Elders at their Ordination. 6. In consulting one with another, when we have occasion to require the Judgment and Counsel of other Churches, concerning any Person or Cause,¹ wherewith they may be better acquainted than our selves. 7. In admonishing one another, in case of public scandal. All these (and if withdrawing fellowship upon just causes, be added to them) are no more than one Apostle may do to another, without exercising Church-Government over them. Communion of Churches in the latter way, of subordination or subjection to other Churches or Synods, in re propriâ, the Scripture no where approveth. Not of one Church to another; for there is a parity among Churches, and par in parem non habet imperium. Nor of one Church to a Synod made up of the Elders of sundry Neighbour-Churches. The Assembly in