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

Quest. But suppose that the party censured think he can prove that he is wronged; is there no course to be taken for the freeing of him from a sentence that is unjust in his apprehension?

Answ. If he hath held forth convincing light (as he conceiveth) to the Church, to prove that he is wronged, and hath waited patiently for redress, but can find none, and therefore desireth to join with some other Church; he may remove his dwelling, if no other Church be in the same place, or, without that, if there be, and he may offer himself to their fellowship, making known to them his case. If, in other respects, they approve him, as one, whose fellowship with them would be helpful, or comfortable to them; they will acquaint the Church, whence he came, with his desire, and crave their advice, which will draw from that Church a full Narrative of his Case: Upon examination whereof these, who desire his fellowship, will labour with him, to further his repentance, and his holding it forth to the ⟨p. 178⟩satisfaction of that offended Church, according to Rule; which being done, the Church that was offended will be reconciled to him, and forgive him, and confirm their love to him, in the Lord, and recommend him to that fellowship where he desires to settle. But, if they will not; the Church that hath thus far laboured in the business, will acquaint other neighbour-Churches with the matter, and crave their advice, who finding, either that the Church did err in judgement, or that the Delinquent hath satisfied the Rule of Repentance, will signify their apprehensions to both the Churches, and accordingly the party is, either released by the one, or received by the other, each of them preserving its Church-power in re propriâ, according to their light, maintaining still Church-Communion, notwithstanding their different apprehensions touching this matter.

Answ. If he hath held forth convincing light (as he conceiveth) to the Church, to prove that he is wronged, and hath waited patiently for redress, but can find none, and therefore desireth to joyn with some other Church; he may remove his dwelling, if no other Church be in the same place, or, without that, if there be, and he may offer himself to their fellowship, making known to them his case. If, in other respects, they approve him, as one, whose fellowship with them would be helpful, or comfortable to them; they will acquaint the Church, whence he came, with his desire, and crave their advice, which will draw from that Church a full Narrative of his Case: Upon examination whereof these, who desire his fellowship, will labour with him, to further his repentance, and his holding it forth to the