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

Reas. 3 From the voluntary relation, which is between the Members of the Church, together with their mutual interest one in another, and their mutual power one over another; all which do necessarily imply their mutual covenanting one with another. 1. Their relation is voluntary: and all voluntary relations are by covenant; as, between a Society or Corporation, and the Members of it; between Husbands and Wives; between Masters and voluntary Servants: So, between a Church and the Members of it; both parties, before, were free, the one, to offer himself into fellowship, or not; the other, to admit him, or not. If such join together it is by their free consent, and must be by mutual engagement. Hence ariseth their special and particular relation to this Church, and among themselves mutually, as a body distinct from other Churches. 2. Their interest one in another, and power one over another mutually, ariseth from their mutual engagement by covenant. No Church can judge any inhabitant among them, unless he first give up himself to the Lord and them, in a ⟨p. 40⟩professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. Nor can any inhabitant expect memberlike watchfulness and helpfulness from the Church, unless, upon his offering himself to enter into the common engagement, they receive him, and take upon them that care over him. 3. Their constant fellowship in Church-privileges, ariseth from this mutual engagement by Covenant. For none can be admitted unto them, without consent of the body: nor can the body admit them thereunto, without their taking hold of the Covenant: for, till then, they are not under the power of the whole; as it hath been proved.

Reas. 3 From the voluntary relation, which is between the Members of the Church, together with their mutual interest one in another, and their mutual power one over another; all which do necessarily imply their mutual covenanting one with another. 1. Their relation is voluntary: and all voluntary relations are by covenant; as, between a Society or Corporation, and the Members of it; between Husbands and Wives; between Masters and voluntary Servants: So, between a Church and the Members of it; both parties, before, were free, the one, to offer himself into fellowship, or not; the other, to admit him, or not. If such joyn together it is by their free consent, and must be by mutual engagement. Hence ariseth their special and particular relation to this Church, and among themselves mutually, as a body distinct from other Churches. 2. Their interest one in another, and power one over another mutually, ariseth from their mutual engagement by covenant. No Church can judge any inhabitant among them, unless he first give up himself to the Lord and them, in a