The glory of a true church, and its discipline displayed wherein a true gospel-church…The glory of a true church, and its discipline display'd wherein a true gospel-church…

He cannot, saith he, for many Reasons: 1. It is not Decent, much le• an Orderly going away; but very unmannerly, and a kind o• running away.¹ 2. Such a Departure is not approved of in Families, or Civi• Societies.² 3. It destroys the Relation o• Pastor and People: For wha• may be done by one individual Person, may be done by all. 4. What Liberty in this kin• belongs to the Sheep, belongs t• the Shepherd; much more he ma• then also leave his Flock at h• Pleasure, without giving notice o• reason thereof to the Church. ³5. It is breaking Covenant wit• ⟨p. 41⟩Christ, and with the Congregation, and therefore a great Immorality; he being under Obligation to abide steadfastly with the Church; i. e. till the Church judge he hath a lawful Call to go to another Congregation. 6. It's a Schism: For if there be any such thing in the World,⁴ it's of particular Societies.⁵ 7. It is a despising the Government of the Church. ⁶8. It is a particular Member's assuming to himself the use of the Keys; or rather stealing of them. 9. There is as much reason Persons should come into a Church when they please, without asking Consent, as depart when they please. 10. It is very evil and unkind in another Church, to receive such an one, as not doing as they would, or should be dealt with. 11. Such Practices can issue in nothing else than the breach and confusion