The first principles of New-England concerning the subject of baptism & communion of churchesThe first principles of New-England concerning the subject of baptisme & communion of churches

2dly. The validity of membership depends not upon the Instrument or medium to wit, the Parents standing as a public person in the Act of Confederation, but upon the Institution of God in Christ, the value and virtue of the effect here cannot depend, upon the medium (which is it self also an Arbitrary Effect) but upon the supreme and Independent Cause, The membership of a male Child Confederating mediately, i. e. in the public person of the Mo•••r, excelleth the membership of the Mother Confederating •mm••i•tely in h•r own person, because the Mother though sh• be a Church member, ye• •s not capable of being a member co••t••uent o• the Church (for only Brethren constitute a Church, in that they alone ⟨p. 21⟩be capable of being the Subject of the power of the Keys, 1 Cor. 14.34. 1 Tim. 2.12.) so as should the Brethren dye, the Sister• surviving could not continue a Church, but would immediately cease to the Church members, yet her male Child is not only a Church member, but is also capable of being a member Constituent of the Church.

2dly. The validity of membership depends not upon the Instrument or medium to wit, the Parents standing as a publick person in the Act of Confederation, but upon the Institution of God in Christ, the value and virtue of the effect here cannot depend, upon the medium (which is it self also an Arbitrary Effect) but upon the supream and Independent Cause, The membership of a male Child Confederating mediately, i. e. in the publick person of the Mo•••r, excelleth the membrship of the Mother Confederating mmitely in hr own person, because the Mother though sh be a Church member, ye s not capable of being a member cotuent o the Church (for only Brethren constitute a Church, in that they alone