An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…

3. Of these persons it is said, that it is their duty so to dispose of themselves. It is not that which they may do, as a convenience, or an advantage; not that which others may do for them, but which they must do for themselves in a way of duty. It is an Obediential act unto the commands of Christ; whereunto is required subjection of Conscience unto his Authority, Faith in his promises, as also a respect unto an appearance before his Judgment-Throne at the last day. The way of the Church of Rome to compel men into their Communion, and keep them in it, by fire and fagot, or any other means of external force, derives more from the Alcoran than the Gospel. Neither doth it answer the mind of Christ in the Institution, End, and Order of Church-Societies, that men should become Members of them, partly by that which is no way in their own power, and partly by what their wills are regulated in, by the Laws of men. For it is, as was said, commonly esteemed, that men being born and Baptized in such a Nation, are thereby made Members of the Church of that Nation; and by living within such Parochial Precincts, as the Law of the Land hath Arbitrarily established, are Members of this or that particular Congregation. At least they are accounted so far to belong unto these Churches, as to render them liable unto all outward punishments, that shall be thought meet to be ⟨p. 152⟩inflicted on them, who comply not with them. So far as these persuasions▪ and actings according unto them, do prevail, so far are they destructive of the principal foundation of the external being and order of the Church. But that mens joining themselves in, or unto any Church Society, is, or ought to be, a voluntary act, or an act of free choice, in mere obedience unto the Authority and commands of Christ, is so sacred a truth, so evident in the Scripture, so necessary from its subject matter, so testified unto by the practice of all the first Churches; as that it despiseth all opposition. And I know not how any can reconcile the common practice of giving men the reputation or reality of being Members of, or belonging unto this or that Church, as unto total Communion, who desire or choose no such thing, unto this acknowledged principle.

3. Of these persons it is said, that it is their duty so to dispose of themselves. It is not that which they may do, as a convenience, or an advantage; not that which others may do for them, but which they must do for themselves in a way of duty. It is an Obediential act unto the commands of Christ; whereunto is required subjection of Conscience unto his Authority, Faith in his promises, as also a respect unto an appearance before his Judgment-Throne at the last day. The way of the Church of Rome to compel men into their Communion, and keep them in it, by fire and fgot, or any other means of external force, derives more from the Alcoran than the Gospel. Neither doth it answer the mind of Christ in the Institution, End, and Order of Church-Societies, that men should become Members of them, partly by that which is no way in their own power, and partly by what their wills are regulated in, by the Laws of men. For it is, as was said, commonly esteemed, that men being born and Baptized in such a Nation, are thereby made Members of the Church of that Nation; and by living within such Parochial Precincts, as the Law of the Land hath Arbitrarily established, are Members of this or that particular Congregation. At least they are accounted so far to belong unto these Churches, as to render them liable unto all outward punishments, that shall be thought meet to be