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

Sect. 4. p. 224. Upon an occasional Expression of mine, about the Church of Carthage in Cyprian's time, he gives us a large Account of the state of the Church of Carthage at that Time, wherein we are not much concerned. My Words are, Vindic. p. 41. Though many Alterations were before that time, introduced into the Order and Rule of the Churches, yet it appears that when Cyprian was Bishop of the Church of Carthage, that the whole Community of the Members of that Church did meet together to determine of things that were of their common Interest, ⟨p. 351⟩according unto what was judged to be their Right and Liberty in those days.

Sect. 4. p. 224. Upon an occasional Expression of mine, about the Church of Carthage in Cyprians time, he gives us a large Account of the state of the Church of Carthage at that Time, wherein we are not much concern'd. My Words are, Vindic. p. 41. Though many Alterations were before that time, introduced into the Order and Rule of the Churches, yet it appears that when Cyprian was Bishop of the Church of Carthage, that the whole Community of the Members of that Church did meet together to determine of things that were of their common Interest, ⟨p. 351⟩according unto what was judged to be their Right and Liberty in those dayes.

I thought no man who is so Conversant in the Writings of Cyprian as our Author apparently is, could have denied the Truth hereof, nor do I say it is so done by him; only he takes occasion from hence to discourse at large concerning the state of the Church at Carthage in those days in Opposition to Mr. Cotton, who affirms that there was found in that Church the express and lively lineaments of the very body of Congregational Discipline. Herein I am not concerned, who do grant that at that time there were many Alterations introduced into the Order and Rule of the Church; but that the People did meet together unto the Determination of things of their common Interest, such as were the choice of their Officers, and the readmission of them into the Fellowship of the Church who had fallen through infirmity in time of Persecution, or public offences and divisions, is so evident in the Writings of Cyprian, wherein he ascribes unto them the right of choosing Worthy, and of rejecting Unworthy Officers, and tells them that in such Cases he will do nothing without their consent, that it cannot be gain-said. But hereon he asketh, where I had any Reason to appeal to St. Cyprian for the Democratical Government of the Church; which indeed I did not do, nor any thing which looked like unto it; And he adds that they have this Advantage from the appeal, that we do not suppose any Deviation then from the Primitive Institution, whereas my words are Positive, that before that time there were many Alterations introduced into the Rule and Order of the Church; such things will partiality in a Cause, and aiming at Success in Disputation, produce.