The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

2. WHERE any such are admitted through ignorance or mistake, or the Usurpation of undue Power over Churches, in imposing Ministers on them, there is not an absolute nullity in their Administrations, until they are discovered and convicted by the Rule and Law of Christ. But if on evidence hereof, the people will voluntarily adhere unto them, they are partakers of their Sins, and do what in them lies to Un-Church themselves.

2. WHERE any such are admitted through ignorance or mistake, or the Usurpation of undue Power over Churches, in imposing Ministers on them, there is not an absolute nullity in their Administrations, until they are discovered and convicted by the Rule and Law of Christ. But if on evidence hereof, the people will voluntarily adhere unto them, they are partakers of their Sins, and do what in them lies to Vn-Church themselves.

3. WHERE such Persons are by any means placed as Pastors in or over any Churches, and there is no way for the Removal or Reformation, it is Lawful unto, it is the Duty of every one who takes care of his own Edification and Salvation, to withdraw from the Communion of such Churches, and to join with such as wherein Edification is better provided for. For, whereas this is the sole end of Churches, of all their Offices, Officers and Administrations; it is the highest folly to imagine that any Disciple of Christ, can be, or is obliged by his Authority to abide in the Communion of such Churches, without seeking Relief in the ways of his Appointment, wherein that end is utterly overthrown.

4. WHERE the generality of Churches in any kind of Association are headed by Pastors defective in these things, in the matter declared, there all public Church-Reformation is morally impossible; and it is the Duty of private Men to take care of their own Souls, let Churches and Church-men say what they please.