The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

2. MAY a Pastor remove from one Congregation unto another?

THIS is a thing also which the Ancient Church made great Provision against. For when some Churches were increased in Members, Reputation, Privileges and Wealth above others, it grew an ordinary practice for the Bishops to design and endeavour their own removal from a less unto a greater Benefice. This is so severely interdicted in the Councils of Nice and Chalcedon, as that they would not allow that a Man might be a Bishop or Presbyter in any other place, but only in the Church wherein he was Originally Ordained: And therefore, if any did so remove themselves, Decreed, that they should be sent home again, and there abide, or cease to be Church-Officers, Council. Nicaea, Can. 15, 16. Chalced. Can. 5, 20. Pluralities, as they are called, and open contending for Ecclesiastical Promotions, Benefices and Dignities, were then either unknown, or openly condemned.

THIS is a thing also which the Ancient Church made great Provision against. For when some Churches were encreased in Members, Reputation, Privileges and Wealth above others, it grew an ordinary practice for the Bishops to design and endeavour their own removal from a less unto a greater Benefice. This is so severely interdicted in the Councils of Nice and Chalcedon, as that they would not allow that a Man might be a Bishop or Presbyter in any other place, but only in the Church wherein he was Originally Ordained: And therefore, if any did so remove themselves, Decreed, that they should be sent home again, and there abide, or cease to be Church-Officers, Council. Nicea, Can. 15, 16. Chalced. Can. 5, 20. Pluralities, as they are called, and open contending for Ecclesiastical Promotions, Benefices and Dignities, were then either unknown, or openly condemned.

YET it cannot be denied, but that there may be just causes of the Removal of a Pastor from one Congregation unto