The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

BUT yet no general Rule can be established in this case; nor was the judgment or practice of the Primitive Church precise herein. Clemens, in his Epistle to the Church of Corinth, expressly adviseth those on whose occasion there was disturbance and divisions in the Church, to lay down their Office and withdraw from it. Gregory Nazianzen did the same at Constantinople, and protesteth openly, That although he were himself innocent and free from blame, as he truly was, and one of the greatest Men of his Age, yet he would depart or be cast out, ⟨p. 115⟩rather than they should not have peace among them; which he did accordingly, Orat. 52. & vit. Nazian. And afterward a Synod at Constantinople under Photius, concluded, that in some cases it is lawful, Can. 5. Wherefore,

BUT yet no general Rule can be established in this case; nor was the judgment or practice of the Primitive Church precise herein. Clemens, in his Epistle to the Church of Corinth, expresly adviseth those on whose occasion there was disturbance and divisions in the Church, to lay down their Office and withdraw from it. Gregory Nazianzen did the same at Constantinople, and protesteth openly, That although he were himself innocent and free from blame, as he truly was, and one of the greatest Men of his Age, yet he would depart or be cast out, ⟨p. 115⟩rather than they should not have peace among them; which he did accordingly, Orat. 52. & vit. Nazian. And afterward a Synod at Constantinople under Photius, concluded, that in some cases it is lawful, Can. 5. Wherefore,

1. IT seems not to be lawful so to do, merely on the account of weakness of Work and Labour, though occasioned by Age, Sickness, or Bodily Distempers. For no Man is any way obliged to do more than he is able, with the regular preservation of his Life; and the Church is obliged to be satisfied with the conscientious discharge of what Abilities a Pastor hath; otherwise providing for it self in what is wanting.