The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

1. THAT all lawful Societies, constituted such by voluntary confederation, according unto peculiar Laws and Rules of their own choice, unto especial Duties and Ends, have a Right and Power by the Light of Nature, to receive into their Society those that are willing and meet, engaging themselves to observe the Rules, Laws and Ends of the Society; and to Expel them out of it who wilfully deviate from those Rules. This is the life and form of every lawful Society or Community of Men in the World, without which they can neither coalesce nor subsist. But it is required hereunto,

1. THAT all lawful Societies, constituted such by voluntary confederation, according unto peculiar Laws and Rules of their own choice, unto especial Duties and Ends, have a Right and Power by the Light of Nature, to receive into their Society those that are willing and meet, ingaging themselves to observe the Rules, Laws and Ends of the Society; and to Expel them out of it who wilfully deviate from those Rules. This is the life and form of every lawful Society or Community of Men in the World, without which they can neither coalesce nor subsist. But it is required hereunto,

1. THAT those who so enter into such a Society, have Right or Power so to do. And many things are required unto this end: As, (1.) That those who enter into such a Society be sui Juris; have a lawful Right to dispose of themselves, as unto all the Duties and Ends of such a Society. Hence Children, Servants, Subjects, have no power in themselves to enter into such Societies, without the interposition of and obligation from a power Superior unto that of Parents, Masters, or Princes, namely, that of God himself. (2.) That the Rules, Laws, and ends of the Society be lawful, good and useful unto themselves and others. For there may be a confederation in and for evil; which is a combination that gives no Right nor Power, over one another, or towards others that enter into it. (3.) That it contains nothing that is prejudicial unto others in things Divine or Humane. (4.) Nor oblige unto the omission ⟨p. 195⟩