The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

BUT this is the true State of things in the Church of Rome, and among others also. Christians are esteemed to be of them, and belong unto them, whether they will or no. Immediately hereon all the Rights, Liberties, Privileges, Possessions which they enjoy by the Law of God and Nature, and by the just Laws and Constitutions of Men in Civil Governments, under which they live, come to depend upon, and be subject unto the especial Laws and Rules of the Society which they are adjudged to belong unto. For upon expulsion out of that Society by Excommunication, according unto the Laws and Rules which it hath framed unto it self, all their Rights and Titles, and Liberties and Enjoyments are forfeited and exposed to Ruin. Some indeed do earnestly and learnedly contend that the Pope of Rome hath not Power to Excommunicate Sovereign Kings and Princes; and that if he do, they make no forfeiture of Life or Dignity thereby. And there are good Reasons why they do so. But in the mean time, they deal with other poor Men after the same manner. For if a poor Man be Excommunicated, immediately he loseth the free Tenure of his Life, Liberty and Goods, by the Law of the Church and the Land, and is Committed to the Gaol without Bail or Mainprize. So ⟨p. 197⟩that by this Artifice, all Men hold their Natural and Civil Rights, by the Rules of the Church Society whereto they are supposed to belong. And as this utterly overthrows the foundation of all that Property according to the Laws of the Land, which is so much talked of and valued; so indeed it would be destructive of all Order and Liberty, but that the Church is wise enough not to employ this Engine unto Great Men and Men in Power, who may yet deserve Excommunication as well as some of their poor Neighbours, if the Gospel be thought to give the Rule of it. But those that are poor, helpless and friendless, shall in the pursuit of this Excommunication be driven from their Houses, cast into Prisons, and kept there until they and their Families starve and perish. And it is apparent that we are beholding unto the Greatness, Authority, and Wealth of many, whom the Ecclesiastical Courts care not to conflict withal, that the whole Nation is not actually brought under this new Tenure of their Lives, Liberties and Estates, which on this presumption they are obnoxious unto.

BUT this is the true State of things in the Church of Rome, and among others also. Christians are esteemed to be of them, and belong unto them, whether they will or no. Immediately hereon all the Rights, Liberties, Privileges, Possessions which they enjoy by the Law of God and Nature, and by the just Laws and Constitutions of Men in Civil Governments, under which they live, come to depend upon, and be subject unto the especial Laws and Rules of the Society which they are adjudged to belong unto. For upon expulsion out of that Society by Excommunication, according unto the Laws and Rules which it hath framed unto it self, all their Rights and Titles, and Liberties and Enjoyments are forfeited and exposed to Ruine. Some indeed do earnestly and learnedly contend that the Pope of Rome hath not Power to Excommunicate Sovereign Kings and Princes; and that if he do, they make no forfeiture of Life or Dignity thereby. And there are good Reasons why they do so. But in the mean time, they deal with other poor Men after the same manner. For if a poor Man be Excommunicated, immediately he loseth the free Tenure of his Life, Liberty and Goods, by the Law of the Church and the Land, and is Committed to the Gaol without Bail or Mainprize. So