A trial of the new-church way in New-England and in old ... by that…A tryall of the nevv-church vvay in New-England and in old ... by that…

4. From all these things premised, it appears that we can do no less (and yet we do no more) then require a member before he depart according to our covenant thus lawfully, deliberately, and mutually made, to express to his brethren his desire of departing, and the place and society to which he tends, whether to a godly Church where he may be edified; or to some corrupt Assembly where he may be destroyed. And 2. his grounds and reasons which move him so to do, which if they hold good being scanned by the Word, he may be not only confirmed in his way by the consent and advise of many, but counselled also how to manage his departure for his best comfort. And so after all, solemnly with the whole Churches prayers, and blessings in the name of Christ dismissed: But if his grounds either be none at all, or weak and sinful, and that his desire of departing savours of self-will, inordinate love of gain, rash precipitancy, or a spirit of schism, more strongly then of sound reason, then what can we do less without breach of Covenant, then in love and tenderness show him his weakness, dissuade him from his purpose, and refuse to consent. Yet if after all this we see his spirit steadfastly and stiffly bent for a departure, then though we dare not act against our light by consenting or counselling, yet if his sin be not apparent, and danger eminent, we use rather (through indulgence in cases of like nature) to suspend our vote against him, as not willing against his will to detain him, abhorring to make our Churches places of restraint and imprisonment. But if any should object that this argument holds firm where this Church-Covenant is allowed to be lawful, but with some it is questioned, and with them it avails not. Ans. Some indeed have questioned the necessity of our Church-Covenant, but none (we hope) of these our reverend brethren that we write unto do question the lawfulness of such a Covenant being nothing else for the ⟨p. 78⟩matter of it, but a promise of doing such Christian duties as the Gospel of Christ requires of all Saints in Church estate;

4. From all these things premised, it appears that we can do no lesse (and yet we do no more) then require a member before he depart according to our covenant thus lawfully, deliberately, and mutually made, to expresse to his brethren his desire of departing, and the place and societie to which he tends, whether to a godly Church where he may be edified; or to some corrupt Assembly where he may be destroyed. And 2. his grounds and reasons which move him so to do, which if they hold good being scanned by the Word, he may be not onely confirmed in his way by the consent and advise of many, but counselled also how to manage his departure for his best comfort. And so after all, solemnly with the whole Churches prayers, and blessings in the name of Christ dismissed: But if his grounds either be none at all, or weake and sinfull, and that his desire of departing savours of self-will, inordinate love of gaine, rash precipitancie, or a spirit of schisme, more strongly then of sound reason, then what can we do lesse without breach of Covenant, then in love and tendernesse shew him his weaknesse, disswade him from his purpose, and refuse to consent. Yet if after all this we see his spirit stedfastly and stiffely bent for a departure, then though we dare not act against our light by consenting or counselling, yet if his sinne be not apparent, and danger eminent, we use rather (through indulgence in cases of like nature) to suspend our vote against him, as not willing against his will to detain him, abhorring to make our Churches places of restraint and imprisonment. But if any should object that this argument holds firme where this Church-Covenant is allowed to be lawfull, but with some it is questioned, and with them it avails not. Ans. Some indeed have questioned the necessitie of our Church-Covenant, but none (we hope) of these our reverend brethren that we write unto do question the lawfulnesse of such a Covenant being nothing else for the