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…

Secondly, It pertains not to the whole Congregation to take notice of, be acquainted with, or judge of the cause of every particular members removal. May not a servant remove from his Master to another Congregation? or the father bestow his son or daughter in marriage to one of another Congregation, but the whole Church must be called to counsel in this matter? If the Assembly once grow to be populous, of necessity they must be negligent in, or weary of such an heavy task; and for the present, for every one to challenge so much authority over other is usurpation. Let it be showed that ever by divine right this power was committed to the Church, and then we will confess it to be expedient and necessary. But till then we think the Church is over ridged in exacting such a condition of the members, and the members themselves go beyond their measure as busy-bodies in other mens matters, and things whereof they are not well able to judge many times, if they arrogate such power unto themselves we allow not rashness, or precipitancy, pride or self-conceitedness, we know it is meet that weighty matters should be managed by Counsel, but it is not necessary to bring every particular thing to the whole Church. In the multitude of Councillors there is peace, but over many Councillors oft causeth distraction, and different apprehensions breed delays. The nature of your Church-Covenant, as you describe it, inferreth not a necessity of bringing every such business unto the Church; for you bind your selves mutually to watch over one another, and in love to admonish one another in the Lord, to prevent sin and to encourage in well-doing, as it concerneth every man within the limits of his place and calling. But this essentially tieth not any man to a perpetual residence in one place, for then even occasional absence should be a breach of Covenant, unless it be by consent and approbation of the Church.

Secondly, It pertaines not to the whole Congregation to take notice of, be acquainted with, or judge of the cause of every particular members removall. May not a servant remove from his Master to another Congregation? or the father bestow his sonne or daughter in marriage to one of another Congregation, but the whole Church must be called to counsell in this matter? If the Assembly once grow to be populous, of necessitie they must be negligent in, or weary of such an heavy taske; and for the present, for every one to challenge so much authoritie over other is usurpation. Let it be shewed that ever by divine right this power was committed to the Church, and then we will confesse it to be expedient and necessary. But till then we thinke the Church is over ridged in exacting such a condition of the members, and the members themselves goe beyond their measure as busi-bodies in other mens matters, and things whereof they are not well able to judge many times, if they arrogate such power unto themselves wee allow not rashnesse, or precipitancy, pride or self-conceitednesse, we know it is meete that weightie matters should be mannaged by Councell, but it is not necessary to bring every particular thing to the whole Church. In the multitude of Councellors there is peace, but over many Councellors oft causeth distraction, and different apprehensions breed delayes. The nature of your Church-Covenant, as you describe it, inferreth not a necessitie of bringing every such businesse unto the Church; for you binde your selves mutually to watch over one another, and in love to admonish one another in the Lord, to prevent sinne and to encourage in well-doing, as it concerneth every man within the limits of his place and calling. But this essentially tyeth not any man to a perpetuall residence in one place, for then even occasionall absence should be a breach of Covenant, unlesse it be by consent and approbation of the Church.