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…

You say in your Covenant you promise to perform no new duty to your ⟨p. 72⟩brethren which was not before commanded of the Lord, but only revive and renew your purposes afresh of performing such duties to that particular body into which you are then to be incorporated, as were before enjoined in the Word. But in the word of truth, it is not commanded either expressly or by consequent, that no member of a Congregation should remove, or occasionally be absent from the place of his habitation, before he have acquainted the Church whither he goeth, and upon what occasions, and whether the place be dangerous, where he is likely to be infected; or safe, where he may be edified. These things are matters of weight and to be undertaken with advice, but the knowledge thereof belongeth not to every particular member of the society. And the Church shall burden her self above measure if she take upon her to intermeddle in all such occasions. Neither is it safe to commit the determination of such matters ever to the vote of the multitude, or weight of reasons, as they shall apprehend the matter. And if such business must be determined on the Lords day, and to go before the administration of the Word,¹ Sacraments, and alms, least the holy things be polluted by notorious obstinate offenders, we fear the time appointed for the exercise of Religion shall be profaned with unseasonable disputes. Instances might be alleged, if it were a matter to be insisted upon.

You say in your Covenant you promise to performe no new dutie to your ⟨p. 72⟩brethren which was not before commanded of the Lord, but onely revive and renew your purposes afresh of performing such duties to that particular body into which you are then to be incorporated, as were before injoyned in the Word. But in the word of truth, it is not commanded either expresly or by consequent, that no member of a Congregation should remove, or occasionally be absent from the place of his habitation, before he have acquainted the Church whither he goeth, and upon what occasions, and whether the place be dangerous, where he is likely to be infected; or safe, where he may be edified. These things are matters of weight and to be undertaken with advice, but the knowledge thereof belongeth not to every particular member of the societie. And the Church shall burden her selfe above measure if she take upon her to intermeddle in all such occasions. Neither is it safe to commit the determination of such matters ever to the vote of the multitude, or weight of reasons, as they shall apprehend the matter. And if such businesse must be determined on the Lords day, and to goe before the administration of the Word,