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…

The third and fourth consideration we will pass over, because from what hath been spoken, it is easy to understand in what sense they may be admitted, and in what denied, and we have no desire to trouble you with the examination of that which falleth not into question.

The third and fourth consideration we will passe over, because from what hath been spoken, it is easie to understand in what sense they may be admitted, and in what denyed, and we have no desire to trouble you with the examination of that which falleth not into question.

As for the second branch of your Answer, that in case the Church shall without cause, or without sufficient weighty cause, rashly or wilfully set him aside whom Christ hath set over them, yet he still remains a Minister of Christ (until he accepts of a call from another people) in whose account, notwithstanding such Depositions, he hath true right of administering among that people. We know not well your meaning; if this be your mind that a Minister lawfully called and set over one Congregation, is to be esteemed a Minister in the usual Church, as the particular Church hath unity with, and is part of the universal or Catholic: and as a party baptized is not baptized into that particular Congregation only, but into all Churches; and that the Ministry is one, Cujus à singulis in soliaum pars tenetur, as Cyprian speaks; and therefore though the Minister be unjustly cast off by one Congregation, yet he is not to be esteemed as no Minister, we freely consent. But if your meaning be that he is only by right a Minister of that particular Congregation, because unjustly deposed, as formerly in the execution of his office he was a Minister to them only, and to none other society whatsoever, or in what respect soever; your opinion is contrary to the judgement and practise of the universal Church, and tendeth to destroy the unity of the Church, and that communion which the Churches of God may and ought to have one with another; for if he be not a Minister in other Churches, then are not the Churches of God one, nor the Ministers one, nor the flock which they feed one, nor the Communion one which they have each with other. And if the Pastor derive all his authority to feed from the Church, when the Church hath set him aside, what right hath he to administer among that people. If they err in their deposition, it is true they sin against Christ. But as they give right to an unworthy man to administer among them, if they call him unjustly, so they take right from the worthy if wrongfully they depose him. The Minister is for his Ministry the office for the execution, and so the Pastor and the flock are relatives: And therefore if their Election gave him authority among them to feed, their casting him off hath stripped him of the same power which formerly they gave him.