Another essay for investigation of the truth, in answer to two questions, concerning I.…

6. There hath constantly been in these Churches a profession of Communion, in giving the right hand of fellowship at the gathering of Churches, and Ordination of Elders; which importeth a Consociation, and obligeth to the practice thereof.

Reply. Together with the profession of communion, hath been the practice of it in these Churches. But that this communion importeth such a Consociation, as they describe, and obligation to the practice thereof, was not expressed, nor understood. Worthy Mr. Cotton, (whose Name ought to be honourable among the Saints, both in Old England and New) in that Book which he entitled, The Way of the Churches in New-England, the sixth chapter, speaketh of the Communion of Churches, and showeth seven ways, whereby it ought to be, and is, in these Churches, exercised. They do (as I apprehend) reach all the Duties to be performed, by virtue of Church-communion, mutually, by each other: But of this Consociation (as it is here ⟨p. 61⟩described) he speaketh not a word; nor, I believe, did apprehend any Necessity of it, or Rule in Scripture for it. Therefore, when they say, Without this, we shall w•nt an expedient and sufficient cure for emergent Church-difficulties and differences; the constant experience of these Churches, from their beginning, to this day, evinceth the contrary. And though our Way is charged with the want hereof; yet it is unjustly, and by such as would bring us into their Way of Classical Churches, which is not proved to be the Ordinance of Christ, as this of the Communion of Churches is, and hath been found effectual, by the blessing of Christ, and so will be still. And though this part of the Doctrine of the Church, as they call it, concerning such a consociation, it being not proved to be the Doctrine of Christ, was never practised in these Churches: For without it, the Churches either have been, or might have been, and may be hereafter, kept in purity and peace with Brotherly love among themselves mutually, by the regular improving the communion of Churches, which is manifested to be the Ordinance of Christ, who hath given us perfect Rules in the New Testament, for the ordering of the communion of Christian Churches, which are sufficient for attainment of the ends, for which Christ hath appointed it, according to the second, third, fourth, eleventh, and twelfth Positions premised. With which, if this way of Consociation of Churches shall be clearly proved to agree (which I do not find to be yet done) I shall readily and heartily close with it, and submit unto it.