1. We allow unto every Congregation a particular Eldership, where it may be had.
2. We impose upon no Congregation a Minister against whom they can give a rationall dissent.
3. We allow the Congregationall Eldership to judg in all matters which concern that particular Church; and to keep from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, all those whom they finde to be ignorant or scandalous.
4. In the great Censure of Excommunication, we say, That it ought not to be executed against the consent of that particular Congregation, to which the party to be excommunicated belongs. And in all other matters of importance, the Presbyterian-Government hath great respect to that Congregation which is particularly concerned therein. And therefore, it is so far from robbing, that it is a great Pillar to uphold and support Congregational Government; as for example:
1. When a particular Congregation is destitute of a Minister, then the Neighbour-Ministers of the Classis help what in them lies to make up that defect, by sending supply in the mean time, and afterwards by joyning in the ordination of another.
2. When there is an insufficient Eldership, then the Classical Presbytery contributes light and strength.
3. When an Eldership proves Heretical, then the Classical Presbytery helps to convince them of their Heresies, which the people are not able ordinarily to do, and thereby to preserve the Congregation from spiritual contagion.
4. When any member is wronged by the Eldership, the Classis, or Synod, contributes ayd and relief, as will appear further in the next particular.
8. The Presbyterial-Government is so far from being tyrannical, as that it is the greatest remedy against Church-tyranny, because it is as a city of refuge for all those that are oppressed in their particular Congregations, to fly unto. For under the Congregational-Government, when a brother is (as he conceives) wronged by the major part of the Church of which he is a member, he is for ever lock't up, and hath no authoritative way to relieve himself. (Indeed, he hath moral wayes, by advice and counsel, which are altogether insufficient;) But the Presbyterian-Government is a Zoar, and an Ark for the wronged party to fly unto, from the Particular Congregation, to a Classical, Provinciall, or National Assembly. Give us leave to shew you the difference by this example: Suppose in the civil Government every Corporation should plead a power independent from a Parliament, and challenge to be unaccountable, would not this make as many Parliaments, as Corporations? And if any member should be wronged by the major part of the Corporation to which he belongs, were he not left without remedy? And if these Corporations should cry down the Parliaments power over them as tyrannical, would it not be said, that this is therefore only done, that they themselves might become petty Tyrants? So is it here;
The Congregationall Government is a Spiritual Corporation independent from all other Ecclesiasticall Assemblies in point of Church-power. As the Pope claims a power over all Church-Assemblies, so this claims an exemption from the power of all Church-Assemblies, and cryeth down all Classical, Provinciall, or Nationall-Assemblies with power, as tyrannical; but is not this, that in the mean time it may become absolute, and as it were a petty Tyranny?