There are in the Congregational Government these six great defects, besides many others which we could name.
1. There is (as hath been said) no authoritative way to relieve a Brother oppressed by the major part of his Congregation, which granted, would make the Government of Christ in the New Testament, to be inferiour to the Jewish Government, in which they had the liberty of Appeals. And also to be against the light of right reason, in making the same men to be parties and judges in their own cause, (as hath been formerly shewed.)
2. There is no authoritative way to heal the major part of a Congregation, when it falls into fundamental errours, which is a great disparagement to the Government of Jesus Christ, and reflects deeply upon the wisdome and care of the great King of his Church. For it makes Christ to provide a more efficatious remedy to cure an erring member, (to wit, by the great Ordinance of excommunication,) then an erring Church.
3. There is no Authoritative way to keep out pluralities of Religions. For if the whole power of Church-Government be in the Congregation-Independently, then let a Congregation set up what Religion they think fit, there is no Authoritative Church-remedy left to hinder them.
4. There is no Authoritative way for unity and uniformity in Church-administrations, which doth inevitably lay stumbling blocks before weak Christians, and holds them in suspence, not knowing to what Congregation to joyn, because they see such different wayes of administration of Ordinances.
5. There is no relief when a Congregation is destitute of a Minister, in point of Ordination, but the succeeding Minister is left to be examined and ordained by the people of the Congregation that chose him. And so also when a Congregation becomes hereticall, and in other such cases.
6. If any of their Ministers preach out of their own Congregation, he preacheth only as a gifted brother; neither can he, (as we conceive) according to their own Principles, administer the Sacraments out of his own Congregation, or perform any other act of office. Although we believe some of them do so, contrary to their own principles herein.
9. That the Presbyteriall Government is a Government that tends not at all to the destruction of any, but for the good and edification of all. There are three chief ends of this Government.
1. To keep the Churches of Christ in unity amongst themselves.
2. To keep them in purity and holinesse; it is Christs Fan, to purge his floor; and his Beesom to sweep out of his house every thing that offends.