This I find is asserted by all Congregational Divines, or worthy men, i.e.
That no person hath power to dismember himself: i.e. He cannot, without
great sin, translate himself from one church to another; but ought to have
a dismission from that church where he is a member provided that church
is orderly constituted, nothing being wanting as to any essential of salvation;
or of church communion; But if not, yet he ought to endeavor to get his
orderly dismission. Nor is every small difference in some points of religion,
(or notions of the little moment,) any grounds for him to decide his dissmission.
That he cannot, nor ought not to translate himself, see what a reverend
writer saith: "He cannot, saith he, for many reasons:
1. It is not decent, much less an orderly going away, but very unmannerly,
and a kind of running away.
2. Such a departure is not approved of in families, or civil societies.
3. It destroys the relation of pastor and people: for what may be done by
one individual person, may be done by all.
4. What liberty in this kind belongs to the sheep, belongs to the shepherd;
much more he may then also leave his flock at his pleasure, without giving
notice or reason thereof to the church.
5. It is breaking covenant with Christ, and with the congregation, and therefore
a great immorality; he being under obligation to abide steadfastly with
the church; i.e. till the church judge he hath a lawful call to go to another
congregation.
6. It is a schism: for if there be any such thing in the world, it's of
particular societies.
7. It is a despising of the government of the church.
8. It is a particular member's assuming to himself the use of the keys;
or rather stealing of them.
9. There is as much reason persons should come into a church when they please,
without asking consent, as depart when they please.
10. It is a very evil and unkind in another church, to receive such an one,
as not doing as they would, or should be dealt with.
11. Such practices can issue in nothing else than the breach and confusion
of all particular churches; and make them like parishes.
12. Such departures cannot be pleaded for in the least, but upon the notion
of a catholic visible church, wherein all members and officers are run into
one organized church, which will, and must introduce, a coordinate (if not
a subordinate) pastorial government, by combination of elders, over all
the churches; and therefore by synods and classes.
13. It is like a leak in a ship, which, if not speedily stopped, will sink
at last.
14. It tends to anarchy, putting an arbitrary power in every member.
15. It breaks all bonds of love, and raiseth the greatest animosities between
brethren and churches.
16. It is a great argument of some guilt lying on the party." Thus
the Doctor. Again he saith, "It is no more in the just power of a particular
member to dissolve his church relation, than in a man to kill himself: but
by his said withdrawment he doth schismatically rend himself from his communion,
so separate himself sinfully."
Question. What is the just act of the church, that clothes this irregular
separation, with the formality as it were of an excommunication.
He answers. "(Calling) this a mixed excommunication i.e. originally
proceeding from, and consists in, the act of the brother himself, and is
the formality of his offence; upon which proceeds the just and unavoidable
act of the church. The judgment of the church publically declared by the
elder of the congregation; as the Dr. words it: viz. That A.B. having so
and so irregularly and sinfully withdrawn himself from the communion of
the congregation, we do now adjudge him a non-member, and one that is not
to communicate with the church, in the special ordinances of communion,
until due satisfaction is given by him." Yet we believe, as the Doctor's
opinion is, that a church may, (if they find the case to be warranted by
the Word of God; for as it may be circumstanced) give a dismission to a
member, when insisted on, to another regular church, though not in every
case of small offence, or dissent in some small points of different notions,
or from prejudice; for that may tend soon to dissolve any church: For what
church is it, where every member is of one mind in every particular case
and thing about notions of religion? And such that make divisions, and cause
schisms, or discord among brethren, to disturb the peace of the church,
if they cannot be reclaimed, must be marked, and dealt with as great offenders:
It being one of those things that God hates, and is an abomination to him.
Question. What is a full and lawful dissmission of a member to another church,
upon his removing his habitation, or on other warranted cases?
Answer. We answer a letter testimonial, or recommendation of the person;
and if he intends to abide there wholly, to give him up to that communion,
and fellowship, to be watched over in the Lord.