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    church, & so one from another as they please, nor wthout just

    & weighty cause, but ought to live & dwell togeather,

    forsasmuch as they are commanded not to forsake the

    assembling of themselves togeather(a). Such departure

    tends to the ruine & dissolucion of the body, as the pulling

    of stones, or pieces of Timber from the building, &

    of members from the natural body tends to the disso=

    lucion of the whole. (a) Heb.10.25.

    2

      It is therefore the duty of church members of such tymes &

    places when counsell may be had, to consult wth the

    churches whereof they are members, about their remoovall,

    that accordingly they having their approbacion may be In=

    courage, or otherwise desist. They who are joined wth

    consent should not depart wthout consent, except

    forced thereunto.

    3

      If a members departure be manifestly unsafe and

    sinfull, the church may not consent thereunto: For in so

    doing they should not act in faith, & should ptake

    wth him in his sinne. If the case be doubtfull, and

    the pson not to be pswaded, it seemeth best to leave

    the matter unto God, & not forcibly to deteyne him.

    4

      Just reasons for a members remoovall of himselfe from

    ye church, are 1. If a man can not continue wthout

    ptaking in sinne(a). 2ly In case of psonall psecucion,

    so Paul depted from ye disciples at Damascus(b). Also

    in case of general psecucion, when all are scattered(c).

    3ly In case of reall & not only pretended want of

    competent subsistence, a dore being opened for better

    supply in another place, togeather wth ye meanes of spirituall

    edificacion. In these or like cases a member may

    lawfully remoove, & ye church can not lawfully deteyne

    him. (a) Eph.5.11. (b) Act.9.25. (c) Act.8.1,2.

    5

      To separate from a church, either out of contempt of