constant_a carry_v on_o of_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n such_o church_n be_v acknowledge_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o protestant_a church_n but_o some_o in_o latter_a time_n do_v make_v a_o question_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o church_n that_o there_o be_v national_a church_n do_v appear_v first_o from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v we_o that_o man_n be_v make_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n that_o man_n be_v fit_v for_o society_n and_o the_o great_a end_n why_o he_o be_v so_o be_v that_o in_o society_n he_o may_v carry_v on_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o as_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v we_o that_o lesser_a society_n ought_v to_o carry_v on_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o conjunction_n so_o that_o kingdom_n and_o country_n shall_v join_v together_o in_o promote_a and_o advance_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n it_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o that_o be_v one_o people_n shall_v unite_n together_o in_o carry_v on_o god_n worship_n and_o shall_v have_v power_n to_o regulate_v and_o govern_v the_o several_a part_n of_o that_o body_n nature_n teach_v that_o every_o kingdom_n shall_v see_v that_o the_o worship_n and_o ordinance_n of_o god_n be_v attend_v in_o the_o several_a congregation_n therein_o 2_o dly_z from_o god_n appoint_v the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v one_o church_n act._n 7.38_o and_o god_n have_v not_o appoint_v any_o new_a form_n of_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v no_o other_o kind_n of_o church_n appoint_v now_o congregational_a church_n be_v no_o new_a kind_n of_o church_n but_o according_a to_o the_o old_a institution_n for_o euâ—…y_a synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o congregational_a church_n they_o have_v ecclesiastical_a rule_n and_o government_n in_o they_o they_o be_v call_v church_n by_o christ_n matth._n 18.17_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n institution_n do_v continue_v still_o appear_v partly_o because_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o national_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o be_v member_n of_o the_o national_a church_n and_o do_v attend_v jewish_a ordinance_n and_o thâ—…fore_o by_o institution_n christian_a congregation_n be_v not_o absolute_a but_o subordinate_a to_o a_o national_a church_n it_o be_v further_a evident_a because_o the_o jewish_a national_a church_n do_v not_o cease_v as_o their_o ceremony_n do_v because_o their_o date_n be_v out_o but_o because_o they_o reject_v christ_n rom._n 11.20_o have_v they_o keep_v god_n covenant_n they_o will_v have_v continue_v a_o national_a church_n to_o this_o day_n 3_o lie_v from_o the_o public_a covenant_n that_o be_v between_o god_n and_o a_o profess_v people_n god_n make_v a_o public_a covenant_n between_o he_o and_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n wherein_o he_o engage_v public_a prosperity_n unto_o they_o upon_o condition_n of_o their_o obedience_n and_o all_o profess_v country_n be_v under_o the_o same_o covenant_n for_o substance_n the_o promise_n and_o so_o the_o threaten_n declare_v be_v of_o force_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o we_o have_v the_o like_a encouragement_n to_o obedience_n that_o they_o have_v and_o be_v in_o the_o like_a danger_n in_o case_n of_o â—…sobedience_n god_n deal_v with_o profess_v country_n at_o this_o day_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o that_o covenant_n those_o promise_n will_v never_o be_v out_o of_o date_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n god_n make_v the_o same_o to_o israel_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o restoration_n this_o abundant_o witness_v that_o every_o christian_a nation_n be_v a_o church_n if_o god_n have_v make_v a_o covenant_n with_o they_o upon_o condition_n of_o obedience_n than_o they_o be_v a_o society_n in_o covenant_n with_o god_n than_o they_o be_v one_o body_n in_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o the_o whole_a have_v power_n over_o the_o part_n and_o they_o be_v invest_v with_o sufficient_a authority_n to_o see_v the_o covenant_n keep_v if_o they_o be_v in_o covenant_n and_o have_v not_o power_n to_o make_v the_o several_a part_n to_o keep_v covenant_n the_o covenant_n will_v be_v a_o snare_n to_o they_o particular_a society_n may_v bring_v guilt_n upon_o they_o and_o they_o will_v have_v no_o power_n to_o remove_v it_o if_o they_o be_v all_o engage_v in_o one_o individual_a covenant_n the_o country_n have_v power_n to_o regulate_v all_o maleadministration_n that_o any_o of_o the_o part_n be_v guilty_a of_o if_o they_o be_v in_o one_o individual_a covenant_n they_o be_v as_o one_o body_n expouse_v by_o god_n the_o people_n of_o god_n the_o flock_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o one_o church_n here_o be_v all_o that_o make_v israel_n to_o be_v a_o church_n therefore_o such_o a_o people_n be_v a_o church_n 4_o lie_v from_o the_o promise_n that_o god_n have_v make_v of_o make_v gentile_a nation_n to_o be_v his_o people_n god_n do_v not_o only_o promise_v to_o set_v up_o soâ—…_n church_n among_o the_o gentile_n but_o to_o take_v whole_a nation_n into_o covenant_n with_o himself_o isa_n 24.22_o and_o it_o be_v express_o foretell_v by_o christ_n that_o whole_a nation_n shall_v receive_v the_o gospel_n and_o become_v church_n matth._n 21.43_o yea_o the_o scripture_n declare_v that_o when_o israel_n be_v convert_v they_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o same_o covenant_n as_o former_o the_o same_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o they_o in_o eâ—…iel_n as_o the_o fruit_n of_o their_o obedience_n as_o be_v make_v to_o they_o in_o deutrenomy_n and_o if_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n will_v be_v one_o church_n when_o they_o be_v restore_v than_o it_o will_v be_v so_o with_o every_o other_o christian_a nation_n the_o difference_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v now_o abolish_v 5._o because_o the_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a authority_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o particular_a congregation_n if_o there_o be_v no_o national_a church_n than_o every_o particular_a â—…ngregation_n be_v absolute_a and_o independent_a and_o not_o responsable_a to_o â—…y_v high_a power_n this_o be_v too_o lordly_a a_o principle_n it_o be_v too_o ambitious_a a_o thing_n for_o every_o small_a congregation_n to_o arrogate_v such_o a_o uncontrollable_a power_n and_o to_o be_v accountable_a to_o none_o on_o earth_n this_o be_v neither_o a_o probable_a way_n for_o the_o peace_n of_o church_n nor_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o church_n member_n appeal_v 〈◊〉_d admit_v in_o all_o kingdom_n and_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a that_o in_o a_o whâ—…_n country_n person_n may_v be_v find_v that_o may_v rectify_v the_o miscarriaâ—…_n of_o particular_a congregation_n than_o that_o particular_a congregation_n will_v not_o miscarry_v this_o absoluteness_n of_o particular_a congregation_n be_v a_o dignity_n that_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v not_o enjoy_v this_o be_v not_o the_o common_a privilege_n of_o gospel_n church_n the_o primitive_a church_n be_v under_o the_o government_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o seem_v that_o god_n give_v they_o this_o power_n because_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o government_n can_v not_o then_o be_v practise_v the_o great_a part_n of_o all_o gentile_a nation_n lie_v in_o their_o heathenism_n obj._n 1_o we_o do_v find_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n any_o national_a church_n among_o the_o gentile_n answ_n the_o reason_n of_o that_o be_v not_o that_o national_a church_n be_v not_o according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o because_o there_o be_v no_o nation_n that_o do_v receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n though_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n gather_v among_o the_o gentile_n yet_o there_o be_v very_o few_o of_o they_o comparitive_o that_o do_v entertain_v the_o gospel_n the_o bulk_n of_o all_o the_o gentile_a nation_n lay_v in_o their_o heathenism_n during_o all_o that_o time_n that_o we_o have_v the_o history_n of_o in_o the_o scripture_n obj._n 2._o god_n have_v not_o appoint_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n any_o national_a officer_n as_o the_o high_a priest_n in_o israel_n nor_o any_o national_a place_n of_o worship_n as_o jerusalem_n therefore_o there_o be_v no_o national_a church_n answ_n 1._o to_o have_v one_o national_a officer_n over_o the_o â—…le_n be_v not_o essential_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o national_a church_n israel_n be_v a_o national_a church_n when_o they_o have_v no_o such_o national_a officer_n while_o the_o first_o bear_v do_v exercise_n the_o office_n of_o the_o priest_n before_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o levite_n to_o that_o work_n there_o be_v several_a sort_n of_o civil_a government_n none_o of_o which_o be_v essential_a to_o a_o republic_n the_o be_v of_o a_o national_a church_n do_v not_o necessitate_v this_o or_o that_o form_n of_o government_n if_o there_o be_v a_o national_a church_n it_o follow_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o to_o rule_n over_o the_o whole_a
but_o that_o this_o power_n shall_v reside_v either_o sole_o or_o principal_o in_o one_o man_n do_v not_o follow_v at_o all_o it_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v one_o supreme_a officer_n to_o be_v a_o type_n of_o christ_n but_o now_o there_o be_v no_o such_o occasion_n the_o church_n may_v be_v govern_v withoâ—…_n any_o such_o 2._o to_o have_v one_o national_a place_n of_o worship_n be_v but_o â—…cidental_a to_o a_o national_a church_n israel_n be_v a_o national_a church_n in_o egypt_n yet_o have_v no_o national_a place_n of_o worship_n all_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n beside_o that_o which_o be_v tipical_a may_v be_v attend_v in_o their_o synagogue_n the_o not_o have_v a_o national_a place_n of_o worship_n be_v no_o hindrance_n to_o their_o be_v govern_v by_o a_o natiâ—…_n authority_n there_o may_v be_v a_o national_a government_n as_o well_o wiâ—…_n as_o with_o a_o national_a place_n of_o worship_n this_o national_a church_n be_v to_o be_v divide_v into_o provincial_a and_o those_o again_o subdivide_v into_o classical_a the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v we_o to_o make_v such_o division_n of_o great_a political_a body_n that_o government_n may_v be_v more_o easy_o manage_v natural_a prudence_n teach_v man_n in_o the_o civil_a state_n to_o make_v such_o subordination_n of_o court_n of_o justice_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o common_a wealth_n this_o be_v according_a to_o the_o counsel_n which_o be_v give_v to_o moses_n by_o his_o father_n in_o â—aw_v and_o approve_v by_o god_n exod._n 18._o by_o the_o same_o rule_n that_o the_o whole_a be_v to_o rule_v over_o the_o part_n the_o great_a part_n be_v to_o rule_v over_o the_o lesser_a part_n for_o a_o great_a part_n be_v a_o whole_a respect_v the_o lesser_a part_n into_o which_o it_o be_v divide_v a_o county_n be_v a_o part_n with_o respect_n to_o a_o province_n but_o a_o whole_a with_o respect_n to_o the_o several_a congregation_n therein_o and_o according_o may_n exercise_n government_n over_o they_o yet_o with_o subordination_n to_o that_o authority_n that_o be_v over_o the_o whole_a a_o gradation_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n be_v found_v in_o the_o very_a law_n of_o nature_n obj._n if_o we_o grant_v a_o national_a church_n under_o the_o gospel_n we_o may_v as_o well_o grant_v a_o ecumenical_a church_n those_o that_o plead_v for_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o synod_n refer_v thing_n at_o last_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o ecumenical_a synod_n answ_n 〈◊〉_d be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o institute_v ecumenical_a church_n there_o be_v a_o â—…lick_a church_n but_o that_o note_n all_o those_o that_o profess_v the_o true_a religion_n but_o there_o be_v no_o institute_v ecumenical_a church_n for_o the_o several_a christian_a nation_n be_v not_o in_o the_o same_o covenant_n they_o be_v indeed_o in_o the_o same_o special_a covenant_n but_o not_o in_o the_o same_o individual_a covenant_n so_o it_o be_v here_o one_o nation_n may_v keep_v covenant_n while_o other_o nation_n brack_n covenant_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o institution_n for_o ecumenical_a synod_n if_o they_o can_v convene_v they_o have_v no_o authority_n their_o consultation_n may_v be_v of_o some_o use_n to_o other_o but_o they_o have_v no_o authority_n a_o national_a synod_n be_v the_o high_a ecclesiastical_a authority_n upon_o earth_n chap._n ix_o of_o the_o government_n of_o national_a churches_n such_o protestant_n as_o have_v acknowledge_v national_a church_n have_v be_v divide_v about_o the_o form_n of_o government_n to_o be_v practise_v among_o they_o some_o of_o they_o be_v for_o a_o mix_a government_n partly_o by_o arch-bishop_n and_o bishop_n and_o partly_o by_o synod_n so_o the_o church_n of_o england_n some_o have_v govern_v by_o a_o synod_n alone_o so_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n and_o this_o government_n seem_v most_o consonant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n synod_n have_v be_v general_o acknowledge_v in_o all_o church_n but_o upon_o differ_v ground_n some_o have_v found_v they_o upon_o that_o rule_n of_o prudence_n prov._n 24.66_o in_o the_o multitude_n of_o counsellor_n there_o be_v safety_n but_o if_o they_o be_v ground_v upon_o this_o they_o have_v no_o other_o work_n but_o to_o counsel_n and_o advise_v and_o they_o can_v have_v no_o authority_n all_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n do_v depend_v upon_o a_o institution_n their_o authority_n must_v be_v derive_v from_o god_n some_o do_v find_v it_o upon_o that_o example_n act._n 15._o but_o this_o be_v not_o proper_o a_o synod_n this_o be_v not_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o many_o church_n but_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n together_o with_o the_o brethren_n yet_o no_o doubt_n but_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v part_n of_o that_o assembly_n have_v the_o power_n of_o a_o synod_n but_o the_o foundation_n of_o synod_n be_v partly_o that_o public_a covenant_n which_o be_v between_o god_n and_o his_o people_n partly_o his_o institution_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o partly_o the_o rule_n lay_v down_o for_o the_o church_n to_o walk_v by_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n 1._o this_o public_a covenant_n show_v that_o the_o whole_a must_v rule_v the_o part_n the_o rule_n and_o government_n do_v fundamental_o belong_v unto_o the_o church_n the_o church_n have_v a_o right_a to_o govern_v itself_o thus_o it_o be_v original_o with_o all_o nation_n as_o to_o their_o civil_a government_n so_o also_o as_o to_o ecclesiastical_a and_o therefore_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o government_n must_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o some_o that_o do_v legal_o represent_v the_o whole_a if_o it_o be_v not_o by_o some_o that_o represent_v the_o whole_a than_o the_o whole_a do_v not_o govern_v the_o ruler_n must_v be_v the_o representation_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n thus_o it_o be_v with_o a_o synod_n they_o be_v either_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o several_a church_n if_o the_o country_n be_v not_o too_o numerous_a or_o such_o as_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o elder_n if_o the_o country_n be_v large_a and_o numerous_a and_o these_o be_v a_o legal_a representation_n of_o the_o church_n the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v choose_v to_o thâ—…_n office_n to_o be_v ruler_n of_o the_o several_a church_n and_o in_o case_n there_o be_v need_n they_o have_v power_n to_o select_v out_o of_o themselves_o such_o a_o company_n as_o may_v convenient_o meet_v with_o who_o their_o power_n shall_v be_v entrust_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v that_o the_o government_n must_v be_v commit_v to_o such_o a_o number_n as_o shall_v not_o be_v uncapable_a by_o reason_n of_o their_o number_n to_o assemble_v and_o discourse_v together_o for_o otherwise_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n will_v not_o be_v a_o thing_n practicable_a thus_o it_o be_v not_o with_o bishop_n they_o do_v not_o legal_o represent_v the_o church_n for_o they_o be_v not_o choose_v by_o the_o church_n they_o be_v not_o person_n elect_v by_o the_o church_n to_o act_n in_o their_o behalf_n but_o be_v put_v into_o their_o office_n by_o civil_a authority_n and_o how_o can_v they_o represent_v the_o church_n who_o do_v not_o desire_v any_o authority_n from_o the_o church_n and_o second_o their_o office_n be_v not_o of_o divine_a institution_n and_o how_o can_v they_o who_o be_v not_o of_o divine_a appointment_n legal_o represent_v the_o church_n those_o who_o office_n be_v not_o acknowledge_v in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n can_v legal_o represent_v the_o church_n of_o god_n 2._o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o counsel_n of_o seventy_o two_o person_n some_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o jew_n have_v both_o a_o ecclesiastical_a and_o a_o civil_a sanedrim_n this_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o christ_n time_n they_o have_v a_o council_n that_o do_v consist_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o priest_n act._n 14.6_o and_o 22.30_o and_o that_o god_n appoint_v the_o priest_n and_o other_o judge_n to_o join_v together_o in_o hear_v of_o controversy_n deut._n 19.17_o so_o also_o that_o there_o be_v a_o assembly_n of_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n appoint_v by_o jehoshaphat_n to_o hear_v ecclesiastical_a cause_n 2_o chron._n 19.8_o and_o that_o the_o high_a priest_n be_v over_o they_o in_o those_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n v._o 11._o by_o these_o thing_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o assembly_n of_o the_o principal_a man_n of_o the_o church_n christ_n jesus_n do_v approve_v of_o their_o form_n of_o government_n that_o be_v in_o his_o time_n matth._n 23.2,3_o by_o priest_n scribes_z pharisees_n by_o this_o it_o be_v not_o only_o evident_a that_o the_o government_n of_o a_o national_a or_o provincial_a church_n by_o a_o assembly_n of_o its_o principal_a elder_n be_v a_o proper_a suitable_a and_o hopeful_a way_n
but_o likewise_o that_o this_o way_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o christian_a nation_n see_v no_o other_o provision_n be_v make_v for_o their_o government_n many_o of_o the_o appointment_n that_o god_n make_v for_o the_o jewish_a church_n do_v continue_v in_o force_n still_o and_o this_o among_o the_o rest_n no_o other_o provision_n be_v make_v yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o our_o assembly_n must_v have_v any_o stand_a precedent_n as_o the_o jewish_a assembly_n have_v their_o high_a priest_n who_o be_v their_o precedent_n and_o be_v a_o type_n of_o christ_n neither_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o we_o be_v limit_v to_o the_o same_o number_n that_o they_o be_v circumstance_n be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o a_o variation_n in_o such_o case_n 3._o the_o appointment_n of_o christ_n that_o teach_v and_o rule_v elder_n shall_v govern_v the_o church_n show_v the_o power_n of_o synod_n these_o be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n to_o be_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o heb._n 13.17_o there_o be_v no_o other_o appoint_v to_o be_v ruler_n of_o the_o church_n since_o the_o age_n of_o the_o apostle_n therefore_o the_o government_n of_o the_o national_a church_n must_v be_v in_o their_o hand_n none_o but_o they_o have_v any_o interest_n in_o the_o public_a government_n there_o be_v no_o warrant_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o intrust_v the_o government_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o other_o and_o there_o be_v sufficient_a warrant_n for_o they_o to_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o government_n of_o the_o national_a church_n and_o this_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n if_o there_o be_v a_o public_a covenant_n every_o church_n be_v bind_v in_o conjunction_n with_o other_o to_o see_v the_o covenant_n keep_v and_o their_o ruler_n with_o who_o their_o power_n be_v entrust_v be_v bind_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n to_o join_v with_o other_o to_o see_v their_o covenant_n keep_v so_o that_o their_o act_n in_o a_o synod_n be_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o new_a office_n a_o minister_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o ministerial_a function_n have_v power_n in_o conjunction_n with_o other_o to_o govern_v the_o national_a or_o provincial_a church_n obj._n if_o minister_n have_v a_o bond_n upon_o they_o to_o join_v with_o other_o in_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o national_a or_o provincial_a church_n than_o they_o seem_v in_o their_o own_o person_n to_o be_v bind_v to_o attend_v that_o service_n which_o if_o all_o shall_v do_v in_o national_a synod_n the_o synod_n will_v be_v so_o large_a a_o body_n that_o they_o can_v not_o discourse_n together_o and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o intolerable_a prejudice_n to_o their_o congregation_n be_v much_o deprive_v of_o their_o labour_n answ_n the_o power_n of_o entrust_v delegate_n be_v warrant_v by_o the_o light_n and_o law_n of_o nature_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o it_o for_o the_o good_a government_n of_o society_n and_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o a_o particular_a institution_n in_o this_o case_n the_o necessity_n of_o humane_a affair_n do_v require_v that_o government_n be_v entrust_v with_o such_o a_o number_n that_o it_o may_v be_v manage_v to_o advantage_n to_o the_o public_a neither_o be_v there_o any_o hazard_n of_o be_v involve_v in_o guilt_n by_o such_o a_o method_n a_o select_a number_n of_o the_o most_o prudent_a and_o holy_a of_o the_o elder_n be_v as_o likely_a to_o govern_v the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n as_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o a_o nation_n chap._n x._o of_o the_o power_n of_o synod_n the_o power_n of_o synod_n do_v consist_v principal_o in_o these_o thing_n 1._o they_o be_v to_o teach_v the_o people_n they_o be_v to_o hold_v forth_o light_a unto_o the_o church_n that_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o sandedrim_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n the_o will_n of_o god_n matth._n 23.2,3_o that_o be_v the_o special_a work_n of_o the_o levite_n deut._n 33.10_o that_o assembly_n mention_v act._n 15._o meet_v together_o to_o give_v light_n to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n it_o be_v very_o meet_v that_o synod_n do_v publish_v confession_n of_o faith_n not_o only_o to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o world_n and_o other_o christian_a kingdom_n of_o their_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n but_o especial_o to_o be_v a_o light_n unto_o the_o church_n to_o guide_v they_o in_o the_o way_n of_o life_n this_o have_v general_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o synod_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n they_o shall_v particular_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n and_o bear_v their_o testimony_n against_o those_o error_n that_o be_v spring_a up_o act._n 15.24_o it_o be_v meet_v also_o in_o case_n of_o corruption_n in_o manner_n that_o they_o do_v declare_v what_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n be_v and_o vindicate_v the_o rule_n that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o may_v root_v out_o such_o licentious_a principle_n as_o be_v prevail_v among_o the_o people_n and_o advise_v they_o to_o repent_v of_o such_o degeneracy_n as_o bring_v down_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n yet_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n or_o practice_v the_o rule_n hold_v forth_o by_o a_o synod_n because_o they_o be_v teach_v by_o they_o a_o synod_n be_v not_o infallible_a and_o therefore_o no_o rule_n or_o doctrine_n be_v to_o be_v take_v up_o on_o trust_n from_o they_o man_n do_v owe_v that_o respect_n to_o a_o synod_n as_o it_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n solemn_o to_o weigh_v the_o doctrine_n hold_v forth_o thereby_o but_o they_o be_v not_o to_o receive_v they_o by_o a_o implicit_a faith_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o prove_v all_o thing_n and_o if_o a_o man_n do_v practice_v against_o the_o light_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n because_o a_o synod_n have_v otherwise_o determine_v he_o great_o sin_n rom._n 14.23_o the_o synod_n may_v direct_v he_o in_o a_o wrong_a way_n and_o no_o man_n can_v be_v bind_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v forbid_v deut._n 13.3_o 2._o they_o be_v to_o bind_v and_o loose_v to_o inflict_v ecclesiastical_a censure_n or_o to_o take_v they_o off_o the_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a authority_n must_v have_v power_n of_o judgement_n that_o so_o there_o may_v no_o public_a guilt_n lie_v upon_o the_o church_n if_o they_o have_v not_o power_n of_o judgement_n particular_a person_n may_v be_v oppress_v by_o the_o rigour_n of_o presbytery_n and_o many_o irregularity_n commit_v by_o the_o church_n whereby_o the_o country_n do_v become_v guilty_a and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o sufficient_a way_n to_o deliver_v the_o land_n from_o guilt_n synod_n have_v power_n to_o admonish_v to_o excommunicate_v and_o deliver_v from_o those_o censure_n and_o every_o man_n must_v stand_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o national_a synod_n deut._n 17.12_o they_o be_v to_o judge_n in_o case_n of_o complaint_n when_o any_o person_n judge_n himself_o wrong_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n and_o complain_v to_o a_o synod_n they_o be_v to_o hear_v the_o case_n and_o upon_o the_o hear_n of_o it_o not_o to_o advise_v the_o church_n either_o to_o confim_v the_o sentence_n or_o to_o take_v it_o off_o but_o if_o there_o be_v occasion_n they_o be_v to_o take_v off_o the_o sentence_n and_o restore_v the_o man_n unto_o his_o privilege_n they_o be_v to_o judge_v in_o case_n of_o other_o complaint_n if_o any_o man_n have_v a_o complaint_n against_o another_o and_o can_v obtain_v a_o hear_n in_o the_o church_n that_o he_o belong_v unto_o or_o if_o the_o elder_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v complain_v of_o for_o any_o maladministration_n or_o if_o a_o church_n with_o the_o elder_n be_v complain_v of_o for_o heresy_n or_o other_o scandalous_a corruption_n the_o synod_n be_v to_o hear_v and_o judge_v the_o case_n and_o they_o may_v not_o only_o censure_v particular_a person_n but_o whole_a church_n also_o in_o case_n of_o need_n 3._o synod_n have_v power_n to_o oversee_v the_o call_n of_o person_n to_o the_o ministry_n and_o to_o appoint_v those_o who_o shall_v examine_v they_o if_o the_o synod_n have_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o hand_n though_o they_o shall_v not_o abridge_v congregation_n of_o their_o liberty_n yet_o they_o shall_v see_v that_o church_n act_n regular_o and_o that_o none_o shall_v be_v set_v in_o the_o ministry_n but_o such_o as_o be_v due_o qualify_v therefore_o it_o belong_v they_o to_o appoint_v meet_a person_n to_o examine_v such_o as_o be_v call_v to_o the_o ministry_n and_o to_o testify_v their_o approbation_n by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o hand_n tit._n 1.5_o the_o appoint_v of_o ceremony_n of_o worship_n be_v proper_o the_o work_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o make_n of_o order_n concern_v the_o external_a concernment_n of_o the_o church_n be_v proper_o the_o work_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n but_o the_o appointment_n of_o such_o as_o shall_v oversee_v the_o call_n of_o person_n to_o the_o ministry_n do_v proper_o belong_v to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n finis_fw-la