choose_v its_o own_o servant_n phebe_n be_v call_v a_o servant_n of_o the_o church_n rom._n 6.2_o so_o be_v widow_n for_o they_o be_v not_o ordain_v so_o their_o sexton_n and_o such_o as_o shall_v oversee_v the_o building_n or_o any_o other_o servant_n that_o may_v be_v for_o the_o conveniency_n of_o the_o church_n this_o church_n privilege_n of_o choose_v officer_n do_v only_o belong_v to_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n the_o brethren_n be_v say_v to_o choose_v the_o deacon_n act._n 6.3_o and_o woman_n have_v not_o power_n in_o this_o matter_n 1_o cor._n 14.33_o let_v your_o woman_n keep_v silence_n in_o the_o church_n 1_o tim._n 2.12_o suffer_v not_o a_o woman_n to_o teach_v nor_o to_o usurp_v authority_n over_o the_o man_n it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o that_o state_n of_o subjection_n which_o god_n have_v put_v they_o into_o if_o they_o may_v vote_n they_o may_v over-rule_v the_o man_n and_o by_o the_o same_o rule_n those_o male_n that_o be_v not_o their_o own_o master_n as_o child_n that_o be_v not_o at_o their_o own_o dispose_n and_o servant_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v to_o vote_n in_o the_o church_n they_o that_o be_v not_o free_a be_v not_o to_o partake_v of_o this_o liberty_n chap._n v._o of_o the_o officer_n of_o congregational_a church_n and_o their_o power_n the_o officer_n of_o congregational_a church_n be_v either_o elder_n or_o deacon_n the_o elder_n be_v either_o teach_v elder_n or_o rule_v elder_n the_o work_n of_o the_o teach_v elder_n lie_v principal_o in_o these_o five_o thing_n they_o be_v to_o be_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o people_n to_o god_n both_o in_o the_o public_a assembly_n and_o private_o in_o case_n of_o sickness_n they_o be_v to_o preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n they_o be_v to_o administer_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n they_o together_o with_o the_o rule_v elder_n be_v to_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o they_o be_v to_o bless_v the_o people_n such_o learned_a man_n as_o be_v suitable_o qualify_v but_o not_o in_o office_n may_v upon_o occasion_n discharge_v some_o part_n of_o this_o work_n but_o there_o be_v some_o other_o part_n of_o it_o that_o they_o may_v not_o meddle_v with_o those_o act_n which_o be_v act_n of_o natural_a worship_n may_v be_v perform_v by_o they_o as_o pray_v and_o preach_v but_o such_o ministerial_a act_n as_o do_v depend_v whole_o upon_o institution_n they_o may_v not_o perform_v as_o the_o administration_n of_o sacrament_n the_o dispence_n of_o censure_n and_o a_o authoritative_a blessing_n these_o be_v perform_v only_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o institution_n therefore_o be_v to_o be_v do_v only_o according_a to_o a_o institution_n a_o teach_v elder_a by_o virtue_n of_o his_o relation_n to_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v bind_v to_o attend_v his_o work_n in_o that_o church_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o relation_n he_o have_v no_o authority_n to_o perform_v act_n of_o office_n to_o any_o other_o church_n or_o to_o the_o member_n of_o any_o other_o church_n assemble_v with_o his_o own_o church_n pastoral_a power_n over_o a_o particular_a church_n give_v he_o no_o power_n over_o any_o that_o be_v of_o that_o church_n his_o relation_n to_o they_o give_v he_o no_o power_n over_o any_o other_o but_o every_o man_n that_o be_v a_o pastor_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n stand_v in_o a_o more_o general_a relation_n as_o a_o minister_n of_o christ_n some_o that_o be_v not_o pastor_n to_o particular_a congregation_n be_v yet_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o every_o man_n that_o be_v a_o pastor_n to_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o relation_n he_o may_v do_v act_n of_o office_n to_o the_o member_n of_o other_o church_n occasional_o assemble_v with_o 〈◊〉_d own_o and_o towards_o other_o church_n be_v desire_v when_o he_o can_v convenient_o be_v spare_v from_o his_o own_o and_o towards_o particular_a person_n that_o be_v member_n of_o no_o church_n the_o levite_n be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n before_o they_o have_v relation_n to_o any_o particular_a synagogue_n paul_n have_v office_n power_n over_o the_o brethren_n as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o god_n act._n 26.17,18_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n send_v barnabas_n to_o antiock_n to_o officiate_v as_o a_o minister_n act._n 11._o and_o they_o that_o have_v authority_n to_o preach_v have_v also_o to_o baptise_v mat._n 28.19,20_o we_o find_v that_o paul_n do_v not_o baptise_v such_o as_o he_o bring_v over_o to_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o commit_v that_o work_n to_o some_o other_o inferior_a minister_n that_o be_v in_o company_n with_o he_o 1_o cor._n 1.14_o and_o this_o he_o do_v after_o the_o example_n of_o christ_n john_n 4.2_o there_o be_v need_n that_o some_o have_v office-power_n now_o to_o preach_v to_o the_o heathen_n as_o well_o as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o there_o may_v be_v several_a now_o that_o baptism_n do_v belong_v to_o as_o well_o as_o cornelius_n the_o eunuch_n and_o the_o jallor_n and_o other_o therefore_o there_o be_v some_o appoint_v by_o god_n for_o that_o service_n the_o teach_v officer_n be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n to_o baptise_v and_o administer_v the_o lord_n supper_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v make_v the_o judge_n by_o god_n what_o person_n those_o ordinance_n be_v to_o be_v administer_v to_o and_o it_o be_v not_o the_o work_n either_o of_o the_o brethren_n or_o rule_v elder_n any_o way_n to_o intermeddle_v in_o that_o affair_n or_o limit_v he_o we_o never_o read_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v advise_v with_o the_o church_n whether_o they_o shall_v baptise_v such_o as_o offer_v themselves_o as_o the_o administration_n of_o these_o ordinance_n be_v commit_v to_o they_o so_o the_o judge_a concern_v those_o who_o they_o be_v to_o be_v administer_v unto_o as_o they_o be_v to_o judge_v what_o subject_n to_o teach_v upon_o and_o as_o the_o deacon_n be_v to_o judge_v who_o be_v to_o be_v relieve_v so_o the_o minister_n be_v to_o judge_v who_o be_v to_o be_v baptise_a and_o admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n the_o rule_v elder_n be_v to_o join_v with_o the_o teach_v elder_n in_o rule_n and_o government_n these_o officer_n be_v call_v government_n 1_o cor._n 12._o such_o as_o rule_v rom._n 12._o distinguish_v from_o such_o as_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n 1_o tim._n 5._o the_o teach_v elder_n with_o the_o rule_v elder_n make_v the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o church_n with_o who_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v entrust_v the_o power_n of_o censure_v offender_n in_o the_o church_n and_o absolve_v of_o penitent_n do_v belong_v alone_o to_o these_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o to_o intermeddle_v with_o it_o the_o elder_n be_v to_o rule_v over_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v overrule_v by_o the_o brethren_n it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o elder_n to_o rule_v well_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v obedient_a to_o the_o elder_n therefore_o not_o to_o control_v they_o in_o their_o government_n heb._n 12.17_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v the_o power_n of_o government_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o hand_n hence_o we_o read_v of_o the_o ruler_n and_o chief_a ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n act._n 18._o deut._n 21.5_o the_o elder_n have_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n commit_v to_o they_o matth._n 16.18_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v a_o elder_a and_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v speak_v of_o as_o a_o personal_a reward_n of_o his_o profession_n obj._n matth._n 18.17_o tell_v it_o to_o the_o church_n this_o imply_v the_o power_n of_o the_o brethren_n answ_n 1._o by_o the_o church_n be_v mean_v the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n in_o distinction_n from_o the_o civil_a 2._o it_o be_v not_o harsh_a by_o the_o church_n to_o intend_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n see_v numb_a 24.25_o 3._o by_o the_o church_n must_v be_v mean_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n for_o this_o be_v a_o rule_n in_o the_o day_n when_o it_o be_v speak_v and_o there_o be_v now_o no_o church_n in_o be_v but_o the_o jewish_a church_n in_o which_o all_o the_o power_n of_o government_n be_v with_o the_o elder_n obj._n 1_o cor._n 5.1,4_o the_o church_n be_v order_v to_o cast_v out_o the_o incestuous_a person_n and_o 2_o cor._n 12._o his_o punishment_n be_v say_v to_o be_v inflict_v by_o many_o answ_n 1._o they_o may_v be_v only_o require_v to_o publish_v a_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n from_o paul_n 2._o it_o be_v common_a in_o scripture_n to_o attribute_v that_o which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o ruler_n to_o the_o public_a society_n as_o when_o god_n require_v that_o the_o people_n of_o judah_n do_v act_n of_o public_a justice_n he_o do_v not_o
be_v either_o congregational_a or_o that_o which_o consist_v of_o divers_a congregation_n a_o congregational_a church_n be_v a_o church_n that_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o appointment_n of_o god_n to_o assemble_v together_o in_o one_o place_n in_o a_o constant_a way_n for_o the_o celebration_n of_o his_o public_a worship_n a_o congregational_a church_n be_v a_o church_n consist_v of_o one_o congregation_n such_o we_o read_v of_o act._n 20.7_o 1_o cor._n 14.23_o the_o form_n of_o a_o congregational_a church_n be_v that_o they_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o appointment_n of_o god_n to_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n in_o a_o constant_a way_n for_o the_o celebration_n of_o his_o public_a worship_n some_o have_v think_v that_o the_o form_n of_o a_o congregational_a church_n be_v a_o church_n covenant_n explicit_a or_o implicit_a wherein_o they_o bound_v themselves_o to_o walk_v together_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v think_v that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n covenant_v with_o god_n be_v a_o foundation_n for_o this_o whereas_o that_o covenant_n of_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o all_o christian_n do_v make_v when_o they_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n we_o never_o read_v of_o any_o partiâ—…lar_a covenant_n make_v in_o the_o synagogue_n which_o answer_v to_o our_o congregation_n whereby_o the_o member_n of_o one_o synagogue_n be_v bind_v one_o to_o another_o it_o be_v plead_v that_o nothing_o else_o can_v bind_v aâ—…e_a people_n one_o to_o another_o but_o a_o ecclesiastical_a covenant_n but_o there_o 〈◊〉_d somewhat_o else_o that_o bind_v a_o free_a people_n in_o the_o same_o town_n to_o mutual_a subjection_n to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o town_n and_o though_o christian_n be_v a_o free_a people_n yet_o they_o have_v not_o a_o licentious_a liberty_n but_o be_v bind_v by_o god_n and_o likewise_o by_o their_o own_o profession_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o necessity_n of_o such_o a_o bond_n to_o distinguish_v one_o church_n from_o another_o and_o to_o avoid_v confusion_n of_o church_n we_o read_v of_o no_o such_o particular_a covenant_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o have_v no_o precept_n for_o it_o we_o have_v no_o precedent_n for_o it_o we_o read_v of_o many_o congregational_a church_n but_o there_o be_v no_o syllable_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n intimate_v any_o such_o thing_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o need_n of_o it_o the_o member_n of_o a_o congregation_n be_v bind_v to_o carry_v on_o the_o worship_n together_o this_o be_v god_n appointment_n that_o his_o people_n that_o live_v together_o shall_v carry_v on_o his_o worship_n together_o the_o christian_n at_o corinth_n be_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 1.2_o and_o the_o christian_n at_o ephesus_n be_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n order_n call_v for_o it_o that_o where_o man_n live_v there_o they_o join_v together_o to_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n of_o christ_n if_o a_o christian_a live_v in_o a_o town_n where_o there_o be_v a_o church_n he_o be_v immediate_o bind_v to_o join_v with_o that_o church_n and_o that_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o he_o to_o govern_v he_o and_o give_v he_o christian_a privilege_n there_o be_v some_o case_n wherein_o there_o be_v need_n of_o humane_a prudence_n in_o determine_v how_o many_o church_n shall_v be_v in_o some_o town_n some_o town_n arise_v to_o be_v numerous_a so_o that_o it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v be_v join_v in_o several_a society_n and_o some_o be_v so_o small_a and_o lie_v so_o near_o together_o that_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o two_o or_o more_o shall_v make_v one_o church_n in_o such_o case_n god_n have_v appoint_v that_o the_o bound_n of_o church_n be_v set_v either_o by_o general_n agreement_n or_o by_o order_n from_o authority_n but_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n that_o every_o member_n shall_v covenant_n particular_o with_o the_o church_n grant_v this_o particular_a covenant_n to_o be_v the_o form_n of_o a_o church_n and_o then_o a_o christian_a may_v continue_v a_o considerable_a time_n without_o any_o relation_n to_o a_o particular_a church_n though_o he_o live_v where_o there_o be_v a_o church_n and_o then_o a_o man_n may_v be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n for_o seven_o year_n together_o and_o live_v all_o that_o while_n in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n a_o covenant_n which_o he_o live_v in_o the_o continual_a breach_n of_o make_v a_o member_n at_o corinth_n and_o according_a to_o some_o give_v he_o a_o right_a to_o all_o ordinance_n grant_v this_o particular_a covenant_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v to_o seek_v what_o church_n many_o child_n do_v belong_v to_o the_o father_n be_v in_o covenant_n with_o one_o church_n the_o mother_n with_o another_o the_o child_n be_v baptise_a in_o a_o three_o and_o life_n in_o a_o four_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o particular_a covenant_n which_o be_v whole_o unscriptural_a be_v the_o â—…on_n that_o many_o among_o we_o be_v shut_v out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o church_n privilege_n do_v belong_v chap._n iu._n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o congregational_a church_n the_o great_a privilege_n of_o congregational_a church_n be_v to_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n they_o have_v a_o liberty_n give_v to_o they_o by_o god_n to_o choose_v suitable_a person_n to_o office_n they_o be_v limit_v to_o person_n fit_o qualify_v but_o the_o privilege_n of_o choose_v they_o do_v belong_v unto_o the_o church_n it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o the_o synagognes_n of_o the_o yews_n have_v liberty_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n if_o they_o be_v confine_v to_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n yet_o out_o of_o the_o levite_n they_o choose_v for_o themselves_o however_o thus_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o christian_a church_n the_o apostle_n order_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o deacon_n act._n 6.3,4_o they_o do_v not_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o prescribe_v who_o the_o person_n shall_v be_v and_o impose_v deacon_n on_o they_o but_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o the_o people_n nominate_v two_o out_o of_o which_o god_n choose_v one_o to_o be_v a_o apostle_n act._n 1.23_o beside_o it_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o all_o free_a society_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n such_o country_n as_o be_v conquer_v dont_fw-fr choose_v their_o own_o ruler_n nor_o such_o country_n where_o the_o government_n be_v hereditary_a but_o such_o as_o be_v free_a neither_o under_o the_o power_n of_o conqueroe_n nor_o the_o bond_n of_o a_o covenant_n do_v choose_v their_o own_o officer_n either_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o all_o the_o power_n that_o man_n have_v over_o a_o free_a people_n be_v by_o their_o own_o consent_n direct_o or_o indirect_o except_v such_o case_n wherein_o god_n be_v please_v to_o â—…oint_v ruler_n or_o some_o who_o shall_v appoint_v ruler_n over_o they_o god_n appoint_v aaron_n and_o his_o posterity_n to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o priesthood_n in_o israel_n but_o god_n have_v not_o appoint_v any_o officer_n in_o church_n now_o neither_o have_v he_o appoint_v any_o that_o shall_v impose_v officer_n over_o they_o but_o have_v leave_v they_o to_o their_o free_a choice_n yea_o where_o a_o church_n have_v teach_v or_o rule_v elder_n or_o both_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n that_o they_o shall_v consent_v to_o the_o choice_n if_o they_o do_v not_o consent_v yet_o if_o there_o be_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o major_a part_n the_o choice_n be_v vallid_a the_o officer_n ought_v to_o submit_v thereto_o unless_o they_o have_v some_o weighty_a objection_n the_o act_n of_o the_o major_a part_n be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o community_n that_o which_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o the_o community_n must_v not_o be_v wrest_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n it_o be_v beyond_o the_o power_n of_o the_o officer_n to_o disannul_v their_o act._n and_o as_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n so_o in_o case_n of_o need_n they_o have_v power_n to_o choose_v those_o that_o shall_v supply_v the_o want_n of_o officer_n for_o a_o time_n the_o church_n be_v entrust_v with_o sufficient_a power_n in_o order_n to_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o god_n work_n therefore_o in_o case_n of_o the_o vacancy_n of_o a_o pastor_n they_o may_v choose_v one_o to_o preach_v to_o they_o for_o a_o time_n in_o case_n they_o have_v no_o elder_n they_o may_v choose_v a_o moderator_n in_o case_n they_o have_v no_o deacon_n they_o may_v choose_v one_o to_o do_v the_o deacon_n work_v yea_o in_o case_n there_o be_v need_n they_o may_v choose_v some_o other_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o administer_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n or_o perform_v some_o act_n of_o government_n upon_o a_o particular_a occasion_n by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o a_o church_n may_v choose_v its_o own_o officer_n it_o may_v also_o
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