Truths Victory Over Error, Chapter 31
CHAP. XXXI. Of Synods and Councils.
Question I.
OUght there to be such Assemblies for the Government and further edification of the Church, as are called Synods and Councils?
Yes. Acts 15. 2, 4, 6.
Are the decrees and determinations of Councils, and Synods, if consonant to the Word of GOD, to be received with reverence, and submission, not only for their agreement with the Word, but also for their power, whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of GOD appointed thereunto in his Word?
Yes. Acts 15: 15, 19, 24, 27, 28, 29; 30, 31. Acts 16, 4. Matth. 18. 17, 18, 19, 20:
Well then, do not the …unists and Independents err, who maintain; that every particular Congregation, or church hath in it self, the full power of church Government for exercising the whole power of the keyes, without subordination, or subjection to any Classical or Synodical Meeting: and that Presbytries, and Synods, have only a power of counselling, advising, and exhorting, but no power of Iurisdiction, to command or enjoyn any thing in the Lord, to particular churches or congregations?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
(1) Because, the Apostolick church referred all weightier matters, which did equally concern many Congregations, to the free suffrages, and votes of the Apostles, Pastors, and select Brethren, and not to the determination of any one particular church, or congregation; Acts 15. 23, 24, 25. Acts 6. 2, 3. (2) Because, it is evident from Scripture, that there have been many particular churches, and congregations subordinate to one Presbytrie. For, in the church of Ierusalem, it is manifest, that there were more than one congregation. First, from the multitude of Believers, who were of a greater number than could be of one Congregation, for hearing the Word, and communicating; Acts 2. 41, 42. Acts 5. 14. Acts 6. 1, 2 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Acts 21. 20. (3) From the multitude of Pastors, and Ministers, whose pains and labours many churches required; Acts 1: 12. 13, 14, 26. Acts 2. 1, 14, 37, 42. Acts 4: 31, 34, 35, 37. Acts 6. 2. Acts 8: 14: (4) From the diversity of Tongues among the Disciples at Ierusalem, which were given, not only for the edification of those that were of that Church; but also for signs and wonders to others, who were without, and not of that Church. (5) It is manifest from this, that in those dayes, they had no churches, or meeting houses built, but only met and conveened in private houses, and upper rooms.
The same is also true of the church of Antioch, Ephesus, and Corinth, from the Acts of the Apostles; and other places of Scripture. But all these congregations were ruled and governed by one Colledge of Pastors.
(1) Because, all these particular Congregations, are called but one church; Acts 18: 22: Acts 12, 5: (2) Because, in that one church, there were church Presbyters, who were called Governours, not of any one particular congregation, but of the church, which was made up of many particular churches; Acts 20. 17: Acts 15: 2: 3: Acts 13: 1, 2, 3: (3) Because, these Presbyters did meet together for governing the church, and performed Acts of Iurisdiction, which concerned the whole church in common; Acts 11: 30: compared with chapter 4: 35, 37: And Acts 21: 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25: and Acts 13: 1, 2, 3: (4) Because, there is a particular example of a Synod, which had the power of Iurisdiction, and which consisted, and was made up of members, out of diverse Classical Conventions: For when the Question about circumcision, and the keeping of Moses Law, which troubled the Churches of Syria, Cilicia, Antioch, and Ierusalem, could not be determined in their own particular churches, the matter was referred to a Synod of Apostles and Presbyters, who met at Ierusalem, which decided the controversy, and appointed their decrees to be obligatory, and binding to all these foresaid churches; Acts 15. Acts 16. 4. Acts 21. 25. (5) Because, the Iewish church, which was a politick body, had in every city Synagogues subordinate to one supream council, or great Synagogue which was at Ierusalem▪ Deut. 17. 8, 12. 2 chron. 19. 8. 11. Exod: 18. 22, 26. Seing therefore, dangers and difficulties for the preventing, and healing of which, the Lord hath appointed and set up, in that church such a government, may be as great, if not greater in his church, under the New Testament than was then: and seeing the Lord has no less consulted the good of his church now, than he did of old; it follows, that there must be councils, no less under the New Testament than under the old, to which, particular churches ought to be subordinate. (6) From the Light of Nature, and right Reason: for the Law of Nature directs to a diversity of courts; namely, where there is any Rule or Government in a city or common-wealth, and orders the inferiour courts to be subordinate to the superiour, the lesser to the greater, and Appeals to be made from them to the greater. And in bodies both Natural and Politick the parts ought to be subject to the whole, for the good of both. Besides there are, and will be very many Ecclesiastick affairs which will concern many Congregations equally and alike, which cannot be determined by any one. (2) Because, the Pastors and Presbyters of particular Congregations will stand in need each one of anothers help, and assistance mutually. (3) Because, cases and difficulties may occur, more intangled, and intricate, than can be settled and composed by the Governours of any one Congregation. (4) Seing particular Congregations which ly nigh one to another, ought to shun divisions, and differences, and to live in peace and unity, it follows manifestly, that there ought to be Synods or Councils, consisting of the Presbyters of many particular congregations, which ought to be subordinate, to these Councils, and Synods. (5) From Christs own precept, and command, Tell the Church; Matth. 18. 15, 16, 17. For if our blessed Lord appointed, that for a single brothers offence, (he trespassing against GOD, or his brother, for gaining of him, and removing the Scandal) he be brought before the church, it follows by consequence, that the same course ought to be taken, when any one particular Congregation, offends against another, and remains obstinate in their scandalous Opinion, and Practise. For our blessed Lord, hath sufficiently prescribed a Remedy in this place, for removing of all Scandals, and Offences, whether of one brother against another, or of one Congregation against another. Nay, surely, since Christ hath consulted so much the conversion of one brother, that hath sinned, and gone astray; much more will he look to the good, and conversion of a whole Congregation. (6) Because, any one single congregation, with one Pastor only, hath not the power of Ordination, an instance whereof cannot be given, either from Precept, or Practise, in all the New Testament. Nay, the Ordination of Ministers, in the New Testament, was alwayes performed by a Colledge of Pastors associate together; Acts 6. 6. Acts 13. 1, 2, 3. 1 Tim. 4. 14. (7) Because, from this doctrine of the Independents these and the like absurdities will follow.
First, that the Prophets must be censured, and judged by way of authority, not by other Prophets, but by the multitude: and vulgar of the Congregation, which is contrary to 1 Cor 14. 32.
(2) That all the Councils, in the times of the Apostles, which were convocated upon necessary occasions for matters which concerned many churches alike, were but during the time, and extraordinary, and so not obliging succeeding churches, though the occasions, and causes, why these Councils were convocated then, are, and will be to the end of the world. (3) That private Believers, must be the Bishops of their own Bishops, Watch-men of their own Watch-men. No communion or fellowship among Ecclesiastick Ministers. That single and particular churches, though they have defiled, and pudled themselves, with the most black, and ugly Heresies, with the most abominable faults, and vices, yet are not lyable to any Ecclesiastick Censure, but must be refered, to the immediate judgement of Christ, at the last Day. (4) That a Colledge of Pastors, and Presbyters conveened together from several congregations, shall have no more power of the keyes of the kingdom of Heaven, than any one particular man, that is able to look to the good of his brother. (5) That a Pastor, out of his own Congregation, hath no power to administer the Sacraments, or to preach the Word, or exerce any Ministerial Act. From which Absurdities, it follows evidently, that this kind of Church Government labours under a manifest defect of the Means of Propagating the Gospel. (6) That Christ, hath as many visible bodies, as there are particular congregations. That Men and Women, are to be accounted Members only of a particular congregation, and not of the Church-Catholick. And that those who are excomunicated, are only casten out of a particular congregation not out of the Church Universal.
Quest. II.
MAY not the Ministers of the Church of themselves, by vertue of their office, meet in Assemblies, with other fit Persons upon delegation from their Churches, when Magistrates are open enemies to the Christian Religion?
Yes. Acts 15. 2, 4, 22, 23, 25.
Well then, do not the Erastians err, who maintain, that the Ministers of the Gospel have no right or power in themselves, or by vertue of their office to meet in a Synod, or Council?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
(1) Because, the Church of GOD, in the primitive times, had power in themselves, to convocate their own Assemblies, for Worship and Government, not only without, but against the consent of the civil Magistrate, as is evident from the Acts of the Apostles, and Church Histories. (2) Though the power, and right of meeting in church Assemblies be visible in the constitution, and exercise, yet it is intrinseck and within the church, as well as the power of Preaching.
Quest. III.
MAY Magistrates lawfully call a Synod of Ministers, and other fit persons to consult, and advise with, about matters of Religion?
Yes Isa. 49. 23. 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. Matth. 2. 4, 5. Prov. 11. 14.
Well then, do not the Papists err, who maintain, that the civil Magistrate hath no right or power to convocate Synods, or Councils, but that it belongs to the Bishop to convocate Diocesian Synods; To the Metropolitan to convocate Provincial Synods; To the Primate and Patriarch to convocate National Synods: To the Pope onelyonly to convocate and call Oecumenick and general Synods?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
(1) Because, under the Old Testament, Councils, and Synods were appointed and called by godly Kings; 1 Kings 8. 1. 2 Kings 23. 1. 2 chron. 29. 4. (2) Because, it is the duty of the civil Magistrate being born within the church, to take care that Peace and Unity be preserved and keeped in the Church: that the Truth and Word of GOD, be intirely, and soundly Preached and obeyed: that blasphemies and heresies be kept under and supprest; that all corruptions in Worship and Discipline be reformed: that all GODS Ordinances be lawfully established, administred, and preserved. And if it should happen, that both Church and State Iudicaturies, should make an universal defection from the purity of doctrine and worship received and acknowledged, it is the duty of a godly King, by vertue of his Regal Power, and Authority, to set about a work of Reformation, and to call and command all ranks of People to return to the true Worship and Service of GOD; Isa. 45. 23. Psalm 122. 7, 8: 9. Ezra 7: 23, 25, 26, 27, 28. Levit. 24. 16. Deut. 13. 5, 6, 12. 1 chron. 13. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 2 Kings 23. from the first verse to the 26. (3) From the example of Constantine, that did convocate the first Nicene council: From Theodosius the elder, that did call the first council of Constantinople: From Theodosius the younger, that did call the first council at Ephesus: From Martianus, that did call the Chalcedon council.
Quest. IV.
MAY all Synods or Councils since the Apostles dayes err?
Yes.
And have not many actually erred?
Yes.
Well then, doth not the Popish Church err, who maintain, that councils confirmed, and solemnised by the Popes authority, cannot err, neither in explaining Doctrines of Faith, nor in delivering Precepts, and Rules of Manners, common to the whole Church?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
(1) Because, all the Priests, Levites, and Prophets of the Iewish church, who had the same Promises which the Christian church hath now under the New Testament; (1 Cor. 10. 3, 4. 2 Sam. 7. 16. Isaiah 49. 15, 16.) together with the High Priest have sometimes erred, as is clear from the following Scriptures; Isaiah 56. 10, 11. Ierem. 6. 13. Ierem. 14. 14. Hos. 9. 7, 8, 9. Mic. 3. 9. The Lords Prophets that were immediately guided, and inspired by him, must be excepted. (2) Because, councils under the Old Testament, lawfully called, have often-times erred; 2 Sam. 6. 6. 3. Ier. 26. 7, 8, 9. 1 Kings 22. 6. And under the New Testament; Iohn 9. 35. Iohn 11. 47, 48, 52. Matth. 26, 57, 59, 65, 66. Acts 4. 5, 6, 17, 18. (3) Because, the Pope cannot shew a proof of infallibility; Rom. 3. 4. (4) Because, it is foretold in the New Testament, that many Pastors, and Teachers shall become false Prophets, and turn Seducers; and that Antichrist shall sit in the Temple of GOD, shewing himself that he is God; Mat. 24. 11, 24. Acts 20. 29, 30. 2 Peter 2. 1. 2 Thes. 2. 4. (5) It is most evident, that many councils approven and authorized by the Pope, have most foully erred, and that some have openly contradicted others.