The Due Right of Presbyteries, Chapter 10 · Section 15 · Objection 3 – Objection 4
Object. 3. This is a patterne of all lawfull Synods, then may all lawfull Synods say; It seemed good to the holy Ghost, and to us: if therefore the men might erre, the leader, to wit, the holy Ghost might erre, which is absurd.
Answ. It followeth onelyonly that all lawfull Synods should so proceed, as they may say, It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us, and there is a wide difference betwixt Law and Fact, all are lawfull Synods conveened in the name and authoritie of Christ, and so by warrant of the holy Ghost speaking in his Word; but it followeth not (as Papists inferre, and this argument proveth) that therefore all which de facto, those lawfully assembled Synods doe and conclude, that they are the doings and conclusions of the holy Ghost, and that in them all, they may say, It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us. 2. The consequence is false and blasphemous, that if all lawfully conveened Synods may not say, It seemed good to the holy Ghost and us, that therefore the holy Ghost is fallible, and may erre, but onelyonly that men in the Synod following their owne Ghost, and spirit, can say no more but, it seemed good to our Ghost and spirit, and cannot say, it seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us: for an ordinary Pastor lawfully called and preaching sound doctrine in the power and assistance of Gods spirit doth speake in that act from the holy Ghost, and yet because in other acts, wherein with Nathan and Samuel hee may speake with his owne spirit, see with his owne eyes and light, it followeth not that he is infallible, or that the holy Ghost is infallible.
Object 4 Is the Apostles did not conclude in this Synod, what they … an Ap s…a …k spirit, it shall follow that the holy Ghost … 15. 28. is not that same holy Ghost of which Peter …, 2 Pet. 1. 21. But holy men of God spake as they were moved … Ghost, and if so, that holy Ghost which spake in the Pro… not also speake in the Apostles.
Answ. I see no necessitie of two holy Ghosts, 1 Cor. 12. 4. Now … …ersities of gifts, but the same Spirit, there be divers acts of the same holy Ghost, and I willingly contend that the Synodicall acts of Apostles and Elders in this Synod, though comming from the holy Ghost assisting them as Elders in an ordinary Synod, v. 28. are different from the acts of that same holy Ghost as immediatly inspiring the Prophets and Apostles in prophecying and penning canonick Scripture; and yet there bee not two holy Ghosts, for Paul did not beleeve in Christ by that same spirit which immediatly inspired him and the rest of the Apostles and Prophets to write canonick Scripture. … meane it is not the same operation of the Spirit, because Paul by the holy Ghost given to all the faithfull as Christians, and not given to them as canonicall writers, or as Apostles or immediatly inspired Prophets doth beleeve in Christ, love Christ, contend for the prise of the high calling of God, as is cleare Rom. …. 37, 38, 39. 1 Cor. 2. 12. 16. Phil. 3. 13. 14. 1 Cor. 9. 25. Yea Paul beleeveth not in Christ as an Apostle, but as a Christian, and yet hee beleeveth by the grace of the holy Ghost; but … followeth not that the same spirit which immediatly inspired the Prophets doth not immediatly inspire Paul as an Apostle, and all the rest of the Apostles.