Essay Towards Brotherly Peace and Union, Essay · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI. Of Combination or Conſotiation of Churches into Claſſes or Synods.
Queſtion 1.
WHether is it lawful for particular Congregations, conſiſting of Elders and brethren, and walking with a right foot in the truth and peace of the Goſpel, to joyn together in conſotiation on combination of Churches?
Anſw. Though the Church of a particular Congregation, conſiſting of Elders and Brethren,Mr. Cotton. &c. be the firſt ſubject of all Church power needfull to be exerciſed within it ſelf, and conſequently be independent from any other Church or Synods in the uſe of it; yet it is lawful, yea it is an uſeful, ſafe and wholeſome, and holy Ordinance of Chriſt, and in ſome caſes neceſſary for ſuch particular Churches to joyn together in holy covenant or communion and conſotiation (ſo I think it was intended by the Author, though the printed copy ſay conſolation) amongſt themſelves to adminiſter all their Church affairs which are of weighty and difficult and common concernment, not without common conſultation and conſent of other Churches about them. Mr. Hookers Survey of diſcipline, preface A. 3. Mr. Cotton of the Keys pag. 54. line 27.
Queſt. 2. Why do ſome ſay this conſotiation of Churches is, uſeful?
Anſw. The conſotiation of Churches is not onelyonly lawful but uſeful, ſerving not alone to ſearch out the truth, but to ſettle the hearts of all that are ſincerely minded in a right apprehenſion of the ſame.Mr. Hooker. Mr. Hooker Survey of diſcipline, part 4. pag. 1. line 2.
When many, and thoſe ſelect and eminent, lay the beſt of their abilities together, improve their parts and prayers, diſquiſitions, conſultations, determinations to promote the knowledge and practice of the things of Chriſt, the eſtabliſhment of the Churches in the unity of the faith and their eternal peace. Mr. Hooker Survey of diſcipline, part 4. pag. 2. line 2.
Queſt. 3. Why do you ſay it is ſafe?
Anſw. It is ſafe; for in the multitude of Councellers there is ſafety, as in civil ſo in Church affairs, Prov. 11.14. Mr. Cottons Keys pag. 55. line 4.Mr. Cotton. The light of nature and right reaſon forceth men out of their own neceſſities and experiences to confeſs this that in multitude of Counſellers there is ſafety, Et plus vident oculi quam oculus, &c. The iſſue of the Councel evidenceth as much, Act. 16.4, 5. They delivered the decrees, &c. and the Churches were eſtabliſhed in faith. Mr. Hookers Survey of diſcipline, part 4. pag. 2. line 9.
Queſt. 4. But if the Church be of a good and ſtrong conſtitution and walk with a right foot in the truth and peace of the goſpel, what need of ſuch conſotiation?
Anſw. Though this or that particular Church may be of a good and ſtrong conſtitution, and walk with a right foot in the truth and peace of the Goſpel;Mr. Cotton, yet all Churches are not in a like athletick plight, and they that are not ſo, will be loth to call in, or look out for help as much or more then others, though they have more need then others; yea and the beſt Churches may ſoon degenerate and ſtand in as much need of help as others, and for want of it may ſink and fall into a deep Apoſtacy, which other Churches might have prevented if they had diſcerned it at firſt. Mr. Cotton Keyes pag. 55. line 7.
Queſt. 5. Why do you ſay this combination and conſotiation of Churches is wholeſome?
Anſw. It is wholeſome as tending to maintain brotherly love and ſoundneſs of doctrine in Churches,Mr. Cotton. and to prevent many offences which may grow up in this or that particular Church, when it tranſacts all ſuch things in it ſelf without con-Mr. Cotton of the Keyes p. 55. line. 17.
Queſt. 6. But how do you prove it an Ordinance of Chriſt?
Anſw. It is an holy Ordinance of Chriſt as having juſt warrant from a like precedent; the Apoſtles were as much independent one from another,Mr. Cotton. and ſtood in as little need of help one from another, as Churches do. And yet Paul went up to Jeruſalem to confer with Peter, Jam…s and John, leſt he ſhould in vain run in the courſe of his Miniſtery, Gal. 2.2. And though in conference the chief Apoſtles added nothing to Paul, ver. 6. yet when they perceived the Goſpel of uncircumciſion was committed to Paul and Barnabas, as that of the circumciſion was to Peter, James and John, they gave unto one another the right hand of fellowſhip. Now then it will follow by juſt proportion, that if the Apoſtl s who were independent each of them one of another, had need to conſult and confer together, to procure a freer paſſage to their calling, and to their doctrine; than ſurely Churches, and Elders of Churches, though independent one of another, had need to communicate te their courſes and proceedings in ſuch caſes one with another, to procure the freer paſſage to the ſame. And if the Apoſtles giving the right hand of fellowſhip one to another, did mutually ſtrengthen their hands in the work of the Miniſtery; then the Elders of Churches giving the right hand of fellowſhip one to another in their ordination, or upon any fit occaſion, cannot but much ſtrengthen the hearts and hands of one another in the Lords work. Mr. Cotton of the Keys. page 55. line 22.
Queſt. 7. Is there any thing which may be added, if not for confirmation, yet for illuſtration of the point.
Anſw. Yes, by comparing the dimenſion of the new Jeruſalem, which is the perfect platforme of a pure Church, as it ſhall be conſtituted in the Jewiſh Church State at their laſt converſion.Mr. Cotton. The dimenſions of this Church, as they are deſcribed by Ezekiel, chap. 48.30. are twelve furlongs, that is, about three miles in length, and as many in breadth. But the dimenſion of the ſame Church, Rev. 21.16. is ſaid to be twelve thouſand furlongs. Now how can thoſe two dimenſions ſtand together, that are ſo far diſcrepant one from another, as twelve, and twelve thouſand? the fitteſt and faireſt reconciliation ſeems plainly to be this; that Ezekiel ſpeaketh of the dimenſion of any ordinary Jewiſh Church of one particular Congregation, but John ſpeaketh of the dimenſion of many particular Jewiſh Churches combining together in ſome caſes, even to the communion of a thouſand Churches. Mr. Cotton of the Keyes. page 56. line 7.
Object. But Theologia Symbolica non eſt argumentativa; Arguments from Parables and myſtical reſemblances are not valid.
Anſw. If there were no argumentative power in Parables,Mr. Cotton. why did the Lord Jeſus delight ſo much in that kinde of teaching? and why did John and Daniel, and Ezekiel, deliver a great part of their Propheſies in Parables, if we muſt take them for Riddles, and not for Documents or Arguments? ſurely if they ſerve not for Arguments, they ſerve not for Documents. Mr. Cotton of the Keyes. page 56. line 36.
Queſt. 8. But is this Combination of Churches neceſſary, as well as lawful?
Anſw. The Conſociation of Churches is not only lawful,Mr. Hooker. but in ſome caſes neceſſary. Mr. Hookers Survey of Diſcipline. preface. a. 3.
Nemo, inquit Parkerus, quod ſciam, Eccleſiae alicujus reformatae alumnus ante Hugonem Grotium negavit Synodos eſſe neceſſarias quibus nos foreign libenter profitemur. Norton adverſus Apollonium. pag. 112. Mr. Parker ſaith, that no man that was a Diſciple of the reformed Churches, did ever deny the neceſſity of Synods before Hugo Grotius; and we do unanimouſly confeſſe the neceſſity of them. Mr. Norton againſt Apollonius. page 112. line 17.
Queſt. 9. How many ſorts and degrees of Conſociation of Churches are there?
Anſw. This Conſociation is of ſeveral ſorts and degrees, ſome leſſer, ſome greater, as Claſſes, Synods,Mr. Hooker. and theſe Provincial, National and Oecumenical; thus farre we agree. Mr. Hookers Survey of Diſcipline. part 4. page 2. line 15. and 25.
Queſt. 10. What is a Synod?
Anſw. Synods we acknowledge being rightly ordered, as an Ordinance of Chriſt. Mr. Cottons Keyes. page 23. line 21. And though not abſolutely neceſſary to the being,Platform of Diſcipline. yet many times neceſſary to the well-being of Churches. Platforme of Diſcipline from N. E. chap. 16. ſect. 1.
Queſt. 11. How is a Synod to be compoſed, and of what Members ought it to conſiſt?
Anſw. Becauſe it is difficult, if not impoſſible, for many Churches to come altogether in one place,Platform of Diſcipline. in all their Members univerſally; therefore they may aſſemble by their delegates or meſſengers, as the Church of Antioch went not all to Jeruſalem, but ſome ſelect men for that purpoſe; becauſe none are, or ſhould be more fit to know the ſtate of the Churches, nor to adviſe of wayes for the good thereof than Elders; therefore it is fit that in the choice of the meſſengers for ſuch Aſſemblies, they have ſpecial reſpect unto ſuch; yet, in as much as not only Paul and Barnabas, but certain others alſo were ſent to Jeruſalem from Antioch, Acts 15. and when they were come to Jeruſalem, not only the Apoſtles and Elders, but other Brethren alſo do aſſemble and meet about the matter, therefore Synods are to conſiſt both of Elders and other Church-members, endued with gifts, and ſent by the Churches, not excluding the preſence of any Brethren in the Churches. Platforme of Diſcipline chap. 16. ſect. 6.
Queſt. 12. Whether may there be called and k…pt a National Synod or no?
Anſw. It may ſo fall out that the State of all the Churches in the Country may be corrupted,Mr. Cotton. and beginning to diſcern their corruption, may deſire the concourſe and counſel of one another for a ſpeedy and ſafe, and general reformation; and then ſo meeting, all conferring together, may renew their Covenant with God, and conclude and determine upon a courſe that may tend to the healing and ſalvation of them all: this was frequent in the Old Teſtament in the time of Aſa, Hezekiah and Joſiah; theſe and the like examples were not peculiar to the Iſraelites as one intire National Church; theſe examples hold forth no ſuperiority in one Church or Court over another, but all of them in an equal manner give advice in common, and therefore ſuch examples are fit precedents for Churches of equal power within themſelves, to aſſemble together and take order with one accord for the Reformation of them all. Mr. Cotton of the Keyes. pag. 24 l. 22.
Queſt. 13. But what is the work that properly belongs to Synods?
Anſw. It belongs unto Synods and Councels to debate and determine controverſies of faith and caſes of conſcience,Platforin of Diſcipline. to clear from the Word holy directions for the holy worſhip of God, and good government of the Church, to bear witneſſe againſt male-adminiſtration, and corruption of doctrine and manners in any particular Church, and to give direction for the Reformation thereof. Platforme of Diſcipline from N. E. chap. 16. ſect. 14.
In any part of the Churches way,Mr. Cotton. which is more hard to hit right upon, as in Elections, Ordinations and cenſures of eminent perſons in office, it is a ſafe and holy faithful office of the vigilancy of the community of Churches, to be preſent with them, and helpful to them in the Lord; and at all times, when a particular Church ſhall wander out of the way, whither out of the way of truth or peace, the community of the Churches may by no means be excuſed from reforming them again into their right way according to the authority which the Lord hath given them for the publick edification of all the ſeveral Churches within their Covenant. Mr. Cotton of the Keyes. page 58. line 36.
Queſt. 14. What is then that power or authority which Synods and Combinations of Churches have in theſe caſes? is it only declarative and directive, or conſultative?
Anſw. We dare not ſay that their power reacheth no further than giving counſel;Mr. Cotton. for ſuch as their ends be for which according to God they do aſſemble, ſuch is the power given them of God as may attain thoſe ends. As they meet to miniſter light and peace to ſuch Churches, as through want of light and peace lye in error (or doubt at leaſt) and variance; ſo they have power by the grace of Chriſt, not only to give light and counſel in matter of truth and practice, but alſo to command and injoyn the things to be believed and done. The expreſſe words of the Synodal Letter imply no leſſe, It ſeemeth good to the Holy Ghoſt and us to lay upon you no other burden; this burden therefore to obſerve theſe neceſſary things which they ſpeak of, they had power to impoſe; it is an act of the binding power of the Keyes to binde burdens; and this binding ariſeth not only materially, from the weight of the matters impoſed, (which are neceſſary, neceſſitare praecepti, from the Word) but alſo formally, from the authority of the Synod, which being the Ordinance of Chriſt, binds the more for the Synods ſake. As a truth of the Goſpel taught by a Miniſter of the Goſpel, it bindeth to faith and obedience, not only becauſe it is Goſpel, but alſo becauſe it is taught by a Miniſter for his Callings fake; and ſurely alſo a Synod ſometimes meeteth to convince and admoniſh and offending Church or Presbytery; they have power (if they cannot heal the offenders) to determine to withdraw communion from them; and further, ſeeing they meet likewiſe ſometimes for general Reformation, they have power to decree and publiſh ſuch Ordinances as may conduce according to God to ſuch Reformation, examples whereof we have, Nehem. 10.32, 39. 2 Chron. 15.12, 13. Mr. Cotton of the Keys. page 25. line 10.
Queſt. 15. How farre then are particular Churches bound to ſubmit themſelves to the directions or decrees of Synods?
Anſw. Particular Churches are ſo far ſubject to the Conſociation of Churches,Mr. Hooker. that they are bound in caſe of doubt and difficulty to crave their counſel, and if it be according to God to follow it; or if the particular Churches erre from the rule, and continue obſtinately therein, the Conſociation have authority to renounce the right hand of fellowſhip. Mr. Hookers Survey. part 2. page 80. line 10.
The Synods directions and determinations ſo far as conſonant to the Word of God, are to be received with reverence and ſubmiſſion; not only for their agreement therewith, but ſecondarily for the power whereby they are made, as being an Ordinance of God appointed thereunto in his Word. Platforme of Diſcipline from New England. chap. 16. ſect. 5.
Particular Churches are bound to acquieſce in the lawful decrees of Synods received by the major part of the Churches, and approved by the Chriſtian Magiſtrate. Mr. Nortons anſw. to Apollonius. page 118. line 3. And this, 1. Under the danger of incurring the guilt of diſturbing the order of the Church. 2. Under the penalty of non-communion by the reſt of the Churches. 3. Under the penalty of civil puniſhment to be inflicted by the Magiſtrate, as the matter ſhall require. Mr. Norton, ib. l. 9, &c.
Queſt. 16. But hath the Synod authority to determine or conclude any thing that ſhall binde the Churches, but according to the inſtruction which they have received before from the Churches?
Anſw. We do not ſo apprehend it; for what need Churches ſend to a Synod for light and direction in ways of truth and peace, if they be reſolved before hand how far they will go? but if the Elders be gathered in the Name of Chriſt in a Synod, and proceed according to rule the (Word) of Chriſt, they may conſider and conclude ſundry points expedient for the eſtate of their Churches, which the Churches were either ignorant or doubtful of before. Mr. Cotton of the Keys. pag. 26. line 33.
Queſt. 17. But what if the Synod conclude and determine againſt the truth, and the Church ſtand for the truth?
Anſw. 1. It is not readily to be granted (though neither is it ſimply to be denyed) that in Reformed times,Mr. Norton. the opinion of a particular Church ſhould be more ſound than the opinion of a Synod.
2. As it is in civil things, there is an abſolute truth, and there is a judicial truth; and the ſentence of the ſupreme civil Judge, (ſuppoſe the Parliament) is true quoad homines, though it be not abſolutely true; ſo it is in Eccleſiaſtical things; the Synod being the ſupreme and higheſt Judge of the queſtion, the ſentence of the Synod, though it be not abſolutely true, yet it is Eccleſiaſtically true. Scil. in foro exteriore.
3. Although, the truth after ſome new decrees of a new Synod, repealing the act of the former, may remain with the Church.
4. If the error be not fundamental, publick order is to be preferred before obedience to an affirmative precept that is not fundamental; though therefore a hoof of truth is to be preferred before the liberties and lives of the ten thouſands of Iſrael; yet when the whole community is more endangered by the want of publick order, than by the preſent not obſerving of ſome affirmative command not fundamental, we ought to have more regard to publick order, than to the preſent obedience of ſuch a command.
5. Therefore the particular Church in this caſe may and ought to ſubmit it ſelf to ſuch order, but yet without ſin. Mr. Nortons anſw. to Apollonius. pag. 118.119.
Queſt. 18. But how can that been done?
Anſw. 1. The truth is not to be diſſembled,Mr. Norton. but the Church is modeſtly and peaceably to bear witneſſe to the truth.
2. Effor is never to be approved though for awhile, in regard of the iniquity of the time it is to be tolerated.
3. Wiſely and patiently we muſt wait in our ſtations in the due uſe of means, till God in his own proper ſeaſon ſhall reveal the truth. Mr. Norton againſt Apollonius. page 119. line 30.
Queſt. 19. Have all the Members of a Synod equal power?
Anſw. A Synod conſiſting,Mr. Cotton. as we have heard it doth, of Elders and Brethren, their power is not the ſame, but diſtinct; the power which the Brethren have, it is a power of liberty; the power which the Elders have, it is a power of authority. The Brethren have firſt liberty to diſpute their doubts modeſtly and Chriſtianly among the Elders; ſo in that Synod at Jeruſalem, Acts 15.7, 12. Secondly, they had liberty to joyne with the Apoſtles and Elders in determining the ſame, as the common ſenſe of them all. Thirdly, they had liberty to joyn with the Apoſtles and Elders in chooſing and ſending Meſſengers, and in writing Synodal letters in the name of all, for the publiſhing of the ſentence of the Synod, Acts 13. ver. 22, 23. to 29. But the authority of the decrees lay chiefly, if not only, in the Apoſtles and Elders, as appears, Acts 16.4. So then it will be moſt ſafe to preſerve to the Church of Brethren their due liberty, and to the Church of the Elders their due authority. Mr. Cotton of the Keyes. page 26. line 1.
Queſt. 20. Whether may a perſon or perſons wronged by particular Churches, appeal to a Synod or no for redreſs?
Anſw. There is a right of appeals in weighty cauſes from an inferior to a ſuperior ſentence.Mr. Norton.
And ſeeing that in Eccleſiaſtical cauſes, and among Eccleſiaſtical perſons many differences do ariſe, who can deny but that this right of appeals muſt be granted there?
Appeals are of divine and natural right, and neceſſary in all ſocieties, becauſe of the ignorance and unrighteouſneſſe of many who are Judges. Mr. Nortons anſwer to Apoll. 3. pag. 112. line antepenult. & page 114.
Hitherto of the Combination or Conſociation of Churches, and of Synods, and their power. Now from theſe particulars that have been delivered, let us draw ſome poſitions with their inferences.
Firſt, it is lawful for particular Churches to joyne together in a holy Covenant and communion amongſt themſelves to adminiſter all Church Affairs of weight and difficulty, and common concernment, not without common conſultation and conſent about them. See anſwer to queſt. 1. Hence it follows,
1. That if an expreſſe conſent and Covenant be the formalis ratio, and conſtitutive of a Church; then theſe particular Churches thus joyned together, make up one Church; not repreſentativè & impropriè, but truly and properly, having the true formale of a Church, and that which dat eſſentiam.
2. If they have thus covenanted together to tranſact things by common conſent, then every Church of the Conſociation hath the ſame power in all matters that the fraternity of a particular Church hath, to wit, of conſenting or of diſſenting.
3. If they Covenant to adminiſter all their affairs not without common conſent, then quere whether every particular Church hath not a negative voice, which is more then the Preſbyterians contend for.
4. If they Covenant to adminiſter all matters of weight and common concernment, NOT without common conſent, then the excommunication of any perſon being a matter of weight, (as doubtleſſe the delivering up of a ſoul to Satan is) and alſo a matter of common concernment, (he that is caſt out of one Church, being caſt out of all) will it not from the conceſſion follow that no particular Church can excommunicate a Member, without the conſent of the aſſociated Churches?
2. This Conſociation of Churches, is ſafe, uſeful and wholeſome, and in ſome caſe neceſſary. See anſw. to queſt. 2.3, 5, 8. they therefore who refuſe to aſſociate with other Churches when it is offered, let theſe conſider whether they do not forſake their own mercies.
3. Even the ſtrongeſt and beſt Churches have need of Aſſociation; firſt, that they may help the weak; for all Churches are not in a like athletick plight; and ſecondly, for themſelves; for the beſt may ſoon degenerate, and for want of Aſſociation, may ſink and fall into deep Apoſtaſie. See anſw. to queſt. 4. therefore,
1. Theſe Aſſociations ought not to be elective; for then the ſtrong and athletick Churches may combine together, and exclude the weaker and leſſe athletick, ſaying, we have no need of you; which would fruſtrate the end of combination; and therefore the beſt way is for Churches that are in vicinity to combine together.
2. If the ſtrongeſt Church may need Conſociation to prevent degeneration and Apoſtaſie, then the beſt way is to have theſe Conſociations fixed and ſtated, not occaſional only, & pro re nata.
— Sero med cina paratur,
Quum mala per long as invaluere moras.
4. Combination of Churches is an holy Ordinance of Chriſt. See anſw. to queſt. 6. Therefore let them conſider how they will anſwer it to Jeſus Chriſt, who not only live without this Ordinance, but deſpiſe it, and ſpeak evil of it, and yet have covenanted to walk in all the Ordinances of Chriſt, and would be thought ſo to do.
5. Combination of Churches is no more deſtructive to the power of particular Churches, than the Conſociation of the Apoſtles was to their Apoſtolical power. See anſwer to queſt. 6.
6. As the Apoſtles giving the right hand of fellowſhip one to another, ſtrengthened their hands in the work of the Miniſtery; ſo the Elders of Churches giving the right hand of fellowſhip one to another upon any fit occaſion, cannot but ſtrengthen the heart and hands of one another in the Lords work. See anſw. to queſt. 7. Therefore for the Elders of Congregational Churches to refuſe to aſſociate with their brethren of another judgment, and to refuſe to give them the right hand of fellowſhip, what doth it declare but this, that either they do not think we in our Miniſtery work the work of the Lord, or elſe that they are reſolved to weaken our hands, and hinder our work as much as they can, becauſe though we do Gods work, yet we do not do it in their ways?
7. A Combination of Churches, or a Claſſical Church, is a pure Goſpel Church, according to the moſt perfect platform; it is the new jeruſalem that came down from heaven, Rev. 21.16. See anſw. to queſt. 7. therefore they are much miſtaken that ſay it is an Antichriſtian platform.
8. Claſſes and Synods Provincial and National are lawful, and warrantable. See anſw. to queſt. 9. therefore they exceedingly prevaricate, who go about to render them either ridiculous as ſome, or odious as others.
9. A Synod is an Ordinance of Chriſt, neceſſary, though not to the being, yet to the well-being of Churches. See anſw. to queſt. 10. therefore it is as neceſſary as the reſt of diſcipline, which is neceſſary only for the well-being of Churches, not to their being. And ſecondly, therefore it is no more improper to have Combinations or Synods fixed and ſtated, than it is to have other meetings for Diſcipline ſo fixed.
10. Delegation to be a member of a Synod, is a lawful Goſpel-employment. See anſw. to queſt. 11.
11. All the Churches of a Nation may meet together to conſult, and to renew their Covenant for Reformation; if the Covenant conſtitute the Church, quere, whither they be not now a National Church? See anſw. to quest. 12.
12. The practice of the Church in Hezekiahs dayes, and in Joſiahs dayes, is a preſident for National Synods and Councils. See anſw. to quest. 12.
13. Synods are uſeful, and have power in caſes of difficulty, and in ſuch caſes particular Churches are bound to make uſe of them. See anſw. to queſt. 13. and 15. and in caſe of male-adminiſtration, and in ſuch caſes the Conſociated Churches are bound to take cognizance of it, & redreſſe it. See anſw. to queſt. 13.
14. Synods have power and authority from Chriſt, not only to direct and give counſel, and declare the minde of Chriſt, but alſo to command and injoyne. See anſw. to queſt. 19.
15. Synods have ſome part of the binding power of the Keyes. See anſw. to queſt. 14. Quere, why not all as well as ſome, and where Chriſt hath made the Partition.
16. The decrees and injunctions of Synods ſo far as they are agreeable to the Word of God, binde not only materially, becauſe they are agreeable to the Word, but formally, becauſe they are the decrees of a Synod, which is the Ordinance of Chriſt. See anſw. to queſt. 14. and 15.
17. In the determination of the major part of a Synod, approved by the Chriſtian Magiſtrate, particular Churches are bound to acquieſce upon pain 1. Of being guilty of diſturbing the order and peace of the Church. 2. Of non-communion. 3. Of puniſhment by the Magiſtrate. See anſw. to queſt. 15. if ſo, then firſt, the Magiſtrate may uſe compulſion and coercion in matter of Religion. Secondly, the vote of the major part of the late Aſſembly at Weſtminſter, had more obliging power than ſome body would own, and ſome body is guilty of ſomething.
18. The decrees of Synods though erroneous, yet, if not fundamentally erring, are not to be rejected or ſcorned, but received and ſubmitted to, rather than peace and order diſturbed. See anſw. to queſt. 17. If I underſtand this aright, our brethren ſay as much as can be deſired, if not more; O that any thing near this had been practiſed!
19. It is not eaſily to be granted that Synods erre, and particular perſons and Churches that are contrary-minded have the truth. See anſw. to queſt. 7.
20. Appeals are warrantable by the Law of God, and the Law of nature, and neceſſary in all Societies, becauſe of the ignorance or iniquity of them that are Judges. See anſw. to queſt. 20. therefore great is either their ignorance or their iniquity, who deny the members of their ſociety this juſt and neceſſary liberty of appeals.