An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of…An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of…

Thirdly. The Church hath not given them any such power, ⟨p. 256⟩nor indeed, can it. 1. It hath not; as appeareth in their complaints of it as undue, & as a grievance, and in the profession of diverse of the members that they never knew that the Church was so subjected. 2, That it cannot; appeareth in this, that the Church it self hath no such power, and none can give what they have not. In what sense this assertion is to be understood, and upon what grounds it is to be received, we shall have occasion to declare in examining his answer, shortly to follow, whereunto I refer the Reader.

Thirdly. The Church hath not given them any such power, ⟨p. 256⟩nor indeed, can it. 1. It hath not; as appeareth in their complaints of it as undue, & as a greivance, and in the profession of diverse of the members that they never knew that the Church was so subjected. 2, That it cannot; appeareth in this, that the Church it selfe hath no such power, and none can give what they have not. In what sense this assertion is to be understood, and upon what grounds it is to be received, we shall have occasion to declare in examining his answer, shortly to follow, whereunto I referr the Reader.

Fourthly. That no good reason giveth the Classis this power of making laws, to bind particular Churches, will appear, if two things be declared. 1. what things are required to the making of a law. 2. what instances they produce to show the undue proceedings of that Classis herein. First, the things required to a law are these, at least. 1. a due authority, or power orderly authorised thereunto. 2. its consonancy and consent with the law of God. 3. that it is referred unto, and doeth respect the common good. Secondly, let the instances produced by them be brought to these rules, and it will be found, 1. that they want sufficient authority for making of such laws, 2. that such a law agreeth not with the law of God. 3. that it is not referred to the public and common good, by what hath been already said, partly in this Section, partly in the 12 Section, and partly in other Sections. The issue, whereunto the instances drive, is, that the Classis exerciseth an undue power, when it bindeth men to any observance, upon no better ground then the mere custom of a place, which is then done, when hat custom is not warranted by the word. For, howsoever, in civill administrations, in Common wealths, some customs have the force of a law,