Church concord

The fifth Corollary affirmeth, that [Though the Church of a particular Congregation consisting of Elders and Brethren, and walking with a right foot in the Truth and Peace of the Gospel, be the first subject of all Church Power needful to be exercised within it self, and consequently be Independent from any other Church or Synod in the use of it; Yet it is a safe and wholesome and holy Ordinance of Christ, for such particular Churches to join together in holy Covenant or Communion, and Consolation (Consociation or Consultation it should be) 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. Now Church Affairs of weighty and difficult and common concernment, we account to be, the Election and Ordination of Elders, Excommunication of an Elder, or any person of Public Note, and Employment; the translation of an Elder from one Church to another, or the like. In which case we conceive it safe and wholesome, and an Holy Ordinance, to proceed with common consultation and consent.] And so he proceedeth distinctly to prove this, 1. Safe. 2. Wholesome. 3. An Ordinance, adding this Caution, which we accept. [To see that this Consociation of Churches be not perverted, either to the oppression or diminution of the just Liberty and Authority of each particular Church within it self: who being well supplied with a faithful and expert Presbytery of their own, do walk in their integrity, according to the Truth and Peace of the Gospel. Let Synods have their just Authority in all Churches, how pure soever▪ in determining such [Greek or Hebrew] as are requisite for the Edification of all Christ's Churches according to God. But in the Election and Ordination of Officers, and censure of Offenders, let it suffice ⟨p. 35⟩the Churches consociate to assist one another, with their counsel and right han• of fellowship, when they see a particular Church to use their Liberty an• Power aright.

The fifth Corollary affirmeth, that [Though the Church of a particular Congregation consisting of Elders and Brethren, and walking with a right foot in the Truth and Peace of the Gospel, be the first subject of all Church Power needful to be exercised within it self, and consequently be Independent from any other Church or Synod in the use of it; Yet it is a safe and wholesom and holy Ordinance of Christ, for such particular Churches to joyn together in holy Covenant or Communion, and Consolation (Consociation or Consultation it should be) 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. Now Church Affairs of weighty and difficult and common concernment, we account to be, the Election and Ordination of Elders, Excommunication of an Elder, or any person of Publick Note, and Employment; the translation of an Elder from one Church to another, or the like. In which case we conceive it safe and wholesom, and an Holy Ordinance, to proceed with common consultation and consent.] And so he proceedeth distinctly to prove this, 1. Safe. 2. Wholsom. 3. An Ordinance, adding this Caution, which we accept. [To see that this Consociation of Churches be not perverted, either to the oppression or diminution of the just Liberty and Authority of each particular Church within it self: who being well supplied with a faithful and expert Presbytery of their own, do walk in their integrity, according to the Truth and Peace of the Gospel. Let Synods have their just Authority in all Churches, how pure soever in determining such as are requisite for the Edification of all Christ's Churches according to God. But in the Election and Ordination of Officers, and censure of Offenders, let it suffice