The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

§ 20. We see not how the Synod Act. 15. maketh any thing for a National High Priest or Sanhedrin, or any like Policy: For 1. It appeareth to be no act of proper National Government, but did bind other Churches as well as those within the Empire. 2. It was an arbitration at the request of doubting persons; and it was not the Relation of the Arbitrators to one seat of National Power (as the Metropolis) that was respected, but the quality of the persons sent to, who would have been equally obeyed had they dwelt in the least Village of another Land. 1. There were the Apostles that had the promise ⟨p. 258⟩of the Holy Ghost: 2. There were many▪ whom the people must needs more confide in than in one; especially whose power was questioned by gainsayers. 3. Both Apostles, Elders and Brethren there were such as had seen, or were near to Christ and his works, and therefore likeliest to know his mind. 4. They were Jews themselves, and therefore most impartial Judges in the point that Jewish Teachers troubled them about, so far as that they might well acquiesce when Jews themselves resolved them. And when the Apostles were dispersed, we find not any more Jerusalem-Councils Governing the Imperial Churches.

§ 20. We see not how the Synod Act. 15. maketh any thing for a National High Priest or Sanedrim, or any like Policy: For 1. It appeareth to be no act of proper National Government, but did bind other Churches as well as those within the Empire. 2. It was an arbitration at the request of doubting persons; and it was not the Relation of the Arbitrators to one seat of National Power (as the Metropolis) that was respected, but the quality of the persons sent to, who would have been equally obeyed had they dwelt in the least Village of another Land. 1. There were the Apostles that had the promise ⟨p. 258⟩of the Holy Ghost: 2. There were many▪ whom the people must needs more confide in than in one; especially whose power was questioned by gainsayers. 3. Both Apostles, Elders and Brethren there were such as had seen, or were neer to Christ and his works, and therefore likeliest to know his mind. 4. They were Jews themselves, and therefore most impartial Judges in the point that Jewish Teachers troubled them about, so far as that they might well acquiesce when Jews themselves resolved them. And when the Apostles were dispersed, we find not any more Jerusalem-Councils Governing the Imperial Churches.